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Every week, we put out a call for your redhead questions. This gives you a chance to get advice or input from our team of redheads. From beauty and fashion to lifestyle, redheads are in a unique boat, and we want to help make this community a place where you can turn for all your redhead needs.
This week, we’re answering a question that reads: “How can we contour as redheads? I am very pale.” Many fair-skinned redheads avoid contour because it feels intimidating, but it’s all about knowing how to pick a good shade and application, and we’re here to help.
What is contour, and where does it go?
Contour is a makeup technique used to accentuate certain parts of the face and mimic the look of a shadow that would occur if the face were more sculpted. Everyone likes to place their contour differently, but for redheads just getting started, a good guide is to put it under the cheekbone, along the forehead at the highest points near the hairline, and down the sides of the nose. You can also contour your lips, chin, and jawline.
For redheads, choosing contour shades that complement your natural coloring is essential. Opt for warmer, neutral tones rather than cool or gray shades to enhance your features without creating an unnatural look. When blending, use a brush or sponge to seamlessly integrate the contour into your skin, ensuring a smooth and natural finish. This will help highlight your unique features and achieve a balanced, sculpted appearance.
What’s the right contour shade for fair skin?
Your contour shade depends on your skin tone, undertones, and preferences. The darker the contour, the more defined it will be, but a too dark contour will not look natural. One common mistake people of all skin tones make is confusing contour shades with bronzer shades.
Contour is usually more cool-toned, while bronzer is more warm-toned. The cool undertones help to mimic that shadowed look, while bronzer brings warmth to the high points of the face, like a sun-kissed tan would. This is especially important for fair-skinned redheads, as warm-toned products give you more of an orange hue than an authentic contoured look.
The best way to find your perfect shade is to swatch the products in person. We can sometimes forget just how fair we are, and it’s common to see a product look relatively light on the models, but then it’s pretty dark against our redhead skin. When swatching the products, aim for a contour of 1-3 shades darker than your natural skin tone. If you’re a beginner, start lighter; you can get a darker one next time.
Application tips
Blending is the most significant factor in having a natural-looking contour, especially on fair skin. Leaving a harsh contour line will look very obvious and unnatural. Blend your contour in well, giving you a stunning look. Start with a small amount and add more if you need it. Adding too much contour will muddy your face and look unnatural. Once you’ve blended your contour out, don’t forget to finish the look with blush and highlight. This will pull the look together and help the contour pop.
- You can use a primer before contouring.
- Apply contour in natural shadow areas.
- Blend well to avoid harsh lines.
- Choose contour shades that complement your skin tone.
- Highlight high points like cheekbones and brow bones.
Do you want your redhead question answered? Find us @howtobearedhead on Instagram and Facebook, and look for the Ask a Redhead question box.
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