Face Contouring 101: How to Get That Natural, Sculpted Look

Enhance your natural beauty with this easy breakdown!

Throw Some Shade - For instant cheekbones, like Jennifer Lopez’s sharp beauties, suck in your cheeks and shade along and directly beneath the sunken area. Nose contouring is also a big celebrity trend. To jump onboard, blend two lines of the shading powder or cream from the start of your brows down the sides of the bridge of your nose.(Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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Throw Some Shade - For instant cheekbones, like Jennifer Lopez’s sharp beauties, suck in your cheeks and shade along and directly beneath the sunken area. Nose contouring is also a big celebrity trend. To jump onboard, blend two lines of the shading powder or cream from the start of your brows down the sides of the bridge of your nose.(Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

The ABCs of Contouring  - Contouring is the runaway makeup trend that’s hit everyone from celebs like Angela Simmons to the girl-next-door. The popular application method gives you instant cheekbones and a gorgeous glow, but achieving the look can seem overwhelming. Plus, when it comes to “sculpting” your face, there is such a thing as overdoing it. We’ve broken down the hot new look into a few easy steps to get you on the path to pretty. By Patrice Peck(Photo: Angela Simmons via Instagram)

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The ABCs of Contouring 

BECCA Lowlight Sculpting Perfector - First things first, you’ll need cosmetics, of course. When going for a natural look, you’ll want to avoid piling on layers and layers of makeup. Go with a cream-based sculpting product for a natural, dewy finish. If you’re a powder girl, though, pick a sheer formula to achieve a softer contour. But beware layering creams and powders together, because the two don’t blend well and usually turn out “cakey.”(Photo: Sephora)

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BECCA Lowlight Sculpting Perfector

NARS Illuminator (Laguna) - As for your highlighter, skip the sparkles and lose the glitter. We recommend using a liquid highlighter formula to get the right glow.(Photo: Beauty.com)

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NARS Illuminator (Laguna)

Shine Bright - To get that beautiful glisten that Karrueche has here, lightly dab the highlighter along your T-zone, right above your cheekbones and jawline and under your eyes, and blend once more. Tap the remaining product on your brow bones and the tip of your nose.(Photo: Karrueche Tran via Instagram)

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Shine bright

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What's Your Shape? - When contouring, it’s important to keep your face shape in mind. Shading along the top of the forehead and lightly on the chin softens angular features on narrow faces, like Kelly Rowland's. Contouring right beneath the cheekbones can slim down rounder faces.(Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

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What's Your Shape?

Sephora Collection 'Flatter Yourself' Contouring Brush Set - If you’re working with cream, then your warm fingers are the best tools for a seamless blend. Those ladies using powder should get brushes with natural, soft bristles.(Photo: Sephora)

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Sephora Collection 'Flatter Yourself' Contouring Brush Set

Get Your Blend On - If you haven’t figured it out yet, blending is your best friend. Use a sponge if you’ve applied cream products and a fluffy, natural fiber brush if you’ve used powder. Hold the blender softly and run it in a circular buffing motion for an airbrush finish.(Photo: Sephora)

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Get Your Blend On

Best Actress: Lupita Nyong’o - Hollywod's reigning It girl Lupita Nyong'o is the early favorite to take home this award. Her Oscar winning performance in 12 Years a Slave was cinematic gold.(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images for MTV)

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Keep Your Skin Tone in Mind

Blushing Beauty - No contoured look is complete without blush. A bit of soft-colored blush on the apples of your cheeks will add some realistic dimension and a pretty flush to your face.(Photo: Ulta)

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Blushing Beauty

Photo By Photo: Ulta