How to Contour Like a Pro: Tips for Every Face Shape 💄✨

Author: Beautysphere | April 09, 2025

If you’ve ever watched a beauty tutorial and thought, “Wow, how do they sculpt their face like that?” — the answer is contouring! ✅ Whether you're going for a natural glow or a full glam transformation, contouring helps define your features, enhance your bone structure, and bring out your natural beauty. 💖

But the truth is — not all faces are contoured the same way. Your face shape plays a huge role in determining where to apply shadow and light. Let's dive into the ultimate guide to contouring like a pro based on your face shape! 🪞💋

🔍 What is Contouring, Really?

Contouring is a makeup technique that uses darker shades to create shadows and lighter tones (highlight) to bring areas forward. The goal? To define, sculpt, and balance your facial features.

✨ Think of it as subtle face-shaping magic using makeup!

💫 Basic Tools You’ll Need for Contouring

🖌️ Contour stick, powder, or cream

💡 Highlighter (liquid, stick, or powder)

🎨 Blending sponge or contour brush

📏 A good mirror and natural lighting

👃 Optional: Nose contour brush for precision

🧑‍🎨 Contouring Based on Face Shape

🟠 1. Oval Face

Features: Forehead slightly wider than chin, with high cheekbones and a gently curved jawline.

Contour Tips:

Apply contour under the cheekbones, blending toward the ears.
Add a touch to the temples and sides of the forehead.
Highlight under the eyes, down the nose, and center of the forehead.

👉 Goal: Enhance cheekbones and maintain natural symmetry.

🔵 2. Round Face

Features: Equal width and height, full cheeks, rounded chin.

Contour Tips:

Apply contour to the sides of the forehead and along the jawline.
Contour under cheekbones in a diagonal line toward the mouth.
Highlight the center of the forehead and chin to elongate the face.

👉 Goal: Add definition and create a more angular look.

🟣 3. Square Face

Features: Broad forehead, strong jawline, and wide cheekbones.

Contour Tips:

Soften corners by contouring along the hairline and jawline.
Focus under the cheekbones for definition.
Highlight the center of the forehead and chin.

👉 Goal: Soften angles and balance the width.

💚 4. Heart-Shaped Face

Features: Wider forehead, prominent cheekbones, narrow jawline and chin.

Contour Tips:

Contour the sides of the forehead and temples.
Add a bit below cheekbones, blending upward.
Highlight the center of the chin to bring it forward.

👉 Goal: Minimize forehead width and bring balance to chin area.

🔶 5. Long/Rectangular Face

Features: Forehead, cheekbones, and jawline of equal width with a long vertical shape.

Contour Tips:

Contour top of forehead and bottom of chin to shorten length.
Add definition below cheekbones.
Highlight under the eyes and center of the face.

👉 Goal: Make the face appear shorter and more proportional.

✨ How to Blend Like a Pro

🎯 Always blend contour upward for a lifted look.
💧 Use a damp beauty sponge for cream products.
🔁 Blend until there are no harsh lines — you want shadows, not stripes!
🌞 Don’t forget to set with translucent powder if you have oily skin.

💡 Bonus Pro Tips for Flawless Contour

✅ Use cream contour for a dewy, natural look.

✅ Use powder contour for oily skin or long wear.

✅ Pick a contour shade 1–2 shades darker than your skin.

✅ Highlight with shades 1–2 shades lighter for contrast.

✅ Use bronzer to warm up the skin — but don’t confuse it with contour!

💁‍♀️ Celebrity Contour Inspo by Face Shape

Kim Kardashian: Oval – Known for her iconic cheekbone sculpting.
Selena Gomez: Round – Subtle contouring to elongate the face.
Angelina Jolie: Square – Emphasizing cheekbones and softening the jaw.
Reese Witherspoon: Heart – Perfect balance of contour and highlight.

🧴 Skincare Before and After Contour

✔️ Before: Cleanse, tone, moisturize, and apply primer.
✔️ After: Use a setting spray to lock everything in.

Remember: Great makeup starts with great skin care! 💧🌿

🧠 FAQs About Contouring

Q1: Can I contour without foundation?
A: Yes! Use cream or stick products directly on moisturized skin for a more natural look.

Q2: What's the difference between contour and bronzer?
A: Contour is for sculpting (cool-toned), while bronzer adds warmth (warm-toned).

Q3: How do I pick the right contour shade?
A: Choose 1–2 shades darker than your foundation, preferably cool-toned to mimic real shadows.

Q4: Can contouring change the shape of my nose?
A: Temporarily, yes! Light contouring along the sides of your nose can make it look slimmer or straighter.

Q5: Do I need to contour every day?
A: Not at all! Use it for special occasions, photos, or when you want a more defined look.

💬 Comment Section

🎀 Have you tried contouring based on your face shape?
💄 What’s your favorite contour product or tip?
📝 Drop your thoughts, tips, or questions in the comments below! Let’s glow together! ✨👇

✖