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Comprehensive Guide to Contouring and Highlighting in Makeup

GOOVER DAILY REPORT July 1, 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick
  3. Best Highlighters for Brown Skin
  4. New Highlighter Releases
  5. Professional Contouring Techniques
  6. Best Contour Sticks for Beginners
  7. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • The report titled 'Comprehensive Guide to Contouring and Highlighting in Makeup' explores various techniques and products for effective makeup application, specifically focusing on contouring and highlighting. Highlighted products include the NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick, known for its vegan formulation and ease of use, ideal for beginners. The report also extensively covers the best highlighters for brown skin, providing detailed recommendations such as the Maybelline New York Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter and the Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter. Additionally, the document offers insights into newly-launched highlighters, professional contouring techniques, effective tips, and selection criteria for beginners. The report serves as a detailed guide to mastering makeup techniques aimed at enhancing facial features through well-considered product choices and application methods.

2. NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick

  • 2-1. Product Benefits

  • The NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick offers multiple benefits. It allows users to shape, brighten, and blend their makeup effortlessly. This dual-ended stick features a contour and highlighter, which help sculpt the facial structure while mimicking a sunlit glow. The product is known for its smooth application and buildable creamy formula, making it especially suitable for beginners. Additionally, the Wonder Stick is a 100% vegan formula that does not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products, and it is also cruelty-free.

  • 2-2. Usage Instructions

  • To use the Wonder Stick, start by swiping the deeper shade along the face's natural contours, including the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline. Then apply the lighter shade to highlight the highest points of the face, such as under the eyes, the middle of the forehead, and the chin. For optimal results, blend the product well with a NYX Professional Makeup Pro Brush to achieve a gorgeous finish. It is recommended to angle the lines upwards to create a lifted look. Both warm and cool undertones are available; use a shade with a cool undertone for contouring and a warm undertone as a bronzer.

  • 2-3. Ingredients & Formulation

  • The Wonder Stick contains the following ingredients: Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil), Synthetic Wax, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Euphorbia Cerifera Cera (Candelilla Wax), Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax), Silica Silylate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil (Castor Seed Oil), Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, and Phenoxyethanol. It may also contain Mica, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), and CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide). The formulation is a stick with a radiant, natural finish.

  • 2-4. Application Tips

  • For best results, use the NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick as follows: First, apply the deeper shade to contour the natural lines of your face, then use the lighter shade to highlight specific areas. Blend well using a high-quality makeup brush, such as the NYX Professional Makeup Pro Brush. Angle your contour and highlight lines upwards to create a lifted and defined look. This will enhance your facial features and provide a professional, finished appearance.

3. Best Highlighters for Brown Skin

  • 3-1. Importance of Choosing the Right Highlighter

  • Choosing the right highlighter for brown skin is crucial because it accentuates the highest points of the face and provides a luminous glow. Highlighters with peach, bronze, or gold undertones are particularly effective in giving brown skin a warm, rich, sunkissed glow. Selecting the appropriate highlighter shade based on your complexion ensures that your makeup looks natural and enhances your features effectively.

  • 3-2. Top Highlighters for Brown Skin

  • The following are some of the top highlighters suitable for brown skin, as referenced from the document '9 Best Highlighters For Brown Skin In 2024': 1. **Maybelline New York Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter:** Suitable for all skin types, it offers a molten gold shade that is highly pigmented and gives a reflective effect. 2. **Lifus Highlighter Palette:** A four-in-one palette offering subtle glow, it's water-resistant, smudge-proof, and ideal for brow-bones, cheekbones, and eyelids. 3. **Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter:** A moisturizing highlighter that combines the benefits of murumuru, tucuma, and cocoa butter. It is lightweight and dermatologist-approved. 4. **Wet N Wild Megaglo Liquid Highlighter:** A liquid highlighter that delivers a multi-dimensional shimmer effect with a moisturizing finish enriched with murumuru seed butter and vitamin E. 5. **Aesthetica Starlite Highlighter:** Available in four shades, this powder-based highlighter is vegan, cruelty-free, and provides a radiant and natural dewy effect. 6. **Covergirl TruBlend Super Stunner Hyper-Glow:** Rich in pigments, this powder highlighter is designed to give a shimmering effect and radiant glow. 7. **Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact:** A compact-based, brush-on powder highlighter offering a soft pink appearance with light-diffusing pigments. 8. **Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Beauty Light Wand Highlighter:** This blendable liquid formula provides a high-gloss finish and a youthful glow. 9. **Elf Cosmetics Baked Highlighter Apricot Glow:** Formulated with vitamin E and various oils, this highlighter provides a sheer finish and smooth texture that enhances brown skin tones.

