How To Contour and Highlight For Your Face Shape

Contouring and highlighting are the keys to a flawless, sculpted complexion. In this comprehensive, newly updated guide, we dive deep into the techniques you need to define your features for every face shape. Learn how to use contour to create the illusion of higher cheekbones and a slimmer jawline, and use highlighter to bring forward and brighten your best features. We'll walk you through expert-level tips for oval, heart, round, and square faces, giving you all the tools to achieve a professional-level look at home.

Contouring for an Oblong / Oval Face Shape

An oblong face shape means that your face is almost twice as long as it is wide. There are also no defined points to your chin, jaw or hairline.

Contour
- Along your hairline to bring this down and give the illusion of a smaller forehead
- Below your cheekbones starting at your ears and ending in the middle of the cheeks

Highlight
- Under your eyes in an upside-down triangle shape

Contouring for a Diamond Face Shape

A diamond face shape means that your cheeks are the widest part of your face, with your hairline and chin narrowing. Diamond shaped faces also tend to be longer, rather than wider.

Contour
- Below your cheekbones starting at your ears and ending in the middle of the cheeks
- Don’t bring the contour too close to your mouth, as this will have the opposite effect you’re looking for.

Highlight
- Under your eyes in an upside-down triangle shape bringing it down in line with where you contoured
- In the middle of your forehead and chin to help broaden these narrower areas.

Contouring for a Heart Face Shape

A heart face shape means that your chin is narrow and pointed and your cheeks are narrower than your hairline. You may also in most cases have a widow’s peak.

Contour
- Along the sides of your forehead and temples to balance out the wider upper half of your face with the narrower lower half
- On the lower chin to bring up the point

Highlight
- Under your eyes in an upside-down triangle shape
- In the middle of your forehead and chin to widen these parts

Contouring for a Round Face Shape

A round face shape means that your face is roughly the same length and width and you have no obvious points along your jawline, chin or forehead.

Contour
- Around the sides of your forehead and temples to slim down this area
- Below your cheekbones from your ear to the middle of your cheeks and then down to your jawline to add some length to your face

Highlight
- Under your eyes in an upside-down triangle shape
- In the middle of your forehead and chin to widen these parts

Contouring for a Square/Rectangle Face Shape

A square face shape means that your face is roughly the same length and width (if not slightly longer for a rectangle) and your hairline and jawline are about even.

Contour
- Around the sides of your forehead and temples to slim down this area
- Along your hairline to give the illusion of a smaller forehead
- Below your cheekbones starting at your ears and ending in the middle of the cheeks
- Under your jawbone to slim this area

Highlight
- Under your eyes in an upside-down triangle shape
- In the middle of your forehead and chin

The main tips are to use the contour shades to slim and narrow any larger or more pronounced areas of your face, as well as defining your cheekbones, while using the highlight shades to bring forward any parts of your face and to brighten up your eye area.