Hey there gorgeous! Looking to achieve that perfectly chiseled look? You’ve come to the right place! In this ultimate beginner’s guide to contouring, we’ll explore everything you need to know to achieve an enviable look. From the right technique to the best tools, we’ve got you covered. So let’s dive in!

Understanding Your Face Shape 🤔

Before you start contouring, it’s essential to have a basic understanding of your face shape. The way you contour your face depends entirely on your bone structure, so identifying it is crucial. There are five main face shapes - oval, round, square, heart, and diamond. Identifying your shape is easy. Just look in the mirror, pull your hair back, and use a tape measure to take measurements across your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline.

Here’s a quick tip- if the measurements across your forehead and jawline are similar, you likely have a square face. If your forehead is wider than your jawline, you have a heart-shaped face.

A diagram showing the five main face shapes and how to measure them

Choosing the Right Products 🎨

Once you’ve identified your face shape, it’s time to choose the right products. Contouring requires two shades - a darker shade to create shadows and depth and a lighter shade to highlight your features. You need to choose a product that’s at least two shades darker than your skin tone for contouring and one that’s two shades lighter for highlighting.

When it comes to choosing the right products, always think about your skin type. If you have oily skin, it’s advisable to choose powder products, while liquid or cream products work best for dry skin types.

Various contouring and highlighting products displayed with information on skin types they work best with

The Right Technique ✨

Contouring is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, it’s essential to use techniques that work best for your face shape. Start by applying the darker shade along your jawline, forehead, and nose bridge to create shadows and give your face definition. Then use the lighter shade to highlight your cheekbones, forehead, and the center of your nose.

Here’s a secret- use a beauty blender to blend the products on your face. It blends the formula seamlessly with your skin and gives you a natural look.

A diagram of various contour and highlight spots on the face

Tools of the Trade 🛠

As we said earlier, the right tools are equally essential as the right products. While your fingers will suffice, using the right tools can yield better and more consistent results.

Here are some of our favorites-

  • Angled contour brush
  • Beauty blender
  • Smaller fluffy brush for detail work
  • Fan brush

With these tools, you’ll achieve contouring like a pro in no time.

A photo of various makeup brushes and a beauty blender

Practice Makes Perfect 🏋️‍♀️

You’ve got the products and techniques – now it’s time to practice, practice, and practice. Remember, it’s not just essential to get the right products and techniques; it’s also crucial to get the right placement to get that natural and chiseled look.

Pro tip- the key to successful contouring is blending.

So grab your tools, practice in good lighting, and thank us later!

A person applying contour to their cheekbones while looking in the mirror

Final Thoughts 🤩

And just like that, you’re ready to slay all day with your chiseled cheekbones! Remember to experiment with different techniques and products, and always strive to get the best results. Good lighting, the right placement, and blending are the ingredients for the perfect contour.

A photo of a person with chiseled cheekbones, looking proud and happy

With that said, we hope this article has been instrumental in helping you achieve that enviable contour. Stay beautiful! 😘