How To Contour Your Face & Not Look Like An Alien

My mom bought me my first bronzer back when I was a junior in high school. It was by Bobbi Brown and it was without a doubt the nicest product I owned at the time. My mom had also gifted me a big fluffy brush, and I would use it to cover my entire face with bronzer every morning. Cause, ya know, who doesn't need to get a serious glow on for first period English Lit, amirite?

Thankfully, I've learned a few new application methods that don't leave me looking like the tan mom. One method, light contouring, helps sculpt my face a little and add some dimension by accentuating my cheekbone structure. I really only do this for special occasions, or when I know I'll be photographed (because it looks really good in pictures)!

The other method (and my preferred method), is using a fluffy brush to lightly bronze the face in the areas where the sun would normally hit: forehead, cheeks, and jawline. The idea here is just to add some color and "glow" to the face, which really does make me appear more awake/alive.

Let's talk about the contouring method first. You may associate that term with pictures like this:

It doesn't have to be this scary and alien-like, I promise.

The trick is to use a small brush so you can get into the hollows of your cheeks and really concentrate that deeper shade in that area. If you need help finding the hollows of your cheeks, make a "fishy face" — your cheekbones will pop right out and the area directly underneath is where you want to focus the contour.

I know it looks like a weird dark line on the side of my face right now, but this picture is showing what it should look like before blending. You can blend using the same brush and just continue going over the same line until it looks softer. Contouring isn't about harsh lines, it's just about defining those cheekbones.

Here's what it should look like blended out. Make sure you add some bronze on your jawline and hairline, too, to tie it all together.

The second method (we'll call this "The Fluffy Method"), is a quicker and easier way to add some color to your face. You still want to apply it in the same general areas where you would apply a contour, but because you're going to be using a large, fluffy brush, the color will appear more natural. This is my go-to method for every day.

Dust it on your cheekbones, forehead, jawline, and a little bit on your chin and nose if you so desire.

See how this method provides more of an all-over bronze glow and looks really natural?

Whatever your preferred method of bronzing is, have fun experimenting with it! Tweet me (@thebloginista) with any questions or pictures!

Images: Alexandra Kozinski; Kim Kardashian/Instagram