How to Highlight and Contour: The Ultimate Guide

Highlighting and contouring have revolutionized the way we apply makeup, allowing anyone to define, sculpt, and enhance their facial features with just a few products. Whether you’re prepping for a big event or simply want to refine your daily makeup routine, learning how to highlight and contour effectively can make a world of difference.

What Is Highlighting and Contouring?

Contouring uses makeup that’s slightly darker than your natural skin tone to create shadows and add definition—typically applied under cheekbones, along the jawline, and on the sides of the nose.
Highlighting involves using lighter shades to draw attention to high points of the face—like the tops of cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, and the center of the forehead—for a lifted, radiant look.

Step-by-Step Highlight & Contour Routine

1. Prep Your Skin
Start with clean, moisturized skin. Apply a primer to smooth texture and help your makeup last longer.

2. Apply Foundation
Use a medium to full coverage foundation that matches your skin tone as a base layer to even out your complexion.

3. Map Your Contour Areas
Using a contour stick, cream, or powder:

• Under cheekbones (from ear to mid-cheek)

• Along your jawline and hairline

• Down the sides of your nose (optional)

4. Add Highlight
With a highlighting stick or concealer 1–2 shades lighter than your skin:

• Center of the forehead

• Under eyes (in an inverted triangle shape)

• Down the bridge of the nose

• Chin and above the jawline

5. Blend Seamlessly
Use a damp beauty sponge or dense brush to blend the contour first, then the highlight. Blend upwards to lift the face rather than dragging downward.

6. Set with Powder
Lightly set highlighted areas with a translucent powder and contour areas with a contour powder to lock the makeup in place.

7. Finish the Look
Add blush, highlighter (shimmery), and setting spray to complete your sculpted, radiant look.

Pro Tips:

• Cream products are great for dry skin and a dewy finish; powders are best for oily skin or a matte look.

• Start with less product and build gradually.

• Natural lighting is best for checking balance and symmetry.

Highlighting and contouring don’t have to be intimidating. With the right tools and practice, anyone can achieve a beautifully sculpted face in just a few minutes.