How to Contour for Your Face Shape

January 31, 2017

The contour and highlight trend has blown up in the beauty world over the past few years. From soft definition to dramatically chiselled cheekbones, this makeup technique allows you to sculpt your face to your heart's desire! Although a big mistake many make when it comes to contouring is to assume that it's a 'one-size-fits-all' technique. Depending on your face shape you need to contour and highlight different parts of your face. That's where we come in! Scroll down to find your face shape and discover how to get the most out of your contour kit.

	How to contour a diamond-shaped face Diamond faces are widest at the temples, then narrow down through to the chin. What you want to do is add a contour shade to the lower half of the cheeks to draw attention to the centre of the face. This will help you create the illusion of a slimmer looking face.
	How to contour a heart-shaped face If you have a heart-shaped face, you'll have a wider forehead and cheeks with a pointed chin. (Think Reese Witherspoon.) To slim down your face, add a darker shade to the outer edges of the forehead, focusing on the left and right sides instead of the centre. Highlight the centre of the face, but only lightly on your forehead and chin.
	How to contour an oblong face Oblong faces are longer than they are wide. Instead of contouring the sides of the face, add your bronze shade to the hairline and just below the chin. This will help make your face appear shorter.
	How contour an oval face If you have an oval face, then you pretty lucky as oval faces are well balanced. You don't need to heavy on the contour, instead just focus on shading below the cheekbones, and let your highlighter do most of the work. Highlight the centre of the forehead, under the eyes and just under where you've contoured.
	How to contour a round face Round faces are as long as they are wide, with the cheeks being the widest feature. The make your face appear more angular contour along the outermost sides of your face from your hairline to your temples and jawline.
	How to contour a square face Square faces like round face shapes are roughly as long as they are wide. However, they tend to be quite angular. So to soften the more angular elements, contour along the outermost sides of the face, but focus on the upper and lower corners of the face to round out a squared off hairline and jawline.