Face contouring step by step: photos and videos. Instructions (step by step): How to do facial contouring at home What brushes are used for facial contouring


Previously, facial contouring techniques were only available to professional makeup artists. We looked at photos of stars in glossy magazines and admired the wonders of modern plastic surgery. But, as it turns out, not all celebrities resort to the services of plastic surgeons, but no one refuses the services of a good makeup artist. Moreover, in just an hour, without pain and rehabilitation, you can get high cheekbones, a chiseled nose and plump lips.

Thanks to glossy publications and video blogs, facial contouring has become accessible to everyone. With a little practice, patience, brushes and makeup, even a beginner can master the magic of makeup. Let's take a closer look at what contouring is, why it is needed, and how to do it yourself.

What is contouring

Face contouring, or sculpting, is a technique of applying products of two different shades in order to give the face relief, as well as correct its features. Here everything works the same way as in fine art: what needs to be made larger or brought to the fore is made lighter, moved away and reduced by darkening.

In order to master this technique, you need to study your face well. Determine what shape it has and what features require slight correction, since contouring a round face is different from contouring a triangular or elongated one. You will also need products for sculpting, they can be dry or cream, choose them based on your skin type and the desired result. And of course, as a real artist, you will need tools - brushes and sponges, without which you cannot make high-quality facial contouring. Step-by-step instructions to master this makeup technique will be presented below.

How to prepare your face

Before applying makeup, you need to properly prepare your skin: cleanse and moisturize. If the skin is very dry and dehydrated, then you can first apply a moisturizing mask, otherwise the foundation will emphasize flaking and fine wrinkles. If the dermis is oily, then after the cleansing ritual you need to apply a mattifying moisturizer. This way the makeup will not “float”, but will be neat and durable.

If the skin texture is uneven, there are enlarged pores or acne marks, then you can apply a primer or makeup base. This product evens out the texture, allowing the foundation to lie smoothly, without stains, and also increases its durability.

Now apply foundation to the entire face. This can be done using your fingertips, a brush or a beauty blender. The latter will make the coating thin and light, the first two methods will give a denser layer. On problem areas - redness, dark circles under the eyes, acne - you need to apply concealer or corrector.

After applying foundation, the face loses volume, looks flat and unnatural. Therefore, even if you do not want to “sculpt” your face, a drop of bronzer under the cheekbones, highlighter under the eyebrow and blush on the “apples” of the cheeks will not hurt. This will give your skin a fresh, rested look and natural texture.

What cosmetics are needed for facial contouring? Based on your skin type, we choose the appropriate products. As a rule, these are either dry textures (bronzers, dry highlighters), or cream sticks and special sculpting products, produced in several shades for each color type.

Dry textures

Dry textures are lighter, they give a natural effect, suitable for daily wear. But it is important not to make a mistake with the choice of shades. Darkening bronzer should be no more than one to one and a half shades darker than your skin tone. Otherwise, you risk getting rough, sharp facial features or just dark spots and stripes. Dark bronzers can only be used by those with naturally dark skin. The undertone of contouring products should be gray, reminiscent of a natural shadow, but not orange or brick. The highlighter can have a cool (silver) or warm (golden) undertone. It simply must be in harmony with the natural skin color and general color type. If you have light, so-called porcelain skin, then a highlighter with silver shimmer particles is ideal for you, and if you have dark olive skin, then with gold or bronze.

Dry contouring is performed with special products, usually collected in palettes of two or more shades. Their texture resembles compact powder or dry blush.

Suitable for dry contouring:

  • Sculpting Kit palette from Make Up For Ever. It comes in only two shades and makes it very easy to contour your face. For beginners, this palette is ideal. The texture is very light, due to which the product is easily shaded without leaving streaks or dark spots.
  • Contour Kit from Smashbox. The palette contains three shades, as well as a convenient angled brush, which is very convenient for contouring the face. Step-by-step instructions for applying the shades are included, making it very easy to understand how to use each color to define your facial features.
  • Master Sculpt by Maybelline. The palette contains two shades - a highlighter and a bronzer in a natural shade, as well as a flat brush for contouring the face.

Cream textures

Correction with cream textures is denser and is appropriate mainly for evening events or photo shoots. For everyday wear, this makeup is too bright and harsh. Correctors can be collected in palettes of several shades or in the form of sticks. Products from the sticks can be immediately applied to the skin from the case; cosmetics from the palette are more convenient to apply using brushes.

  • Make-Up Atelier Paris. The corrector palette contains six shades with dense coverage. This product is ideal for photo shoots and video shooting.
  • Concealer palettes from MAC. The professional palette contains six shades for face correction. All colors can be mixed together to obtain the perfect shade. For greater durability, it is recommended to apply powder to complete your makeup.
  • Master Contour V-Shape Contouring Duo from Maybelline. Despite the creamy texture, this stick has light coverage. The product blends beautifully and has natural shades, ideal for contouring the face. For beginners, this is the best option, since it will not be difficult for them to apply and blend the product well.

Contouring Brushes

What do you need to contour your face besides cosmetics? Of course, the tools are brushes for application and shading. What brushes are suitable for contouring?

  • Kabuki. This is a round, densely packed brush with thick, short bristles. Ideal for applying dry bronzers and blushes.
  • Brush with a beveled cut. Suitable for darkening the subzygomatic area, wings and bridge of the nose. It is convenient for both applying and blending cosmetics.
  • Beauty blender. This sponge has long been the leader among all tools for shading correctors, foundations, bronzers and other products. With its help, you can perfectly shade dark and light correctors, without spots, streaks or sharp boundaries.

Now a little about how to properly contour your face using the cosmetics already described. Let's consider several options for sculpting different ovals of the face, as well as the nose and lips.

Round face contouring

Contouring a round face is designed to make the oval more elongated and the cheekbones more defined. To do this, apply a dark concealer on the sides of the lower jaw to visually narrow the face, under the cheekbones to make them more defined, and on the sides of the forehead. Using highlighter, you need to “highlight” the middle of the chin, so it will stretch out a little, then apply the product to the upper part of the cheekbones to lift them, and to the middle of the forehead.

If you need to correct your double chin, then apply and carefully blend the bronzer in the neck area.

Contouring a square face

A square face shape lacks smooth lines. To smooth out the sharp corners of the lower jaw, you need to apply dark powder or corrector on the sides of the chin. Using a brush to contour the face, you need to emphasize the line of the cheekbones with fairly large triangles, and it is also important to darken and make the sides of the forehead smoother. We place light highlights in the center of the chin and forehead, and “highlight” the cheekbones with a long line from the temple to the wings of the nose.

Triangular face contouring

A triangular face has a narrow chin, which visually needs to be made a little wider to balance with the line of the forehead. To do this, apply a light corrector on the sides of the lower jaw, and apply a little dark corrector to the middle of the chin to smooth out its “sharpness.” The forehead needs to be made narrower, so we darken its side parts. We place a shadow on the sub-zygomatic space to give the face relief.

Contouring a long face

Contouring a long face requires darkening the chin and sides of the lower jaw, as well as the top of the forehead. We place light accents on the highest point of the cheekbones and the central part of the forehead.

Nose contouring

Correcting the shape of your nose with makeup is easy. In order to make the bridge of the nose narrower, you need to draw two parallel straight lines with a dark corrector on the sides of the bridge of the nose, connecting them in the form of a semicircle at the tip. In the center of the back, you need to lay a thin line with a light-colored corrector. If you applied cream correctors, then blend the edges with a beauty blender, and if they are dry, then beat in the product with a kabuki brush.

To correct the width of the nose, apply dark bronzing powder or concealer to the wings.

By placing a light highlight slightly short of the tip of the nose, you can adjust its length.

Lip contouring

To add volume to your lips, apply a light highlight with highlighter to the swoosh above your upper lip. The contour will be clearer if you outline your lips with a light corrector (do not forget to carefully shade the edges). A highlight placed in the center with a light color corrector will visually enlarge the lips. And on top you can apply light lipstick and a drop of gloss in the middle.

When doing sculpting, do not forget that its goal is to slightly adjust facial features, and not completely change it. Cosmetics help us look fresher, younger, and should not work against us in any way. It should be noted that the fashion for pronounced contouring is passing; today the trend is natural makeup, emphasizing the natural beauty of the face and only slightly correcting its shortcomings.