  • 3-3. Selection Tips

  • When selecting a highlighter for brown skin, keep the following tips in mind: 1. **Pigments:** Choose a highlighter rich in pigments to enhance your natural luster. 2. **Shade:** Opt for shades such as rich gold, bronze, and copper. Avoid frosty colors like pink and peach, which do not complement brown skin as effectively. 3. **Longevity:** Check the product's expiry date to ensure it is long-lasting and safe for use. 4. **Sun Protection:** Consider highlighters with SPF for additional skin protection. 5. **Brand Reputation:** Choose highlighters from reputable brands with positive reviews to ensure quality and reliability as highlighted by beauty brand expert Barbie Ritzman.

4. New Highlighter Releases

  • 4-1. Introduction to Highlighters

  • Highlighters are designed to accentuate the high points of the face such as the cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of the nose. The product reflects light and creates a flattering glow. Today’s highlighters are available in various formulations including liquid, cream, powder, and hybrid types catering to different skin types and preferences. Additionally, many highlighters now incorporate skincare benefits with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and nourishing oils to ensure the skin looks healthy and vibrant. The range of finishes available, from subtle natural glows to bold metallic shines, allows users to customize their look for any occasion.

  • 4-2. List of Newly-launched Highlighters

  • The curated list of newly-launched highlighters includes: 1. **Kay Beauty Hyper Gloss Liquid Luminizing Highlighter**: Available in three shades - Champagne, Sparkling, and Rosé - this liquid highlighter features micro light-reflecting pearls for a radiant effect with a metallic finish. Its weightless formula promises a luminous complexion that lasts all day without fading or creasing. Price: ₹949. Available online. 2. **Fenty Beauty Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo (Lightning Dust/Fire Crystal)**: This weightless, long-wear cream-powder hybrid highlighter is designed for both face and eyes. It is available in a range of shades and expert duos, crafted for all skin tones. The product is infused with superfine shimmer for a smooth, creamy texture. Price: ₹4,000. Available online. 3. **O&O Beauty On Point Highlighter (Icon)**: Featuring a shimmering finish, this super-pigmented highlighter blends seamlessly into the skin. It is infused with jojoba seed oil, sesame seed oil, and amla fruit extract for nourishment. The Icon shade offers a copper-gold hue enhancing the natural glow. Price: ₹1,550. Available online. 4. **Simply Nam Cosmic Glow Highlighter Duo**: This duo includes two shades - Moon Glow (champagne radiance) and Star Glow (lilac shimmer). The lightweight, powder formula contains jojoba oil and squalene, ensuring comfortable all-day wear. Price: ₹1,699. Available online. 5. **Typsy Beauty Silk Cushion Highlighter (Dipped in Gold)**: This liquid highlighter features a weightless formula with the finest pearls and pigments. It is packed with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid to nourish the skin and maintains a dewy finish all day. The cushion applicator ensures easy application. Price: ₹1,200. Available online.

