Highlighting and Contouring by Face Shape: A Complete Guide

Highlighting and Contouring by Face Shape

The perfect contour and highlight can transform your facial features, enhancing your effortless beauty. Understanding your face shape is crucial for applying makeup effectively. 

How to determine your face shape for contouring

Before diving into specific techniques, identify your face shape. Each shape has unique characteristics:

  • Square face shape: Broad forehead, strong jawline, and equal width and length.
  • Round faces: A round face shape has wider cheeks, a softer jaw, and equal width and height.
  • Diamond face shape: Narrow forehead and chin with wide cheekbones.
  • Heart-shaped face: The heart face shape has a wide forehead and narrow chin, often with a widow’s peak on the hairline.
  • Oblong face shape: Longer than wide, with similar size at the forehead and chin, cheeks, and jawline.
  • Oval face: Slightly longer than wide, with balanced proportions.

How to highlight and contour a face

The basic principles of contouring and highlighting involve using a darker shade to get shadows and a lighter shade to bring forward certain areas. Here’s how to approach it based on your face shape:

Square Face Shape

For a squarish face, the goal is to soften the angles and draw attention to the center of your face.

  • Contour: Apply contour along the sides of your forehead and jawline, blending towards your hairline. 
  • Highlight: To feature these areas, highlight the center of your forehead, under the eyes, and the center of your chin.
  • Blush: Apply the blush on the apples of your cheeks, sweeping towards the temples.

Round Face Shape

Since cheeks are the widest part of your face, you want to create the illusion of length and definition.

  • Contour: Add contour makeup to the edges of your forehead, under the widest part of your cheekbones, and along the line of the jaw. Focus on the edges to define the face shape contour.
  • Highlight: Highlight the center of your head, under the eyes, and down the center of your nose and chin.
  • Blush: Apply to the highest point of your cheekbones.

Diamond Face Shape

For diamond-shaped faces, emphasize the cheekbones while softening the forehead and chin.

  • Contour: Apply contour to the sides of your forehead and chin. Contour the outer edges of your cheekbones to define their shape.
  • Highlight: Apply on the hairline, under the eyes, and the center of your chin.
  • Blush: Sweep blush along the tops of your cheekbones.

Heart Face Shape

For a heart face, the goal is to balance a wider forehead with a narrower chin.

  • Contour: Apply contour to the sides of your forehead and the lower part of your chin. Contour under the cheekbones to achieve a defined look.
  • Highlight: Highlight the center of the hairline, below the eyes, and down the center of your chin.
  • Blush: Add blush to the apples of your cheeks, blending upwards.

Oblong Face Shape

Aim to develop the illusion of depth and balance the length for an oblong face shape contour.

  • Contour: Apply contour along the hairline at the top of your forehead and under your chin, contouring along the sides of your face to add depth.
  • Highlight: Apply on the hairline, beneath the eyes, and the middle of your chin.
  • Blush: Apply blush on the apples of your cheeks, blending outward to add width.

Oval Face Shape

For oval faces, the goal is to maintain balance and enhance features.

  • Contour: Lightly contour the sides of your forehead and along the jawline. Contour under the cheekbones to emphasize your bone structure.
  • Highlight: Highlight the center of your forehead, under the eyes, and down the center of your nose and chin.
  • Blush: Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks, blending towards the temples.

What is the rule to follow when highlighting and contouring?

The golden rule for face shape contouring is to enhance the features you love while subtly shading areas to bring balance and definition. 

By understanding your face shape, you can effectively apply these contouring methods to bring attention to the part of your face with the best features.

  • Creams, powders, or sticks can be used based on your skin type and preferences.
  • Highlight areas you want to bring forward, such as the brow bone and the center of the forehead, cheeks, and chin.
  • Contour along the jawline, sides of your forehead, and hairline to define and define your structure.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively use face-shape contouring powders and highlighters to enhance your features and achieve a balanced, natural look.

How do I choose contour for my face?

Here’s how you should go about the process of contouring and highlighting your face: 

Match the Shade to Your Natural Skin Tone

To achieve a natural look, select a shade about two shades darker than your skin color. Here’s how to find the right shade based on your tone:

  • Fair: Opt for a cool-toned, taupe shade to avoid looking too harsh.
  • Medium: Choose a neutral or slightly warm shade for a shadow effect.
  • Dark: Look for a deep, rich brown with warm undertones to create a definition without looking ashy.

Choose the Right Contour Product

Contour products come in various forms: powders, creams, and sticks. 

  • Powders: Ideal for oily skin and a matte finish.
  • Creams: Great for dry skin or a dewy finish. 
  • Sticks: Convenient for targeted application and blending. 

Consider Your Personal Preferences

Your preferences play a significant role in choosing the right contour product. Consider the following:

  • Coverage: Powders are better for light, even coverage. Creams or sticks are better for more intense, buildable coverage.
  • Finish: Based on your desired look, decide between a matte or dewy finish. Powders generally offer a matte finish, while creams and sticks can provide a dewy glow.
  • Application: Think about your comfort level with makeup application. Powders are generally easier to apply, while creams and sticks may require more blending skills.

Selecting the perfect contour shade and highlighters is crucial for an effortless, defined look. 

Choose a contour hue two shades darker than your tone and a highlight two shades lighter. Powders are great for a matte finish, while creams can provide a dewy look.

Bringing It All Together

Contouring and highlighting tailored to your shape can sculpt your features, drawing attention to your best parts. These techniques can enhance natural beauty, whether round face shapes, diamond-shaped faces, or other face shapes. 

Practice makes perfect, so experiment with different products and methods to find the best.

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