Today we will talk about face sculpting; we will present step-by-step photos below. Professional makeup artists know how to properly highlight your assets using cosmetics.

Models on the covers of glossy magazines evoke envy because they are considered standards of beauty. But in fact, not many people know that it is facial correction that makes them desirable.


How to choose cosmetics for face sculpting

Correcting your face shape involves using the right base for evening makeup. The play of light and shadows helps make the face visually thinner, and the lines of the cheekbones and chin softer. In daylight, sculpting is inappropriate. Thanks to cosmetics, fashionistas create the illusion of a perfectly oval-shaped face, highlight cheekbones and make the nose attractive.

Face sculpting is done using foundations. The main thing is that the highlighters, bronzers or powder palette are of high quality and do not crease after a short period of time.

The choice of cosmetics for facial correction depends on the type of sculpting. There are two of them:

  • Dry is used for daytime makeup. Blush, powder and shadows are blended with a brush.
  • Oily skin involves the use of thick creams and foundations, which are appropriate to use in the evening. The method requires attention to detail and concentration, as shading the lines incorrectly will lead to failure.

To highlight the curves of your face as naturally as possible, the main thing is to choose the right shades. Cosmetics manufacturers offer users palettes with a choice of colors. With their help, you can complete your flawless makeup yourself. The main difficulty remains in careful shading.


  • Do not buy palettes that contain red and orange shades. They give the skin an artificial appearance;
  • matte products look better on the skin than correctors with shimmer or pearlescent shine;
  • the dark corrector in the palette should be 2-3 shades darker than the skin;
  • large reflective particles are inappropriate in a highlighter;
  • The highlighter should give the skin radiance, so it should be 1-2 shades lighter than the skin.

In professional cosmetic lines you can find special contouring kits. They are expensive, but the quality is completely justified. These sets include 3–8 shades. Light ones eliminate excess shine, and dark ones give a tanning effect. To obtain the desired color, shades can be mixed together. Facial correction products may contain nutritional vitamins and antioxidants (this is written on the packaging).

When choosing a sculpting blush, it is important to remember that applying it completes your makeup. You can overload the look if the texture of the blush is too dense. Matte products are the best choice for perfect makeup.

Advice! Carefully shade all the lines so that the transitions are not visible. The main goal of sculpting is to create ideal natural facial contours. Overloading with cosmetics leads to the effect of a doll mask, which is not welcome.

Step-by-step correction instructions

When shaping the cheekbone line, you need to draw in your cheeks as much as possible. The bronzer is applied below the most prominent line so that the darkest area is near the ear. The cheek remains light. Highlight the area above the cheekbone.

Bronzer is used to darken the hairline, facial contour and double chin (if there is one).

Eyebrows are treated with highlighter on both sides. You can get rid of an overhanging eyelid by highlighting the area above the eyebrow with a thin strip.

The highlighter also brightens the middle of the forehead, the bridge of the nose and the area under the eyes (if there are bruises).


Daytime contouring begins with forehead treatment. The dark corrector is used to highlight the temporal zones and hairline. A light highlighter is applied in a vertical stroke to the center of the forehead. The key area of ​​the face is the cheekbone area. Apply a dark corrector from the ear to the mouth with a brush (on the hollow area formed after the cheeks are drawn in). The bone is treated with powder or a light highlighter.

Evening sculpting is more intense than daytime sculpting and is performed step by step:

  • Eyebrow shaping and eye makeup.
  • Apply a light concealer to the area under the eyes, above the cheekbones, upper lip and between the eyebrows.
  • The wings of the nose, temples, cheekbones and the line along the jaw are treated with a layer of dark corrector.
  • Contour lines should be shaded with smooth movements, starting with light lines.
  • Contouring is secured with transparent mattifying powder and a thin layer of blush.

Advice!Expression wrinkles are visually reduced with the help of a highlighter, which is applied into their depths and carefully shaded.


Color correction according to face shape

You can harmoniously correct your face shape only if you determine it correctly. In total, makeup artists distinguish seven types:

  • An oval face is considered the standard of beauty, so its adjustments should be minimal. To make bright accents, you can highlight the center of the face with a light color and treat the cheekbone area with a dark corrector.
  • An elongated face, similar to a rectangle, needs to soften the corners and make the shape as close as possible to an oval. A wide forehead and jawline are corrected with foundation. To widen a narrow face, highlight the cheekbones with blush.
  • The square shape is characterized by equal proportions of the length and width of the face. You need to darken the lines under the lower jaw and soften the contours with a dark corrector.
  • The round face shape is narrowed by dark tones along the contour. Blush is applied in a triangle pattern.
  • An inverted triangle or heart shape needs to soften the chin with a dark tone. The purpose of sculpting is to balance the upper zone with the lower. In this case, darkening the chin should be done as carefully as possible so as not to make it narrower. The situation is saved by a light highlight of the highlighter.

  • The shape of the diamond needs to be corrected in the widest part of the face, going into the temporal zone. The forehead and chin are lightened. Blush is applied in the form of a triangle.
  • A trapezoidal or pear-shaped shape should be softened by a narrowing of the lower chin area. The dark corrector is distributed on the sides of the cheekbones and cheeks, and a light accent is added to the forehead. Blush is applied in the form of a triangle.
  • For those with too thin and narrow faces, makeup artists recommend applying highlighter with horizontal strokes. Then it will visually expand and look more attractive.

Advice! Before applying bronzer or highlighter, shake off the brush so as not to overdo it with cosmetics.

Hiding the imperfections of a round face

Most often, chubby girls resort to sculpting. The owner does not necessarily have excess weight, but a wide forehead and a weakly defined chin suit few people. Therefore, when color correction it is important to achieve the effect of reducing the cheeks and lengthening the face.

Dark powder is applied to the sides of the cheeks and cheekbones, and the corners of the lower jaw. Blush should be applied in the shape of an inverted triangle, with the tip pointing towards the mouth.

On a wide face, highlighter is applied with vertical strokes. The center of the chin, bridge of the nose, forehead and areas around the eyebrows and eyes are lightened.

To perfectly sculpt a round face, it is important to follow the rules:

  • Darken areas that need to be hidden using a dark corrector. It is applied to the cheekbones, nose and facial contour.
  • Pay attention to your neck. A face treated with cosmetics looks inharmonious in tandem with a natural neck. A dark corrector will save the situation.



Advice! Darken the wings of the nose and highlight the bridge of the nose to make the nose thin.

What to do with a full face?

The appearance of Slavic girls and Asian women is characterized by a wide face. Therefore, recommendations for visually reducing width and emphasizing the relief are suitable not only for obese women. Also, with the help of sculpting, skin defects are masked.

To make up a full or wide face, you need to purchase light and dark foundation, powder or cream blush, concealer, corrector, highlighter of a neutral shade, bronzer without reddishness, and transparent powder. Don't forget about eye makeup and lipstick.

When using cream textures to apply cosmetics, you will need sponges and brushes to shape your face. To apply powder you need a rounded angled brush.


You can contour your face with cream textures yourself if you follow the instructions:

  • Moisten face and prepare before treatment.
  • Soak a sponge in water, squeeze it well and apply a thin layer of a light base.
  • Hide imperfections with concealer and mask under-eye circles with concealer.
  • Darken the contours of the face with foundation, shade the lines.
  • To visually narrow the cheeks, you need to draw an oblique strip in a dark tone along the depression that is formed due to the retraction of the cheeks. The line is shaded towards the temples with light movements of the brush or fingers.
  • Gently spread blush onto the apples of your cheeks. Do not place them close to the wings of the nose, so as not to visually expand it further.
  • Narrow the large nose with highlighter, darkening the wings with a dark shade.
  • Apply cream highlighter evenly to the top of your cheekbones.
  • Complete the correction with eye makeup.

Correction of a full face is a real salvation for overweight girls. Makeup preserves individual features and adds attractiveness without surgical intervention. In order not to overdo it with cosmetics, makeup artists recommend visiting the salon for the first time. This will allow you to see the features of sculpting a full face.

Advice! Avoid rough dark eyeliner, vulgar bright shadows and unevenly applied lipstick, so as not to visually age your face.

