A Frugal Face: Contouring on a budget

If you're anything like me on the make-up front, you'll be far from a pro!

There are so many wonderful beauty bloggers out there that make it look sooo easy, but use products that are about bajillion pound each (or so it feels, to a newbie that is!). Which is completely justifiable if you know what you're doing and not going to make mistakes, wasting it in the process.

I received a contouring palette for Christmas, a little stocking filler, but used it on other people rather than myself - yes, I know, I'm a wimp. So recently I bought another identical set from Amazon. The best thing about this palette is that it is only £1.49!!!!! I find that buying cheap alternatives to play around with is such a safe option. When I get better at what I'm doing, I can upgrade to get a more sleek and desirable finish. But, for experimenting - don't waste money.

This morning, Finley was napping,Carson was on his ipad, and hubby was also asleep after having been on a night shift last night. I'd done all my household chores and I just thought 'Right! I'm going to play with my make-up.On MYSELF!!'

I've seen so many guides/step by steps/images of contouring that I had a rough idea of what to do.

Highlight the centre of my forehead, centre and length of my nose, (bizarrely) my eye bags (I'd never have thought of highlighting such an area I hate!), and the centre of my upper and lower lip.

Contouring on a budget

Contour where you want a shadow, making the highlighted area 'pop' out. I did just below my cheek bones, my jawline and into my neck, framed my nose and into the hollow of my eye sockets. I also contoured where the sun would naturally be caught on my forehead.

Contouring on a budget

Finish with some liquid top-lid liner, mascara, lippy and some blusher on the apples of my cheeks.

Contouring on a budget


I've steered clear of eye shadow and anything else more 'complicated' so as to keep a fresh looking face, just until I've perfected the methods used. The last thing I ever want is to look make-up heavy. It's just not me.

The liquid liner was only 99p with free delivery on Amazon too, although it appears to have gone up a couple of pennies since - something that I bought to experiment with because it has liquid at one end, pencil on the other and looks so cute, ha!

My frugal look was created using:

Contouring on a budget


SONGQEE 15 colour contouring palette: £1.49 from Amazon 
TOOGOO Eyeliner: 99p from Amazon
MUA Blusher: £1.00 from Superdrug
Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara: £10.99 from Superdrug
Collection 2000 Translucent Powder: £2.99 from Superdrug
W7 Butter Kiss Lipstick in Very Berry: £4.50 from W7 Cosmetics
MUA Pro Brow Kit: £3.50 from Superdrug

So what do you think then? 
I'd love to know if you practice certain make-up methods or techniques too (when you have the time, of course!)



This post contains Amazon affiliate links.  I was sent the lipstick FOC to review from w7.  All opinions are my own.

54 comments:

  1. I totally agree, if you're experimenting you don't want to use the really expensive stuff! You did good :)

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  2. With contouring I can never get the shadows to work but I love a good highlight!
    Liquid Grain

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  3. I am learning to perfect my contour skills so this post will be bookmarked.

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  4. Nice result, you look very pretty either way. Contouring is one skill I've never been able to master, but it's impressive when you see people like yourself who can do it properly.

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  5. It certainly looks lovely and at that price it's not going to break the bank to give it a go. Maybe I should get over my reluctance to try it.

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  6. Wow. I'm not "into" makeup either. Never even tried contouring but this looks great. Do you then blend it all in or put foundation over the top?

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  7. I have never really been that into makeup but a friend has been trying out contouring recently and she did it on me yesterday. You look fab with or without the make up. I certainly look better with haha

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  8. I've actually never tried it because I only really wear powder and blusher but this looks really good! Always looking for more ways to penny pinch!
    Love Hayley,
    Water Painted Dreams

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  9. I've never tried contouring before, but you make it look so easy! Love that you're doing it on a budget as well :) x

    www.ibelieveinromeo.blogspot.ie

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  10. I have wanted to try this too, but I haven't been brave enough - I totally agree with you about prices it's a lot of money if you don't like it. You look amazing!

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  11. You look lovely :) I'm a HUGE make-up fan but I've never actually tried the contouring thing as yet. You make it look very easy so I think I may give it a go.

    Laura x

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  12. This looks amazing. I started contouring a while ago, but I only do it when I go out as I don't use much make-up during the week anyway. You look amazing with the contouring and thanks for linking to the palette.

    Nadine - What Nadine Loves

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  13. Wow you look amazing! I love how fresh faced you look. :)

    Daniella | Freshly Pressed Beauty

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  14. The pallette looks amazing, I'd say you've absolutely got the art of contouring worked out! Your make up looks flawless!

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  15. I've got the same pallete and you have better knowledge on how to use it than I do haha. Will have to use this post as my guide for the future.

