Karwa Chauth 2023: Know How To Master The Art Of Contouring And Highlighting Before You Prep For This Day

Contouring and highlighting techniques can transform your face, enhance your features, and give you a flawless, sculpted look.

Makeup tips for Karwa Chauth

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Contouring and highlighting are makeup techniques that have taken the beauty world by storm in recent years. These techniques can transform your face, enhance your features, and give you a flawless, sculpted look. Whether you're a makeup novice or a seasoned pro, mastering the art of contouring and highlighting can elevate your makeup game to the next level. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps to achieve a perfectly contoured and highlighted face as you get ready for Karwa Chauth.

Understanding Contouring And Highlighting:

Pashmeen Kaur, who is a Makeup Artist said, "Contouring and highlighting are all about using makeup to create shadows and highlights on your face, emphasizing your best features while minimizing less desirable ones."

Here's a quick breakdown of each technique mentioned by her:

Contouring: Contouring involves using a matte product that is a few shades darker than your natural skin tone to create shadows and define your facial structure. It is typically applied to areas like the hollows of your cheeks, the sides of your nose, your jawline, and the perimeter of your forehead.

Highlighting: Highlighting uses a product that is a few shades lighter than your skin tone to bring forward and emphasize specific areas of your face. The most common areas for highlighting include the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the center of your forehead, and your cupid's bow.

Things To Keep In Mind:

Dhriti Nandwani, who is a Educator, at Proarte suggested the following steps to help you achieve a flawless highlight:

Use the Right Tools: 

• For powder highlighters, use a fluffy brush to apply. 
• For cream or liquid highlighters use a synthetic brush or a makeup sponge, one can also use fingertips for a blended application.

Prep your skin: 

• Start with a clean and well-moisturized face. Hydrated skin provides a better base for makeup, also for an overall glow you can opt for an illuminating primer or a strobe cream.

Choose the right highlighter: 

• Choose the highlighter shade that compliments your skin tone and avoid areas that have open acne.
• You can select any product that suits your preference, whether it's a powder, cream, or liquid highlighter.

Know where to apply:

• The most common areas to highlight include the top of your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, the inner corners of your eyes, the brow bone center of the forehead and the Cupid’s bow.

How to apply:

• Start with a light application and gradually build up the intensity. 
• Apply the highlighter carefully and focus on the high points of your face for a natural glow.

Blend Well:

• Blend the highlighter into your skin to avoid harsh lines. 
• Use a soft hand and gentle strokes to diffuse the product effortlessly into your skin. The more you blend, the more sheen it will give.

Set with Setting Spray: 

• Set your look with a makeup setting spray to lock the highlighter in place and give your skin a more radiant finish.

Tools and Products You'll Need:

Pashmeen Kaur said that before diving into the contouring and highlighting process, its important to gather the following essential tools and products:

• Foundation: Start with a base of your usual foundation or tinted moisturiser to even out your skin tone.
• Contour Product: Choose a matte contour product, such as a contour powder or cream, that is a few shades darker than your skin tone.
• Highlight Product: Select a highlighter that is a few shades lighter than your skin tone. Cream, powder, and liquid highlighters are all available options.
• Makeup Brushes: You'll need a variety of brushes, including a contour brush, a fan brush, and a blending brush.
• Beauty Blender or Makeup Sponge: A sponge can help blend your contour and highlight seamlessly into your skin.

Steps To Master Contouring And Highlighting

Now, let's get into the step-by-step process of contouring and highlighting your face as guided by Pashmeen Kaur:

• Start with a clean and moisturised face.
• Apply your foundation or tinted moisturizer evenly across your face.
• Identify the areas you want to contour. Typically, these include the hollows of your cheeks, the sides of your nose, your jawline, and your forehead's perimeter.
• Use a contour brush or a small, angled brush to apply the contour product to the desired areas. Start with a small amount of product and build it up gradually to avoid harsh lines.
• Blend the contour lines with a clean brush or a makeup sponge to ensure a seamless finish. The key is to blend well to avoid any noticeable lines.
• Moving on to highlighting, identify the areas you want to emphasize, such as your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your forehead's center, and your cupid's bow.
• Apply the highlight product to these areas using a fan brush or your fingertip, depending on your preference.
• Blend the highlighter gently with a clean brush or a makeup sponge to create a natural-looking glow.
• Finish with setting powder to lock your makeup in place and prevent it from smudging throughout the day.
• Optional: Add blush to the apples of your cheeks for a healthy flush of colour.

Tips For Achieving A Subtle Makeup Look

When going for a natural makeup look, the best way to achieve it is often to do less. Twinkle Varshney, who is a Beauty blogger suggested the following:

• To master the art of minimal makeup, start fresh.
• Nourish your skin with moisturizer and create a perfect base.
• Choose a foundation or BB cream matching your skin tone for a natural, dewy finish.
• Camouflage small imperfections with a gentle hand.
• When it comes to your eyes, let them be smoky.
• Choose and blend neutral eye shadows lightly for added shades.
• Steer clear of strong eyeliners and instead opt for a gentle pencil or brown mascara for a more subtle lash definition.
• Add a soft flush and touch of bronzer to bring your delicate cheekbones alive with warmth.
• It’s on your lips where the real finesse of this makeup is shown.
• Choose a nude or rose hue that 'flatters' your natural lip colour. Even a bit of lipgloss can give it a nice, dewy finish.
• Finish with a dainty dusting of loose powder, so your look lasts without losing its innocent appeal.
• Subtle makeup is about improving your beauty inconspicuously and letting your natural glow steal the show.

In addition to her Dyuti Waghray who is the Co-founder of Defi Beauty said, "When it comes to achieving a subtle look, choosing the right lipstick can be a game changer. When aiming for a subtle look, nude lipsticks are your best friend. They are designed to mimic the natural colour of your lips.They're subtle, enhancing your lips' natural colour giving a soft, understated finish that won't overpower your overall look."