We work on each zone separately

  • To express the cheekbones, they need to be darkened. The technique is not suitable for those with a narrow face, but is suitable for chubby girls. You need to draw a visual line that starts at the corners of the lips and ends near the top of the ear. Apply dark foundation underneath from top to bottom to visually make your cheekbones higher. The second line is drawn from the wings of the nose to the corners of the eyes from the outside. Foundation is applied between the lines.
  • Darkening the forehead and hairline is necessary if nature has endowed you with a high forehead and thinning hair in this area. The dark corrector is applied to the temples and along the hairline. You need to choose a foundation that matches your natural skin tone.
  • Darkening the areas around the eyes makes them appear larger. For the desired effect, first shade the forehead.
  • The jawline is corrected by darkening the neck and below the bridge of the nose.
  • Corrective products are shaded from top to bottom.

Nose processing is a separate stage in face sculpting:

  • To narrow your nose, you need to apply a light tone on the back and bridge of the nose, and a dark tone on the wings.
  • To visually make the nose smaller, the back and bridge of the nose are treated with a light tone, and the tip of the nose with a dark tone.
  • You can hide a large nose using a foundation 0.5 shades darker.

If you learn to treat each zone separately, you will get the perfect face makeup.

Advice! When correcting your face with bronzer or highlighter, treat your skin with powder and foundation before starting the procedure. To calculate the exact amount of sculpting product, practice on your hand.

Article on the topic: “instructions (step by step): how to contour your face at home” from professionals.

If you dream of learning how to do facial contouring yourself, this article is for you.

In this article, we described in detail all the secrets of facial contouring with step-by-step instructions and photos. After all, this type of makeup is an undoubted trend today and arouses genuine interest among the fair sex.

Even if you are completely satisfied with your face, with the help of this technique you can make it even more expressive and bring it to almost ideal

What is contouring?

Even if you are completely satisfied with your face, using this technique you can make it even more expressive and bring it to almost perfection. Contouring is a true salvation even in the presence of any defects: asymmetry, a wide or, on the contrary, too narrow nose, excessively protruding parts, etc.

Very often this technique is called sculptural makeup. After all, it is really based on artistic techniques, in which, to emphasize certain features or, on the contrary, veil imperfections, darker and lighter shades of tonal means - light and shadow - are applied to the skin in a certain order.

Makeup artists divide this method of applying makeup into two main types:

  • model: brighter, evening;
  • everyday: used during the daytime.

In the latter case, the color transitions should be slightly noticeable. They should flow very easily and smoothly into other shades. The contours should be outlined as softly as possible.

Face correction can be done either with powder and blush (dry contouring) or with rich creams. The first method is lightweight and more suitable for smoothing out small imperfections.

Those who have mastered this technique to perfection will be able to magically transform their appearance every day.

Sculpting with products containing a fatty base should be carried out as carefully as possible - otherwise the face will turn into a mask. However, those who have mastered this technique perfectly will be able to transform their appearance in the most magical way every day.

Advice! To ensure that the shade is selected correctly, foundations should only be applied in maximum (ideally natural) lighting. Otherwise, the effect may be exactly the opposite of the desired one.

How it works?

In art, with the help of shadows and chiaroscuro (simulating illumination from brighter to almost invisible), artists have long created very realistic three-dimensional images. Hollywood makeup artists, who were the first to decide to use this method in the makeup technique, certainly made a real revolution in it. Today, without any Photoshop or a plastic surgeon, with the help of cosmetics alone, in many cases you can achieve simply stunning results.

Just like when painting on canvas, applying textures of different compositions and color shades to the skin allows you to create the appearance of light and shadows on the face, with the help of which the face takes on a different shape. Very often, such 3D technology is resorted to in the presence of a non-standard appearance: an excessively high forehead, a too wide or elongated nose, a triangular, square, round face, etc.

Contouring steps for different face shapes

Advice! Don't be alarmed if you don't succeed the first time. After all, “drawing” on the face is not as simple as it seems. Choose some free time, carefully examine your own face in front of the mirror, “memorizing” with your eyes where shadows and light should be applied, and slowly begin to carefully draw. Over time, this makeup will only take you a couple of minutes.

What cosmetics and tools will be needed?

To correct your face shape, you can purchase a ready-made set (palette) to match your skin tone. Depending on the purpose, it can include from 2 to 10, and sometimes even up to 20 shades and textures of foundations, most often highlighters and powders. If you couldn’t purchase a palette, you can get by with regular foundations. We will need:

  • cream base (primer);
  • cosmetics to match your skin tone;
  • foundation a couple of shades darker than your own skin;
  • highlighter: a product that contains reflective particles, with the help of which we will highlight (highlight) and add highlights or hide certain areas, for example, fine wrinkles; it should be only slightly lighter than the skin;
  • the powder is a couple of shades darker than the base cream;
  • blush.
To correct your face shape, you can purchase a ready-made set (palette) to match your skin tone

In addition to the cosmetics itself, we will use the following types of tools:

  • wide foundation brush;
  • sculpting brush with slightly beveled bristles;
  • a flat-top brush for applying loose cosmetics, unlike a kabuki brush (a short, slightly rounded brush with thick bristles), its cut should
  • be completely flat;
  • blush brush.

Advice! Do not try to apply makeup without a foundation - the foundation will apply less smoothly and crumble quickly. In addition, such a primer will allow decorative cosmetics to acquire more natural and rich shades.

Basic contouring steps

Let's take a closer look at how to properly sculpt individual areas of the face:

  • after application, each product must be thoroughly shaded;
  • in the forehead area, correctors are applied only along the hairline;
  • areas near the temples are always covered with a darker shade; the center of the forehead is highlighted;
  • cheekbones are a key area, so they must be emphasized;
  • there is a small depression between the ear and mouth, onto which you need to apply the darkest corrector; to find this place, run your finger over it or slightly pull in your cheeks;
  • light powder in the cheekbone area is distributed slightly higher on the protruding area;
  • to balance the dark color, the corrector must be applied to the chin area in the center and sides; this will make the contour of the face itself clearer and more expressive;
  • the same corrector is distributed with perpendicular movements of the hand and from the bottom of the chin to the neck;
  • you can adjust the width of the nose by applying a darker cream to its wings, and a light highlighter to the back;
  • if you shade a small dark dot on the tip of your nose, it will look a little shorter.
Face contouring - step by step instructions. Step 1-4 Face contouring - step by step instructions. Step 5-8 Face contouring - step by step instructions. Step 9

Advice! To make your makeup look natural, use only a matte corrector or bronzer without shimmer (glitter) or pearl.

Basic sculpting mistakes

We list the most common contouring errors:

  • The classic theory of makeup says that for such makeup you need to use powder a couple of shades darker than your own skin. But for some reason, some women believe that the darker the better. After all, for some reason they produce cosmetics in dark, almost brown shades? However, they are not intended for girls of the Slavic type.
  • Since we need to get shadows on the face, and not yellow-red stains, in no case should we purchase orange or yellow foundations.
  • The corrector should be neither red nor gray, but only gray-brown.
  • In winter, you should forget about bronzers - they are more suitable for creating the effect of a slight tan.
  • Apply the powder only in a thin layer and never rub it into the skin. Otherwise, you will destroy the layer of foundation, as a result of which the makeup will look untidy.
  • The area around the forehead, mouth and nose, which quickly begins to shine, should be treated with powder more carefully.
  • Sometimes the resulting shade looks perfect from the front, but from the side it looks like an unnatural dark spot. Periodically turn half a turn to the mirror and view the result.

Advice! For any type of makeup, you should not choose powder with large particles - it will lie unevenly and be difficult to blend.

Contouring an oval face

In principle, this type of face does not require much correction. It only needs to be given relief and expressiveness. Here's a quick step-by-step guide to contouring an oval face (see photo):

Instructions for contouring an oval face
  • highlight the cheekbones: to do this, find the hollow between the ear or mouth, pulling in the cheeks;
  • apply a small amount of a correction product of a darker shade to this area; On the contrary, highlight the area located above;
  • Apply a little light highlighter with reflective particles in place of the dimples that stand out when you smile;
  • add a slightly darker shade to the center and sides of the chin.

