Wednesday 17 May 2017

PALE SKIN EDIT: CHEAT YOUR WAY TO PERFECT CHEEKBONES - STEP BY STEP CONTOURING, DRAPING & STROBING.





It takes a while to learn how to contour. Usually longer than it should be as we go for shades that are too dark, too warm, too cool. There's also application, blending and even knowing where to start. Today I'd like to talk you through my foolproof way to cheat a perfect cheekbone. It's easy, I promise! 

Whilst you most certainly don't need all the products I'm sharing with you today, I chose them for a reason. One, they're new-ish and I'm still obsessed with them and second, they really do work in terms of quality, formula and ease of application (read blending). Let's talk products first now, shall we? 


Benefit Cheek Parade | RPR £49.50 | Post


I am obsessed with this palette, especially with Hoola Lite bronzer. Finding a bronzer for pale skin is no walk in the park. Everything's too warm and too dark usually. Hoola Lite gives the perfect amount of colour and works great at gently warming up even cool and super pale complexions! I then use a little Hoola (original version) to define my cheeks even more. Daily I use either Dandelion or Galifornia and lately it's all about Galifornia! It's a stunner - from the design to the shade. It's slightly brighter and can truly change any look. I use it to match my warm toned eye looks! I bought mine in Boots (linked above) but you can also get one on FeelUnique & Benefit sites. 

MAC Juicy Fruity 'Oh My Passion' Pearl Matte Face Powder | RPR £24.00 


Magpie in me couldn't say no to this Pearl Matte Face Powder. Not only is the outer packaging and plastic cover utterly gorgeous but the embroidery of the powder itself is a stunner. Technically you can use all the shades separately and with two blushes, highlight and bronzer you can certainly do that. However, I prefer just to mix all the shades by swirling the brush in. It gives the most gorgeous finish, adding just enough colour to your cheekbones. It's well pigmented but not too pigmented at the same time, which makes it super easy to blend! The formula is soft and buttery too. Whilst I'm not usually in love with MAC powders, this one definitely surprised me! Hurry, it's still available through John Lewis (linked above) and Debenhams HERE 

ELF Contouring Blush & Browsing Powder 'Fiji' | RPR £5.00


I got this as part of a very small ELF order I made recently and fell in love with it. It makes for a perfect handbag addition, as it's light and sleek. The very Nars-esque packaging looks very professional. Both bronzer and blush swatch lovely, giving just a perfect amount of pigment. I love the bronzer, it's very neutral in tone and works great against the pale skin! The blush is gorgeous too, peachy pinks are my favourites. Whilst not the most long lasting, the travel-friendly packaging makes for an easy top up during the day! You can also browse the duo in the shade St. Lucia HERE

Makeup Revolution Renaissance Glow | RPR £8.00 | Post


On days when you're not in a mood for blush, the MUR palette makes for a great contour/highlight duo. Just contour and bronze your cheeks with Sculpt and then add some serious glow to the top of your cheekbones. If Kim K chiselled look it's what you go for, it's definitely one to watch. It's super affordable and so pretty too! Sadly this item is currently out of stock on Tam Beauty and Superdrug websites.



Basic contouring:


  1. Start with bronzer and lightly brush the top of your cheekbones by ears, sides of your face, forehead. 
  2. Find the bottom of your cheekbones. It's important to add cooler/neutral toned bronzer exactly there and blend upwards. Don't put your contour below, it'll drag your face down. Start by the ear and concentrate most pigment there, only blending towards the mid cheeks once there's barely any product on the brush.
  3. Blend & repeat

Basic draping:


  1. Choose a blush complimenting your eye makeup or lip. I tend to go for nude to pink-bronze tones for draping.
  2. Start at the top of your cheekbones when you usually bronze.
  3. Add a little product to the top of your nose, forehead etc
  4. Blend blend blend

Basic strobing:


  1. Choose a highlighter with little to no visible micro-glitter and a fluffy blush/fan brush
  2. Brush the product on the top of the cheekbones, cupid's bow, a tip of your nose (love it there!) 
  3. Blend and repeat until you glow from here to the moon
  4. Only brush highlight over the mid parts of your face (forehead, chin) if you're dry or have no problems with excessive shine in the T-Zone

I hope you enjoyed my ramblings today. I hope I was able to answer some of the questions about various cheek cheat techniques. As always, please let me know your thoughts. I look forward to hearing what cheek products and techniques you've been loving lately!

