Sculpture face

A mask of foundation looks flat and undefined. Get a sculpted look with killer cheekbones through contouring using a contour, bronze and highlight powders. No clue? This 3-shade step by step contour kit takes the novice through what to do…

A mask of foundation looks flat and undefined.

Get a sculpted look with killer cheekbones through contouring using a contour, bronze and highlight powders.

No clue?

Me neither. But this 3-shade step by step contour kit from Smashbox ($62) takes the novice- or seasoned pro- through what to do and even includes a contouring brush.

I like that there’s a useful sticker with a key for each shade and where it should go, stuck to the mirror when you open it up. We all know the theory – dark colours receed and light colours pop.

Step 1 : Use the darkest shade to contour under the cheeks, on the jawline, and on the sides of the nose.

Step 2: Add warmth with the bronzer shading directly above where you put the contour on your cheeks and within where you put the contour on your nose. Add a dusting of bronzer to your chin where the sun would hit.

Step 3: Use the lightest shade to catch the light on above where you put the bronzer on your cheeks, and down the bridge of your nose, and on the top of your upper lip, known as the cupid’s bow.

I recommend shaking off the brush as much powder in between colours as you can to avoid getting contour where you want highlighter.

I found this video really helpful: Watch Lori Taylor, Smashbox’s Pro Lead Artist, shows us the secret tricks celebrities use on the red carpet to add depth, blend in warmth and create that resplendent glow online here www.smashbox.com/Contouring-Highlighting-Video

Burning the candle at both ends? It’s time to use the pencil at both ends!

If you want to keep walking into the light, here’s the next step in adding highlights to brighten tired eyes.

The Smashbox Eye Beam Double-Ended Brightener ($40) has a Highlight end to use on the inner corners of eyes and brow bone, and an Inner Rim side to line the lower rims of eyes to makes the whites of the eyes pop.

It’s illustrated beautifully by make-up artist Holly Mordini in a how-to video here. www.smashbox.com/Eye-Beam-Video

Now, to perfect your pout. Smashbox’s Lip Beam ($40) – another double-ended pencil – has a Highlight end to apply to the cupid’s bow and just under the lower lip to make an Angelina-worthy pout. Next apply the Pout end to the centre of the lips to give fullness.

By Megan Robinson 2 April 2011.