When it comes to photography, perfect makeup is just as important as posing and lighting. Whether you're prepping for a photoshoot, a wedding, or a casual portrait session, knowing how to contour for photography is essential to ensure you look flawless on camera. Contouring isn’t just about enhancing your natural features – it’s about creating a balanced, sculpted look that stands out in every shot. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the best tips and techniques to achieve a picture-perfect contour that will leave you camera-ready every time.
Why Contouring for Photography Matters
In the world of photography, the lighting, angles, and resolution can alter the way makeup looks on your face. A contour routine that looks great in person might not translate well in photos. That’s why it’s essential to adjust your contouring technique based on the type of photoshoot and the lighting conditions. Proper contouring not only adds dimension and definition to your face but also ensures that you’re not washed out or overexposed in photographs.
1. Choose the Right Contour Products for Photography
The first step in achieving a flawless, camera-ready contour is choosing the right products. For photography, cream or liquid contour formulas are ideal because they blend smoothly and provide a more natural, dewy finish. Powder contour can appear harsh and sometimes cakey on camera, especially in high-definition shots.
If you want a radiant, natural glow, try the Ultimate Contour Kit – Natural Glow from Bonjour Babe Beauty. This kit features a combination of creamy highlights and bronzers that are perfect for creating a sculpted look that translates beautifully on camera. The rich, buildable formula ensures a soft, seamless finish that will stand up to various lighting conditions.
2. Understand the Lighting
Lighting plays a huge role in how your makeup will appear in photos. Strong lighting from the front can flatten your face and wash out your contour, while side lighting can exaggerate shadows and highlight your best features. Here are some tips to adjust your contour based on the lighting:
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Soft, Even Lighting: If you're shooting in soft, natural light or using a ring light, you can go for a more subtle contour that enhances your natural bone structure. Focus on applying a light bronzer and highlighter on your cheekbones, jawline, and forehead.
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Harsh Lighting: For high-contrast lighting situations, such as outdoor or studio lighting, you’ll need to deepen your contour to create more noticeable shadows. Apply a darker contour shade under your cheekbones, along your jawline, and around your temples to add more depth.
3. Highlight the High Points of Your Face
To ensure your face pops on camera, it’s important to highlight the high points of your face. The goal is to create contrast between the highlights and contour to add dimension. Here’s where to apply highlighter for a picture-perfect look:
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Cheekbones: Apply a subtle highlight to the tops of your cheekbones to create a lifted appearance.
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Nose: Highlight the bridge of your nose to give the illusion of a slimmer, more sculpted nose.
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Cupids Bow: Add a small amount of highlighter to your cupids bow to make your lips appear fuller and more defined.
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Brow Bone: Apply a small amount of highlighter beneath your brows to lift and open up your eyes.
Using a product like the Ultimate Contour Kit – Natural Glow, which includes both highlighters and bronzers, can help you achieve these highlights seamlessly.
4. Contour Your Nose for a Slender, Defined Look
If you’re aiming for a more defined nose in photos, contouring the sides of your nose is key. Start by using a contour shade that’s a few shades darker than your natural skin tone. Apply the contour along the sides of the nose, blending it in towards the center to create the illusion of a slimmer nose. Be sure to blend well to avoid any harsh lines.
5. Don’t Forget Your Jawline
Your jawline can sometimes get lost in photos, especially when the light is harsh or your angle is off. To define your jawline for a sharp, camera-ready look, apply a matte bronzer just under your jawbone and blend it downward toward your neck. This will create a natural shadow that highlights your jawline and gives your face a more sculpted appearance.
6. Set Your Contour for Long-Lasting Results
The last thing you want during a photoshoot is for your contour to fade throughout the day. To keep your contour in place and looking fresh all day, set your makeup with a translucent setting powder. Lightly dust the powder on areas where you’ve applied contour and highlight. This will prevent any shine and ensure your makeup stays flawless under bright lights.
7. Practice Different Angles
Different camera angles can affect how your contour looks. While it’s tempting to always face the camera directly, angles can help showcase your best features. Experiment with tilting your chin slightly or turning your face to the side to see how your contour looks from different angles. Practice in front of a mirror to find the most flattering angle for your face shape.
8. Keep It Natural for Close-Up Shots
For close-up shots, subtlety is key. You don’t want the contour to be too harsh or noticeable in a close-up photo. Keep your contour light and blend it thoroughly for a more natural finish. Use a soft, light hand when applying your contour products, focusing on a soft shadow along your cheekbones, jawline, and temples.
Final Thoughts
Contouring for photography is all about enhancing your features while ensuring the makeup looks flawless on camera. With the right products, understanding of lighting, and technique, you can achieve a picture-perfect, sculpted look that will stand out in every shot. The Ultimate Contour Kit – Natural Glow from Bonjour Babe Beauty is the perfect tool to help you create a contour that’s both natural and photogenic. Whether you're prepping for a photoshoot, wedding, or just a day of selfies, these contouring tips will help you look your absolute best in front of the camera.