Once again, we’re delighted to share a basic makeup tutorial from Los Angeles based makeup artist, Amy Clarke. She has created this lovely tutorial along with one of our favorite photographers, Bryce Covey, to detail and demonstrate how to perfect the art of contouring and highlighting using makeup.

Take these tips from Amy to add to your ever-growing arsenal of makeup techniques. We know how difficult it is to get straight information when you’re looking through hundreds of turorials on how to perfect a makeup skill (to use bronzer or not to use bronzer?!) but as always, Amy has made it easier than ever for you to learn how to use your natural bone structure and just a few key pieces of makeup to contour and highlight your best features. Use this basic makeup tip to kick your daily beauty routine up a notch!

Contour & Highlight:

1.+ 2. Apply one layer of foundation or tinted moisturizer all over face. I used Tarte’s BB Cream in “Medium Light”. Using a foundation brush and a cream concealer (2 to 3 times lighter than your skin tone), apply concealer (the highlight) to the under eyes, down the sides of the nose, and brushed back and upward toward the hairline.

3. Using the same concealer, highlight the center of the forehead and down the bridge of the nose, upper lip, center of the chin and on your brow bone. Lastly, apply the concealer to the jawline, just under your cheekbones.

4. Once you’ve finished with all the highlighting, it’s time to apply the contour. Pick a cool-toned cream concealer or foundation thats 2 to 3 shades darker than your skin tone. Taking a smaller, stiff brush or foundation brush, apply the contour cream to the hallows of your cheeks, just below your cheekbone, all the way to your hairline.

5.+ 6. +7. Apply the same color to your forehead near your hairline, temples, jawline, the sides of your neck and to the sides of your nose.

8. Using a wet Beauty Blender or Duo Fiber Blending Brush, blend all the contour and highlighter together until there is no more distinction between the two colors.

9. Lastly, Apply a light dusting of blush, and set all the highlight with a loose powder using a small natural bristled brush. I used Tarte’s 12 Hour Amazonian Clay Blush in “Tipsy” and Make Up For Ever’s Super Matte Loose Powder in “Translucent Natural”.

Pro Tip: You can use cream or powders to contour or highlight, creams are easier to blend and tend to look more natural. Avoid using bronzer to contour. You are creating a “shadow” so think of a color that’s similar to an actual shadow, which tends to be a cooler tone. Use Bronzer to warm up your skin and make it look sun-kissed!

Favorite Products: Make Up For Ever’s Foundation Brush “30N” & Senna Cosmetic Face Sculpting Cream “1.

Photography: Bryce Covey | Makeup: Amy Clarke | Hair: Heidi Marie Garrett | Creative Direction: Emily Newman for Once Wed