How to contour in less than 5 minutes

Let’s face it, first thing in the mornings, most of us don’t have time to sit down and get seriously involved with some contouring. Ever since that iconic photo of Kim Kardashian was released, contouring has become a massive trend, and learning how to sculpt our faces can create killer cheekbones where there were none before, slim down noses and add more definition to our faces.

I am a massive fan of sleep, but I also love a bit of an enhanced cheekbone look, so I’ve come up with a super quick way to contour in the mornings in less than 5 minutes. It might not be the full Kim K treatment, but it certainly helps to add a bit of extra definition!

You’ll need:

A contouring product (I like to use Burberry’s powder blusher in 07 Earthy as it’s perfect for pale skin)
A contouring brush (the slanted bristles make application much easier)
Your chosen highlighter – I use MAC’s Strobe Cream)
Fingers/brush for your highlighter

1. Prep your face and apply foundation/concealer/powder as usual

2. Grab your contouring product and brush and add a small amount of product on to the brush (you can always add more in a minute if you like a deeper shade)

3. Suck your cheeks in. Yes, you will look like a bit of an idiot, but it really helps find the best place to apply the product.

4. Gently brush on your contour product to just below your cheekbones. You should be looking to start level with the middle of your ear (or tragus part of the ear) and gently brush along to about 3 fingers away from your ear.

5. Using the brush, blend upwards slightly to soften out the line – you’re looking for a gentle shadow, not a hard line

6. Repeat on the other side

7. Now it’s time to move on to highlighting!

8. You need to apply a small amount of highlighter to the areas that naturally catch the light – the top parts of your cheekbones, brow bone and just above the cupid’s bow on your top lip. This will help to catch the light and give skin a glowy look. Dab on gently with a fingertip and blend.

9. Do one last check to make sure everything is well blended and the you’re good to go!

This routine usually takes me less than five minutes. If you’ve got more time, then you can obviously go for a fuller contoured look, but for some extra definition when you’re in a rush, this is my go-to method!

Do you have any tips for contouring on the run?