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Contouring and Highlighting: Techniques for Every Face Shape

Beauty trends such as contouring and highlighting are evolving and essential to defining your facial features. A face has its unique shape, skin, and features. To define your cheekbones, slim your nose, or add a natural glow, you should master these techniques based on your face shape. Whatever your makeup expertise, mastering techniques can elevate your contouring and highlighting abilities. With these few steps, you can define and highlight your face to perfection using the best contouring and highlighting methods.

What is Contouring and Highlighting?

Contouring is a makeup technique that involves applying darker shades to create shadows and define the face, giving depth to cheekbones and jawlines. On the other hand, highlighting enhances facial features by adding light and a shimmery finish to areas that naturally catch the light. When combined, these techniques create balance and enhance the overall appearance of the face.

How to Contour and Highlight Different Face Shapes

Every face is unique, meticulous contouring and highlighting techniques are required to create the desired appearance. To perfect your technique, start with light shades and follow these steps:

Oval Face Shape

The oval face should have a balanced proportion by shading the sides of the forehead and cheekbones and highlighting the center.

- Contour: Draw the best oval shapes along the hairline, jawline, and sides of the nose with a dark shade of makeup.
- Highlight: Use a light highlighter on your forehead, nose bridge, cheekbones, and chin, and add a bit of shimmer to your cheekbones.
- Pro Tip: Oval faces are naturally balanced, so avoid heavy bangs or styles.
Round Face
Round faces are equal in width and length and have rounded edges. If you wish to slim your features, take your contour along the outermost sides of your face from your hairline to your temples to your jawline.
- Contour: Use contours to accentuate your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline to give the appearance of length.
- Highlight: Use a highlighter to elongate your face by applying it to the center of your forehead, the bridge of your nose, and the tops of your cheeks.
- Pro Tip: Avoid applying highlighter on the cheeks to make your face appear fuller and use two shades darker than your skin tone to mimic natural shadows. To highlight, choose a lighter shade than your skin tone. Warm undertones should be highlighted with gold or peach.

Square Face

Faces with square forms are characterized by a strong jawline, and a broad forehead, and are often angular in appearance due to a strong jawline and a broad forehead. Using this shape, contour like a round face shape along the outermost sides, but focus on rounding out the upper and lower corners of the face.

Contour: Make sure you apply contour on the outer corners of your forehead and along your jawline so that the angles are softened.
Highlight: You can use a highlighter to make the face look more balanced by applying it to the forehead and chin.
Pro Tip: Use rounded blending techniques and add shadows to corners and light to center points to create a softer appearance.

Heart-Shaped Face

Faces that have a heart shape tend to have a broad forehead, broad cheeks, and a pointed chin. When contouring, focus on the left and right sides instead of the center. It is best to highlight the center of the face while keeping the forehead light.

Contour: Make contours under the cheekbones to balance the wide forehead and narrower chin.
Highlight: Bring attention to the center of your face by focusing on your chin and forehead center
Pro Tip: If your chin is pointy, soften it with a subtle contour on the jawline.

Long/Rectangular Face

When a face is long or rectangular, it will have an elongated forehead, cheekbones, and jawline. There is more length and width and less width on a square face.

Contour: Create a shorter appearance by contouring your forehead near the hairline and under your chin.
Highlight: Use highlighter to enhance the width and balance of your cheekbones and chin.
Pro Tip: Stay away from heavy contouring on the cheeks.

Essential Contouring and Highlighting Tools

Essential Contouring and Highlighting Tools:

Contour Stick or Cream: Ideal for a smooth and precise application.
Powder Contour: Provides a matte finish for a sculpted effect.
Blending Sponge or Brush: Ensures seamless blending of contour and highlighter.
Liquid or Powder Highlighter: Adds a radiant glow to the skin.
Setting Spray: Locks in the makeup for long-lasting results.

Conclusion

When done correctly, contouring and highlighting enhance your natural beauty and elevate your makeup look. Understanding your face shape is key to achieving a flawless finish. At Bhaavya Kapur Makeup Studio, the best beauty salon in Lucknow, we specialize in personalized contouring and highlighting techniques tailored to your features. Whether you need a professional makeup session or expert advice, our team is here to help you achieve your desired look.

Visit Bhaavya Kapur Makeup Studio, the best unisex salon in Lucknow, for expert makeup services, including bridal makeup, party makeup, and professional beauty treatments. Discover the latest beauty trends and let our experts enhance your glow!