Contouring - which products go get started

[SaltySeaBird]

I want to give contouring a go having been inspired by YouTube and Pinterest. I'm not sure where to start with products.

I use Lancôme foundation so not keen on just buying a darker and lighter one - I think powder would suit me better. Are there any decent kits that anyone would recommend to get me started?

[Jenda]

I have seen lots of people recommend the Sleek contour kit. Not used it myself but after it!

[SaltySeaBird]

Googling it now thanks!

[Jenda]

Sorry on my phone can't do links. I tend to use a matt bronzer for contouring and have a few different high lighter things. One is a light reflecting powder from Make Up Revolution, also have Collection light reflecting concealer and a cheap version of benefit moonbeam which I am not sure where is from as label has worn off. Just got sleek blusher in rose gold which is nice because it's bit shimmery on the cheek bones! Have been experimenting with cheap products until I know what I am doing I'm sure an expect will come along soon!

[SaltySeaBird]

Thanks Jenda

I looked a the Sleek kits but even the fair one seemed quite dark and I have quite fair skin - normally the palest foundation, with blonde hair (mid/honey tones ... at least until I get some very overdue highlights done).

The contouring dark colour is probably meant to be quite dark, just I worry I'll be heavy handed if it is too dark for me if that makes sense!

[Jenda]

Yep know what you mean I'm quite pale too. Maybe try a cheapy foundation a few shades darker? I know you wanted powder though. A good blending blush is key too I think

[MrsAlabamaWorley]

If you're pale then try the NYX blush in taupe if you want a powder, or Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Hollow if you'd prefer a cream. I alternate between the two and I'm very fair skinned and they both look great and just give a 'natural' shadow. You just need to avoid anything orange toned when you're pale

[MakeMeWarmThisWinter]

Marking place. I'm also very pale but would prefer cream ones, that go under foundation a la Kim Kardashian. I currently use a Clinique creamy stick blusher and Benefit highlighter but would like to use proper contouring stuff.

[notasgreenasiamcabbagelooking]

I've just started using this after deciding the sleek ones looked too dark for me. It comes with a booklet that shows you some ideas. The powder blush is quite pinky though and the concealer maybe a little dark for you. Worth reading the reviews on sephora to get an idea if you think it would suit you.

m.sephora.com/product/P377669

[Lndnmummy]

Am about to test the lancome and Illamsqua kits on the weekend (trip to selfridges planned). Can post an update how I got on.

[TheCraicDealer]

I wanted to try contouring but didn't want to spend a pile the stuff to try it in case it looked crap. So I went for Max Factor Panstik for the darker colour, and Maybelline Fit Me in the lightest possible colour. I normally insist on prefer pricey brands, but for all the times I can be bothered to actually do it these are grand. I usually use the Real Techniques expert face brush to blend as well.

I did feel like my mother buying that Panstik though.

[Fabulassie]

I second the NYX blusher in Taupe. I was using a pale bronzer but this is just so much better. It's somehow invisible - adding no real colour to my skin - but does contour my face.

For highlight, I use YSL Touche Eclat in the palest shade. I put some between my brows and down my nose, some at the tops of my cheekbones, a swipe from the corners of my eyes down to the tops of the cheekbones, and a little bit above the bow of my upper lip. I pat/blend that in with my beauty blender sponge thingy. Then I sweep the NYX taupe blusher under my cheekbones and up along my temples and hairline, then a bit under the jawline and touch it under the tip of my nose.

[Fabulassie]

I have tried the GossMakeupArtist trick with the cream foundations... I bought a cheap concealer stick in the palest shade and a cream foundation from Sleek in a dark shade. I then used a Max Factor Pan Stick in my normal shade to blend it all in. I totally had that weird brown and white striped thing before I blended. Yes, it works. But it's an awful lot of makeup. It's a drag queen trick. If you like to wear a LOT of makeup and look like an 80's Dynasty/Dallas/Falcon Crest star, then go for it. But for a more normal everyday look I use the NYX taupe blusher and YSL Touche Eclat.

By the way - I do still wear blusher (Nars Orgasm). I just put that on where it goes oblivious to the contour, blending them together where they meet. Works fine.

[MakeMeWarmThisWinter]

Fabulassie - thanks! Excellent advice and I will be copying every last word including NARS Orgasm which I've wanted for ages.

I think you're right about the cream base way being a bit ott - I have been looking at too many Pinterest transformations I think! I will do it in a rush and be walking round Tesco with badger stripes if I do that. Your technique sounds much better and more subtle and manageable.

[MakeMeWarmThisWinter]

I assume you do all that on top of your foundation? Can I ask what foundation you use? And do you finish with powder?

[Fabulassie]

I use a couple of foundations (I really love makeup.) Lately, it's been Yves St. Laurent Touche Eclat foundation (which is not the same as the highlighter pen.) I also wear Clinique Redness Solutions.

I have to say that I tend to wear a lot of makeup. It doesn't look cakey or orangey or anything, but I am not minimalist. I wear (in order from bottom to top):

Moisturiser
Becca Shimmering Skin Foundation
Loose powder (I forget which one - something cheap from the drugstore)
Foundation
Highlighter (the YSL pen thing)
Contour
Blusher

Then I do my eyes and lips. If I'm doing a very dramatic smokey eye I will do that before putting on the rest of the makeup (after moisturiser) so that I can easily clean up any eyeshadow dust that drops onto my cheeks.

[MakeMeWarmThisWinter]

Brill thanks.

I have the YSL foundation too but prefer Bourjois Healthy Mix serum.

I wear a similar amount tbh, I don't think it looks a lot but my skin is the important bit - I just smudge a little taupe Benefit eyeshadow on and that's it, some Revlon lip butter in pink truffle.

Moisturiser
Glowy BB cream - Soap and Glory one with SPF 25
Concealer under eyes - Collection one
Foundation
Cream blusher - Clinique
Sometimes / nights out - some Benefit highlighter and sometimes some glowy powder (Soap and Glory again)

[tyaca]

Hi Salty, I too am pale and cool toned. The typical bronzer type kits scare the living daylights out of me. Far too dark and orangey.

I use a Mac Pan Stick in a shade a couple darker than my natural colour. Because it's a creamy formula, it goes on really nicely. My skin can be a bit dry and I'm not crazy about layering on powders so i blend this in over my normal foundation when it's fresh on. I can't remember the shade I have - maybe medium?

I don't like most highlighters because they can often be really glittery and shiny and look a bit naff. I use [http://www.revlon.co.uk/Revlon-Home/Products/Face/Primers/Revlon-PhotoReady-Eye-Primer-And-Brightner.aspx this] which i love.

What I find makes the most difference to me is thinking about contouring as part of my base, and something I do with the 'wet' party of my make if that makes sense. It just looks less cakey and and super-made up.

[tyaca]

link fail

highlighter

[Knittingbat]

Just a warning on the NARS Orgasm - if you are really pale it is quite pigmented and strong (expensive blushers tend to be a bit more pigmented I think?) - I longed for it for years then was a bit WHOA NELLY even with the slightest whisk of it. Lots of makeupalleying identified E.L.F. cheap £2.50 blush in 'Glow' as a very good dupe - I love it, about to order my third, it's so much less pigmented that you can actually get a good bit on where you want it rather than dabbing in terror, which is what my pale skin usually makes me do.

Glow

[Knittingbat]

Ooh, that Revlon one is half price in Superdrug.