Contouring is the art of using shadow and light to sculpt your features. The key is understanding your face shape first — then applying product strategically to enhance your natural bone structure rather than trying to change it entirely.
How to Find Your Face Shape
Pull your hair back and look straight into a mirror. Trace the outline of your face with a dry-erase marker or lipstick on the mirror. Compare the shape to the guide below. Most people are a combination of two shapes — use the guide for whichever is dominant.
Contouring Guide by Face Shape
Contour Placement
Light contouring along the sides of the forehead and under the cheekbones. You have the most flexibility — almost any technique works.
Highlight Placement
Center of forehead, bridge of nose, cupid's bow, and center of chin.
Pro tip: Oval faces are the "ideal" shape for contouring — use minimal product and focus on enhancing what's already balanced.
Contour Placement
Sides of the forehead, temples, and below the cheekbones in a "3" shape. Add contour along the jawline to create definition.
Highlight Placement
Center of the forehead, bridge of nose, and center of chin to elongate the face.
Pro tip: Avoid applying blush on the apples of the cheeks — instead, sweep it diagonally toward the temples to lift and elongate.
Contour Placement
Corners of the forehead, sides of the face, and along the jawline to soften the angles.
Highlight Placement
Center of the forehead, cheekbones, and bridge of nose.
Pro tip: The goal is to soften the corners. Use a fluffy brush and blend extensively — harsh lines will emphasize the angles you're trying to minimize.
Contour Placement
Temples and sides of the forehead to minimize width. Light contour along the sides of the chin to add width.
Highlight Placement
Center of the chin and bridge of nose. Keep cheekbone highlight subtle.
Pro tip: A touch of blush on the lower cheeks (rather than the upper cheekbones) helps balance the wider upper face with the narrower chin.
Contour Placement
Hairline at the top of the forehead and tip of the chin to visually shorten the face.
Highlight Placement
Cheekbones and sides of the face to add width.
Pro tip: Avoid highlighting the center of the forehead or chin — this elongates the face further. Focus width-adding highlight on the outer cheeks.
Choosing the Right Contour Shade
Your contour shade should be 2–3 shades deeper than your natural skin tone with a cool, taupe undertone — not orange or red. Our Sculpt & Define Contour Kit includes both a contour and highlight shade formulated to work together for a seamless, natural-looking result on a wide range of skin tones.