Advice! Those with oily skin should be extremely careful when using highlighter. If there is an excess of it, reflective particles can play a cruel joke on you and visually enhance the shine. You especially need to be careful with the T-zone (nose-forehead-mouth).

Sculpting a round face

With this type of face, its features are always too smooth and have almost no pronounced boundaries. We offer step-by-step instructions for contouring a round face with photos:

  • In this case, there should be slightly less light tones on the skin than with regular makeup;
  • the dark corrector is applied on the sides in the form of an arc, extending onto the cheeks;
  • the distance from such an arch to the nose is 2–3 cm; its central part should be located in the ear area;
  • the chin is processed in the center and on the sides with gentle movements;
  • if you are planning a double chin, you also need to darken it a little;
Makeup for a round face
  • You can make your face less flat and more voluminous by sculpting the nose; to do this, apply a lighter foundation to a triangle, the corners of which fall on the outer corners of the lips and nose;
  • distribute cosmetics of the same shade in the triangle area between the beginning of the eyebrows and the bridge of the nose; Apply darker makeup on the sides of your nose.

Advice! Never extend dark contouring applied on the cheekbones to the lips and chin. The optimal distance to them is two fingers.

Sculpting a triangular face

There are two types of triangular faces: with the apex pointing up or down. Depending on this, its correction is made. Its main techniques are provided in the following step-by-step instructions (with photos) for contouring a triangular face:

  • imagine that there is an oval in the center of your face; apply a darker foundation to all areas that extend beyond its contour;
  • the chin can be smoothed using dark shades distributed in its center and slight lightening of the skin at the edges;
  • to narrow the upper part, not only the temples are darkened, but also the convex tubercles on the forehead; as well as the center of the forehead and chin;
  • with a wide forehead and pointed chin, shadows are applied to the cheeks in the form of a diamond.
Triangular face contouring

Advice! You can hide wrinkles with a light highlighter. Stretch the skin slightly so that the product is evenly distributed even in the smallest folds, apply it, and then blend thoroughly.

Contouring a rectangular or square face

In this case, we need to soften the sharp lines a little and “round out” the face.

To achieve this goal it is necessary:

  • carefully and carefully darken the jaw area; the wider the face, the larger the surface area the dark corrector should occupy;
  • Apply the darkest foundation to the area above the temples, as well as along the hairline and at the corners of the jaw;
  • the chin should not be darkened, as this will make the face pointed;
  • the area for applying blush should be round, they are applied from the edge of the cheekbones slightly obliquely and downwards along the hollow;
  • to bring the rest of the face to the forefront, light highlighter should be distributed along the midline of the forehead, the area under the eyes and in the lower area of ​​the chin; To get natural makeup, there should be a minimum amount of such lighting.

Advice! To ensure that cosmetics apply perfectly, brushes and sponges require careful care. They are washed with soap at least once a week and dried thoroughly. When brushes and sponges wear out, the powder and cream will lie unevenly, so they should be replaced regularly.

How to remove circles under the eyes?

The eyes are designed especially carefully. After all, with the slightest mistake, the whole face will look unnatural:

  • dark circles are highlighted and shaded even before applying the rest of the cosmetics;
  • the product used for such purposes is selected only one tone lighter than the skin;
The eyes are designed especially carefully. After all, with the slightest mistake, the whole face will look unnatural
  • highlighter with reflective particles is carefully applied from the inner corner to the outer corner so that a small triangle is formed; after careful shading, it is fixed with powder;
  • if there are bags under the eyes, a shadow forms on the inner corner of the eye; if you lighten it carefully with a thin, beveled brush, the bags will be less noticeable; The most important thing is not to apply concealer to the swelling area itself, otherwise you can worsen the situation.

Advice! Reddish skin under the eyes can be disguised with a product with a greenish tint. Purple circles are masked with concealer with a slight yellow tint. Yellowness, on the contrary, can be removed using correctors with a lilac tone.

Previously, facial contouring techniques were only available to professional makeup artists. We looked at photos of stars in glossy magazines and admired the wonders of modern plastic surgery. But, as it turns out, not all celebrities resort to the services of plastic surgeons, but no one refuses the services of a good makeup artist. Moreover, in just an hour, without pain and rehabilitation, you can get high cheekbones, a chiseled nose and plump lips.

Thanks to glossy publications and video blogs, facial contouring has become accessible to everyone. With a little practice, patience, brushes and makeup, even a beginner can master the magic of makeup. Let's take a closer look at what contouring is, why it is needed, and how to do it yourself.

What is contouring

Face contouring, or sculpting, is a technique of applying products of two different shades in order to give the face relief, as well as correct its features. Here everything works the same way as in fine art: what needs to be made larger or brought to the fore is made lighter, moved away and reduced by darkening.

In order to master this technique, you need to study your face well. Determine what shape it has and what features require slight correction, since contouring a round face is different from contouring a triangular or elongated one. You will also need products for sculpting, they can be dry or cream, choose them based on your skin type and the desired result. And of course, as a real artist, you will need tools - brushes and sponges, without which you cannot make high-quality facial contouring. Step-by-step instructions to master this makeup technique will be presented below.

How to prepare your face

Before applying makeup, you need to properly prepare your skin: cleanse and moisturize. If the skin is very dry and dehydrated, then you can first apply a moisturizing mask, otherwise the foundation will emphasize flaking and fine wrinkles. If the dermis is oily, then after the cleansing ritual you need to apply a mattifying moisturizer. This way the makeup will not “float”, but will be neat and durable.

If the skin texture is uneven, there are enlarged pores or acne marks, then you can apply a primer or makeup base. This product evens out the texture, allowing the foundation to lie smoothly, without stains, and also increases its durability.

Now apply foundation to the entire face. This can be done using your fingertips, a brush or a beauty blender. The latter will make the coating thin and light, the first two methods will give a denser layer. To problem areas - redness, dark circles under the eyes, acne - you need to apply concealer or corrector.

After applying foundation, the face loses volume, looks flat and unnatural. Therefore, even if you do not want to “sculpt” your face, a drop of bronzer under the cheekbones, highlighter under the eyebrow and blush on the “apples” of the cheeks will not hurt. This will give your skin a fresh, rested look and natural texture.

What cosmetics are needed for facial contouring? Based on your skin type, we choose the appropriate products. As a rule, these are either dry textures (bronzers, dry highlighters), or cream sticks and special sculpting products, produced in several shades for each color type.

Dry textures

Dry textures are lighter, they give a natural effect, suitable for daily wear. But it is important not to make a mistake with the choice of shades. Darkening bronzer should be no more than one to one and a half shades darker than your skin tone. Otherwise, you risk getting rough, sharp facial features or just dark spots and stripes. Dark bronzers can only be used by those with naturally dark skin. The undertone of contouring products should be gray, reminiscent of a natural shadow, but not orange or brick. The highlighter can have a cool (silver) or warm (golden) undertone. It simply must be in harmony with the natural skin color and general color type. If you have light, so-called porcelain skin, then a highlighter with silver shimmer particles is ideal for you, and if you have dark olive skin, then with gold or bronze.

Dry contouring is performed with special products, usually collected in palettes of two or more shades. Their texture resembles compact powder or dry blush.

Suitable for dry contouring:

  • Sculpting Kit palette from Make Up For Ever. It comes in only two shades and makes it very easy to contour your face. For beginners, this palette is ideal. The texture is very light, due to which the product is easily shaded without leaving streaks or dark spots.
  • Contour Kit from Smashbox. The palette contains three shades, as well as a convenient angled brush, which is very convenient for contouring the face. Step-by-step instructions for applying the shades are included, making it very easy to understand how to use each color to define your facial features.
  • Master Sculpt by Maybelline. The palette contains two shades - a highlighter and a bronzer in a natural shade, as well as a flat brush for contouring the face.

Cream textures

Correction with cream textures is denser and is appropriate mainly for evening events or photo shoots. For everyday wear, this makeup is too bright and harsh. Correctors can be collected in palettes of several shades or in the form of sticks. Products from the sticks can be immediately applied to the skin from the case; cosmetics from the palette are more convenient to apply using brushes.

