Highlighting and contouring. Here are some essentials you need to know

While it may seem like Kim Kardashian is responsible for the contouring trend, this trick has been around far longer than any of us realize. Essentially, when we talk about contouring, we're focusing on creating shadows that give the illusion of a different face shape.
Once you've determined where your contour goes, you also need to consider the best places to apply highlighter. Interestingly enough, this isn't the same for everyone because (duh!) our faces are different shapes, and we don't all have killer cheekbones. Here are some tips that you can use right now to make (or fake) the most of your natural bone structure.
Advertisement
1. Oval shapes highlight more and contour less
As far as facial structure is concerned, ovals are already well balanced and need no real restructuring. For this reason, focus more on highlighting and bringing light to the center of your face. Of course, if you feel like your forehead is still too broad, you can always contour the edges to make it look more rounded.
2. Shorten an oblong face
If you have an oblong face, you certainly don't want it to look longer than it is. In this case, avoid contouring the sides of your face and focus just under the cheekbones and chin and across the top of the forehead to create a more traditional oval shape. Finish by highlighting more broadly across the upper cheeks and beneath your mouth.
3. Refine angles on a square face
If your face is more square than round, don't fret. Contouring and highlighting can draw attention away from harsh angles and created a softer overall shape. Concentrate on creating a rounded shadow anywhere that feels too sharp (like the temple and corner of your jaw). When buffed out, the contour will make your face look more round.
4. Define your diamond face
Take a look in the mirror. If your face is widest at the top, and you also have a pointy chin, then you're a diamond. Sounds good, but if you want to draw attention away from your chin, simply contour in the very center (to shadow the tip) and highlight on each side (to make it look wider).
5. Reshape your round face
Traditional contouring and highlighting techniques need to be modified in order to really do a round face justice. Think of your approach as creating a darker diamond shape to fake a more chiseled appearance and concentrate your highlighter on the center along your cheekbones, down the center of your nose, and above and below your mouth.​
Advertisement
Resources