How to Contour an Oval Face Shape for Perfect Makeup
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If you've got an oval face shape, you've hit the genetic lottery when it comes to contouring. Real talk—your face is basically the perfect canvas for almost any makeup technique. But that doesn't mean you can just wing it and hope for the best. The goal isn't to change your facial features, it's to highlight what you've already got going on. Think of contouring as your way to add some extra dimension and make your natural beauty pop. Whether you're prepping for a casual day out or going full glam, knowing the right techniques can make all the difference between looking naturally sculpted and like you've been hit with a makeup truck.
Let's get one thing straight—if your face is longer than it is wide, with a slightly curved jawline and your forehead is about the same width as your cheekbones, you've got an oval face shape. Your chin probably tapers gently, and your face doesn't have any super sharp angles or dramatic curves. The beauty of having these facial features is that they're naturally balanced, which means most makeup techniques will work beautifully on you. To double-check if you're working with an oval face, try this quick trick. Look in the mirror and imagine drawing a line from your hairline to your chin—if that line is about 1.5 times longer than the width of your face at its widest point (usually at your cheekbones), you're definitely oval. The best part? You can pretty much experiment with any contouring style without worrying about throwing off your facial proportions.
Before you dive into any face contouring, your skin needs to be prepped properly. Think of it like priming a canvas before painting—skip this step, and your masterpiece might not last the day. Start with a gentle cleanser, follow up with a moisturiser that suits your skin type, and give it a few minutes to sink in properly. Next up is foundation matching—and this bit is crucial. Your foundation should disappear into your skin, not sit on top of it like a mask. Test shades on your jawline, not your hand or wrist, because that's where you'll actually see how it blends with your natural skin tone. Once you've found your perfect match, apply it evenly across your face, paying extra attention to areas where you'll be contouring later. Finish your prep with a primer specifically designed for makeup longevity. This creates a smooth base and helps your contour and highlight stay put for hours. Trust me, there's nothing worse than spending ages on your makeup only to have it slide off by lunchtime.
Now for the fun bit—actually contouring your face. With an oval face shape, you've got the freedom to be subtle or go bold, depending on your mood and the occasion. The key is to work with your natural bone structure rather than trying to create something that isn't there. Remember, contouring is all about creating shadows and highlights to add dimension, not completely reshaping your face.
Your forehead is naturally balanced, so you don't need to do much here. If you want to add a bit of definition, lightly sweep contour powder along your hairline, focusing on the temples. Keep it subtle—you're just creating a gentle shadow that mimics where shadows would naturally fall. Blend it well so there are no harsh lines, and you're sorted.
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This is where you can really make your features pop. Find the hollow just beneath your cheekbones by sucking in your cheeks slightly—that's where your contour goes. Apply it in a gentle curve from your ear towards the middle of your cheek, but don't bring it all the way to your nose. For blush application, smile and apply it to the apples of your cheeks, blending upwards towards your temples for a healthy, natural glow.
Your jawline is already nicely defined, so you only need light contouring here. Run a small amount of contour along the underside of your jawline, from ear to ear, to add some extra definition. For your chin, if it's on the pointier side, you can soften it with a tiny bit of contour right at the tip. If it's more rounded, you can skip this step entirely.
Time to bring some light to the party. Highlighting tips for oval faces are pretty straightforward—you want to add glow to the high points where light would naturally hit. Apply highlighter to the bridge of your nose, the tops of your cheekbones, your cupid's bow, and the centre of your chin. You can also add a touch to your forehead, right between your brows. Choosing the right highlighter for your skin tone makes all the difference. If you've got warm undertones, go for golden or peachy shades. Cool undertones work beautifully with silvery or pink-based highlighters. When in doubt, champagne shades tend to flatter most skin tones and give that perfect lit-from-within glow.
Here's where the magic really happens—blending is everything when it comes to natural-looking contour. You'll want a few different brushes: a fluffy brush for blending, a denser brush for applying contour, and a smaller brush for precise highlighting. Alternatively, a damp beauty sponge works brilliantly for seamless blending. Start with light pressure and build up gradually. It's much easier to add more product than to remove excess. Use circular motions to blend your contour, making sure there are no visible lines or patches. The goal is to create subtle shadows that look like they belong there naturally. The biggest mistake people make is applying too much product at once or not blending thoroughly. Take your time with this step—it's what separates amateur contouring from professional-looking results.
