In This Story:
- The Difference Between Bronzer And Contour
- Should You Use Both Bronzer And Contour?
- How To Layer A Bronzer And A Contour
- Can You Use A Bronzer As A Contour?
- Who Should Use A Bronzer?
- How To Apply Bronzer Vs. How To Contour
- Things To Keep In Mind
- Bronzers And Contours Loved By The Nykaa Army
- Parting Thoughts
- FAQs
There is no one way to do makeup. But when you find yourself stuck and googling questions like - what is the difference between bronzer and contour, that is where we come in. And we get it, both these products are a few shades darker than your skin tone, and both are available in the same formulations and add some dimension to your face.
There are heated debates in the beauty community where one faction refuses to think contours and bronzers are different and the other is convinced they are not only separate but also serve different purposes. We are on the ‘A-Bronzer-and-a-contour-is-different’ team, so read ahead to know how they fare against each other and which product suits your skin the best. You may or may not need both, but it doesn’t hurt to learn about them as individual products.
So, it’s natural to wonder - what goes where? Can you interchange them? Do you really need both? We’ve decoded everything for you below, scroll away!
The Difference Between Bronzer And Contour
The Purpose
Okay, the first difference is that a bronzer is meant to add warmth to your face. It replicates the kind of sun-kissed glow that you get to post a relaxing beach vacation. On the other hand, a contour will give you a chiselled, sculpted look, where you can go as subtle or as dramatic as you want (think Kim Kardashian-level cheekbones).
The Formulations
Talking about the sun-kissed glow, bronzers have a subtle sheen and warmer tones that offer instant radiance. The end result? A subtle golden-toned glow. Ideally, contours should have a neutral or cool tone that flatters your skin tone. They let you play with light and shadow to create an illusion of a sculpted look. Certain parts of your face will look darker, even where light hits it. And contouring amplifies these parts, which usually get washed out with foundation.
The Location
The placement makes a world of difference. Bronzers are meant to look like second skin, and as a thumb rule, should be applied in places where the sun hits the face – just swirl your brush into the bronzer and buff it over cheekbones, jawline, forehead and bridge of your nose.
Since contouring is all about adding definition and sculpting the face, they are applied to very specific areas. First, you begin by pin-pointing the parts of your face that need more definition. For most people, this can be the hollows of the cheeks, the bridge of the nose, the hairline and the jawline. You can use a contour brush for the target application and blend out the harsh lines in small strokes to get a seamless look. Here are two bronzer vs contour brushes that we recommend for a smooth and precise application.
Nykaa Recommends:
Should You Use Both Bronzer And Contour?
If you want to take your makeup game to the next level then you can and should use both a bronzer and a contour. One aims to give your face a naturally sun-kissed look while the other sculpts your face a more defined appearance. Depending on what kind of result you are aiming for, you can pick and choose the amount of contour and bronzer you use, but incorporating both is just going to make you look absolutely snatched.
Some people think one is better than the other, but it’s not possible to compare the two because they serve completely different purposes. A bronzer adds character to your makeup while a contour adds attitude. They represent two different art forms and one is not better than the other. Bronzer is like painting a warm, inviting deity and contouring is like sculpting a goddess. At the end of it, if you are opting for a full glam, the dimensions and definitions a bronzer vs contour adds are unparalleled.
How To Layer A Bronzer And A Contour
Now that you know the difference between the two of them, it’s time to know how to layer them for a sun-kissed and sculpted look! Using them together is going to land you a dreamy look that is near perfection, the only trick is how to layer them. First, begin with the contour and blend it out. Once you’re satisfied with the results, use a fluffy brush to sweep the bronzer over the high points of your face. Tada! There you have it – a glowy, chiselled makeup look!
Can You Use A Bronzer As A Contour?
Although they serve different purposes, they are both a few shades darker than your skin so in theory, you can use a bronzer as a contour. But since bronzers are warm-toned and contours are cool or neutral-toned, you may not get a sculpted look, but a warm-tanned look instead. But if you want to use a multi-functional product that acts as both a bronzer and a contour, then opt for matte products that look more natural. We recommend a sculpting stick like the Nudestix Tinted Blur Sculpt Stick in the shade Neutral Medium to add that subtle contour and warmth.
