The ultimate guide to contouring according to your face shape

Contouring simply means using dark and lighter shades of makeup to create shadows and highlight the edges of your face, which can give you a more defined and sculpted finished look. After contouring, your face starts to look slimmer and balanced. This technique is mainly used in makeup to give you sharper cheekbones, a defined jawline, and a slimmer nose. But one needs to understand that the techniques, strokes, and style vary from person to person, depending on their face shape and features.

If you have an oval face shape, then remember the edge is slightly longer than it is wider, with softer curves. The goal here is to shorten the look of your face while sculpting the edges of your cheeks and jawline. To contour your face, start with the forehead sides and give a shadowing effect. Then take the contour deeper into the cheekbones and finally apply it to the outer jawline for a chiselled effect. Complete your contour by applying it to the outermost parts and blending it nicely.

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People with square-shaped faces should look out for the edges. Apply contour along your jawline first and focus on the corners. Slightly round them and then soften the sharp angles. Now, contour along the temples and hairline to narrow the width of the forehead. Apply contour in a line just below the cheekbones and blend it upwards towards the ears to add definition. Now, apply a lighter shade of highlighter to the centre and chin to draw the eye inward and create an illusion. Start the blending process and avoid harsh lines.

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To contour a round face shape, apply dark shades along the sides of the face and start from the top, then the ear, and then move down to the cheekbones and towards the corners of the mouth. Create an illusion of a defined and lengthy look, but focus on blending the contour into the hairline and down the jawline. This will give a shadow-like slim appearance. Next, start the blending process and keep a balanced and bright look.
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Heart-shaped faces are wider at the forehead and more angled and pointy towards the jawline. Start with your highlighter and then glide it along the bridge of your nose. Then move towards the cheeks, and then go to your upper jawline. Sweep the contour along the sides of your forehead and minimise the width. Since in this face shape the jawline is already defined, it needs a bit of contour below the chin. Blend it all and top it up with a bronzer and blush.
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In the case of a diamond-shaped face, keep your focus on softening the forehead and chin by applying contour to the temples and along the hairline, and to the chin tip. Use a light hand always, and then start the sculpting process. Keep the focus just under the cheekbones to soften their prominence, rather than dramatically hollowing them. When you’re sculpting a diamond-shaped face, remember to keep a balance between the forehead and chin.
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