Beauty Tip: Achieve a Sculpted Face with Contouring

Let’s face it, most women desire higher check bones, a slender nose and a well defined jaw line; well you don’t have to visit a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon to make that dream a reality. Skip that dreaded six week recovery time; with makeup contouring you can give your face a mini makeover without resorting to plastic surgery!

Makeup contouring has been one of Hollywood’s best kept secrets to achieving a visually stunning and natural appearance. From old Hollywood bombshells like Gene Tierney that used the technique to enhance her features on black and white film, to Salma Hayek that relied on makeup contouring for a slimmer facial appearance after the birth of her daughter.  Even Claire Danes, who appears on the August cover of American Vogue, has employed contouring to make her cheekbones more prominent and give a classic strength to her jaw line. And, if you want to achieve a more angular, dramatic visage to match the “Punk Chic” trend, that’s so evident on fall/winter catwalks from Milan to New York, facial contouring is just the technique to assist in achieving that look.

Honestly, we can’t think of a more perfectly symmetrical and sculpted face than Kim Kardashian’s. The truth is she isn’t lying on daily tanning on Tahitian beaches to achieve the sun kissed glow that many envy, but she does rely on a popular industry makeup artist with the Midas touch.

Fashion Reverie recently caught up with celebrity and editorial makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic, who has worked in the beauty industry for over a decade to discuss his signature contouring technique. “Contouring is a technique used to slim facial features, which is normally done together with highlighting; I love when a face looks clean and flawless,” says Mario Dedivanovic.

Have no fear, despite the fact that contouring was once only executed by industry pros; Mario assures that you can achieve the look on your own, but there are a few things to consider. “The texture (cream or powder) and the product shades. It’s best to not contour with very dark shades, instead opt for a color a couple of shades deeper than your skin tone,”  details Mario. A very important element to remember is that anything that is lighter than the skin tone will make an area more prominent, whereas anything darker will give the area depth, providing more of a sculpted look. Mario encourages creating your own shade, “I always mix different concealers, try Laura Mercier … it’s one of my favorites.”

As you know, everyday makeup often has the ability to rob your skin of its natural shading, leaving that dreadful ashy appearance, contouring comes to the rescue by manipulating shadows to resurrect your skin. The reality is that we’re introduced to so many new products every season that it leaves us with a monumental decision… “save or splurge,” well splurge, splurge, splurge on quality primers, concealers, foundations, and powders!  “I love so many different products and I’m always trying new things. Shiseido powders, MAC eyeshadows, Armani foundations, and the all over highlighter I created for Giella Cosmetics called Eye M Glam,” says Mario.

Mario’s Picks

Winning the ‘Perfect Match’ #1 Makeup Artist’s Choice” for 10th year in a row, Giorgio Armani ‘Luminous Silk’ Foundation’s hydrating fluid glides on seamlessly with a silky texture and all-day, buildable coverage. Honestly, Armani can do no wrong!  Giorgio Armani ‘Luminous Silk’ Foundation’s retails for $60 at Nordstrom.

Singlehandedly one of the most important products to own, Shiseido Translucent Loose Powder Maintains a satin smooth finish that keeps pores and uneven surface texture concealed provides a satin smooth finish to your skin.Maintains a satin smooth finish that keeps pores and uneven surface texture concealed Shiseido Translucent Loose Powder retails for $35 at Shiseido.com.

Mario is not only known for making celebs beautiful, but also his editorial work in Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Glamour, Teen Vogue, and Allure (to name a few,). It comes as no surprise that the makeup master himself would create a highlighting crème for contouring. Eye M GLAM is made with mineral pigments that diffuse light and make the skin look more luminous. Eye M GLAM is available for$35 at Giella.com.

Without a doubt, whether you want the appearance of stunning check bones at a black tie gala or you desire a golden glow for your vacation in Capri, makeup contouring is a versatile and timeless technique.

—Chandia Brennen