Who Should Use A Bronzer?
Anyone can use a bronzer since bronzer adds some colour and warmth to the skin, people with pale skin and neutral undertones can use it to add some colour to their skin. A bronzer offers a subtle glow and thus enhances your radiance and makes you look like you have stepped right out of a tropical vacation.
How To Apply Bronzer Vs. How To Contour
Now that you have learned the difference between a bronzer and a contour, here’s how you should apply it for that runway look.
How To Apply A Bronzer
- Use a soft, dense, and fluffy brush to apply bronzer.
- Apply it to the high points of your face like the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, under the eyebrows, chin, forehead, cupid’s bow, and collarbone.
- Dip the brush in the bronzer powder and tap off the excess.
- Gently apply them to your cheekbones and brush them out and above, towards the temple and hairline.
- Apply it on your forehead and merge it with your hairline to reduce the appearance of a broad forehead and the demarcation of your makeup.
- Apply it to your neck and jawline to evenly blend your makeup with your body.
- You can also apply some bronzer to the bridge of your nose and your cupid’s bow for the post-vacay sun-kissed look.
- If you are using a cream bronzer, then take very little product and use a small fluffy beauty blender, powder bronzers are more buildable than cream, so always start small.
- When you are done with the makeup look, finish the makeup with some setting spray to keep all of the product in place.
- If you prefer a more dewy look, you can mix your bronzer and highlighter for that warmth and shimmer.
How To Apply A Contour
- Use a small, narrow, and sharp brush to contour.
- Contouring is more precise than bronzing and hence you need a brush that offers more accuracy than vibes.
- If you apply bronzer only to your high points, contouring is supposed to be applied to your low points.
- Contour the hollows of your cheeks, side of the nose, under the jawline, the extreme ends of your forehead right next to your hairline, and under the lips.
- These places when sunken make your facial bone structure look more snatched and sculpted.
- When using a contour use shades darker than your skin tone to stop light from reflecting. Darker shades reflect less light, just making your face appear slimmer.
- Take the contour brush, dip it in some contour, and apply it to the spots mentioned above.
- Pull the product upwards and outwards and follow your bone lines.
- With the right contouring, you can change the shape of your face temporarily and thus shapeshift in some sense.
- Contour your face after applying bronzer so you can control the final look.
Things To Keep In Mind
Picking the right bronzer and contour is just like picking your foundation shade. You need one that complements your skin tone — neither too light nor dark. Ideally, both of them should be 1-2 shades darker than your skin tone.
Bronzers And Contours Loved By The Nykaa Army
Bronzers
Contours
Parting Thoughts
We are sure you must have learnt the difference between contour and bronzer through this extensive and comprehensive guide. A lot of people think that is the same but in fact, offer different results and is formulated for different purposes. When applied with the right brush you can get a warm and inviting look with chiseled contours. Embrace the duality of women by indulging in your masculine contoured side and feminine bronzer side by thoroughly understanding the difference.
FAQs
-
What is the difference between bronzing and contouring?
Bronzing is meant to give your face a sun-kissed, warm, tanned look. It is more inviting and feminine. On the other hand, contouring offers a more sharp, chiselled, and sculpted look that embraces your masculine side with sharp features.
-
Bronzer vs contour which is better?
Both bronzer and contour are darker than your skin tone, which confuses a lot of people about its use. A bronzer is meant to add colour and warmth to your face while a contour is meant to sculpt your facial features for a more sharp look.
-
Where should I use a bronzer?
Use a bronzer on the top points of your face like the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, forehead, above the lips, under the nose, and neck.
-
Where should I use a contour?
Use a contour on the low points of your face like the hollow part of your cheeks, jawline, sides of the nose, hairline, and under the lips.
-
Can I use a bronzer as a contour?
Yes and no. If you plan to use a bronzer as a contour, make sure you use a cream-based, matte bronzer that is two shades darker than your skin tone. Use a sharp brush that offers a sculpted look.
