What Is Clown Contouring?

It may look like this La’ James International College student is painting her face for a costume party, but a new type of contouring is makeup’s next big trend. Students in training for cosmetology learn the art of makeup and how contouring can be difficult to master, even for the most experienced makeup gurus.

What Is This New Contouring Technique?

Contouring is a technique that involves makeup products being skillfully blended together to create the illusion of razor sharp cheekbones and a sculpted jawline. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian often share amazing before-and-after shots on Instagram, while actresses Megan Fox and Nicole Kidman are also fans. The latest craze in contouring now is clown contouring; this is when makeup is applied in bold, bright, blocky smears on the face, then blended carefully to create dramatic illusionary cheekbones and jawlines. And contouring your jawline makes a perfect face shape.

In the LJIC video, a student can be seen covered with colorful correctors, brighteners, and dark contours. The reveal is gorgeous and glamourous, displaying smoothly blended soft lines, balanced colors, and seemingly flawless skin.

Clown Contouring Basic Tips

Not sure if you are ready to clown around with this latest makeup trick? Here are the basics of contouring to get you started:

• Be sure that you use the right products; you only need a matte shading cream or powder and a highlighter. A cream is recommended because you can apply it with a makeup sponge, and it has a natural finish. However, if you are more comfortable using a powder, we recommend a sheer formula to give you a softer contour. For best results, make sure to strictly use all cream or all powder products, from your foundation to your blush. Layering different textures can cause makeup to blend unevenly.
• When it comes to matching your skin tone, remember that anything that stands out too much against your skin is going to look too obvious. If you have a fair complexion, use a contouring cream or powder that is one shade darker than your skin tone. In keeping with the idea of shadows, look for formulas with a grayish tint and stay away from anything that is too red or orange, such as bronzers.
• Highlighting does not mean using makeup with a glitter tint. The highlighter you use should be almost the color of your skin with just a hint of shine. Anything with a noticeable sparkle can look unnatural. For fair skin, we recommend using a light pearly pink and for dark complexions, a warm golden brown works well. This will mimic your skin’s texture, having a more natural effect.
• If you want instant cheekbones, suck in your cheeks to find the hollows. From there, work from the tops of the hollows inward, shade along and just beneath the sunken area, stop about an inch from the corner of your mouth, and blend well with a sponge. To slim your nose, blend two lines of the shading cream or powder from the start of your brows down the sides of the bridge of your nose with a small shadow brush.
• Highlighting needs to be strategic; this is especially important when you’re contouring because it brings the light back into your face. Apply the highlighter up and down your cheekbones, and then dab whatever is left over on your brow bones, the center of your chin, and just a little tap on the tip of your nose. Remember: you don’t want to overdo it!

What Is Your Face Shape?

Typical face shapes

Not all of the rules of highlighting and contouring are universal; it’s also important to keep your face shape in mind. If you have a round face, contouring under your cheekbones can make it appear smaller. If you have a narrow face, however, it could make it look even longer.

Blending is the most important thing! If you use a cream product, a sponge is recommended for the best blending. In contrast, if you use powder, run a fluffy brush with natural fibers over the finished look in a circular buffing motion. It’s important to hold your brush gently. Holding the brush toward the end of the handle will give you a softer, more seamless finish.

The finishing touch is the blush! Stick with a creamy soft peach or pink if you have fair skin, or a soft plum for darker complexions. Blend it on the apples of your cheeks for a natural flushed appearance. Voila! You are ready for the Red Carpet – or just a night out with friends!

Happy Contouring!