How to Contour a Round Face Shape

It’s no secret that contouring is a tried-and-true makeup technique for creating a chiseled visage, and if you have a round face, this technique likely sounds all the more tempting. Of course, every face shape is beautiful, but those with round faces may envy those with defined cheekbones and angular jawlines. Luckily, with the right products and knowledge of how to contour a round face, you can use your makeup look to sculpt your face however you like. Read on for a step-by-step tutorial on contour makeup for round faces.

STEP #1. PRIMER YOUR FACE

As with any makeup look, it’s important to start by applying a makeup primer—this is nothing unique to makeup for round faces. This step creates an even base for the rest of the makeup you’re about to apply. Smooth on the L’Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base.

STEP #2. APPLY FOUNDATION

Next, continue to hide imperfections and create the appearance of an even skin tone with the help of foundation. Since you’ll be layering on a few face makeup products in an effort to contour your round face, it’s a good idea to opt for a lightweight option to avoid a cakey appearance. No thanks!

Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation, Lightweight, which has a lightweight formula that offers medium to full coverage. Apply it with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender for a seamless finish.

STEP #3. REACH FOR CONCEALER

To begin to contour your round face, you’ll want to grab a concealer in a color that’s one to two shades lighter than your skin tone. Look for one with a full-coverage, blendable formula, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Waterproof, Full Coverage.

Apply the concealer in an upside-down triangle shape under your eyes, down the bridge of your nose, on the center of your chin, beneath the hollows of your cheeks (but above your jawline), along your cupid’s bow, and about halfway up the center of your forehead.

STEP #4. GRAB YOUR CONTOUR PRODUCT

Now you’ll want to create shadows, using a concealer that’s one to two shades darker than your skin tone. This is how you really sculpt your face and can make your visage look less rounded if you wish.

First, apply the concealer along the hollows of your cheeks, but when you reach the inner area of your cheek, draw a line straight downward, ending next to your chin. Repeat on the other side. Continue to apply your bronzer along the bottom of your chin, jawline, and sides of your nose. To contour your temples, apply the concealer in a curve at the corners of your forehead. These shadows will help create the appearance of a slimmer, more chiseled face.

STEP #5. BLEND, BLEND, BLEND

Of course, you don’t want to leave your makeup as-is! You’re probably looking like something of a face-painting session gone wrong. Reach for a makeup sponge and buff and bounce until your round face contour lines are expertly blended. Don’t worry—your makeup transformation will be our little secret!

STEP #6. BRING ON THE GLOW

This may be a tutorial on how to contour a round face shape, but highlighter is a must, too. A little bit of luminous powder or liquid can help emphasize the high points of your face. Dot the L’Oréal True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer onto your cheekbones, the tip of your nose, and underneath the arch of your brows.

One tip: Be careful not to go too far in on your cheeks, as that can give them a fuller appearance. Instead, concentrate the product higher on your cheekbones.

STEP #7. SCULPT YOUR BROWS

To help take your contoured face up a notch, sculpt your eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil, like the L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Waterproof Eyebrow Mechanical Pencil, to give them high, defined arches. This will help elongate your face shape, which is a must for round faces.

STEP #8. SET YOUR LOOK

We’d be willing to bet you wouldn’t want your hard work to smudge or fade throughout the day (or night), right? Mist the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray and Set Make-Up Oil-Free Setting Spray in an “X” and “T” motion over your face to set your round face contour in place.

Now that you’re an expert on how to contour, perhaps you’d like to switch up another area of your beauty look to complement your face shape. Here are The 30 Best Hairstyles for Round Faces.