Difference between bronzer and contour
When applying face makeup, you will want to add some shadows and some glow to create a flawless look.
There are many products that you can apply to achieve the perfect makeup and knowing which ones to use will surely give you the look you want to create.
So, let’s give a look to the differences between two of these products: bronzer and contour.
What is bronzer and what is it used for?
If you want to achieve a sun-kissed look, then you may want to add a bronzer to your makeup routine.
Bronzer is a product meant to be applied on the parts of your face where the sun naturally hits, like your cheeks, forehead, and across your nose.
It usually comes in the form of a pressed powder and, depending on taste, you can choose between a matte or shimmer finish.
If your skin tends to be oily, you may want to choose a flawless fusion bronzer powder. To add some shimmer you can also top it off with a highlighter.
Bronzer not only gives you a tanned look but also adds warmth and dimension to your face.
Are contour and bronzer the same thing?
Although bronzer and contour have a similar shade range, they are not the same thing and are used for different purposes.
A contour stick usually comes in a creamy texture and is used to sculpt and add depth to certain angles of your face.
If you want to define your nose or make it appear slimmer you would have to use contour. To add depth to your cheeks and make them more noticeable, you would have to apply it right under your cheekbone and towards your temples.
So, contour is used to redefine your features, while bronzer makes them pop by adding warmth and by giving you a natural cool summer glow.
Applying bronzer vs contour: what is the difference
After you have applied your foundation and concealer, and after doing your eye makeup you can follow with the other makeup products.
The first difference to keep in mind when applying these two products is where you apply them.
Applying contour:
A good routine to have when contouring is to follow the structure of your face, like your jawline, your cheekbones, the sides of your nose, and the upper part of your forehead.
This is why the best way to apply contour, especially if you just introduced this product in your makeup routine, is to start from the center on your forehead, slightly close to your hairline, and follow the perimeter of your face.
Bring your contouring stick inwards when you reach your lower cheekbone and again outwards to continue following the shape of your face until you reach your jawline.
Think as if you were drawing the number 3 on your face and repeat the same process on the other side of your face.
The next difference is about the brush you are going to use to blend the product on your face.
For perfect blending, you are going to use a compact blending brush with short bristles. This will allow you to blend the product well on your skin by also keeping it in place.
Applying bronzer:
If the purpose of a contour is to apply shadow on your face, the purpose of the bronzer is to add some glow.
Think of which parts of your face the sun usually hits and that you want to make pop: that’s where you want to apply your bronzer.
Use a soft powder brush and dab it so you remove any excess.
Don’t hold the brush close to the bristles but almost at the end of the handle for a gentle application. This will make sure that your makeup will be smooth and more natural.
Place the brush on your cheeks and gently sweep it from the inside towards your temples. Start off with a small amount of product, especially when applying it on the bridge and tip of your nose. Remember, you can always add more.
Once you are done with your cheeks and nose, move to your forehead. Place the brush onto the center of this area and sweep the product left and right. With the same brush start blending it out in circular motions moving towards your hairline.
Just like for your nose, use a little product on the lower part of your chin and blend the excess onto your jawline.
Which is the difference between bronzer and highlighter?
Although bronzer and highlight are both used to add a glow to your face, they are two very different products.
As the name suggests, bronzing will recreate the perfect summer tan by adding a darker shade to your skin.
A highlighter is used to enhance some of your features without actually adding color but by reflecting natural and artificial light.
It brightens up your face and gives it a dewy glow thanks to its composition. KIKO MILANO’s face highlighter contains reflective pearls that add a natural radiance to your skin.
Since highlighter is a light-reflective product you will want to add it to the parts of your face where the light hits.
With a fan brush or a pointed powder brush, apply the product on the upper cheekbone and not directly on your cheeks, right above your upper lip, and on the tip of your nose.
Just like you would do with bronzer, hold the brush almost at the end of the brush for a perfect and homogenous application.
Is it recommended to use bronzer and highlighter together?
These two products can come in a duo palette and work wonderfully together, especially if you want to brighten your complexion but also give it that summer look.
When using them together, first use the bronzer since it will cover a larger area of your face. Then add a highlighter for a radiant detail.
What do you do if you add too much product for your taste?
You can use your face powder and gently tap the product onto these areas to tone it down.
Bronzer and contour are great products to use to give your face some shadow and some light. When used together you can create that perfect sun-kissed look you’ve been wanting all summer.