  • Make-Up Atelier Paris. The corrector palette contains six shades with dense coverage. This product is ideal for photo shoots and video shooting.
  • Concealer palettes from MAC. The professional palette contains six shades for face correction. All colors can be mixed together to obtain the perfect shade. For greater durability, it is recommended to apply powder to complete your makeup.
  • Master Contour V-Shape Contouring Duo from Maybelline. Despite the creamy texture, this stick has light coverage. The product blends beautifully and has natural shades, ideal for contouring the face. For beginners, this is the best option, since it will not be difficult for them to apply and blend the product well.

Contouring Brushes

What do you need to contour your face besides cosmetics? Of course, the tools are brushes for application and shading. What brushes are suitable for contouring?

  • Kabuki. This is a round, densely packed brush with thick, short bristles. Ideal for applying dry bronzers and blushes.
  • Brush with a beveled cut. Suitable for darkening the subzygomatic area, wings and bridge of the nose. It is convenient for both applying and blending cosmetics.
  • Beauty blender. This sponge has long been the leader among all tools for shading correctors, foundations, bronzers and other products. With its help, you can perfectly shade dark and light correctors, without spots, streaks or sharp boundaries.

Now a little about how to properly contour your face using the cosmetics already described. Let's consider several options for sculpting different ovals of the face, as well as the nose and lips.

Round face contouring

Contouring a round face is designed to make the oval more elongated and the cheekbones more defined. To do this, apply a dark concealer on the sides of the lower jaw to visually narrow the face, under the cheekbones to make them more defined, and on the sides of the forehead. Using highlighter, you need to “highlight” the middle of the chin, so it will stretch out a little, then apply the product to the upper part of the cheekbones to lift them, and to the middle of the forehead.

If you need to correct your double chin, then apply and carefully blend the bronzer in the neck area.

Contouring a square face

A square face shape lacks smooth lines. To smooth out the sharp corners of the lower jaw, you need to apply dark powder or corrector on the sides of the chin. Using a brush to contour the face, you need to emphasize the line of the cheekbones with fairly large triangles, and it is also important to darken and make the sides of the forehead smoother. We place light highlights in the center of the chin and forehead, and “highlight” the cheekbones with a long line from the temple to the wings of the nose.

Triangular face contouring

A triangular face has a narrow chin, which visually needs to be made a little wider to balance with the line of the forehead. To do this, apply a light corrector on the sides of the lower jaw, and apply a little dark corrector to the middle of the chin to smooth out its “sharpness.” The forehead needs to be made narrower, so we darken its side parts. We place a shadow on the sub-zygomatic space to give the face relief.

Contouring a long face

Contouring a long face requires darkening the chin and sides of the lower jaw, as well as the top of the forehead. We place light accents on the highest point of the cheekbones and the central part of the forehead.

Nose contouring

Correcting the shape of your nose with makeup is easy. In order to make the bridge of the nose narrower, you need to draw two parallel straight lines with a dark corrector on the sides of the bridge of the nose, connecting them in the form of a semicircle at the tip. In the center of the back, you need to lay a thin line with a light-colored corrector. If you applied cream correctors, then blend the edges with a beauty blender, and if they are dry, then beat in the product with a kabuki brush.

To correct the width of the nose, apply dark bronzing powder or concealer to the wings.

By placing a light highlight slightly short of the tip of the nose, you can adjust its length.

Lip contouring

To add volume to your lips, apply a light highlight with highlighter to the swoosh above your upper lip. The contour will be clearer if you outline your lips with a light corrector (do not forget to carefully shade the edges). A highlight placed in the center with a light color corrector will visually enlarge the lips. And on top you can apply light lipstick and a drop of gloss in the middle.

When doing sculpting, do not forget that its goal is to slightly adjust facial features, and not completely change it. Cosmetics help us look fresher, younger, and should not work against us in any way. It should be noted that the fashion for pronounced contouring is passing; today the trend is natural makeup, emphasizing the natural beauty of the face and only slightly correcting its shortcomings.

“Heavy” sculpting in the style of Kim Kardashian has not been in fashion for a long time, but no one is thinking of abandoning this technique completely. We show you how to contour quickly and easily

There are two main types of contouring - products with a creamy or dry texture. The former tends to look more natural on the skin as the product blends into the skin better. But at the same time, it gives a more visible result: with the help of cream textures it is easier to visually change facial features and achieve a “Photoshop effect”. Cream products are more suitable for beginners in makeup, as they can be applied in several layers and vary the intensity of application.

Powder products are more suitable for girls with oily skin. But it must be taken into account that it is impossible to create a shadow with a shining product. Therefore, face sculpting cannot be done with bronzer containing shiny particles.

In addition, these two methods can be combined if the effect of cream contouring seems insufficient: first apply cream textures, then dry ones. The correct technique can be seen in the step-by-step photos of face sculpting.

For more information on how to sculpt your face using dry products, see the video tutorial from the makeup artist below:

Before you start sculpting, you should check our diagram and determine which areas of the face should be applied with sculpting products depending on the shape of the face. In addition, you should choose a sculpting product of the ideal shade and a brush for applying it.

Now you can begin the process itself: we’ll tell you how to sculpt your face using products with a creamy texture.

Step-by-step photos of face sculpting

Mix primer with moisturizing lotion in a 1:1 ratio or use a moisturizing makeup base. This will help solve several problems at once: firstly, the makeup will be more durable, secondly, the skin will feel comfortable, and thirdly, the sculpting products will be much easier to shade (and shading is the most important part of this process!).

Apply the primer with your fingertips using light patting movements, do not try to “rub” the product into the skin.

Before you start sculpting your face, use concealer to cover up dark circles, dark circles under the eyes and any other skin imperfections. Apply foundation using circular motions. You should start contouring only when the ideal base has been prepared.

  • It is better not to use a foundation with reflective particles in its composition: a matte version will look more natural on the skin, and the result after applying sculpting products will be more impressive.

The basic rule of sculpting sounds like this: darken everything that needs to be “hidden”, highlight the rest. Start by applying a light shade of sculpting product: under the eyes, along and along the center of the nose, on the center of the forehead and its sides, on the chin.

For cream correction, choose a shade one or two shades lighter than your skin, the second shade should be, on the contrary, three to four shades darker.

The more contrasting the shades, the more pronounced the effect you will ultimately get.

  • Please note that some brands refer to the lighter shade of contour as highlighter. To understand whether a particular highlighter can be used for sculpting, take a closer look at its texture: it should be without shimmer.

If you don’t have a special sculpting palette on hand, use a concealer with a light texture or foundation (it should, again, be lighter than the base). If you want to highlight your cheekbones, add concealer underneath them, right under your cheekbone.

Apply a dark-colored sculpting product along the hollows of your cheeks. If you draw a line below the cheekbones, they will visually “sag”, so it is better, on the contrary, to raise the cheekbones: this will make the face look younger and fresher. To find the hollow under the cheekbone, place your finger in the area under the teeth, along the cheekbone, and where your finger dips, draw a darkening line.

Then go along the cheekbone, under the chin and around the perimeter of your forehead.

An important clarification: if the forehead is low, then there is no need to darken it from above, so as not to make the forehead visually even smaller.

  • If you want to visually narrow your nose a little, apply the corrective product to the sides, and to “shorten it”, add a little to the very tip.
  • If you want a slightly upturned (snub) nose, draw a small line across the nose with a dark sculpting product.

Shade the lines by looking not directly in front of you, but turning halfway to the mirror: this way you will see yourself as if from the side and will be able to shade all the lines better. For shading, use a sponge, first blend the light shades, then move on to the dark ones - otherwise the dark sculptor will “move” into the territory of the light one and the face will look not chiseled, but dirty.

  • The dark sculpting product should be blended horizontally under the cheekbones and then slightly upward.

Set the result with powder using a fluffy brush and be sure to apply blush to restore volume to your cheeks.

A few more tips for those who decide to study the issue of sculpting seriously:

  • At the very end, try using the “rule of eight”: take the highlighter and apply it around the eyes in the shape of a figure eight (or rather, an infinity sign) - under the eyebrow, on the cheekbone, in the corner of the eye, on the bridge of the nose. This will help you quickly highlight your eyes and make them brighter. But make sure that the highlighter is without strong shimmer: there is no place for such a product under the eyes.
  • The effect of natural contouring in the hot season can be achieved not only with the help of cosmetics. When going to the beach, apply sunscreen with SPF 20 to your entire face, and apply SPF 50 or SPF 70 to the bridge of your nose and the tick above your upper lip.

