Understanding Bronzer vs. Contour Makeup
One of the most magical things about makeup is how many different styles and options there are – no two makeup artists use makeup in exactly the same way. Despite this, there are still some shared principles and products.
For instance, nearly every makeup tutorial will include bronzer, contour, or both at some point in the process.
So, what exactly are bronzer and contour, and how are they different? While the differences between the two might seem slight, knowing how and when to use each one can take your look from a one-dimensional slay to turning heads all day.
Here’s everything you need to know about bronzer and contour and how to use them to perfect your makeup routine.
What Is Bronzer?
Take a stroll through some 2016 makeup tutorials (or a peek at Kylie Jenner’s Instagram during her iconic King Kylie days), and you’ll get a pretty good idea of the power of bronzer. You can think of it like sunshine in a bottle. It instantly creates the sort of sun-kissed, glowy look that normally requires a few days at the beach to acquire.
Bronzer comes in many different formulations, including liquids, creams, and powders. If you aren’t sure which formula works best for you, we recommend trying a few different types to find your perfect one. Playing around with products is half the fun of makeup, after all!
For example, if you prefer a more dewy, luminous finish, you might like our Glo Hero Bronzing Drops, perfect for blending with moisturizer and building up to your ideal level of coverage. The antioxidant-rich formula (which can support your skin during exposure to harmful free radicals) is packed with nourishing ingredients like cocoa extract and vitamin E.
To nourish and bronze your skin at the same time, simply apply a drop or two of Glo Hero to your cheekbones, hairline, and neck. You can thin it out with moisturizer, or build coverage for a more consistent bronze.
What Is Contour?
Okay, so we’ve covered bronzer – now, what the heck is contour?!
If bronzer mimics the sun, contour mimics the shadows. Typically, you want to apply it to the hollow parts of your face (including the sides of your nose, beneath your cheekbones, and at your jawline) to create a more angular, symmetrical face shape.
Like bronzer, contour comes in many different formulas, so you can experiment and find the type that works best for you. Unlike bronzer, though, contour is typically applied in narrow strokes rather than being blended more broadly. Think of bronzer as a flush, while contour is like underlining the angles of your face.
How To Apply Bronzer and Contour
The best makeup routine is the one that works best for you, so try out a few different products and makeup styles before choosing one to stick with. For instance, if your skin tends to be a bit oily, you may want to try a powder formula for your contour, such as the cool-toned shades of our Trio Hero Face Palettes.
(Shameless plug: This palette features bronzer, contour, and highlighter all in one product, making it perfect for trying your hand at every type of highlighting and contouring.)
As a general rule, you should apply bronzer anywhere you want to create a little more glow, blending upward and outward so that the product melts right into your skin. Meanwhile, you should apply contour more precisely and narrowly, sticking to the hollows of your face.
Different formulations call for different tools. If you’re using a powder formula, you should blend it out with a wide fan brush, such as the one in our Pro Core Brush Kit. This will help create the illusion of a more natural, lived-in glow (and prompt ALL of your friends to ask you what vacation you just got back from).
When using a cream formula, a smaller, rounded brush makes it easier to blend out product. And for a liquid formula, we recommend a beauty blender (like our Ultimate Universal Beauty Sponge). The spongy texture will evenly distribute the product and soak up any excess for a more consistent application.
Bronzing and Contouring Products To Try
Let’s be real: Shopping for makeup can get very overwhelming, very fast. There are a ton of bronzing and contouring products out there, and it’s not always obvious which one is the best for you. So, we pulled together a list of our very favorites to make the task just a bit easier.
Our Favorite Liquid Contour
If you’re new to the contour game, we recommend starting with our Sun Sculpt Liquid Contour. This liquid formula comes in a whopping 14 different shades, so you can find a flattering shade no matter your skin tone.
Pro tip: The Sun Sculpt formula is super pigmented and buildable, so try starting off with just a dot of product and layering more on until you’ve achieved your ideal volume of coverage.
If you aren’t quite sure what you’re doing and want to start off with something simple, the Sun Sculpt is your bet.
6-In-One Powder Palette
If you want one palette that has every contouring product you need, check out our Stereo Face Six palette. This chic little palette has six wells of product, including highlighter, bronzer, and blush. The powder formula is silky, simple to apply, and super blendable, making it easy to combine shades and experiment with different techniques until you find the one most flattering for you.
These formulas are alcohol-free, fragrance-free, gluten-free, paraben-free, and talc-free, making them a great option for any skin type or need.
Plus, like all of our products, the Stereo Face Six palette is Leaping Bunny certified, AKA cruelty-free. No animals were harmed in the making of this slay.
Bronzer Only
For a simple, no-frills-attached bronzer, look no further than our Sunside Bronzer, which comes in seven different shades. This cute little pressed powder palette is specifically designed for bronzing, making application a piece of cake. Simply use a wide fan brush to sweep the product across your cheekbones, around your hairline, and under your jawline to create an even, faux-vacay tan.
For a liquid option, reach for our Sun Beam Matte Liquid Bronzer. This product has a highly-pigmented, easily blendable, long-wearing formula to help you warm up your look. Get that natural, sun-kissed look, and choose from nine different shades to find your perfect match!
Pro tip: Apply bronzer to your neck and decolletage to ensure that your face isn’t a different shade than the rest of you. Use sweeping strokes and focus on the high points of your throat to evenly blend it out.
A Multifunctional Pen
Sometimes, it’s nice to use a whole kit of brushes to apply your makeup look of the day. Other times, we just want to keep it simple and use one product that can do it all, which is where our Multi-Glam Face Pen comes in.
Looking for a multi-purpose product that’s perfect for on-the-go? Our 4-in-1 Face Pen includes a matte highlighter, a shimmer highlighter, a contour, and a bronzer in one compact stack. And each formula glides effortlessly onto your skin! When you’re ready to switch products, just swap out the caps! You can contour, bronze, and then highlight, all with the same product. Pretty nifty.
Parting Words of Advice
You might be sick of us saying it, but remember, one of the most important steps to becoming a makeup guru is to experiment and play around with different techniques and styles. There’s no one right way to contour… or to do anything when it comes to makeup. The “right” way is whatever makes you look and feel your best.
So grab your bronzer, contour, and a few brushes, and get started experimenting. Your best look yet might be right around the corner!