Contouring is one of the most commonly used tricks in makeup. It involves using a combination of light and dark color tones to sculpt the face.

Dulce Roque, sophomore creative writing major, said she was first introduced to the technique in high school while enrolled in a cosmetology program and feels it became trendy when the Kardashians started revealing contouring as one of their beauty tips.

“Everyone has their own opinions, but I think it’s great to have the ability to enhance your appearance through makeup,” Roque said. “I have tried it before and I don’t think it looks unnatural if you do it right.”

It is used as a way to transform and reshape parts of the face, including the nose, cheeks, neck and chin. What was the best-kept secret of celebrities has now become the biggest evolution in the cosmetic industry.

“First start off by analyzing your face to see where natural shadows fall-under the cheekbones, jawline and nose-and then enhance those areas using either a darker shade of contour powder, cream or foundation,” said Sasha Hernandez, owner of Smashup Style and master makeup artist at Milan Salon and Day Spa.

Hernandez said dark hues move facial features back while bright hues bring them forward. She said if you want to make your face appear less rounded and more oval, use shading to create the desired elongated shape of the face underneath the cheekbone toward the center of the face, through the temples and hairline and on each side of the nose.

For a more natural appearance or full-on glam, women turn to the contouring technique to hide and accentuate certain facial features rather than having to go under the knife.

“Once you’ve blended and shaded the areas, use a highlighting product to emulate the parts where light would gleam to enhance your individual bone structure,” Hernandez said.

The art of contouring can transform any shape of the face noninvasively by slimming chubby chins, shortening long noses and elevating cheek bones.

Celebrities like Kim Kardashian work it to perfection, but for those who don’t have a professional makeup artist on hand, they can mistakenly leave visible streaks.

“Invest in great quality products and supplies because that can make all the difference in achieving that subtle, flawless and undetectable look,” Hernandez said.

The contour colors range from cool to warm, and when combined in different ways, it can give you a variety of looks that range from the simple to the dramatic appearances.

Hernandez said every face is different, which means contouring can be applied differently to every individual, but practice makes perfect.  Always apply contour in even light so you can really see what you’re doing.

The practice is both comprehensive and fun to do. However, purchasing the proper products to use is just as important as the placement itself.

Hannan Alkhalifa, junior psychology major, said contouring is like an art and thinks it’s great if women want to use it to feel prettier.

“I’ve never tried applying it myself because I feel it’s a technique you have to master for it to look well, but I’ve had it done professionally and I think it’s fun,” Alkhalifa said.

Valerie Herrera may be reached at [email protected].