How to kontour like a Kardashian

Though the art of adding highlighter and shadow as a way to enhance or minimize facial features has been around for decades, “the Kardashians definitely put contouring back on the map” by posting to social media about the makeup trick, says makeup artist Patrick Ta, who regularly works with the family.

But how do they get their faces to look like that?

You don’t need to be a reality TV star with a professional makeup artist to get the look. Ta shares some tips with people curious to test out the technique.

Just use bronzer.

Before investing in a number of other products, just use a bronzing powder on the halo of your forehead and under your chin (as Ta does for the pregnant Kim Kardashian, who wouldn’t mind appearing a little thinner). It’s an effective contouring method.

Highlight your edges.

By using a lighter-than-normal shade of foundation or concealer on the bridge of your nose and the tops of your cheekbones (as Ta does for clients Kourtney Kardashian and Gigi Hadid), you’ll make those features appear slimmer. Be sure to blend the highlighter into your skin with a brush.

Use a tiny brush for the nose.

“If you contour the wrong way, the nose can actually appear longer,” Ta warns. To avoid that result, make sure to use a very small brush to put a light shade of makeup in a skinny line in the center of the nose, surrounded by darker, blended shades.

Switch to cream only when you’re ready.

Though shading your face with creams can create a better on-camera look than powder, it’s difficult to do well, even with an angled blending brush. “With cream, expect adding 10 minutes to your makeup routine,” he says, and he advises not using a full-face contour as an everyday look.

Take it off.

Use setting powder to keep your makeup on all evening, and then take it all off for bed! Ta recommends Target’s Up & Up wipes.