Let’s be honest: contouring can feel like a mystery, no matter how many makeup tutorials you’ve watched. One wrong swipe, and suddenly, you’re less “naturally defined” and more of a makeup mess. The truth is, contouring isn’t a one-size-fits-all; it’s different for everyone, whether you’re a makeup beginner or a pro makeup artist. Your face shape, makeup style, and even the products you use all play a role in achieving that perfectly sculpted look.
But luckily, that’s where we come in! We’re diving deep into the world of contouring—from choosing the right contour products, to nailing your placement. Because everyone deserves their snatched moment, right?
First things first: let’s clarify a common mix-up. Contour is all about creating shadows to define and sculpt your features—think cheekbones, jawline, and nose. Bronzer, on the other hand, is all about warmth, giving you that sun-kissed glow. Both are amazing, but they’re definitely not the same thing! If you’re curious about when to use what, check out our guide: What's the Difference Between Bronzer and Contour?, to get all of our bronzing and contouring advice. Ready to unlock your best contour yet? Let’s get into it!
Understanding Face Shapes and Contouring
Like we mentioned, contouring isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. It’s not about creating a brand-new or completely different face, but rather about enhancing what you’ve already got. The key lies in working with your natural bone structure, not against it. Your face shape plays a huge role in where those shadows and highlights are placed.
Have an oval face shape? They’re considered one of the most balanced shapes, so a soft sculpt along your cheekbones and jawline keeps everything defined without overdoing it. If you’ve got a round face, a little extra contour along the sides of your forehead and under your cheekbones helps add length and definition. For square shapes, softening the jawline and temples creates a more balanced look. Heart-shaped faces? Focus on the forehead and jawline to bring balance to a narrower chin. Diamond face shapes pop with contour along the cheekbones and jawline to soften angles, while oblong face shapes benefit from contouring the forehead and chin to shorten the overall look.
Essential Contouring Products and Tools
Before you go full makeup artist and dive deep into the world of contouring and sculpting, let’s talk tools and formulas.
For oily skin, powder contours are your BFF—they help keep things matte and stay in place throughout the day. If you lean dry or combination, liquid contour or contour wands blend like a dream for a smooth, skin-like finish.
For a natural, shadow-like and contoured effect, go 1-2 shades darker than your skin tone. If you’re fair to light, look for cool-toned taupes to mimic soft, realistic shadows. Medium skin? Try neutral or slightly warm browns for a subtle sculpt. For deep skin tones, rich, deep browns with a cool or neutral undertone create stunning, defined depth.
And don’t forget the tools: we recommend using our Liquid Contour and Bronzer Duo Brush! This dual-ended brush has a sculpted, angled side for precise application and also a larger, fluffy end for blending and buffing out product. If you’re aiming to contour a smaller area, such as the nose, opt for our Dual-Ended Nose Contour Brush. Similar to our other duo brush, this one offers one side for application and another for blending but on a smaller scale, helping you to blend and buff for a more precise contour! And if makeup brushes aren’t your thing, you can never go wrong with a beauty sponge! Grab our Precision Sculpting Sponge to perfectly blend and diffuse your product!
Universal Contouring Techniques
No matter your face shape, some contouring spots are universally flattering. Focus on the hollows of your cheeks, jawline, and sides of the forehead for instant definition. For highlighter, stick to the tops of your cheekbones, bridge of the nose, center of the forehead, and chin—anywhere light would naturally hit.
Blending is key—think soft, circular motions with a makeup sponge or makeup brush for that "wait, is that her bone structure or makeup?" look. New to contouring? Start with the classic “3” shape — trace from your temples, under your cheekbones, and along your jawline following the shape of the number “3” to get a naturally sculpted finish.
Oblong & Rectangular Face Shape
If you’ve got an oblong or rectangular face shape, your face may be longer than it is wide, with a straight forehead, cheeks, and jawline. With a few easy contour tricks, you’ll be able to create the illusion of width for a balanced, lifted look.
Start by contouring along the top of your forehead and just under your chin—this helps "shorten" the length. Next, add contour under your cheekbones, but keep it more horizontal (not angled!) to avoid elongating the face. For highlight, stick to the tops of your cheekbones, but skip the chin highlight to avoid drawing the face downward. Balance is everything, and strategic placement makes all the difference for rectangular faces!
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Contour Your Face Shape:
What are the seven face shapes?
The seven common face shapes are oval, round, square, heart, diamond, rectangle, and triangle. Each shape is determined by the proportions of facial features, particularly the jawline, cheekbones, and forehead width. If you have features that don’t fit into just one face shape, you probably have a combination face shape, which is a mix of prominent facial features!
How do I know where to put contour?
Contour placement is different for every face shape! Start by determining your face shape, and then contour catering to your bone structure and facial features. After contouring, don’t forget to add highlighter to help balance out the look!
Where to place contour to lift face?
To give your face a little bit of a lift, apply your contour in a 3-shape from the temples down to under your cheekbones, and then beneath the jawline from ear to ear. For additional lift, lightly contour the sides of the nose and place a small amount directly under the center of the lower lip. Then add some highlighter to your cheekbones, cupid’s bow, and the bridge of your nose for some added dimension!
Can contour change your face shape?
While contouring won’t actually change the shape of your face, it can help to define or subtly hide features, which can create the illusion of a different facial structure. By adding shadows with contour and balancing with highlight, you can either show off your natural bone structure or create the illusions of a different look, depending on where you place and how you use your contour products.
Do I contour before or after foundation?
We recommend applying contour after foundation but before powder. Applying contour after foundation gives you a smooth base to work with and allows the contour to blend seamlessly into your foundation for a more natural look. If you apply contour before foundation, your foundation might cover up or dilute the contouring effect you're trying to achieve.
How do I put on contour for beginners?
Contouring might seem intimidating at first, but it's actually quite approachable with the right technique! Here are some of our favorite tips for beginners:
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Start with a small amount of product - you can always add more
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Blend, blend, blend for a natural look with no harsh lines
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Use natural lighting to check your work
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Practice makes perfect - don't get discouraged if it takes a few tries