If you have a round face, you might sometimes wish for more defined cheekbones or a slimmer appearance. The good news is that the magic of contouring can help you achieve just that! By strategically using darker and lighter shades of makeup, you can create the illusion of depth and dimension, sculpting your features to appear more defined and less circular.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to contouring a round face:
- Prep Your Base: Begin with your regular foundation and concealer application to create an even canvas.
- Find Your Contour Shade: Choose a contour product that is 2-3 shades darker than your natural skin tone and has a matte finish. Avoid anything too warm or shimmery, as this can emphasize roundness. Powder, cream, or stick formulas can work.
- Contour the Forehead: Apply the contour product along the sides of your forehead, near the hairline, blending downwards towards your temples. This creates the illusion of a narrower forehead.
- Sculpt the Cheekbones: Locate your cheekbones by feeling for the hollow beneath them when you suck in your cheeks. Apply the contour product directly in this hollow, starting from your ear and blending inwards towards the center of your cheek, stopping about two finger-widths away from your nose. Blend thoroughly to avoid harsh lines.
- Define the Jawline: Apply the contour product along your jawline, starting from under your ears and blending towards your chin. This helps to create a more defined and angular jawline, breaking up the roundness.
- Highlight: Use a highlighter that is a shade or two lighter than your skin tone and has a subtle shimmer. Apply it to the high points of your face: the center of your forehead, the bridge of your nose, the tops of your cheekbones (above where you contoured), the Cupid’s bow, and the center of your chin. Highlighting brings these areas forward and adds dimension.