How to Contour: Creating the Perfectly Curved and Edged Face

How to contour is the most loved makeup technique of many who always stood in front of the cameras. Contouring is the creation of lines in the face, which gives curves and edges. At the end of this article, you will become a pro makeup artist from a beginner contour artist!

How to contour is different in doing the highlighting. Although you can do both while applying full-face makeup, you will gain knowledge and learn how to contour as you read along. But let us learn to differentiate the contour and highlight makeup style.

We all know that contour is for curves and edges. But highlight makeup comes with a lighter shade that gives more power to the part of your face where light can reflect. Also, for contouring, keep in mind that you need to apply an opaque matte powder, liquid concealer, or cream foundation. On the other hand, for highlighting, make sure your highlighter complements your skin tone for perfect natural blends.

Right color in contouring

Indeed, knowing your skin tone is essential in contouring and highlighting. You can identify your skin tone by looking at your collarbone. Skin in your collarbone area shows your actual skin tone.

There are shades of color that complement each skin tone. Here are your swatches for different skin color.

a. For a fair skin tone, make sure that you skip shades of orange zest.

b. For medium skin tone, it can blend well with shades of bronze color.

c. For dark skin tone, you can go with more intense deep shades of any color.

If you have noticed, the shades of color in contouring are darker in one to two shades. But in doing highlights, it is always lighter than your foundation. Keep in mind that contouring and highlights are different from each other.

However, if you have doubted what shades to choose, you can always have gray tones in contour. Gray contours give you a subtle look with a dimension in your cheekbones, nose, hairline, temples, and jawline. These are the part of your body that needs most of the contouring.

Perfect tools for contouring

You also need to have the tools for that ideal contouring since you are a beginner. So, the first thing you need to have is the set of brushes for your contouring.

Angled brush or the Contour brush is one of the must need brushes for contouring. Of course, you need other quality brushes that can blend well during contouring. There are brushes specialized in the application of powder makeup. The bristles of these brushes have cuticles for comfort and precise application. You can have a kabuki brush, which is suitable for applying bronzers and powders.

Other than brushes, you also need the best-advanced contouring palettes that you can use. Here are the lists of contour makeup that you can use in any occasion.

Duo Contouring Stick

Are you confused with two contouring stick? There is a solution for that. You can have two contouring tools in one stick. The duo contouring stick will make your life easier. So, you just flick the stick up and down to have a different effect.

Dark contour powder

This is a palette with an intense darker shade of contour. It goes well with a deep shade of skin tones. The effect has no chalk or any residue from the palette.

Trio-Powders Contour Kit

Three swatches of bronze and shimmery shades will be enough to get the contour you are looking to achieve. Aside from the curves and edges, you will get a glowing effect. This kit includes an angled brush, so you don’t have to carry it separately.

Four Shades Contour Kit

The four-shaded contour kit will be included definitely in your makeup bag. This kit has natural blending to your skin. So, you will notice that it looks like a natural curve in your face.

Six Matte Shades Contour Refillable Palette

This contour palette comes with three highlighters and three contour matte shades. Aside from you can enjoy the six matte shades; you can refill it with a new pan of your desired shades.

Highlights and Contour Palette

If you wish with cream and powder options, you are looking for this palette. You can instantly change your look using this palette. It goes well with any skin type, giving you a well-defined look with its highlighters.

Contour Palette with Concealers and Color Correctors

The contour shades act as concealers and color correctors. Contour palette with highlighters let your cheekbones illuminate.

Quick and Easy Steps on How to Contour

Now you have learned the different palettes and the brush you have to carry, you are ready to start contouring your cheekbones, nose, and jawline. It only takes some time to learn how to contour.

First, you need to select the proper shade of your foundation. Spread all over your face, followed by a primer. Both foundation and primers should complement your skin tone and skin type.

Second, know the areas that you like to contour. If you have identified, select a foundation that is one shade darker than your skin tone. You can have a bronzer for this one.

