How to highlight and contour your face using only foundation and concealer

Afraid of contouring? We don’t blame you, contouring is complicated. Still, we’ve all been tempted to splurge on a contour kit and highlight and contour ourselves some new cheekbones. While a contour kit is a fun idea, those modelesque angles are actually easy to achieve without one. Whether you’re after Kardashian level bone structure or just a natural, glowy sculpt, there’s no need for advanced makeup skills. In fact, you don’t even need to add any fancy highlight and contour products to your makeup bag.

To get a beautiful, glowing complexion with sculpted definition, all you need is foundation and concealer. Watch the video above to see how we used foundation and concealer for a customised glowy complexion.

Can’t watch the video? Read the tips below to get started.

Step 1: Prime

First, prime your base with a hydrating primer like the Rimmel Insta Fix & Go spray. It contains cucumber extract to help prevent your skin from drying out under your makeup.

Step 2: Apply foundation

It’s pretty common to have a paler, winter foundation shade and one that’s a bit darker that you wear when you’re sporting a summer tan. But in between the seasons it can be harder to get a perfect foundation. The solution? Customise your own shade. Towards the end of summer start adding small amounts of your winter shade to your summer shade, until you get your perfect colour. For glowy complexion, use a foundation like the Rimmel London Wake Me Up Anti-Fatigue Foundation SPF 20, which contains Vitamin C and radiance pearls to brighten your skin.

Step 3: Highlight

Swap your shimmery highlighters for an illuminating concealer, like the Rimmel London Wake Me Up Anti-Fatigue Concealer. Using the concealer create two upside down triangles under your eyes, then draw a line from your forehead down the centre of your nose. To finish, create a “V” shape between your brows and then place a small dot on the centre of your chin.

Step 4: Contour

To get a flawless contour you can use a slightly darker foundation, usually one that’s about one to two shades darker than your normal shade. Start by drawing a line in the hollows of your cheeks, from your ears downwards. Dot along your hairline and above your brows. Line underneath your jawline towards your chin. Finish with two thin lines along the sides of your nose.

Step 5: Blend

Blending is key in making your highlight and contour look seamless. Use a damp sponge to blend the concealer in, following the lines and shapes you’ve created. Turn the sponge around the use the clean side, and blend in the darker foundation, sticking within the areas you’ve mapped out. Press the product into your skin until the harsh lines have disappeared.

Step 6: Set

Finish by setting your makeup in place with a setting spray. Try the Rimmel Insta Fix & Go spray, which doubles as both a primer and a setting spray, to lock your makeup in place for up to 8 hours.

Do you highlight and contour your face? What products do you like to use for a glowy complexion?