Top 5 best sculpting products

Sculpting pencil Master Contour, Maybelline

This stick is a real bestseller, which appears in almost every second video dedicated to the topic of sculpting. He is loved by beauty bloggers, professional makeup artists, and it-girls. And there’s a reason: even beginners can use the pencil, it’s easy to apply and shade, and it looks natural on the skin. Maybelline, by the way, has another hit product for contouring - the Master Sculpt palette, which contains both the “correct” shade of bronzer (without yellowish or reddish undertones) and a decent highlighter without pronounced shimmer. It would be ideal if both of these products are present in your cosmetic bag.

Sculpting cream-powder “Infaillible Sculptor”, L’Oréal Paris

Not sure which contouring product is right for you - dry or cream? Feel free to choose this option: under the lid there is a cream powder in two shades. And if the stick pencil is suitable for express makeup, when there are only five minutes left before going out, the cream-powder format will appeal to those who are not in a hurry. “Infaillible Sculptor” allows you to get a light matte finish, like after using powder, and at the same time blends well (thanks to the creamy “side” of the product!). At the same time, there will definitely be no sharp boundaries of transition from a light shade to a dark one on the skin.

Contouring stick Wonder Stick, NYX Professional Makeup

It works on the same principle as any other contouring stick, but is slightly more compact in size. On one side it has a light cream core to brighten the skin, on the other side there is a creamy bronzer. This stick is good because it allows you to easily correct the shape of your nose: the thin rod allows you to draw neat lines with pinpoint precision. In addition, the product has a soft texture, so it blends out without problems.

Couture Contouring Sculpting Palette, YSL

One of the recent premieres from YSL has already become a must have among fans of the brand, for which a real hunt has begun. The reason is that this powder product provides delicate contouring, but at the same time can act as a blush. The bronzer combines brown and powdery pink, and in the adjacent “compartment” you can find a light milky pink, which can be used both as a blush and as a highlighter.

Multifunctional blush Naked Flushed, Urban Decay

Even though the Naked Flushed palette is nominally classified as a blush, it is a multi-tasking product that is great for contouring. This set can replace three products at once: bronzer, highlighter and, of course, blush. We clearly showed how exactly this works in the photo instructions dedicated to summer makeup.

In the modern world, a lot depends on appearance, but not all girls are confident in their beauty. Many take radical steps, such as plastic surgery or injections in certain parts of the face.

But now you can do without surgical interventions and other procedures that can lead to irreversible processes.

There is a special technique that visually conceals all external imperfections - facial contouring. With the help of cosmetics, you can remove visible flaws in the shape of the nose, cheekbone lines or blurred facial contours.

Benefits of facial contouring and how it works

  • 1 Benefits of facial contouring and how it works
      • 1.0.1 compact or loose powder;
      • 1.0.2 dense blush – very suitable for lightening/darkening depending on the color palette, you need to match it to your skin color;
      • 1.0.3 shimmer – powdery powder with shimmering particles;
      • 1.0.4 shimmer – a decorative means for brightening certain areas;
      • 1.0.5 brushes.
      • 1.0.6 liquid foundations in natural tones;
      • 1.0.7 concealer - a way to smooth out age spots, acne, facial wrinkles, dark circles under the eyes, can be in dark/light tones, in the form of a pencil;
      • 1.0.8 liquid base for masking some areas;
      • 1.0.9 bronzer is a mineral cosmetic product for darkening the skin, it can be matte and reflective;
      • 1.0.10 highlighter is a creamy cosmetic product for brightening the necessary areas of the face and correcting fine wrinkles.
  • 2 Tools for contouring
      • 2.0.1 Beautyblender - on the one hand, a pointed device for applying cosmetics in hard-to-reach places, on the other hand, the end is ideal for shading;
      • 2.0.2 Kabuki - This tool is suitable for smoothing out different tones. It is a wide brush with a flat cut;
      • 2.0.3 Brush with a rounded cut - suitable for applying makeup;
      • 2.0.4 Brush with an inclined cut - with its help it is easy to apply tones on the wings of the nose and cheekbones;
      • 2.0.5 Large brush (dome) – for blending the powder.
  • 3 The main assistant in facial contouring is bronzer
      • 3.0.1 In order to obtain an unobtrusive makeup, bronzer is used two shades darker than the skin;
      • 3.0.2 Bronzer of honey, red-yellow or terracotta color is suitable for dark skin;
      • 3.0.3 Medium skin needs a golden or rose gold color;
      • 3.0.4 For fair skin, honey, peach, beige or pink colors are recommended;
      • 3.0.5 Those with snow-white skin should give up bronzer; for contouring, only blush and highlighter in cool shades are suitable for them;
      • 3.0.6 Be sure to test the product on your skin before purchasing;
      • 3.0.7 If your skin is considered oily, you need to be careful when choosing a bronzer or avoid it altogether. Because its shimmering particles will add more shine.
  • 4 Choosing a palette for contouring the skin
  • 5 Face contouring: step-by-step instructions with photos at home
  • 6 Rules for contouring depending on face shape
  • 7 Helpful Tips for Contouring
  • 8 Reviews

Thanks to contouring, all visual imperfections will disappear

Main benefits of contouring is:

  • An ideal face without expensive plastic surgery;
  • Using the technique at home (see more details: facial contouring, step-by-step instructions, photos);
  • Possibly self-study (video and photo lessons);
  • Inexpensive cost of cosmetics.

Face contouring is very easy to use. With the help of special cosmetics, some areas of the face are darkened, while others are lightened.

First you need draw the required oval, then use dark tones to shade the area that you want to reduce, and use light tones to highlight the area that you want to enlarge.

This way you can get plump lips, a small nose, expressive cheekbones and visually reduce fine wrinkles.

There are two techniques for facial contouring:

Dry – suitable for beginners, as it is easier to shade on the face. For dry equipment used:

  • compact or loose powder;

  • dense blush – very suitable for lightening/darkening depending on the color palette, you need to match it to your skin color;

  • shimmer – powdery powder with shimmering particles;

  • shimmer is a decorative means for brightening certain areas;

  • brushes

Wet technology for advanced users. Suitable for this technique:

  • liquid foundations in natural tones;

  • concealer - a way to smooth out age spots, acne, facial wrinkles, dark circles under the eyes, can be in dark/light tones, in the form of a pencil;

  • liquid base for masking some areas;

  • bronzer is a mineral cosmetic product for darkening the skin, it can be matte and reflective;

  • highlighter is a creamy cosmetic product for brightening the necessary areas of the face and correcting fine wrinkles.

At home, contouring the oval of the face can only be done using bronzer and highlighter, you still need to purchase special brushes, sponges.

Tools for Contouring Essential Tools for Contouring

To perform structured makeup, you need to purchase brushes, sponges and other tools:

  • Beautyblender - on the one hand, a pointed device for applying cosmetics in hard-to-reach places, on the other hand, the end is ideal for shading;

  • Kabuki - This tool is suitable for smoothing out different tones. It is a wide brush with a flat cut;

  • Brush with a rounded cut - suitable for applying makeup;

  • A brush with an inclined cut - with its help it is easy to apply tones on the wings of the nose and cheekbones;

  • Large brush (dome) - for blending powder.

The main assistant in facial contouring is bronzer Bronzer for facial contouring

Bronzer can be powder or cream based. With its help, it is easy to give the skin a fresh appearance and create natural makeup. But you shouldn’t overdo it too much, as it may turn out that your face is tanned, but your neck, décolleté, and other parts of the body remain white.

To give the skin a natural light tan, it is advisable to apply bronzer to the nose, top of the cheekbones, chin, lower jaw, and top of the forehead and root zone.

Choosing a bronzer for contouring:

  1. In order to achieve an unobtrusive makeup, bronzer is used two shades darker than the skin;

  2. For dark skin, a bronzer in honey, red-yellow or terracotta color is suitable;

  3. Medium skin needs a golden or rose gold color;

  4. For fair skin, honey, peach, beige or pink colors are recommended;

  5. Those with snow-white skin should avoid bronzer; for contouring, only blush and highlighter in cool shades are suitable for them;

  6. Be sure to test the product on your skin before purchasing;

  7. If your skin is considered oily, you need to be careful when choosing a bronzer or avoid it altogether. Because its shimmering particles will add more shine.