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  16. The Sleek contour palette is really good too! So cheap and very pigmented. Great for a cheap alternative to cream contours! x


    <a href="www.natashakendall.com”>Natasha Kendall | Beauty and Lifestyle</a>

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  17. I've always wanted to try this contour palette and for the price I can't complain!

    www.katiemeehan.co.uk

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  18. This is really good, I cannot contour for the life of me, well done you! Xx

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  19. Oh my gosh firstly that palette is a brilliant options for beginners and secondly you did a brilliant job! I usually use powder and only contour my cheeks but I'm definitely going to use your tutorial it's brilliant

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  20. well done - i have been wanting to learn how to do this. You make it look easy!

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  21. I've tried contouring my cheeks a few times now and I'm slowly getting the hang of it.

    Good effort :) xx

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  22. I've never tried contouring but you do it really well. I might have to buy some of the budget stuff to give it a go!

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  23. I've never tried contouring, I always thought it was really difficult. You've made it look simple, and that price you can't go wrong!

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  24. I love this - I so haven't got the hang of contouring yet so I really need to try it and on a budget sounds the best place to start! x

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  25. You look fantastic hun. Ive never tried this before. I just slap my make up on and hope for the best he he. (Blogging mummy)

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  26. wow you look fantastic and at £1.49 that contouring palette is a bargain! I think I may get myself one to have a play around with! xx

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  27. I love contouring! You've done a brilliant job Jo :D

    Louise x

    With love from Lou

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  28. Great blog post hun. I am so bad at contouring but want to be good at it so bad lol. Great pics showing detail of what to do.

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  29. Ooh, must give this a try - mad to try contouring but terrified I'll wind up looking like I've been face painted at a kids party, probably best not to experiment with the stuff that costs a few hours pay! Must check out that palette! You did a great job, fantastic finish!!!

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  30. Wow, well done hun! You did a fantastic job contouring - I haven't tried that before but am confident I'd turn out looking like a clown. It's amazing to see how the colors blend together to create such a lovely look. Great tips on products too! x

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  31. Wow £1.49! That's amazing. You look gorgeous too - I wouldn't have a clue where to start! Kaz x

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  32. This is such a fab post and you have done a much better job than I would ever manage x

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  33. I need to master this contouring Malarcy! I love Mua products and go a little crazy in super drug! X

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  34. These products look fab, your make up really looks great x

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  35. You've done really well with your look! Kim Kardashian makes it look easy too but I have to admit I haven't tried contouring myself. May give it a try though :)

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  36. This is such a great post! I really want to learn how to contour


    Catstello | www.cattitudeandco.uk

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  37. You look gorgeous and I can't believe you created this with a £1.49 contour palette! Wow!

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  38. Wow you look fabulous.
    I've never tried as thought it looked to hard but I'm tempted to now have a go

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  39. Wow you look fabulous.
    I've never tried as thought it looked to hard but I'm tempted to now have a go

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  40. Looking good! I am not good with make up but I think after reading this I have learned something. x

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  41. Wow! considering you were scared to try it out you look amazing! I love how you've done your make up and hope you're not scared int he future to try things out because you're obviously better at it than you think! x

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  42. You look fab! I only just discovered contouring and you've shown the difference it makes x

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  43. WOW!! I would never imagine that you could come up with such a great make up look with spending so little money!! You've inspired me!

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  44. you look great! but personally i hate conturing, i think it makes looks humans like dolls, unnatural and you can tell when girl been conturing. I love all naturelle ;)

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  45. I love what you have achieved with such a relatively cheep product! I have become way too mumsey over the years... In my head I still have a full face of make up and perfectly manicured nails, in reality... haven't worn makeup this year at least and my nails are an embarrassment!! I'd live to try this but no idea where to start??!!

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  46. this looks amazing, just goes to show you don't need to spend a fortune to look good - you just need the skills and you my love, most definitely have the skills x

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  47. I can't continue but I must check out this product! You definitely have skills in the contouring compartment :) x

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  48. Your make up looks great, I'm afraid I am rather useless when it comes to contouring x

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  49. I have commenetd here before but I just wanted to say you have inspired me to try this out... I read your post a few days ago and it has really made me think I could actually try this! Thankyou!!

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  50. Your contouring looks great! I love how you did it on a budget toox

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  51. Wow, I think you did an amazing job here. I am still struggling to get contouring right at times :-(

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  52. Bookmarked so I can give it a go myself!

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  53. Crap at contouring think you might have to give me a hand, I've put these on my amazon wishlist just need to get round to buying them now!

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  54. Wow! I'm impressed. I need to try that myself. But I know nothing about contouring! What are some good youtube tutorials that you'd recommend? I'm totally gonna buy that cheap palette to practice with too!

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