How to Contour and Highlight for Your Face Shape

The Basic Idea

Contour is a shade slightly darker than your skin tone, used to create the illusion of shadow and recede areas. Highlighter is lighter and brings areas forward. Used together, they add dimension — but the goal for most everyday looks is subtle definition, not a dramatic sculpted effect.

Rounder Face Shapes

Contour along the hairline, temples and the sides of the cheeks/jaw to add gentle angles. Keep highlighter concentrated on the center of the face — forehead, under the eyes, bridge of the nose, and chin — to draw the eye toward the middle.

Longer Face Shapes

Focus contour under the chin and along the top of the forehead at the hairline to visually shorten the face, rather than contouring the sides heavily. Highlighter works best kept to the center of the face rather than stretched from forehead to chin.

Square or Angular Face Shapes

Soften strong angles by contouring the corners of the forehead and jawline, blending well so there's no harsh line. Highlight the center of the forehead, under the eyes and chin as usual.

Blending Is Everything

Whatever your face shape, the difference between contour looking natural or obvious almost always comes down to blending. Use a clean brush or damp sponge to soften every edge until there's no visible line where contour, base makeup and highlighter meet.

Where to Start

Cream products are more forgiving for blending than powder, especially for beginners. See Miss Rose's contour & bronzer and highlighter collections to find a starting shade close to your natural undertone.