How to Highlight and Contour Your Face for a Snatched, Sculpted Look

Quick answer: To highlight and contour your face, apply a shade one or two tones deeper than your skin under your cheekbones, along your jawline, at your hairline and down the sides of your nose. Then add a shade one or two tones lighter to the high points: the tops of your cheekbones, the center of your forehead, the bridge of your nose and your cupid's bow. Blend everything until no harsh lines remain. Start with a small amount, since you can always build more.

Social media took contouring to a whole new level, which can leave beginners feeling behind. The good news: you do not need a dozen products, a ring light or a fork (please leave the utensils in the kitchen). You need two shades, a good blending tool and a little practice.

What is the difference between highlighting, contouring and bronzing?

Contour mimics shadow, highlight mimics light, and bronzer adds warmth. They are three separate steps, and you can use one, two or all three.

Step	What it does	Shade to choose	Where it goes
Contour	Creates shadow to define and sculpt	One or two shades deeper than your skin, usually matte and cool-toned	Under cheekbones, jawline, hairline, sides of the nose
Highlight	Brings features forward by catching light	One or two shades lighter than your skin, or a shimmer powder	Tops of cheekbones, center of forehead, bridge of nose, cupid's bow
Bronzer	Adds warmth for a sun-kissed look	Warm tone, matte or shimmer	Anywhere the sun would naturally hit, like cheeks, forehead and temples

What do you need to highlight and contour?

The key to contour is blending, so a good tool matters as much as the shade. Here is a simple kit:

• An all-in-one stick: The Magic Duo Highlight and Contour is a creamy, buildable 2-in-1 stick with a natural finish, available in 7 shades.
• A concealer that does both jobs: The Sculpting Concealer comes in 16 shades with a doe-foot applicator for concealing, contouring and highlighting. The Fabulous Concealer Wheel is a creamy, buildable option in an all-in-one, travel-friendly format.
• A powder palette: The Sculpting Contour Trio gives you contour, bronzer and highlighter shades in matte. The vegan and cruelty-free Audacious Contour Palette has 6 matte and shimmer powders, including a banana powder.
• A bronzer, if you want warmth: Try Go For The Bronze Bronzer or The Glow Up! Matte & Shimmer Bronzer Duo.
• A highlighter, if you want glow: The vegan and cruelty-free Baked Highlighter is a lightweight powder for the high points of the face.
• Brushes: The Silver Bullet Contour Brush and Silver Bullet Blending Brush help you place product and soften the edges. A makeup sponge works well for creams.

How do you highlight and contour step by step?

1. Prep your base. Apply your usual skincare, primer and foundation first so everything blends over a smooth surface.
2. Pick your two shades. Choose a contour shade one or two tones deeper than your skin and a highlight shade one or two tones lighter.
3. Contour the hollows. Use small amounts under your cheekbones, along your jawline, around your hairline and down the sides of your nose.
4. Highlight the high points. Add the lighter shade to the tops of your cheekbones, center of your forehead, bridge of your nose, cupid's bow and chin.
5. Blend. Use a sponge or brush until the edges disappear. Work one section of your face at a time if you are a beginner.
6. Set it. If you used cream products, press a little powder over the top to lock your look in.

How do you contour your nose?

1. Draw two thin lines down the sides of your nose. The closer together the lines are, the slimmer your nose will appear.
2. For a button-nose effect, shade the underside of the tip with a small circle or oval. This gives a lifted look.
3. Add a little highlighter down the bridge and on the tip to clean up the lines.
4. If the contour looks wide or muddy, dust loose powder along the sides of your nose to diffuse it.

Pro tip: For a precise nose contour with powder, use a small eyeshadow blending brush.

How should you contour for your face shape?

Every face is different, so use these as starting points and adjust until it looks like you.

Face shape	Where to contour	Where to highlight
Oval	Lightly under the cheekbones and at the temples	Under the eyes, center of forehead, chin
Round	Temples, under the cheekbones, sides of the jaw	Center of forehead, under the eyes, chin
Oblong	Along the top of the hairline and under the chin	Under the eyes and tops of the cheekbones
Rectangle	Top of the hairline and the corners of the jaw	Center of forehead, under the eyes, chin
Heart	Temples, sides of the forehead, tip of the chin	Center of forehead, under the eyes, center of chin
Diamond	Under the cheekbones, at the hairline and tip of the chin	Center of forehead and center of chin

Is cream or powder contour better for beginners?

Powder is usually the easier place to start, because it goes on sheer and builds gradually. Cream gives a more skin-like finish but takes a little more blending.

	Cream contour	Powder contour
Best for	Precise placement and a natural finish	Beginners and quick touch-ups
How to apply	Draw on small amounts, then blend with a sponge or brush	Pick up a little on a brush and blend in small circles
When to apply	Before setting powder	After setting powder
Try	Magic Duo Highlight and Contour	Sculpting Contour Trio

To highlight with powder, choose a shade lighter than your skin tone and pat it onto the areas you want to bring forward with a powder brush.

Should your contour shade be cool or warm?

Natural shadows tend to look cool-toned or slightly gray, so a cool contour shade gives the most realistic definition. For a more bronzed, sun-kissed look, use a warmer shade or a bronzer instead.

What contouring mistakes should you avoid?

• Skipping the blend. Harsh lines are the biggest giveaway.
• Using too much at once. Start small and build.
• Going too dark. One or two shades deeper than your skin is plenty.
• Copying camera makeup. Tutorials are made for lights and lenses. In daily life, a softer contour usually looks better.

Where did contouring come from?

Contouring is not a TikTok invention. Stage actors have used it for centuries to help audiences read their expressions, first with chalk and soot and later with greasepaint. It moved into Hollywood films in the early 20th century, and drag performers have long used it as both technique and art form. Social media brought it to everyone in the 2010s.

FAQ

Is contour the same as bronzer?

No. Contour creates shadow and definition, while bronzer adds warmth. Read more in our guide to bronzer vs. contour.

Can you contour with concealer?

Yes. Use a concealer one or two shades deeper than your skin to contour and one or two shades lighter to highlight, then blend with a sponge or brush.

Do you contour or highlight first?

Most people contour first and highlight second, then blend the two together so the shades meet softly.

Does contouring work on every skin tone?

Yes. The shades are chosen relative to your own skin tone, so the same technique works for everyone. Shop the options in our contour makeup and makeup highlighter collections.

How do you fix contour that looks muddy?

Blend it out with a clean sponge or brush, then dust loose powder over the area to soften it.

Read next

• Step by Step Guide on Where to Apply Highlighter Makeup
• Cream Blush vs. Powder Blush
• Why You Should Be Using A Primer
• Festive Fall Face

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