  • 4-3. Benefits and Features

  • The newly launched highlighters offer multiple benefits and notable features: - Many are designed to be weightless and easily blendable, ensuring a seamless application. - Highlighters such as Kay Beauty's Hyper Gloss and Typsy Beauty's Silk Cushion include micro light-reflecting pearls and fine pigments for an enhanced radiant effect. - The inclusion of skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, sesame seed oil, and squalene ensures hydration and nourishment, promoting healthy and vibrant skin. - The variety of finishes, from a metallic sheen in Kay Beauty's Hyper Gloss to the smooth, creamy texture of Fenty Beauty's Killawatt Freestyle Duo, allows users to choose according to their preferred look and occasion. - Specific shades are crafted to cater to a wide range of skin tones, with some products particularly focusing on Indian skin tones, such as Simply Nam and Typsy Beauty products.

5. Professional Contouring Techniques

  • 5-1. Basics of Contouring

  • Contouring is a makeup technique used to define and shape the structure of the face by accentuating its shadows and lights. The main purpose of contouring is to give the face extra dimension. A dark contour shade, ideally two to three shades darker than the natural skin tone with neutral or cool undertones, mimics the natural shadows on the face. Common areas to contour include below the cheekbones, temples, sides of the nose, and the jawline. The process involves applying the contour shade to these areas and blending it out using a sponge or brush until no harsh lines are visible.

  • 5-2. Recommended Contour Products

  • 1. **Creamy Contour Stick**: Products like the Lakmē Facelift MultiSlayer Contour Stick are highly recommended due to their portability and blending ease. They are versatile and can be used for precise applications, such as drawing thin lines on the nose or covering larger areas like the jaw or forehead. 2. **Pen Concealer**: For precise application, especially for highlighting, pen concealers like the Lakmē Absolute Instant Airbrush Concealer Pen are recommended. They allow for drawing fine lines or covering larger areas as needed. 3. **Full Face Palette**: For a comprehensive contouring routine, using a palette like the Lakmē Absolute Facelift Palette can provide a combination of contour, highlight, and blush products in one package.

  • 5-3. Effective Contouring Tips

  • 1. To prevent an oily nose from undoing your contour work, use a setting powder to blot away excess oil. 2. For precision, contour after applying foundation or use a cream contour before the foundation for a natural finish. To adjust darkness, blend with a bit of foundation. 3. You can use alternative products like darker foundations, concealers, brown lipsticks, or eyeshadows for contouring in the absence of a specific contour product. Negative contouring involves highlighting with a lighter concealer to create contrast. 4. Choose between powder and cream contour based on your skin type and weather conditions. Powder contours work well for oily skin in hot weather, while cream contours are easier to blend and provide a natural finish.

  • 5-4. Combining Bronzer and Highlighter

  • Bronzers and highlighters serve different purposes in makeup application. Bronzers add warmth to the face in areas where sunlight naturally hits, contributing to a sun-kissed effect, and often contain shimmer. Highlighters, on the other hand, are used to enhance and strobe the high points of the face where light naturally hits, such as the outer corners of the eyes, cheekbones, chin, the length of the nose, and below the brow bones. This technique can create a multi-dimensional effect when combined with contouring. Highlighters can be matte or shimmery and are essential for achieving a polished and animated look.

6. Best Contour Sticks for Beginners

  • 6-1. Benefits of Contour Sticks

  • Contour sticks simplify the process of achieving a sculpted makeup look compared to contour palettes or pigments. They allow for precise application with just a swipe along the jawline, hollows of the cheeks, or on the temples, followed by blending. This method reduces the guesswork and helps in achieving a defined and chiseled appearance with minimal effort.

  • 6-2. Selection Criteria

  • When choosing a contour stick, there are several key factors to consider: - **Shade:** Selecting a contour stick two to three shades deeper than your usual foundation shade is recommended for a natural contour. For deeper skin tones, pairing a contour stick with a matte contour powder yields the best results. - **Undertone:** It's crucial to select a contour stick with a cool or neutral undertone to avoid a too-warm appearance that could read as orange or red. - **Finish:** For oily skin types, a matte finish contour stick is preferable, whereas those with dry skin may benefit from a balmy finish. Applying contour gradually is advised to avoid a muddy look.

