Contouring camouflage cosmetics are an excellent option for patients who are recovering from a cosmetic procedure.  Camouflage cosmetics are specially designed to conceal the aftereffects of cosmetic procedures, so that patients may begin to resume their daily activities with less worry over their appearance.  Contouring products can drastically improve the appearance of swelling in a patient who has just received facial plastic surgery. 

Contouring cosmetics can be applied anywhere on the face, but are most often utilized to disguise swelling following rhinoplasty or facial implant surgery.  These products diminish the appearance of swollen areas by highlighting some areas while shadowing others.  The highlighted parts of the face appear to come forward while the shadow areas recede.  In this manner contouring cosmetics are able to drastically reduce the appearance of swelling in the recovering areas.     

The highlighting product used in the contouring technique is typically about two shades lighter than the patient's skin color, while the shadowing product will be about two shades darker than the skin tone.  Most contouring products are not specifically labeled "highlighter"? and "shadow"?; rather, an individual should look for the appropriate shades for their own skin tone. 

The success of contouring techniques depends on proper blending of the highlighter and the shadow.  This ability to blend the tones while creating the allusion of angles may take some practice.  An experienced cosmetic professional may be able to demonstrate the best way to use contouring products so that a patient may use them successfully.