When you first start contouring, it's helpful to follow a couple of basic 'rules.' However, it's important to remember that contouring is a personal thing. What works for you may not necessarily work for someone else.

There are general techniques for each face shape, but contouring should still complement your existing facial features, which are, of course, very personal.

Contouring: 5 basic principles to start with:

• Always choose a powder with a cool undertone to achieve a shadow effect.
• Ask yourself: 'What feature of my face do I like and would I like to emphasize more?'
• Focus on defining only one or a few points, according to your own preference.
• Contour and highlight belong together, always! Dark (contour) blurs features, while light (highlighter) intensifies what you want to literally put in the spotlight.
• After contouring, use your bronzer to gently blend out the contour lines.