10/03/2014

Creamy Contour

Finding the perfect contour shade and product has been a bit of a struggle, it also doesn't help that I'm a complete noob when it comes to contouring. I can never fake that glorious shadow-line of a well carved cheekbone. One product that has quickly become a favourite though in helping me look like I have moderately okay cheekbones is the Illamasqua Concealer in shade CC325. I snagged this on clearance for only $6 and thought, why not give it a go for cream contouring?





































































































































swatched, blended
























Despite this being marketed as a concealer, I have doubts that it would work well as one. The formula is a very stiff and dry cream that honestly doesn't feel creamy or emollient at all - even when 'warmed up' with a finger. I think that its dry formula would cling to dry skin making it ineffective on blemishes, and I expect that it would be drying or cakey looking on the under-eyes. However, when used with a brush (my personal fave is the Real Techniques Contour Brush) it transfers amazingly. It's like its a powder (but more stiff, and obviously not powdery), but it kind of just 'melds' into the skin when blended with a brush. The edges are diffused but is still precise, it looks natural and never obvious - which is exactly what you want when it comes to contouring (NO body wants a brown line down the side of their face!). I feel like with fingers it can apply a bit patchily (the swatches above) but I don't find that's an issue with a brush. Although it's very dry, it doesn't dry to a powder, the texture is very hard to explain! Regardless, I also find the staying power of the product to be absolutely stellar. It lasts much better than any typical cream blush type product and even better that some powders. I suspect this is due to its dry nature so it really sets and sticks to the skin, hanging around till the end of the day.

Shade wise, it's pretty awesome too. It's probably the darkest brown in my collection. It is warm but doesn't give off any orange tones at all, it looks very natural and even quite convincing despite my cack-handed approach! It's a shade or two darker than the contour shade in my Sleek kit, and cooler in tone. It's probably most similar to my e.l.f bronzer from the St Lucia blush/bronzer duo, however that one contains shimmer and it probably a bit warmer.

Overall, the shadow this gives is very natural and when used with the right brush can really mimic somewhat of a cheekbone! Woo hoo! Haha, I'm really glad I picked this up and it will be filling the void of a contour shade very well!

22 comments:

  1. What a useful, handy trick! Love the idea of using a deeper shade of concealer as a contour. Glad you're liking this one so much :)

    -Jen

    www.vibrantbeautyblog.com

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    1. Yeah, I think it gives the most natural effect as it's not orangey at all!

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  2. did you buy this off asos? I always see this colour on clearance there and I'm always tempted to buy it. I've always just assumed this colour would be too dark to use as a cheek contour but it doesn't too bad once blended! Have you tried using it as a brow powder? I was going to buy it for that purpose! xx

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    1. No, I bought it in Myer! For my skintone, the shade works really well. I haven't even thought to try it in my brows! I'm not sure the colour would suit me to well though - it's probably too warm, I like ma brows ashy brown. I wouldn't hurt to try though! I'll let you know if I do.

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    2. I tried it in my brows! It's a no go, I repeat a NO GO! It comes up quite very warm in the brows and pulls quite orange. I would say definitely stick to the face!

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  3. YOOOOOOOOOOO THAT SMART...AND A BARGAIN. A lot of bronzers are orange-toned (because companies all think we're secretly oompa loompas), but using a dark toned concealer as contour is actually brilliant! Another trick I find to getting a precise contour is to apply the leftover foundation on the brush on the areas you messed up on.

    Vanessa | Citron and Guavaberry ʘ‿ʘ

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    1. Mhmm, orange-ness annoys me! I do like warmer browns for warming up the face though. Ooh - that is a good tip! Thanks, I do that if I've gone overboard with the blush.

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    1. Thanks, I pride myself on my savvy shopping!

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  5. First of all, $6 for a high-end product is amazing! Illamasqua is the only high-end makeup brand that I've purchased from in Myers simply because they're campaign to lower prices (so that it's actually cheaper here in Australia than America) makes everything so much more appealing. Secondly, it's such a great idea to use a darker concealer as contour (I mean heaps of people already use Hollow and other cream pigments as contours, so why not?), and it's always so much nicer to have a contour that doesn't have a reddish undertone because it always seems a bit off.

    All in all, great find! I think I'll have to pop into Myer soon :P

    Mel // izzipenelope

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    1. I thought so too! I really want to try more Illamasqua, esp since they dropped their prices. Yeah I find it's very natural since it's essentially just a darker shade of skintone - if that makes sense.

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  6. That's a pretty good idea, using it for contouring! It looks like it blends out well :)

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  7. You are fast becoming my bargain hunting idol! $6 for a high end product in Aus is outrageous! Looks lovely, I keep meaning to put down the powder and give cream contouring a go.
    www.luluisloving.wordpress.com

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    1. Aww, haha thank you! I do think that cream lends a much more natural finish.

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  8. What a steal! It's a beautiful shade and I bet it looks amazing as a contour on you :)
    Jessica
    the way to my Hart

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  9. Interesting and you're so lucky you got it so cheap!! It's weird that a concealer isn't creamy but at least since it's not orange it would look very much like a contour without seeming out of place!

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    1. Yes, I thought that was weird too. I would absolutely hate it if I used it as it was designed - a concealer.

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  10. really tasha youre a very smart girl for figuring out that this will work best as a contour shade. id never come up with such a brilliant idea lol and to get this on sale is just so resourceful of you! ok im beginning to sound weird here but yes im super impressed! :D

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    1. Oh no, haha not weird at all! Thank you very much for the comment :)

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  11. I need to learn how to do this seems so hard!
    xx

    Kelly

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