To get the most out of your makeup, you’ll want to specialize it to your individual features. Which parts do you want to accentuate and which parts do you want to minimize? Contouring allows you to enhance your bone structure but to do it right, the first step is to figure out what type of face shape you have.

There are four main categories of face shapes: round, oval, heart, and square. If you’re not sure which one you have, take a straight-on selfie with your hair pulled back so you can get a clear view of the outlines of your face. Take a closer look at your forehead, cheekbones, and jawline. The length and width of each will help you determine your face shape.

If you’re new to contouring, our blog post on how to contour is a good place to start. The key is to enhance the features you already have (or minimize the ones you want to diminish) and create a natural finish. You’ll want to follow your natural bone structure and blend well to avoid harsh edges, due to its edgeless design, the Beautyblender makeup sponge is the best tool to seamlessly blend and sculpt your contour.

Once you’ve figured out your face shape and the basics of how to contour, you’re ready to roll. Have your beautyblender makeup sponge within arms reach and you’re ready to start contouring. Here are the best tips on how to contour based on your face shape.

Round faces are usually shorter in length and fairly symmetrical (think Chrissy Teigen or Ginnifer Goodwin), with your cheekbones being the widest part of your face. Since your features are often more soft and rounded, you can lose definition after putting on your base foundation. So the key to contouring a round face is to create shadows and bring those angles to life!

To accentuate your cheekbones, you’ll want to contour just below them. Suck in your cheeks or make the (iconic) duck face in the mirror to find the correct spot to start dabbing product with your Beautyblender makeup sponge. You’ll also want to contour along your forehead and pull it down the temple–think of it as the letter “C” on each side of your face. And don’t be shy with highlighter! Our Glass Glow Shinelighter™ is a great choice to show off a dewy glow. Micro.mini, a mini blender, works great for precision applications like highlighting, especially if you like a more subtle look. 

Pro tip: Don’t forget about the eyebrows. An arched, angled brow brings more dimension to your face to help break up some of the curves. Have a little fun and experiment with a brow pencil to see what you like.