Once you've nailed the basics of contouring, there are loads of other makeup techniques that work beautifully with your newly sculpted features. These finishing touches help create a cohesive look that feels polished and put-together.
Eyebrow shaping for oval faces is pretty flexible—you can go for soft arches, straighter brows, or even slightly rounded shapes. The key is to keep them proportional to your face. Your brows should start in line with the inner corner of your eyes and end at a diagonal line from your nostril through the outer corner of your eye. Fill in any sparse areas with short, hair-like strokes using a brow pencil or powder that matches your natural colour.
With an oval face, you can pretty much wear any eyeshadow technique you fancy. Smoky eyes, cut creases, natural washes of colour—they all work. For eyeliner, you've got options too. A classic winged liner follows your natural eye shape beautifully, while tightlining (applying liner to your upper waterline) makes your lashes look thicker without adding dramatic definition.
Lip color selection is another area where you can have fun. Your balanced facial features mean you can pull off bold colours just as easily as subtle nudes. If you've gone dramatic with your eyes, consider a more neutral lip, and vice versa. For everyday wear, find a shade that's just a bit deeper than your natural lip colour—it'll give you that perfect 'your lips but better' effect.
Your hairstyles can totally make or break your contoured look. The good news? Oval faces suit pretty much every style, so you're free to experiment. Short cuts like bobs and pixies look fab because they don't hide your beautifully contoured cheekbones. Medium-length styles give you versatility—you can wear them sleek and straight to show off your jawline, or add some waves for texture. Long hair works brilliantly too, especially with some face-framing layers. These flattering haircuts draw attention to your contoured features without overwhelming them. Side parts tend to be more flattering than centre parts, as they add a bit of movement and prevent your look from being too symmetrical. Whatever length you choose, consider how your hair will interact with your makeup. If you're going for a dramatic contour, you might want to pull your hair back to show off your handiwork. For subtle, everyday contouring, letting your hair frame your face creates a softer, more natural effect.
All that beautiful contouring won't mean much if it disappears halfway through the day. Setting your makeup properly is crucial for longevity. Use a light dusting of translucent powder over your entire face, paying extra attention to areas where you've applied contour and highlight. You can also use a setting spray for extra staying power—just hold it about arm's length away and mist lightly over your face. For touch-ups throughout the day, carry a small powder compact and a fluffy brush. If your contour starts to fade, you can gently reapply and blend. Blotting papers are brilliant for removing excess oil without disturbing your makeup. When it's time to remove everything, be gentle. Use a proper makeup remover or cleansing oil to break down the products, especially around your eyes. Follow up with your regular cleanser to make sure you've got everything off—leaving makeup residue can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
For beginners, powder contour products are easier to blend and build up gradually. Look for shades that are about two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Cream products give a more natural finish but require a bit more skill to blend properly. Start with a basic contour palette that includes both warm and cool tones so you can find what works best for your skin.
Absolutely! For daytime or work, keep your contouring subtle and natural-looking. Evening events or special occasions are perfect for more dramatic contouring. You can intensify the depth of your shadows and add more highlight for a glamorous effect. The key is adjusting the intensity rather than changing the placement.
Natural light is the most forgiving, so you can get away with subtler contouring during the day. For artificial lighting (like office fluorescents or evening events), you might need to build up your contour a bit more so it doesn't disappear. Always check your makeup in the type of lighting you'll be in most—what looks perfect in your bathroom mirror might look completely different under restaurant lighting.
Avoid over-contouring your forehead or trying to make your face appear shorter—you'll lose the natural balance that makes oval faces so versatile. Also, don't contour too close to your nose or you might make your face appear narrower than it actually is. Stick to enhancing your natural bone structure rather than trying to create new angles.
Having an oval face shape truly is a blessing when it comes to makeup—you've got the perfect canvas for experimenting with different techniques and looks. The key is to work with what you've naturally got rather than trying to change it completely. Start with subtle contouring and build up your confidence and skills over time. Remember, makeup should be fun, not stressful. If a technique doesn't work for you, don't force it. Your best look is the one that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Take time to practice these techniques when you're not rushing out the door—muscle memory is everything when it comes to applying makeup quickly and efficiently. Most importantly, your natural beauty doesn't need fixing—these techniques are just ways to highlight and celebrate what you've already got. Whether you're going for subtle everyday enhancement or full-on glamour, the right contouring can help you feel like the best version of yourself.
