Contour made easy
Contouring has been around for years, booming in popularity in 2008 when Kim K’s make-up regime was revealed. However, it isn’t one-size-fits-all. Depending on the size of your features, or what we want to enhance or hide, we should contour differently. We’re here to guide you through the basics for your face shape.
Oval Face Shape:
If you have an oval face shape, you're in luck! Your face is pretty versatile and well-balanced so you can handle different styles depending on your goals. To enhance your natural features, focus on contouring the outer edges of your forehead and jawline, as well as the hollows of your cheeks. If you want to add some more dimension, add some contour to your temples from the outer corner of your eyes.
Oval shape
The forehead width is smaller than the cheekbone width, and the face is longer than it is wide.
Round Face Shape:
For those with a round face shape, contouring can create the illusion of more defined cheekbones and a slimmer face. Start by applying a contour shade in the hollows of your cheeks, blending it upward toward your temples. To add more structure, contour along your jawline and blend downwards. Avoid applying contour on the sides of your forehead, as this can make your face appear wider. Instead, opt for a lighter shade of highlighter on the centre of your forehead / nose to create the illusion of height.
Round shape
Your chin is rounded, and your cheekbones are the widest part of your face.
Square Face Shape:
Square face shapes often have strong jawlines and wide foreheads. To soften the angles and create a more rounded appearance, focus on contouring the corners of your forehead by applying a contour shade along your hairline and blend it towards the centre. Add some softness by using blush on the apples of the cheeks.
Square shape
The square face shape is characterized by a wide hairline and jawline.
Heart Face Shape:
Heart-shaped faces have a wider forehead and a narrow chin. To balance the proportions, contouring the temples and the sides of your forehead can help create a softer look. Apply contour along the hollows of your cheeks, starting from your ears and blending towards the centre of your face. Lastly, apply a small amount of contour along the jawline to add definition to the chin. Blush on the cheek bones looks young and fresh on a heart shaped face.
Heart shape
A wider forehead that narrows down to a pointed chin. Check for high cheekbones.
Long Face Shape:
For those with a long face shape, contouring can help add width and balance to your features. Apply contour along the hairline and temples to visually shorten the length of your face. Then, focus on contouring the hollows of your cheeks horizontally to create the illusion of fuller cheeks. Blush on the apples of the cheeks will also add to the illusion of fuller cheeks.
Long shape
An elongated version of an oval: An oval/long face is longer than it is wide. You'll also have a round chin and jawline.
Contour:
Blush:
Highlight:
Some final tips:
Don't confuse bronzer and contour. For a flawless contour, go for a greyish tone and stay away from the orange tones of bronzers. We are trying to create shadow.
Blusher and highlight work with contour to add dimensions to the face, contour is your shadow and highlight and blush are your light. Use them to bring out the high points of your face.
Blend blend blend! There is nothing worse than an unblended jawline…
