These Products Will Make You Ask: Is It a Face Lift or Just Good Contour?
February 27 | 4 minute read
Words by Christie Sinclair and Kaylah Joelle Baker
You also don’t need to be a pro makeup artist – Hollywood’s most influential MUA, Gucci Westman (founder of Westman Atelier), believes that anyone with the right products and the right tools can master the art, saying, “Contouring shouldn’t be complicated.”
“It’s not about transforming your face, it’s more about enhancing your features and making them the best versions of themselves,” Gucci tells us. “Contour is all about creating beautiful, believable dimension.”
But before you get too swipe-happy chasing a sculpted jawline or super snatched cheekbones, MECCA’s very own makeup education lead, Sally, suggests you find where your natural shadows sit when light hits your face. Then, pick a tone that mimics them. Think: cooler tones for light-to-medium complexions, and warmer tones for deeper or richer complexions.
Now, it’s time to pick up the sticks (and powders, and liquids)! Discover the contour formulas that carve out cheekbones with a few effortless swipes and a five-second blend.
Prefer a powder formulation? Don’t look past Westman Atelier's Baby Cheeks + Face Trace Sculpting Powder Duo. The contouring shade has a matte finish, is buildable and long-wearing and comes with a neighbouring blush to complete your look.
Created by a true makeup master, it’s no wonder Kevyn Aucoin’s Sculpting Powder has found its way into the kits of every professional and novice alike. Sheer, matte, buildable, and with a neutral undertone, it’s designed to mimic natural shadows to create an undetectable sculpted look. Load your brush by dipping it into the powder, work the product into the bristles on the back of your hand (this is key to achieving a smooth blend), then apply to the face by gently sweeping and buffing inward.
If you’re intimidated by contouring, this is the stick that changes everything. It makes sculpting feel less like a pro-only technique – simply apply with your fingertips and buff out gently with a brush. With its warm, sunkissed tone, you can have that bronzy, ‘beach holiday’ glow permanently.
A-list cheekbones, here you come! Charlotte Tilbury’s TikTok-famous Contour Wand comes in a foolproof applicator tube, so you can dot or swipe it on with Tilbury-worthy precision. Blend with fingers or a brush for an expertly sculpted and bronzed look.