Choosing a palette for contouring your skin Face contouring palette

Today there is a large assortment of palettes on the shelves of shopping centers; you need to approach the choice responsibly so as not to make a mistake in your color preferences. The palette consists of: blush, dark/light bronzers, highlighters.

  • To make the makeup look natural, you cannot use reddish or orange shades;
  • Darkener (bronzer) is the main component of the palette; it should be two shades darker than the skin without pearl. A completely matte tone will look perfect on the skin;
  • You need to choose a highlighter with fine glitter and a tone lighter than your skin. So, it will give a natural appearance.

Face contouring: step-by-step instructions with photos at home Stages of face contouring

Structuring stages:

  1. At the beginning of contouring, you need to wipe your face with cosmetics;
  2. For those with dry skin, it is advisable to apply a moisturizer, and for girls with oily skin, it is advisable to cleanse the appearance of oily sheen with a liquid;
  3. The next stage, masking freckles, pimples, dark circles under the eyes - with concealer;
  4. Apply foundation;
  5. Apply powder;
  6. The next step, contouring, is done based on the type of face.

Rules for contouring depending on the shape of the face Depending on the shape of the face, contouring occurs according to different rules

Before starting the procedure, you need to determine what type of person you are. This will help you with step-by-step instructions for contouring your face for a specific shape (with photos).

Heart-shaped type. For this type, the top of the oval looks larger than the chin, so it is necessary to darken the temples with bronzer.

This way you can even out the shape. Contouring with dark tones in the lower area is not allowed, as this can shift the balance of the oval.

In order to lengthen the nose, you need to apply bronzer on its sides. Then you can soften the angularity, and to make the nose a little raised, you need to apply bronzer under its tip.

After working with the bronzer, take the highlighter and apply it along the nose line, under the eyes and chin.

It is better to leave the forehead unchanged, since the highlighter can whiten the upper part of the face too much, as if making it heavier. Blend everything well so that there are no rough transitions.

Contouring is completed with blush. Apply blush on top of the bronzer with a slight tilt towards the chin to preserve the natural lines of the oval.

Square shape. When working with such a face, it is necessary soften the chin. Apply a dark color to the temples, on the forehead at the root zone of the hair.

Then, starting from the middle of the ear, walk along the cheekbones, but do not touch the chin. The nose needs to be enlarged, as it were.

The next stage of contouring is highlighter. Highlight the middle of the forehead, chin, and areas under the eyes. But to keep your face natural, you shouldn’t apply a lot of highlighter.

Blush should be applied from the edge of the cheekbone down to the nose until it intersects with the starting point of the eye. This method of applying blush will add a rounded line to a square face.

Oval type. Owners of this type need to concentrate on reducing or increasing the desired area of ​​the oval.

They usually have a dominant nose, so bronzer is applied to half the bridge of the nose and the sides.

You need to darken your cheekbones above the corners of your mouth, creating a triangle.

Thus, the “horse effect” can be excluded. For visual expansion of the face, highlighter is applied above the lip(minimal application) and on the chin.

The forehead also needs to be minimally bleached. Blush is applied with clear movements from the wings of the nose to the top of the ear.

Triangular shape. Since the chin is the narrowest area, it is necessary to darken it to balance the entire oval. You should also apply bronzer to your forehead according to your hair growth.

This will reduce its width, but the eyes, on the contrary, do not need to be darkened, because with such an oval they are already very noticeable.

Necessarily whiten the wings of the nose with highlighter, the area under the eyes with a continuation of the line under the nose.

Lighten the eyebrows and chin a little. Apply a light blush around the cheekbones.

Extended type. The correction occurs by darkening the lower part of the chin, the area from temple to temple along the hairline. Such a dark edging will slightly expand and also bring the face into proportion. It is also necessary Apply bronzer to eye areas to look away from the chin and forehead.

Slightly darken the cheekbones and nose so as not to prolong it. Highlighter should be applied minimally only in the area under the eyes, between the eyebrows, and also on the bridge of the nose. To shorten your chin a little, draw a lightening line under the lip along the entire width.

You should not overdo it with highlighter, as you can lengthen the oval even more significantly. The goal is to balance the appearance. Blush should be applied with a wide line towards the nose.

Before and after facial contouring

Round shape. When contouring this type, you need to darken large areas with bronzer. In this case, it is important to highlight the cheeks with a dark tone, without touching the forehead and chin, this will visually narrow the appearance.

Then use highlighter to draw a line along the entire bridge of the nose from the middle of the forehead, lighten the top of the cheeks, and make a triangle on the chin.

This contouring will give a slightly longer appearance. Apply blush minimally just above the cheekbones; in some cases you can refuse to apply blush.

Depending on the specific type and shape of appearance, professional cosmetologists perform individual facial contouring in each case. Step-by-step instructions with photographs for home make-up will help you create an error-free make-up and decide on the choice of shades.

Useful tips for contouring The principle of contouring

2. After removing excess corrector, you need to apply transparent powder;

Rating 3.9 Votes: 13

A girl always needs to look impeccable, no matter where she is, be it everyday life or a special celebration. Those who are not satisfied with something about their appearance do not have to go to extreme measures and resort to the services of a plastic surgeon. It’s enough just to learn how to use cosmetics correctly and use it to hide problem areas. Many owners of a round face strive to visually make it better. A technique such as contouring easily helps them with this.

What it is?

This special type of makeup: it helps to remove imperfections and make any girl attractive. Contouring is usually used to hide a large nose, forehead or full cheeks. But at the same time, they emphasize all the advantages of the appearance, making the face more beautiful and expressive. They “draw” contouring with various cosmetics, both dry and liquid.

Of course, you shouldn’t get too carried away, because if you apply a lot of product, it will look ridiculous and unsightly. The whole concept of contouring is to visually reduce the size of the face. By playing with light and dark shades, you can achieve good results. Properly done contouring will create the effect of a thin face.

Sculpting products

Modern manufacturers of the most common brands of cosmetics consider it their responsibility to produce complete sets of sculpting palettes. Previously, shades of different tones were selected that go well with each other.

However, with a huge selection of finished sets, not every girl is able to choose the right cosmetics for herself. This or that color will certainly become ineffective. Therefore, you need to independently choose the colors for contouring that suit your skin. That is, choose three main shades with which you can create beautiful facial contours.

There are different types of cosmetics for contouring. There may be dry or cream products. Dry ones include: powder, highlighter, eye shadow or blush. Liquid products include foundation, makeup base or BB cream, as well as various cosmetic oils. They can also be used as a base for makeup. All these products are very necessary when creating makeup. Blush can be used to create a glow, and highlighter can add radiance to the face.

Powder is needed to mattify and remove shine after foundation. And the makeup base moisturizes well and protects the skin from all applied products.

What tools will you need?

To distribute all the cosmetics over your face, you will need brushes. They will help apply makeup evenly. If the brushes are good, then they will do all the work for you, thereby blending all the contouring.

Brushes should be of good quality, soft and fluffy so that the bristles do not fall out of the base, and they should not cause discomfort when they come into contact with the skin.

You can also use a beauty blender. They come in different manufacturers and qualities, so you need to choose them with special attention when purchasing. The beauty blender does an excellent job of blending, and can also be used when applying foundation to the face.

Application techniques

Sculpting and contouring is a complex process, but everything can be learned, including these techniques. By practicing every day and doing the necessary steps step by step, you can master these techniques to perfection. There is one standard algorithm that you need to learn.

  1. With the help of contouring, you can disguise certain areas of the face or completely change a girl’s face.
  2. Areas where dark shades are applied will be less visible and will create beautiful indentations on the face.
  3. The darkest shade should be a natural color and should perfectly match your skin color.
  4. A slightly lighter product is also needed. You can use highlighter, bronzer or shimmer. Such products are needed to highlight certain areas of the face.
  5. The bronzer is applied to the cheekbones, it makes them more tanned and sculpted. The highlighter is applied just above the cheekbones and applied to the corners of the eyes.
  6. When contouring, pay attention to the area of ​​the temples and cheekbones. Most often, these places are always darkened; this process is suitable for all types of faces.
  7. At the very end, you should apply blush over the contouring lines. Blush will give a healthy complexion to your face.

