Is makeup contouring worth it?

Emily (No)

With so many beauty tutorials and makeup gurus promoting the use of contouring in day-to-day looks, it may seem like it’s a necessary skill to learn. However, dedicating time and effort to this technique in your daily makeup routine isn't necessary. For contouring to really look good, professional photography and studio lighting are required, which is why celebrities look amazing in professional photos. But in reality, without proper lighting, contouring can look unrealistic and a bit jarring in ordinary settings like an office that has fluorescent lighting.

Moreover, flawless contouring requires a lot of blending. This part of the process can make it difficult for someone already pressed for time. Sometimes, you just need to put on makeup quickly before running out the door, and unfortunately, contouring isn’t a very time-sensitive process. Additionally, contouring involves applying many layers of makeup, which can be unhealthy for the skin if done every day because too much makeup daily can lead to unhealthy skin and clogged pores.

Contouring powders and creams are often cool-toned, which is why some skin can have a greyish appearance when the products are applied. To combat the grey, additional products, like bronzer, would need to be purchased and used, making an already intense blending look require even more blending. You then have to add bronzer and highlighter on top of it to make your facial features pop. All of this—all these products and steps, which take precious money and time—are required to make a highly-painted face appear more natural. Considering how abandoning the contour craze is simply an easier, financially beneficial, and healthier option, it's best to let your natural face shine.

Joanna (Yes)

Investing the time to learn how to contour properly is time well spent. Because contouring is such a universal technique, it can be used for any look—from natural to glam. It’s no surprise that contouring has become a popular beauty trend. Contouring is a fabulous tool that quickly sculpts and adds dimension to the face. With a wide variety of products available, from pencils to palettes, people can explore different options until they find the ones that best suit their specific needs to get their desired outcome. 

Additionally, contouring is not a one-size-fits-all technique. Due to the great number of tutorials and articles that are easily accessible, anyone can find their preferred methods. For example, some common ways contouring can be used is to define the appearance of the cheekbones or jawline and minimize the thickness of the nose profile or make the forehead look smaller. Furthermore, contouring can also be used on more mature skin to achieve a natural and youthful look. Thankfully, contouring eliminates the need to undergo cosmetic procedures such as Botox injections to minimize the appearance of wrinkles. 

For these reasons, spending additional time contouring is worth it. Makeup is a powerful tool because it allows a person to take control of their appearance, painting it like art. This empowerment gained from contouring can increase confidence as people can highlight or diminish the features they want. And, as an added bonus, confidence is an attractive quality that can help improve mental health.