How to contour with your foundation

If you’re a lover of all things makeup, then you’ll know that there are loads of tips and hacks for multi-purposing your beauty kit and getting the most out of your favourite products. One of our favourites is one that lets you get full use out of that too-dark or too-light foundation you bought accidentally – everyone’s done it. So if you’ve got a couple of bottles of base that don’t quite match your skin, try this. It’s the ultimate frugal beauty trick: contouring with your foundation.

HIGHLIGHT

Add your lightest shade of foundation to the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the centre of your chin and just above your jawline.

Try: Rimmel London Fresher Skin Foundation, £5.99

CONTOUR

Use a darker foundation (the one you most likely use in the summer months – two shades darker, ideally) and apply this colour to the hollow areas of your cheeks. It’ll add definition without too much striping or streaking, so that you can add shadows that look super-natural.

Try: Match Perfection Foundation, £7.99

BLEND AND SET

Use a face brush or powder puff to add a subtly-tinted setting powder in order to finish off your look. We love how the Rimmel London Stay Matte Powder, £3.99, sets our base. Try out a few essentials to complete your overall look: an all-in one contouring palette and a nude lipstick like this one to look perfectly polished and completely natural.

If you’re not sure whether you need light, medium or full coverage foundation, fret not. We’ve got the guide to picking the right texture for your face base.