Makeup

How to Contour Your Face

Want sculpted cheeks and a slimmer nose -- instantly? We asked a pro to show us the simplest and most effective face contouring techniques

March 2, 2012 | by Sarah Carrillo, Kamala Kirk | 35 COMMENTS

Oval: The final look Step 1: Finish by blending all the stripes of highlighter and contouring product so there are no telltale lines.

Step 2: Smudge the contouring product underneath your eyes along the lower outer rim and line the lower inner rim with white eyeliner to make your eyes stand out.

SEE NEXT PAGE: Square: Before you contour

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products mentioned

Napoleon Perdis Ultimate Contour Palette

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Thanks for sharing!

by daddylonglegs24 Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 11:12PM Report as inappropriate

Great tricks to soften my square face! Great tips for every face shape.

by GigiSD Sunday, April 28, 2013 at 06:42PM Report as inappropriate

I have a square face and through years of trial and error had figured out the highlighting tricks, but didn't know about the shading tricks (and never would have guessed on my own). I'm eager to give them a try.

by purple9a Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 07:51AM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for the info

by EricaF123 Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 06:52AM Report as inappropriate

This is very helpful i am a make-up student and i didn't quite understand contouring it seemed very technical ,but this makes it really simple

by reneeslimz Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 11:06AM Report as inappropriate

I have never thought about my face shape or contouring until reading this story. I am going to try contouring my round face.

by Lamexicana1 Friday, November 9, 2012 at 07:44PM Report as inappropriate

This is so cool! I always wanted to learn how to contour my face . I like how it shows how to do it according to the face shape you have. Very helpful!

by Ladybugg9 Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 01:03AM Report as inappropriate

how do you know which face shape you are? mine could almost be any of these!

by Chris213 Friday, October 12, 2012 at 07:22AM Report as inappropriate

I have a heart shaped face. Have great cheekbones but a huge nose. I just kind of work with the cheekbones and distract from the nose. Good pointers. Some of the models did look a bit too darkened.

by Nicole1021 Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 08:27PM Report as inappropriate

I don't really know what my face shape is...

by rachaellh13 Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 05:33PM Report as inappropriate

I'm sorry, but I think all these looks are terrible! Almost all the "final" pictures, it just looks like the models are wearing the wrong shade of poorly blended foundation. I'm a big fan of highlighting, but I don't think the contouring turned out so well...

by tallredamanda Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 03:00PM Report as inappropriate

good to know...i never quite knew how to contour

by liliofthevalley Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 07:55AM Report as inappropriate

Very nice! I liked how they specified contouring according to your facial shape...I will try these tips out!

by MizzPink Friday, May 4, 2012 at 11:30AM Report as inappropriate

Very insightful. I'm going to try that out

by helbel Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 04:35PM Report as inappropriate

the tips are good, but the models looked better before since the contours werent blended very well

by olkrav319 Monday, April 9, 2012 at 05:05PM Report as inappropriate

this is good to know

by Ryryshell Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 08:43PM Report as inappropriate

Awesome article! Great advice and pictures. Love the little bonus at the end for a less dramatic effect.

by maic Friday, March 23, 2012 at 01:27PM Report as inappropriate

This is a great article and the explanations and photos are clear and easy to follow. I find it fascinating that another TB article advises never to contour because non-professionals can't do it well.

by Jewelrydesigner Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 10:05AM Report as inappropriate

Great tips, however, I'm not sure that this would work well for the office, or a trip to the grocers'. I will definitely try these the next time I go out with my husband or girlfriends though!

by queeniemeanie Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 05:55AM Report as inappropriate

very informative and easy to understand

by voyager24 Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 03:35AM Report as inappropriate

The exaggerated shadows make it easy to understand...great ideas.

by robinJC Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 06:52PM Report as inappropriate

This was great. Some of the faces changed drastically and looked better. Great tips.

by hananoire Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 04:47PM Report as inappropriate

I think a video would be more helpful to show the process.

by ctunstall Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 01:36PM Report as inappropriate

Good article. Easy to follow tips.

by goodgenes Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 01:32PM Report as inappropriate

This is a huge beauty secret! You should also how to contour your eyes and lips to enhance the best of your features. Sculpting the face (including eyes and lips) is one technique all of us should learn to master. It makes you look "naturally" beautiful. This is especially a good technique for those under 30. A little bit of shimmer or gloss and mascara and you are perfect!

by Thorne Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 11:32AM Report as inappropriate

Very helpful! Thanks for sharing!

by shell1375 Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 11:20AM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for the pictures. This was helpful.

by Mysterylady Monday, March 12, 2012 at 04:38PM Report as inappropriate

Thank you, this was very helpful. I have been trying to figure out how to do this. This helped.

by coffeechic65 Friday, March 9, 2012 at 02:02PM Report as inappropriate

interesting

by Nicole2814 Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 07:29PM Report as inappropriate

not sure I could really do this and not have it look awful

by sportimonki13 Friday, March 2, 2012 at 07:50PM Report as inappropriate

I'm not sure I'd really have the skill but I'd like to try it. LOL This is a pretty cool guide. One of the best I've seen here lately.

by jenn8779 Friday, March 2, 2012 at 06:27PM Report as inappropriate

most look good on pictures, but somehow this kind of stuff doesn't look too great in real life. The last lady looks like her face is dirty, for example...

by venenumletalis Friday, March 2, 2012 at 04:12PM Report as inappropriate

You guys should've put pictures together for comparison, like a before and after. Good tips though.

by yestfl Friday, March 2, 2012 at 01:36PM Report as inappropriate

I don't go to great lengths with contouring my face with one exception photos. I look different and if your face is not angular enough, you look wiped out. Pictures are there so long as they are in existence, and so is your image. Hope the next one goes into the other makeup for that type of issue.

by evet Friday, March 2, 2012 at 10:56AM Report as inappropriate

Thank you so much!

by kacie_miller Friday, March 2, 2012 at 10:37AM Report as inappropriate

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