Face Contouring Tips for Beginners

The Ultimate Guide to Face Contouring: Tips for All Face Shapes & Complexions

Contouring is a makeup technique that can dramatically enhance your natural features, creating the illusion of a more sculpted, chiselled face. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned makeup artist, understanding the right contouring methods for your face shape and complexion is key to achieving a flawless look. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through contouring tips for beginers for different face shapes—round, oval, broad, square—and how to choose the right contour colors for your skin tone. Plus, we’ll share easy-to-follow tips for beginners to help you contour like a pro.

What is Contouring and Why Should You Do It?

Contouring involves using makeup—typically a darker shade than your skin tone—to create shadows, and a lighter shade to highlight certain features. It’s a technique designed to accentuate your cheekbones, jawline, and nose, while softening areas that may feel too pronounced. The right contour can help you enhance your natural bone structure, bringing a balance to your facial proportions.

The Basics of Contouring:

1.     Contouring Products – Cream, powder, or stick formulas are all available. Cream products are great for dry skin, while powders work best for oily skin. Sticks are excellent for on-the-go and beginners.

2.     Tools You’ll Need – A contouring brush, blending sponge, or makeup wedges are essential. Make sure you have a good set of brushes to apply your contour and highlight precisely.

3.     Placement – The goal is to sculpt the face by defining the hollows of the cheeks, under the jawline, on the sides of the nose, and along the temples.

Face Contouring Tips for Different Face Shapes

Knowing your face shape is the first step to applying contour effectively. Every face shape has its unique proportions and features, so contouring should be tailored accordingly.

1. Round Face Shape Contouring Tips

Round faces typically have softer features and equal width and length. Contouring a round face adds dimension and elongates it for a more oval appearance.

Where to Contour:

• Cheeks: Apply contour along the hollows of your cheeks, just below your cheekbones. Blend upward toward your temples to create the illusion of higher cheekbones and a slimmer face.
• Jawline: Lightly contour along the jawline to make it look sharper and more defined.
• Temples: Apply contour to the temples to create the illusion of a narrower face.

Highlighting:

• Apply a highlighter to the centre of your forehead, down the bridge of your nose, and along the top of your cheekbones. This will help draw attention to the vertical axis of your face, elongating it.

2. Oval Face Shape Contouring Tips

Oval faces are generally considered the most versatile face shape, as they have balanced proportions. The goal for contouring an oval face is to maintain its symmetry while adding some definition.

Where to Contour:

• Cheeks: Lightly contour beneath the cheekbones for a subtle enhancement.
• Jawline: A touch of contour along the jawline can add structure.
• Hairline: Apply contour to the sides of your forehead to create the illusion of a smaller forehead.

Highlighting:

• Keep your highlighting simple by applying a soft highlighter to the top of your cheekbones, down the centre of your nose, and above the cupid’s bow to accentuate your features.

3. Broad Face Shape Contouring Tips

Broad faces are characterized by a wide forehead, jawline, and cheekbones. The goal is to slim down the face and create the illusion of more angular features.

Where to Contour:

• Cheeks: Apply contour to the hollow of the cheekbones and blend diagonally toward the ear. This will add depth and definition to the cheeks, slimming the face.
• Temples & Hairline: Apply contour along the sides of your forehead to narrow it down and make the face appear more elongated.
• Jawline: A strong jawline can be softened with contouring along the edges of the jaw, creating a more tapered effect.

Highlighting:

• Highlight the center of the forehead, the bridge of the nose, and the chin to draw attention to the center of the face, which will balance the broadness.

4. Square Face Shape Contouring Tips

Square faces often have strong jawlines and angular features. Contouring helps soften the angles and add roundness to the face.

Where to Contour:

• Cheeks: Focus contouring beneath the cheekbones, blending it toward the temples. This will create a softer, rounder appearance.
• Jawline: Soften the jawline with contour along the edges, blending downward to avoid a harsh line.
• Hairline: Apply contour along the top of your forehead to reduce the squareness of the hairline.

Highlighting:

• Highlight the center of the forehead, the bridge of the nose, and the chin to create balance and focus attention away from the angular jawline.

5. Heart-Shaped Face Contouring Tips

Heart-shaped faces feature a wide forehead and a pointed chin. The goal is to balance out the upper and lower portions of the face.

Where to Contour:

• Cheeks: Apply contour along the hollows of the cheeks, blending upward toward the temples to create a more balanced look.
• Jawline & Chin: Contour the sides of the chin to minimize its pointed shape and create a softer appearance.

Highlighting:

• Highlight the center of the forehead, down the nose, and on the top of the cheekbones to bring attention to the center of the face.

Choosing the Right Contour Colors for Your Complexion

The color of your contour and highlight plays a crucial role in achieving a natural look. Here’s a breakdown of the best contouring shades for different skin tones:

• Fair to Light Skin Tones: Opt for a contour that is 1-2 shades darker than your skin tone in a cool or neutral undertone. Use a soft, light highlighter with a champagne or pale pink shade.
• Medium Skin Tones: Choose a contour shade with a neutral or warm undertone, about 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone. For highlighting, use a golden or peach-toned highlighter.
• Tan to Dark Skin Tones: For deep complexions, go for a contour that’s 2-3 shades darker, with a warm, reddish or deep brown undertone. Highlighters in gold, bronze, or rich copper shades will complement dark skin beautifully.
• Olive Skin Tones: If you have an olive complexion, choose a contour shade with a neutral or greenish undertone. For highlighting, look for a gold or beige highlighter.

Easy Contouring Tips for Beginners

If you’re new to contouring, don’t worry! Here are some simple tips to help you get started:

1.     Start with a Light Hand: Contouring can be intimidating, but you don’t need to go overboard. Start with a light application, and build up gradually to achieve the look you want.

2.     Use a Contour Stick or Cream: For beginners, cream contours are easier to blend than powders. A contour stick is perfect for precise application and can be blended seamlessly with a beauty sponge or brush.

3.     Blend, Blend, Blend: Blending is key to a natural-looking contour. After applying contour, use a damp beauty sponge or brush to blend the product into your skin. The goal is to create soft shadows, not harsh lines.

4.     Don’t Forget to Set: After contouring and highlighting, set your makeup with a translucent powder to lock everything in place. This helps prevent any shifting or fading throughout the day.

5.     Practice Makes Perfect: Contouring is a skill that takes practice, so don’t be discouraged if your first few attempts don’t turn out perfectly. Keep experimenting and finding the techniques that work best for your face shape and skin tone.

Conclusion

Contouring is a versatile technique that can enhance your natural beauty, but it’s important to remember that everyone’s face is different. By identifying your face shape and choosing the right contour colors for your complexion, you can create a look that highlights your best features and balances out your facial proportions.

For beginners, start with the basics—use a contour stick, blend well, and practice regularly. Over time, you'll become more comfortable with the technique and be able to experiment with different looks and styles.

Remember, makeup is all about enhancing your features and having fun with your creativity. So whether you’re contouring for an everyday look or a special event, use these tips and techniques to achieve a polished, sculpted finish.