Contouring first became a trend as the go-to make up technique of Kim Kardashian West. This does not mean that it didn't exist before it became an internet sensation. Contouring itself, and baking have been used by theatrical and dance performers for decades.

1. Basic Contouring

Contouring requires using a matte product (cream, powder or pencils) to chisel, create contours and shadows on the face. Simple contouring makes the face look angular and slimmer while also helping to straighten or slim specific parts like the nose.  It can also help wide foreheads appear narrow and smaller. Using highlighters can help create a stark contrast and play up the shadows.

You would need a contour shade (one or two times darker than skin tone) and a highlight shade (one or two times lighter than original skin tone). The farther your highlight and contour shades are from your skin tone , the more visible and striking your final contoured look will be. 

2. Strobing

Strobing refers to a make-up technique which involves a lot of highlighting with little or no contour shades (dark shades). The aim of the technique to give a glow, and sometimes shimmery look to the face. The key is to highlight those areas of your face that catch light first, which include your cheekbones, bridge of the nose, cupid’s bow on your lip, centre of your forehead and your chin. The look is more dewy and shimmery and not matte.

3. Colour correction and contouring

The use of coloured creams to conceal problems like acne spots, redness and dark circles has been known for a long time but became a trend only recently. Each shade of the corrector palette wipes out a particular problem area or discolouration.

4. Clown contouring

Using colour correction to create extreme contours and tones is what clown or sugar-skull contouring does. While this requires good knowledge of the various pigments used and a lot of blending and toning, the technique is not difficult to master.

When clown contouring is something most of us would not attempt before the daily commute to work, sugar-skull contouring makes clown contouring a walk in the park. This style simply uses more colours and patterns to create shape, but the final look is not any more dramatic or useful for all the work required to blend the colours.

5. Baking

After contouring, baking comes into place as it does not give a cakey or shimmery look as is with strobing. Baking involves using translucent powder or any loose setting powder to fill in areas like the under-eye area. This, while highlighting, also creates a flawless skin tone without creases.  

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