You’re Probably Using The Wrong Contour Shade

Photo: KKW Beauty

Contouring and bronzing are two very different techniques, which is something you may not know. Contouring enhances your bone structure by mimicking natural shadows, and it’s typically done with a matte product. Bronzing is for bringing warmth and color back into the skin, and most bronzers are warm toned and many have shimmer. Both methods require different colored products, and there are definitely options out there for every skin color. You also may not know that you’re actually using the wrong contour shade, and many people make the mistake of using a bronzer that’s too warm for contouring. In today’s blogpost, I’m showing you how to choose your perfect contour shade based on your skin color. These are my top recommendations for choosing the right contour color whether you have a light, medium, or dark complexion.

1. Light

Choosing the perfect contour shade for light skin can be difficult, but the key to creating the most natural definition is using a cool-toned or taupe colored product. Warm toned products can easily look orange and unnatural on fair skin. Thats why the NYX High Definition Blush in ‘Taupe’ is an amazing contour shade for light skin tones. It’s the best cool-toned taupe color for creating definition. (It’s also affordable!) I can’t stress how perfect this shade is if you have fair skin! It will give you the natural definition you’re looking for without becoming too harsh or muddy. Again, the most important thing for fair skin when choosing your perfect contour shade is to make sure it’s cool-toned. The color of this product is also very comparable to the Benefit Hoola Lite Bronzer, which is another amazing option for contouring if you have a lighter complexion!

2. Medium

If you have a medium skin tone like I do, finding the perfect contour shade for your skin color is usually pretty easy. There are so many options available for people with a mid-tone complexion. One of the best products for medium skin, in my opinion, is the original Benefit Hoola Bronzer. It has a buildable formula and looks so natural on the skin! The NYX Wonder Stick is also a great product if you prefer cream contouring. I haven’t been able to stop raving about it since my post on how to contour a round face. Using a cream contour looks more natural than a powder, but it does take more effort. Both are good options, it just depends on your preference. You’re probably surprised I haven’t mentioned my holy grail Chanel bronzer, but that product is more for warming up your complexion rather than contouring. There are tons of popular products like the Rimmel Natural Bronzer or the MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Dark that are great options for bronzing because of their warm tone, but they aren’t the best for contouring.

3. Dark

One thing that remains difficult, especially at the drugstore, is choosing the perfect contour shade for dark skin. Until recently there hasn’t been many options. However, the BH Cosmetics Studio Pro Contouring Palette is such a great palette if you have a dark complexion! It comes with ten shades, and according to blogger Lisa Francois (lisalamode.com), it’s the perfect affordable kit for a deep, cool-toned contour. Another product that is great for contouring darker skin is the Make Up For Ever Sculpting Kit in Dark. This product is silky, easy to blend, and is the perfect natural contour color that’s not too warm or too cool. If you have a darker skin tone, it’s important to look for a more neutral contour shade that’s in-between warm and cool so that it doesn’t wash out your complexion.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post on how to choose your perfect contour shade! Contouring is a great way to define your features and enhance your bone structure, and when done right it can look so natural. Leave a comment below sharing your favorite contouring product!