Third, apply a little amount of bronzer in your selected areas to contour. Use a brush to begin a lighter application. The brush can also control the application in your nose and hairline.

Fourth, learn to blend and highlight the contour areas. As you have applied enough contour makeup, you should blend it to ensure that there are no visible lines. Use a highlighter with single or double shades lighter than your normal foundation.

Lastly, make sure that you put highlights on the areas that are well lit. Your face areas that should be naturally lit are the cheekbones, eyebrow bones, nose bridge, forehead, and chin. Just a small amount of highlighter can make a difference in these areas.

How to Contour Different Face Shapes

There you have it, the basic steps on how to contour. Now, let us move on to how to contour the different face shapes. Basically, each face shape needs detailed contouring to achieve the makeup goals. But, always remember that you must stick to your face shape and your skin tone to make a naturally contoured face. So below, are the lists of different face shapes with the corresponding step-by-step on how to contour.

Diamond-Shaped Face

You have a diamond-shaped face if you have slender chin but longer than the broader look. Your cheeks are wider than your hairline, which is narrow.

So, how to contour a diamond face? If you have a diamond face, you need contouring to define your jaw and forehead. At the same time, the contour can minimize your cheek width.

Let us begin with your foundation. Make sure you have a bronzer or foundation with a darker shade.

The application should begin below your cheekbones, going in the middle. Blend it with your contour brush to avoid visible lines.

After that, make an upside-down triangle using your highlighter below your eyes. It will have a brightening effect. Brush a small amount of highlighter to your chin and forehead. These areas are usually exposed to sunlight; therefore, using highlighter will make it broader.

Heart-Shaped Face

Ever wondered, what do heart-shaped faces look like? Well, a person with heart shape has a narrow chin, but the forehead is the broadest part of the face.

Given this, the contouring of heart face shape will focus on balancing the forehead and chin, as well as to define cheekbones.

So, how do you contour a heart-shaped face? After applying the foundation and choosing your bronzer, start using a little amount to the sides of your forehead. It will balance your lower and upper portion of your face.

It is best to end halfway as the center of your chin to contour the cheekbone of the heart face shape.

Oval-Shaped Face

An oval-shaped face is different from other face shapes because it has no pointed features. It looks like a little upside-down egg-shaped face. Therefore, contours of an oval face will focus on the cheekbones to give curves and edges.

How can we contour an oval face? Make sure you have already applied the foundation. Afterwards, apply the bronzer to the sides of your forehead to make narrow curves. Later, put some of it below your cheekbones. Blend it evenly to avoid solid lines.

Rectangle-Shaped Face

Did you know that there are faces with a rectangular shape? The rectangle-shaped face has a square jawline, the same with the hairline. Therefore, to contour this shape, you will get to soften each corner of the face.

To contour the face that has a rectangular shape, you need to finish first the facial foundation. Then, prepare the bronzer and apply it to the sides of your hairline. It will make your face appear narrower. Also, spread the bronzer along your hairline, below your jawbone and cheekbones. By doing so, it will make your face thinner. Blend the bronzer thoroughly to avoid solid lines.

Round-Shaped Face

Having a round-shaped face is perfect for contouring. Since you have a round face, you have no cornered features. Your face is as long as it is wide. You have rounded cheeks.

Therefore, contouring your rounded face involves angles and depth to your cheekbones. You will have a total contour for your face.

So, how will you contour a round-shaped face? Make sure you are done with putting the foundation in your face. Then choose the right bronzer so that you can start to make a contour. Apply the darker shades of bronzer to the sides of your forehead and along your temples. By doing so, it will give you a narrow facial look. You can apply some of the bronzers below your cheekbones. Make a curved line on your jawline to make an illusion that you have a longer face.

Brief reminder:

Beauty products have compounds that may harm your skin if you have sensitive skin. Make sure that you will consider natural and organic makeup. You can also have the beauty products that contain hypoallergenic compounds if you insist on using makeup. However, it is essential that you consult first with your dermatologist for some medical advice. Undoubtedly, no one wants to sacrifice health to look more glamorous.