If you follow Kim Kardashian on Instagram (which, let's face it, most of us do), then you've probably seen a decent number of Kim's highlight and contour pics, in which her now-famous make-up preferences are on full display. The reality show darling loves a super bright undereye area and a razor sharp contour under her cheekbones, and she isn't shy about sharing her secrets for achieving this look on social media.
While it may seem crazy to go through so much effort to fake the appearance of better bone structure, this trick is incredibly effective and can really change the way your face looks. The contour element is meant to create realistic-looking shadows on your face and will make larger features recede, while highlighting will brighten up areas of your face and make them come forward, creating sharper-looking bone structure. Still, contouring and highlighting definitely looks a little crazy halfway through the process (note Kim's Lion King-esque make-up before shot) and can be intimidating to even the most experienced beauty junkie, let alone a make-up newbie. Not to worry: the beauty bloggers at HC have got you covered with this how-to video on how to enhance your natural bone structure and contour like a pro (or at least like Kim K)!
I started by perfecting my base by using a primer and the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 Oil-Free in Bisque ($43 at Sephora) to get rid of any discoloration and even out my skin tone. I then went in with a bit of Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer in SC-3 ($34 at Sephora) to pin-point conceal any blemishes.
For the cream contouring, I used the e.l.f. Studio HD Mattifying Cream Foundation in Caramel ($6 at e.l.f.) on a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush ($9 at Real Techniques) and applied this to all of the areas on my face that I wanted to contour, including in the hollows of my cheekbones, along my temples, under my jawline, the sides and tip of my nose and under my bottom lip.
To highlight, I used the NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Mont Blanc ($45 at Sephora) with my fingers to highlight underneath my eyes in a V-shape, along the tops of my cheekbones, in the center of my forehead, down the bridge of my nose, underneath my cheekbone contour and on my Cupid's bow.
Once the cream contouring was finished, I went in with a foundation brush and started to blend out the highlighted areas, trying not to mix the lighter areas with the contours just yet. Once the lighter areas were blended, I went in with an e.l.f. Studio Stipple Brush ($3 at e.l.f.) and blended out the contoured areas, making sure not to blend out too far.
I then went in with powders to set all of the cream contouring and highlighting so that everything would last longer. For the contoured areas, I used the fan favorite NARS Laguna Bronzer from the NARS Blush/Bronzer Duo in Orgasm/Laguna ($24 at Sephora) on a tapered powder brush to go over the contours and intensify them. For the highlighted areas, I used the CoverGirl Clean Oil-Control Pressed Powder in Buff Beige ($7.99 at CVS) on the same brush to set the lighter areas and brighten them even more.
Normally you wouldn't want to use a liquid or cream highlighter on top of a powder, but for the sake of this video I decided to show you how to use a liquid highlighter for a more dewy effect. I dabbed the tiniest amount of NARS Illuminator in Copacabana ($30 at Sephora) on the tops of my cheekbones and along my Cupid's bow for an added sheen and healthy glow.
Once you've done all of that, just go in and blend out any areas that need a little more work, add a blush of your choice on the apples of your cheeks and voilà! You're set to be the next Kim K, Kontouring Kueen.