It’s a technique that has been used on film sets and backstage at the shows for years, but it was the Kardashians who put contouring in the public domain. With a seemingly simple sweep of a brush, contouring can give you defined bone structure, whether you were born with it or not. For the average person, achieving a natural finish on yourself, without ending up with obvious stripes down your cheeks, is an almost impossible task.

Step-by-step guide…

 #1. Use your fingers to feel for your cheekbones. The starting point for the darker powder should be at the top of your cheekbone, closest to your ear.
#2. Sweep the powder down your face, using your cheekbone as a guide. Don’t go too close to your mouth or lower than your ear lobe to avoid the finish looking unnatural.
#3. Use a lightweight finishing powder to set the contour.
 #4. Add the lightest powder along the top of your cheekbone, using your eye socket as a guide.
#5. Finish by gently buffing the powder into skin with a blending brush for a seamless, natural-look.

The essential kit…

The contouring palette
The brush
The finishing powder

(credits: cosmo)