How Makeup Artists Contour Different Celebrity Face Shapes

Makeup artists contour different celebrity face shapes by first identifying the bone structure—oval, round, square, heart, diamond, or oblong—and then placing cooler-toned contour products to recede wider or longer areas while highlighting high points to create lift, balance, and dimension. The goal is never to change the face completely but to enhance natural features for photos, red carpets, and stage lighting. ## How to Identify Face Shape Before Contouring Pull hair completely away from the face and look straight into a mirror under even light. Note the widest point (forehead, cheekbones, or jaw), the shape of the jawline, and the overall length-to-width ratio. Measure with a flexible tape if needed: forehead width, cheekbone width, jaw width, and face length from hairline to chin. Matching these proportions to standard categories guides every product placement that follows. ## Contouring Oval Face Shapes Oval faces are longer than they are wide, with a gently rounded jaw and balanced forehead-to-chin ratio. Celebrities often cited with this shape include Beyoncé and Jennifer Aniston. Because the proportions are already harmonious, makeup artists apply contour sparingly. A soft shade is swept just under the cheekbones, starting from the ears and stopping midway toward the mouth, then lightly along the temples if needed. Highlight is placed on the center of the forehead, bridge of the nose, tops of the cheekbones, and chin to maintain the natural balance without adding extra length or width. ## Contouring Round Face Shapes Round faces have similar width and length with soft, curved jawlines and fuller cheeks. Examples include Selena Gomez and Mila Kunis. Artists create the illusion of angles and length by contouring the sides of the forehead, the hollows under the cheekbones in a more vertical direction, and along the jawline from ear to chin. This draws the eye upward and inward. Highlight is kept narrow—down the center of the forehead, nose, and chin—to elongate the face further. Blending is critical so the contour never looks like stripes.

Updated July 24, 2026 5 min read 918 words

## Contouring Square Face Shapes Square faces feature a strong, angular jaw that is roughly as wide as the forehead and cheekbones. Olivia Wilde and Angelina Jolie frequently illustrate this structure. Contour softens the sharp corners: product is applied along the jawline and blended upward, plus a touch at the temples and under the cheekbones in a slightly curved motion. Highlight focuses on the center of the forehead and chin to draw attention inward, away from the angles. The result is a softer, more oval appearance while still preserving the face’s natural strength. ## Contouring Heart Face Shapes Heart-shaped faces are widest at the forehead and temples, tapering to a narrower, sometimes pointed chin. Reese Witherspoon and Scarlett Johansson are common references. Makeup artists balance the wider upper half by contouring the sides of the forehead and temples, then adding a light contour under the cheekbones. To give the chin more presence, highlight is concentrated on the chin itself and the high points of the cheekbones. A soft blush placed slightly lower on the cheeks can also help visually widen the lower face. ## Contouring Diamond Face Shapes Diamond faces are narrow at the forehead and jaw with the widest point at the cheekbones. Rihanna and Jennifer Lopez often serve as examples. Contour is used to minimize the width of the cheekbones by applying product just below them and blending carefully. Light contour may also touch the chin and temples if needed. Highlight is placed on the forehead center and chin to create the appearance of greater width in those narrower zones, resulting in a more balanced oval look. ## Contouring Oblong or Long Face Shapes Oblong faces are noticeably longer than they are wide, with a similar forehead, cheekbone, and jaw width. Sarah Jessica Parker and Liv Tyler illustrate this shape. Artists shorten the face visually by contouring across the hairline and under the chin, plus a horizontal placement under the cheekbones rather than a steep angle. Highlight is kept minimal on the forehead and chin so those areas do not appear even longer; instead it is focused on the cheekbones to add width.

## Practical Application Tips Used by Professionals Cream contour formulas are preferred for dry skin and natural finishes because they melt into the skin; powder works better for oily skin and longer wear under lights. Contour shades should be two tones deeper than the skin with a cool or neutral undertone to mimic natural shadow. Highlighters stay one to two shades lighter and can be matte or softly luminous depending on the desired effect. Always blend with a dense brush or sponge in upward and outward motions until no hard lines remain. Set cream products lightly with translucent powder if needed for longevity. ## Common Questions **How do makeup artists choose products for different skin tones?** They select contour shades that stay within the same undertone family as the skin—cool, warm, or neutral—so the shadow looks realistic rather than muddy or orange. **What if the first attempt looks too harsh?** Remove product with a clean sponge or brush dampened with setting spray, then reapply more sheerly. Building in thin layers is always easier than correcting heavy application. **Can the same technique work for everyday wear?** Yes. Scale back the amount of product and keep the placement identical. Soft daylight is more forgiving than camera flash, so less intensity usually looks better outside of professional settings.

Mastering these placements lets anyone adapt celebrity-inspired contouring to their own face shape while keeping the result natural and flattering under any lighting.

Related articles

Where to Access Historical Salem IL Obituaries and Records

How to Find Local Obituaries and Death Notices in Salem IL

How Urban Planning Decisions Shaped Each Saint Louis Hood

The History and Evolution of Saint Louis Hood Boundaries

How to Find and Use a Saint Louis Hood Map for Research

How to Submit an Obituary to the Ruidoso News in New Mexico