I have a confession to make. When it comes to makeup, I can’t contour. You may be wondering, “Is it really that big a deal?” In the grand scheme of things, of course, that’s not the case, but as a beauty editor and a qualified makeup artist, it seems silly to say that I’m not very good at recreating one of the biggest makeup trends of 2026.
The worst part is that I have some of the best contour sticks on the market, and I still have a hard time sculpting my (somewhat non-existent) cheeks. The thing is, I want a subtle contour that makes it look like my face is naturally sculpted, but this seems to be the hardest thing to achieve.
So, when I attended a masterclass famous makeup artist wendy roweAnd that put “tanturing” on my radar, I was immediately intrigued. A natural, glowy, and easy-to-achieve way to contour this summer that doesn’t involve any kind of bronzer, this might just be my new favorite thing. Keep scrolling to know more…
What is tantouring?
As the name suggests, tattooing is all about creating outlines. Fake tan instead of your favorite bronzer. “Taunting is about subtly creating structure and definition. It’s contouring, but through tone rather than makeup,” explains Rowe. “I’ve always believed that skin should look like skin, and what I love about tattooing is that it doesn’t sit on top of the face – it becomes part of it.”
So, what does it involve? “You’re subtly warming and defining the areas where the sun would naturally catch — cheekbones, temples, jaw line — so the face looks healthy, lifted and rested.” Rowe Tells. “It’s incredibly sophisticated because it’s seamless. You almost can’t see what’s been done; you look better.”
how to tantur
Feels great, doesn’t it? Although I was completely sold sound Because of the tantouring, I was a little worried that I wouldn’t be able to do it at home. However, this may not be easy. “The key to tantouring is to keep it light and effortless,” explains Rowe. “I recommend doing this at night, as it works beautifully as an overnight skin treatment as well as a complexion enhancer.”
Rowe Recommend starting with clean skin and then adding a few drops of your choice Add tanning drops to your moisturizer (she uses Three Warriors HydraBronze Tan Drops) and apply it all over the face for “hydration and warmth.”
Next, take a soft brush and apply the product to the areas where you would use your normal contour stick or powder. Rowe It is recommended to apply the drops lightly under the cheekbones, around the temples, along the jaw line and even through the eye sockets.
“The beauty of it is you can’t actually see it moving,” she says. “It’s sheer, seamless and very forgiving. There are no harsh contour strips, no obvious tan lines. You’re essentially setting the tone and structure that will develop over time. The next morning, you look fresher, healthier and more defined.”
my tattooing results
I have to say, I was a little skeptical about trying this method myself, but it couldn’t be easier. I applied my tanning drops in the evening and woke up with a natural-looking, bronzed and chiseled complexion. I went in with me I applied foundation in the morning and skipped bronzer altogether, letting my tantour do all the talking for the day. Not only did this save me time in the morning, but I became obsessed with the seamless result. I’ll definitely be doing this all summer long.
Best products for tattooing
three warriors
HydraBronze Tan Drops
These lightweight tanning drops are the perfect product for tanning this summer.
St. tropez
Expert Tantour and Application Face Brush
A good brush is important for a natural-looking finish.
laneige
Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Acid Cream Moisturizer
Mix your tanning drops with a hydrating moisturizer for glowing results.
Caudalie
Self-Tan Sun Drops
three warriors
Face Tan Aqua Mist
To give your complexion an all-over glow, you can’t go wrong with this face tan mist.