* some links may be affiliate
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My Giveaways:



Win Charlotte Tilbury Pillowtalk Lipstick HERE

Win Balance Active Formula Dragon's Blood skincare range HERE


Thank You For Reading,
Love






26 comments

  1. I found this post really useful and enjoyable. I must try Hoola Lite as I am a pale girl too. I love using bronzer especially as the weather gets warmer x

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    1. I think you'll love it! It's so light and perfect for warming up your complexion!

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  2. What a brilliant post, Dorota! I love the look of that MAC powder but it seems too pretty to use! I love a bit of soft definition rather than a full on contour these days! xx

    Beautylymin| LuxurySkincareGiveaway

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  3. I only fully contour when I film and then I use cream products, they seem more fool proof to me. But I like the whole draping thing. A lot!

    Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

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  4. I've been obsessed with using contouring blushers for years though I has no idea it was called 'Draping' lol! I love the look of the MAC one and I would definitely swirl over all the shades together too xxxx
    UmmBabyBeauty

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  5. Oh gosh that Cheek Parade is just to die for, honestly i don't know how much longer i can resist!! Love those tips as i'm definitely a fair skin in need of a bit of color these days! ;) xo
    Melodie
    www.happymelodie.com

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  6. Such a useful post, I want everything!

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  7. Such a fab post my love, really helpful! Love draping x

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  8. such a beautiful post and cosmetics :)

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  9. Such a useful post! That Benefit palette looks gorgeous x

    Heather | Of Beauty & Nothingness

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  10. I could never bring myself to use that Mac powder if I buy it, the surface is way too pretty! LOL! I actually love draping when it's done right. It gives a beautiful flush to the skin.

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  11. I really really really want the Mac compact!!!!

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  12. The benefit palette is such a good deal! xx

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  13. Did you find the Benefit cheek palette to have a lot of fall out? I've heard it does and it kinda put me off buying?!

    Dena | Dena Jayne | Bloglovin

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  14. I loved reading this post and now I really want Cheek Parade x

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  15. Great post lovely! I actually thought the elf palette was in fact nars too! They seem to have fab dupes. I want to try hoola lite as I believe bronzers and contour shades for pale skin are hard to find x

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  16. I have the ELF Fiji Duo, I have had mine quite a long time but I am obsessed with the shades. I love the look of the MUR Duo.

    www.EmmysBeautyCave.com

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  17. Some great tips on this post! Especially since I'm super pale! X

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  18. I've never actually heard of draping before!

    www.upyourvlog.com

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  19. I have deliberated over the MAC powder since it launched, I really need to check out some Elf products too, loved this post as I am a real blush geek ha ha xxx

    Zoe ♥ MammafulZo

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  20. I'd not heard of draping before! You learn something new every day!

    Gemma x | flutterandsparkle.com

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  21. This is great - I love that you included draping too and broke everything down into easy to follow steps. Fab post :) x

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  22. I am obsessed with the Benefit Cheek Parade palette, it is incredible for us pale girls!! :D

    Erin || MakeErinOver

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  23. That makeup revolution palette just looks so beautiful!
    Chantelle x
    The Girl In The Tartan Scarf

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  24. Such a great post and so many lovely products! I'm definitely going to have to invest in some of these, they look great for pale skin :)

    Rachel | Hey Rachieface

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  25. Great post and very informative. I didn't know about draping before! That Mac Juicy Fruity palette is just stunning I'm not surprised you could not resist buying this x

    franklyflawless.com

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