  • 6-3. Application Techniques

  • Applying a contour stick involves mapping out the areas to contour, such as the hollows of the cheeks, jawline, sides of the nose, and crease of the eyes. Using a tapered brush with medium firmness, blend the contour in tapping motions until a sculpted and defined finish is achieved. This technique ensures a seamless blend without excess pigment or streaks.

  • 6-4. Top Picks

  • Here are the top recommended contour sticks for beginners: - **Best Overall:** Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Shaping Stick ($32) - Offers a sculpted finish with a creamy, blendable formula and a dual-ended brush. - **Best for Beginners:** Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick ($26) - User-friendly with a creamy formula suitable for a natural look. - **Best for Matte Finish:** Milk Makeup Sculpt Cream Contour Stick ($24) - Ideal for matte finishes, offering depth and dimension with a creamy texture. - **Best for Deep Skin Tones:** Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick ($32) - Wide shade range with a creamy consistency for deep skin tones. - **Best Budget:** E.l.f. Beauty Halo Glow Contour Beauty Wand ($9) - Budget-friendly with a sponge-tip applicator for easy use and a dewy finish. - **Best Blendable:** MERIT Bronze Balm Sheer Bronzer Stick ($30) - Sheer and buildable for a subtle contour. - **Best Clean Formula:** LYS No Limits Cream Bronzer and Contour Stick ($20) - Featuring moisturizing ingredients and a buildable formula. - **Best Drugstore:** NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Contour and Highlighter Stick ($14) - Dual-ended stick for contour and highlight, offering a radiant finish on a budget. - **Best for Sculpting:** Em Cosmetics So Soft Bronze + Sculpt Stick ($30) - Lush formula with squalane and vitamin E for nourishment and a sculpted finish. - **Best Natural Finish:** Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand ($42) - Provides a radiant finish with a cushion sponge tip applicator. - **Best Splurge:** Westman Atelier Face Trace Cream Contour Stick ($48) - Luxurious formulation with hydrating ingredients for a defined glow. - **Best with SPF:** Ciele Sculpt & Protect SPF 30+ Bronzing Contour Stick ($34) - Contains SPF 30 and nourishing elements like vitamin E, suitable for sun protection and contouring.

7. Conclusion

  • The report underscores the critical importance of selecting appropriate contour and highlight products to enhance facial features effectively. The NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick exemplifies a versatile, user-friendly option for both contouring and highlighting. Choosing the right highlighter, especially for brown skin, can dramatically enhance the natural glow of the face; the report highlights several top products like the Maybelline New York Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter. It also emphasizes the need for understanding contouring basics to create a sculpted, dimensional appearance. Limitations include the rapid advancement of beauty technology and individual skin variations; hence, future research should keep pace with evolving consumer preferences and innovative products. Practically, the insights from this report can be applied in daily makeup routines and special occasions to achieve a professional, polished look. Future prospects involve exploring new product developments and gathering more consumer reviews to enhance the guide's relevance and accuracy.

8. Glossary

  • 8-1. NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick [Product]

  • A vegan and cruelty-free cream contour and highlighter stick from NYX Professional Makeup. It's known for its shape, brighten, and blend capabilities, making it a popular choice for achieving defined facial features.

  • 8-2. Highlighters for Brown Skin [Cosmetic Advice]

  • Guidelines and product recommendations for selecting highlighters that complement brown skin tones. The advice focuses on choosing suitable pigments, shades, and formulations for achieving a luminous glow.

  • 8-3. Contouring [Makeup Technique]

  • A makeup technique used to define and enhance facial features by creating shadows and highlights using products darker and lighter than the skin tone. Effective contouring can create a sculpted and dimensional appearance.

  • 8-4. Contour Sticks [Product]

  • A type of makeup product used for contouring, which comes in a stick form for easy application. Contour sticks are favored for their convenience and ability to add definition with precise placement.

9. Source Documents