How To Contour Your Face In 5 Easy Steps + Insider Tips From Makeup Artists

Say it with me now: You don't have to be an expert makeup artist to master the art of contour. Yes, it can feel a bit intimidating at first, considering a few strategic strokes can literally change the shape of your face. But once you have the basic steps down pat? Oh, hello, cheekbones—nice to see you've come out of hiding. 

I'll leave it to makeup artist Naseeha Khan, co-founder of CTZN Cosmetics, to explain: "Contouring is a makeup technique that adds natural depth and dimension to your features by creating shadows and highlights in different areas of your face," she says. Basically, by strategically placing those darker hues, you can create the illusion of depth and a chiseled bone structure. While brighter pigments (i.e., highlighter) help bring forth an area, using deeper shades will recede an area, which can help your cheeks, jawline, nose, etc., appear much more defined. 

Again, choose whatever contouring items strike your fancy, be it a cream contour stick with a beauty blender or a bronzer with a fluffy brush. "The best type of product depends on your skin's natural oil levels," says Khan. "If you have [combination] or oily skin, you should opt for a powder contour, whereas if you have drier skin, cream or liquid contour may be better." 

Although, a cream stick might be best for precise contouring, as you can use the edge of the product to trace defined lines—we adore this Milk Makeup Matte Cream Bronzer Stick. The Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer is another buildable creamy option you can use with a fluffy blending brush, or if you're looking for a powder number, we love this pressed No Limits Matte Bronzer from LYS Beauty. As for the shade? "Choose a shade that is no more than two shades darker than your natural skin color," advises Khan. 

To enhance your cheekbones, makeup artist Asta Jurksaite suggests drawing a line starting from the top of your ear and moving toward your nose, ending right where your eye starts (she demonstrates in a TikTok video if you'd like a visual). Make the line precise and sharp—this is where a contour stick might come in handy so you can draw a defined line. 

To define the hairline, you have a couple of routes: If your main goal is to elongate the face, Jurksaite recommends gliding the product along both sides of your hairline (without connecting them in the middle) and adding a short line on your temples, right where the brows end—this can create the illusion of a higher, diamond-shaped hairline. 

Once you have your contour all mapped out, you can pop some blush on those cheekbones (or along your hairline, if you're so inclined). We have a full guide to applying blush here, but you can never go wrong with sweeping the pigment in a "C" shape from the temples inward. Even just a dab on the apples of your cheeks can offer some warmth.