Face Shape Contouring: Makeup Tips for Every Face Shape

Oval Face: Enhance, Don't Correct

Oval faces are already balanced, so contouring is about definition rather than reshaping. Light sculpting brings out your natural bone structure.

Recommended:

• ✓Contour lightly under the cheekbones to add subtle definition
• ✓Highlight the center of the forehead, bridge of nose, and chin
• ✓Apply a light contour at the temples to add gentle depth
• ✓Highlight the top of the cheekbones for a lifted, glowing effect
• ✓Keep contouring minimal — less is more for balanced proportions

Round Face: Create Definition

The goal is to add angles and elongate. Contouring creates the illusion of more defined bone structure and a longer face.

Recommended:

• ✓Contour the sides of the forehead to narrow the hairline
• ✓Sculpt below the cheekbones with a diagonal stroke toward the mouth
• ✓Contour along the jawline sides to add definition
• ✓Highlight the center of the forehead and chin to add vertical length
• ✓Apply highlight to the highest point of the cheekbones

Avoid:

• ✕Contour across the chin — this widens the face
• ✕Heavy highlight on the apple of the cheeks

Square Face: Soften the Angles

Square faces have strong jawlines and foreheads. Contouring softens these angular features by creating rounded shadows.

Recommended:

• ✓Contour the corners of the forehead to round the hairline
• ✓Sculpt the jaw corners to soften the angular edge
• ✓Apply contour along the jawline from ear to chin
• ✓Highlight the center of the forehead in a rounded pattern
• ✓Highlight the center of the chin to create a point

Avoid:

• ✕Contouring the cheekbones too heavily — this adds more angles
• ✕Flat, straight contour lines that mirror the jaw

Heart Face: Balance Top and Bottom

Heart faces are wider at the forehead and narrow at the chin. Contouring minimizes the forehead and adds fullness to the lower face.

Recommended:

• ✓Contour the sides of the forehead and temples to narrow the top
• ✓Lightly contour the tip of the chin to soften the point
• ✓Highlight the center of the chin to bring it forward
• ✓Apply highlight on the jawline to add width at the bottom
• ✓Sculpt under cheekbones gently — not too deep

Avoid:

• ✕Heavy contour under the jawline — the lower face needs width, not shadow
• ✕Highlighting the temples or forehead sides

Oblong Face: Shorten and Widen

Oblong faces are longer than they are wide. Contouring adds horizontal width and visually shortens the face.

Recommended:

• ✓Contour the top of the forehead along the hairline to shorten
• ✓Contour the bottom of the chin to reduce length
• ✓Highlight the cheekbones horizontally to add width
• ✓Apply blush horizontally across the cheeks rather than angled
• ✓Highlight the temples and sides to widen the mid-face

Avoid:

• ✕Vertical highlighting down the center of the face
• ✕Contour under the cheekbones that adds length

Diamond Face: Balance the Cheekbones

Diamond faces have wide cheekbones with a narrow forehead and chin. Contouring balances these proportions by widening the top and bottom.

Recommended:

• ✓Contour the tips of the cheekbones only (not underneath)
• ✓Highlight the center of the forehead to widen it
• ✓Highlight the chin to bring it forward and add fullness
• ✓Apply highlight on the bridge of the nose for center focus
• ✓Use blush on the apples of the cheeks, not along the cheekbones

Avoid:

• ✕Heavy contour under the cheekbones that makes them look even wider
• ✕Contouring the sides of the narrow forehead

Triangle Face: Add Width on Top

Triangle faces have a wider jaw and narrower forehead. Contouring widens the upper face and softens the jawline.

Recommended:

• ✓Highlight the temples and forehead sides to add width
• ✓Contour along the jawline to narrow and soften it
• ✓Highlight the center of the forehead for a wider appearance
• ✓Apply blush higher on the cheekbones to draw attention up
• ✓Contour under the jawline from ear to chin

Avoid:

• ✕Highlighting the jawline or lower cheeks
• ✕Contouring the temples which narrows the forehead further