Contouring and highlighting seems to be a part of everyday makeup routines, as of late — or at the very least, a part of many a Pinterest board. Though I don’t go crazy with either, I’ve always been into contouring and highlighting in certain ways: I often define my jawline to keep it from disappearing in photographs, contour and highlight my eyes when wearing shadow, dab some highlighter at my cupid’s bow. But mostly, I focus on my cheeks. I have a pretty full, round-ish face, but my high cheekbones give it more dimension. I like to play them up by essentially carving them out with shadow (contour), adding a flush of color to the apples (blush), and bringing the highest points forward with a hint of shimmer (highlight). Even if you don’t have high or pronounced cheekbones, this is a great way to fake it. It’s super easy and can be done with powder or cream products. Since I normally use powder, I figured I would switch it up and feature cream products! Want to learn how to carve out your cheekbones? Follow the steps, below:

1. Dip your Stila Shape & Shade Custom Contour Brush in the contour cream from the Stila “Light” Shape & Shade Custom Contour Duo, and blot excess on the back of your hand so you have minimal product. Starting at the top of your ear (near your hairline), drag the brush about halfway toward the corner of your lip. I swoop it up just a little at the end, almost like I’m scooping underneath the cheek.
2. Without adding any product, wiggle the brush back and forth and up and down to blend it out.
3. Dampen your Beautyblender and squeeze out the excess. Bounce the wider end over your contour cream to further blend it. This might seem excessive, but it really makes a difference.
4. Apply Tréstique blush stick in “Bora Bora Coral” (or blush of your choice) on the apples of your cheeks. If you don’t know where that is, just smile! Make sure not to apply too close to your nose.
5. This particular blush has a brush on the other end, but I prefer blending cream blush with my fingers. The heat from your skin helps melt it into your skin and gives it a really smooth finish.
6. Dab highlighter (I used Benefit “High Beam”) in a C curve at the tops of your cheeks and above your brows.
7. Use the small point of the Beautyblender to blend the highlighter out.
8. Now, use the larger end of the Beautyblender to make sure the three blend together – but make sure you don’t drag or rub – just bounce it. That’s it!