When you first learn about makeup, you usually start with the basics: Concealer on blemishes, blush on the cheeks, lipstick on the lips. Easy enough.

But then you start watching tutorials on contouring and asking yourself, “Whoa, can I do that?”

Absolutely! Contouring is just using makeup to mimic shadows on your face. Once you know where to put those shadows and how to blend them, you'll be amazed.

What is Contouring (and Why Does It Work?)

Contouring uses makeup to create natural-looking shadows on your face. When you add a darker shade to certain areas, you create depth that makes those areas appear to recede. This is how you can create the illusion of more defined cheekbones, a sharper jawline, or whatever feature you want to play up.

The technique has been around forever in the professional makeup world, but it only recently came into the mainstream when social media gave everyone access to makeup artist secrets.

• Now, all you need is a simple step-by-step guide to learn how to contour your face like a pro.

How to Contour Like a Pro

Ready to sculpt? Follow these steps to contour with confidence.

Step 1: Choose Your Contour Product

There are two types of contour products to choose from. To figure out which you’ll like best, consider your skin type, makeup style, and overall preferences:

• Powder – Powder contour is forgiving and blends easily. It’s perfect if you have oily skin or are just starting out.
• Cream – Cream contour gives you more control and melts into your skin for a naturally blended finish. It’s ideal if you’re going for a “no makeup makeup” look.

Remember to choose a color two or three shades darker than your natural skin tone.

Step 2: Start With a Smooth Canvas

Apply your foundation and concealer first to create an even base. This gives your contour something to blend into seamlessly.

If you’re using powder contour, set your face lightly with powder first. For cream contour, skip the setting powder and apply it right onto your liquid foundation. 

Step 3: Map Out Your Contour Placement

Now this is where the magic happens. Here’s how and where to contour:

• Cheekbones – Suck in your cheeks to find the hollow. Apply contour right under your cheekbone, starting from your ear and stopping about two inches from your nose.
• Jawline – Apply just below your jawline, blending down slightly onto your neck.
• Forehead – Lightly contour around your hairline, sweeping from temple to temple.
• Nose – Apply contour down both sides, starting from the inner corner of your brow. Keep those lines straight and parallel.

Step 4: Blend Blend Blend!

This is perhaps the most important step to an invisible contour.

Grab an angled brush or a damp beauty sponge and blend using circular or gentle sweeping motions. The goal here is to make your contour look like actual shadows, eliminating any harsh lines.

Step 5: Add Some Highlighter

The contrast between shadow and light is what really makes your features pop, so you don’t want to contour without highlighter.

Apply highlighter to the high points of your face:

• Tops of cheekbones
• Bridge of your nose
• Cupid's bow
• Center of your forehead

Contouring and highlighting in these places creates dimension that keeps your face from looking flat.

Step 6: Check Yourself (In Natural Light)

Check your work in natural light before heading out (bathroom lighting can be misleading). If you can see obvious lines or your contour looks muddy, blend more.

If your contour looks good in daylight, you’re golden.

Contouring for Different Face Shapes

Your unique face shape can also help guide your contour placement:

• Round faces – Focus contour along the outside of your face and under your cheekbones to add definition.
• Oval faces – Focus on light contour from the temples to the center of your face.
• Oblong faces – Apply your contour around the hairline, at the bottom of the cheekbones, under the chin, and across the bridge of the nose.
• Square faces – Soften angles by contouring at the temples and along the jawline. Try using a fluffy brush in an upward motion to make your contour look more natural.
• Heart-shaped faces – Balance a narrower chin by contouring the forehead toward your temples and underneath the cheekbones.

That said, your face shape is just a guideline. Once you’re comfortable with the basics, experiment with your contour placement and see what makes you feel like your best self.

The Best Products for Contouring

To contour your face with ease and create that snatched, sculpted look, add these essentials to your makeup bag:

• Hoola powder bronzer – This matte bronzer helps create a sun-kissed glow without shimmer. It’s buildable, blendable, and perfect for beginners and experts alike. t for beginners and experts alike.
• Hoola Wave bronzing balm – This creamy bronzing balm is a buttery-soft version of the OG . It’s perfect for anyone who wants a warm, naturally sculpted “spent the entire day sunbathing” look. . 
• Hoola Wave Maker bronzing balm brush – The angular shape of this brush was literally designed to fit perfectly under your cheekbones and glide along your jawline, making it a contouring must-have.
• Dew-La-La liquid glow highlighter – This no-sparkle, dewy finish highlighter delivers a gorgeous, subtle glow that pops alongside your contouring.

Contour with Confidence

Contouring doesn’t have to be complicated. And with the right approach, tips, and products, it isn’t! Just remember to give yourself time to learn this new makeup skill—that means giving yourself permission to experiment, make mistakes, and have fun!

Now that you know how to contour your face like a pro, browse our collection of bronzers, highlighters, and brushes to get your makeup bag contour-ready.

Sources:

Gruber, L. (2023, June 14). Here’s What You Might Not Know About the History of Contouring. L’Officiel. https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/history-of-contouring-makeup-kardashian-drag-queens.

Metrus, L. (2024, June 20). How to Apply Makeup for Your Face Shape: A Guide. Byrdie. https://www.byrdie.com/apply-makeup-for-your-face-shape.