Article Detail
22 Nov
Written by Ashley P.
When I was first invited to participate in the Contour Challenge using the GreatShape Contour Kits, I was excited! However, I quickly found myself finding excuses to put it off. I soon realized that I was procrastinating because I was intimidated! When I think of contour, I think of the Kardashians, superbly talented YouTube makeup artists, and a lot of time I simply don’t have in the morning. I began to worry that I had gotten in over my head. With some coaching from my colleagues, I warmed up to the idea and gave it a try.
Day 1 – The Contour Challenge Begins!
On the first day, everything felt new. My usual beauty routine consists of BeautyPrep Hyaluronic Serum for deep hydration, Dream Tint Tinted Moisturizer to even my skin tone, Circle\Delete Concealer for those stubborn under-eye circles, and a swipe of PurePressed Blush and PureLash Mascara. I can be ready in five minutes. With contouring came new products, new tools and (I was sure) a new extended morning routine.
I got up extra early to tackle the challenge! To get fuller coverage, I opted to use our Beyond Matte Liquid Foundation, and I stuck with my Circle\Delete Concealer to temper the blue circles underneath my eyes. I was…timid, and I think the photo shows my reluctance!
As a first-timer, adding so many new powders to my routine was daunting, particularly the contour shade. And with a round face, my fuller cheeks make my cheekbones look flat, so creating dimension felt challenging. OK, so, I wasn’t a natural. That’s OK! I still had two more days to hit my stride.
Day 2 – A Bronzed Bombshell
On the second day, having been a bit tentative the first day, I was a bit heavy-handed. I learned very quickly that you can build color, but it’s near-impossible to take it away without starting over! It’s true what they say – less is more!
Despite overdoing the product, I was becoming more comfortable with the techniques and, frankly, the concept of defining and enhancing my features. I didn’t feel like I was trying to change my look. I felt like the tools allowed me to enhance what was already there, and that really aligned with my personal style. I promised myself I would take it easy on the final day. Hey, practice makes perfect, right?
Day 3 – Naturally Contoured & Confident
On the final day, I wasn’t confident I had “mastered” contouring, but I had learned so much and gained a lot of confidence in a short time.
Using the Contour Guide that came with my kit, I understood which areas to apply contour, blush and highlight to enhance my unique face shape (check out this post to learn how to contour for your face shape). I had a handle on how to use the tools and how the color performed (so much blush on day two!). I also felt less pressure because, the truth is, it was much easier than I’d thought.
With newfound confidence, I gave myself permission to have fun on day three, and I was really pleased with the results. I felt like myself but with a boost. My look had warmth, my features looked more defined, and honestly, I felt pretty beautiful.
Conclusion – Contouring is our Friend
Despite all of my misgivings and procrastination, I’m so glad I agreed to participate in the Contour Challenge. It pushed me outside my comfort zone and made me realize that contouring is so much more accessible than YouTube would lead you to believe (here’s a tutorial of how to contour in 3 easy steps).
You can tailor your contouring to your personal makeup style. I was genuinely surprised by how easily I was able to integrate the process into my simple morning routine. Once I gained confidence with the basics, it was very seamless.
I was also pleasantly surprised with the results! By playing with contour, highlight and blush, I was able to enhance my features in an entirely new way, a way that felt very natural and authentic to me.
Suffice it to say contouring has opened me up to a world beyond simply Dream Tint! Step aside, Kim Kardashian, I have arrived!
Here’s your chance! Join the Contour Challenge. Choose your Contour Kit based on skin undertone, make sure you have your Contour, Blending/Contouring and White Fan Brush handy, and challenge yourself to “master” contouring in three days. Share selfies of your look with us by tagging @janeiredale and #GoodBeautyStories.
The post I Tried the Contour Challenge appeared first on jane iredale.
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