Contouring is a useful technique to learn as it can help you reduce the appearance of certain areas on your face that you don’t want others to see. Balancing this with highlighting can yield a more natural look. The problem, however, is that not many are used to this kind of makeup technique which is why they contour their face haphazardly. If you want to perfect this technique, you will need to learn how to contour based on your face shape.
Just a few quick tips when it comes to contouring: you should use a foundation, bronzer, or a concealer that is one shade darker than your natural skin tone. Make sure that you opt for matte instead of shimmer as the former can create more depth. Here’s how to contour based on your face shape.
Oval. For oval face shapes, the height of the forehead is proportion to the chin. The cheekbones are not prominent but are sculpted properly. Plus, the jawline and the hairline are curved delicately. Contour the hairline and under the jawline while highlighting your cheekbones. Follow this up by adding blush on the apples of your cheeks or under the cheekbone.
Diamond. If your face shape is more on diamond, the best contouring step to take is to contour below the cheekbones all the way to the temples. This will add more depth to your face shape that will highlight your best features.
Round. In the case of round face shape, the lines of the forehead, chin, and cheeks are more rounded, with the width of the face almost the same as its length. Since round faced women have fuller cheeks, their face tend to look flat hence the need for contouring. To contour, apply your contouring makeup on your temples as well as under your cheekbones. Highlight your chin as well as the middle of your forehead and then finish it off with some blush under your cheekbones.
Heart. A heart shaped face tends to have an angular forehead with a widow’s peak hairline. With this face shape, you should contour your temples as well as the center of your chin. You can apply blush on the apples of your cheeks or to the cheekbones whichever you prefer. Don’t forget to highlight your jawline.
Long. For this face shape, the forehead tends to be high with the chin long. And because of this, the cheekbones can appear flat and missing on lift. In order to enhance your face, contour the top of your hairline, your temples, as well as under the chin. Apply highlighter on the temples and cheekbones too. As for the blush, apply sparingly on the apples of your cheeks.
Rectangle. In the case of a rectangular face, the face tends to be longer than it is wide with the cheekbones long and straight. Apply your contouring makeup on the top hairline, temples, sides of the jawline, as well as under the chin. Highlight the center of the forehead then blush on the apples of your cheeks for a more natural look.
Square. What’s great about having a square face shape is that your features are quite strong. The hairline tends to be wide and angled while the jawline is angled at the sides. The best way to contour this face shape is to contour the corners of the jaw and hairline. Apply your highlighting makeup on the center of the forehead, cheekbones, and chin. The blush should be applied under the cheekbones.Â
These are just a few techniques to contouring based on your face shape which is why it is important that you identify what your face shape is to know how to contour like a pro.