Step-by-step instruction

Each girl is individual in her own way, each has a different face shape. Some people like everything about their face and only maintain natural beauty, while others have to hide flaws. If you have a round face and you don’t like something about it, it doesn’t matter. You can correct everything and make it look as if you didn’t apply any cosmetics.

  1. First of all, prepare your face by applying makeup foundation.
  2. Use foundation or BB cream to even out your skin tone (you can use brushes when applying products or gently distribute foundation with your fingers).
  3. The outline of the nose is done with a corrector; just draw two smooth dark lines on the sides of the nose (after application, form a small beautiful nose).
  4. To make cheekbones, you need to position the brush so that you can make a line from the ear and almost to the lips (be sure to draw in the cheeks and draw on one side and the other).
  5. The cheekbones are highlighted with a corrector; it darkens the area under the pits (do not forget that the part near the cheekbone should be pigmented, and darker near the ear).
  6. To reduce your forehead, you need to darken the strip located near the hair, but be sure to step back about a centimeter from it. Fill in the space near the temples and work them out well (this process is important for those who consider their forehead wide).
  7. Next, it’s worth highlighting the eyes, thereby darkening the eyelid areas.
  8. Using a highlighter, you need to highlight the nose, center of the forehead, corners of the eyes, the area above the cheekbone and the area of ​​the upper lip.

After this, you need to shade all the lines applied, namely dark and light. When performing this process, you need to carefully make smooth transitions between shades so that clear and bright lines are not visible.

It is best to start with light areas and gradually move to dark ones. You should contour your face with brushes, and you can shade it with your fingers.

Marina Ignatieva


Reading time: 10 minutes

A A

Having decided to master the technique of facial contouring, girls should know what it is all about, and also determine how to properly apply makeup using this technique to suit their face type. We'll tell you how to do contouring correctly and what you need for it.

What is facial contouring – who is contouring suitable for?

Contouring/sculpting is a special technique that allows you to hide facial imperfections, highlight it and make it more expressive, giving it the correct shape.

Previously, contouring techniques were used only by runway models or stars. Now any girl can do facial contouring at home.

The purpose of contouring is to correct the shape of the face, hide defects and imperfections.

For example, hide:

  • Asymmetry.
  • Wide jaw.
  • A big nose.
  • Blue circles under the eyes.
  • Pale skin color.
  • High forehead.
  • Flat or plump face.
  • Pimples, etc.

Contouring makes the face more attractive, expressive - and at the same time voluminous and ideal. It allows the girl to highlight her facial features.

For example, thanks to such a correction, you can achieve the desired face shape, emphasize cheekbones, a thin nose, etc..

Video: How to correct your face using contouring techniques?

The contouring technique is as follows: the face is divided into special areas that are highlighted - or, conversely, darkened, depending on the type of face.

Contouring is suitable for any girl. You can do it under any makeup - you will get a base for it.

Contouring will suit any type of face - the main thing is to know which areas to lighten and darken correctly, and which areas to correct.

Please note that contouring is not done under everyday, natural makeup. It takes a lot of time and requires a large amount of cosmetics.

Choosing cosmetics and brushes for facial contouring - better products and tools

Facial contouring is divided into two types - dry and oily. Depending on the type of contouring you choose, you will need different cosmetics.

  • For dry sculpting , which is most often used under daytime makeup, dry cosmetics are needed, such as powder, blush, eye shadow. It is best to use blending brushes.
  • For bold contouring , heavier and denser, you need: foundation, bronzer, highlighter, corrector or a set designed specifically for contouring. It’s better to use sponges or sponges that can be used to easily blend products without overloading your face with makeup.

Let's list what cosmetic products are needed for contouring:

  1. Concealer palette

The palette can include different cosmetics. For example, dry - or, conversely, creamy texture highlighters, correctors, bronzers. They should be selected so that you can contour for your face type.

The MAC and Letual concealer palettes are popular.

  1. Contouring kit

Any girl who is already interested in facial contouring knows that special professional kits are sold. They consist of several colors, different, moving from light to dark tones. They can give the face a certain shape and at the same time hide imperfections.

For example, dark shades can make your skin appear tanned. And light colors will remove shine and give the skin radiance and matteness.

The contour kit can be dry and creamy.

Which one is better - decide for yourself:

  • Dry sets have a powder-like texture . They are not applied to the skin in a thick layer and do not leave streaks behind. Shading them will not be a problem - using an angled brush. Some girls use dry correctors as shadows.
  • The creamy sets aren't too bad either. Their difference is that they not only correct, but also nourish the skin. They may contain useful substances. In order to apply creamy products to your face without streaks or spots, you will need a special sponge or sponge. After applying such cosmetics, you definitely need powder to give the skin a matte finish.

In general, the contouring kit is a base for makeup. Popular stamp sets are “Anastasia Beverly Hills”, “Kat Van D”, “Nyx”.

  1. Makeup base

You may not want to purchase a contour palette or kit. Then you will definitely need a product - a makeup base.

They can serve:

  • Concealer. It should not differ from your skin tone. Of course, the more transparent the product, the better.
  • BB/CC cream. Just like foundation, it corrects the tone of the face and also moisturizes it.

Popular makeup bases from the following brands: Maybelline, LIBREDERM, Holika Holika.

  1. Blush

Blush will help you finish your makeup and highlight your cheeks. It is better to use matte, soft pink blush for creamy contouring. Although, determine the shade depending on your skin color.

For dry contouring, blush with mother-of-pearl may be suitable; they will add radiance and shine to the face.

Remember that the texture of the blush should be light and delicate. This way, you won't overload your image.

High-quality blush should have a dense texture. It is better to choose products that will not crumble and crumble.

The following brands of blush are in demand: “NYX”, “INGLOT”, “Limoni”.

Please note that in winter you should apply a blush of a soft shade, and in summer - on the contrary, so that tanned skin is emphasized.

You can decide for yourself which contour brush to use. It depends on your preferences, facial structure, skin type.

The most versatile brush has double synthetic bristles. It is slightly beveled, not soft - but not very hard either. It’s easy for her to apply the product evenly and then blend it out. Usually the bristles of such a brush are not scratchy.

Numbers of standard brushes for applying cosmetics to facial skin: 130-190. For shading, brushes with a larger cut are suitable.

You can choose another convenient contouring tool that suits you.

Face contouring lessons step by step - video and photo instructions for contouring

To do the right contouring, first determine your face type and where to apply dark and light shades.

Step 1: Apply foundation to forehead

Start applying different shades of the set or foundation from the forehead. The forehead can be widened or enlarged. Apply dark and light shades of foundation to your forehead. It is better to highlight the center of the forehead as light, and the areas towards the temples as dark.

Try to shade the drawn lines so that they merge, but at the same time do not mix.

Step 2. Drawing the nose

Apply dark lines on the sides of the nose and light lines in the center. It is better if you do not move towards the nostrils and the lines are drawn straight. It is better to start brushing from the eyebrows.

Step 3: Apply foundation to cheekbones

Take a brush and apply a dark-colored foundation to the cheekbones, moving the brush from the side of the ear to the mouth. Pull in your cheeks, brush a light shade over the bone, and a light shade over the hollow formed.

Don't forget to blend the applied products.

Step 4. Don’t forget about highlighting the lips and eyes

Step 5: Shading

Blend the applied products, trying not to mix them, but to even them out.

Please note that shading is only needed for creamy products. Dry products will be shaded as soon as they are applied.

Step 6. Applying powder or blush

You can apply powder or blush on top of the makeup base.

Of course, you need to understand that all cosmetics applied in large quantities can ruin your face and give it a reverse, repulsive effect. Therefore, it’s worth determining for yourself whether you need powder and blush after contouring.

Blush can be applied according to the following schemes:

Video: Instructions for quick contouring - from a fashion blogger


When contouring, remember that every face is different. Determine for yourself which features of your face you want to emphasize, which ones you want to hide, and think about how best to do this.

If you are proficient in contouring techniques, share your reviews and tips with our readers!