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Hair Contouring
101: How to
Contour Different
Face Shapes
By Watson Anthony • Updated on January 19,
2023

Adding color to your hair is no longer a

simple process that only lightens or alters
your natural color. Instead, hair
contouring makes it possible to change
the form of your face without having to
modify it physically.

It’s an exciting use of highlights, tones,

and shadows that target specific parts of
your face. The placement of shadows and
highlights can draw attention, create
illusions of a softer look, add or take away
length, and create a broader or more
narrow shape to your face.

The best part about contouring is its low

maintenance, which can be done on any
base color.

So no matter what features you want to

bring out, play up, or tone down, there is
a contoured hairstyle that works perfectly
for you.

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What Is Hair
Contouring?
Hair contouring is a highlighting
technique that adds shadows and
highlights to help compliment the
shape of your face. This customizable
technique works for all face shapes,
sizes, and types.

How Hair Contouring Is

Done

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Contouring essentially adds dimension

and depth to some regions of the hair,
thus resulting in the appearance of a
smaller or bigger face. Depending on the
tone of your highlights, it will also create a
brighter appearance on the skin.

Like the balayage technique, this is

applied using the free hand method. But,
again, you can discuss with your stylist
the correct placement and whether you
prefer lighter or darker contouring.

It’s important to note that lighter tones

give your face a lengthened or elongated
look. Conversely, darker hues give your
face a short, narrowed appearance.

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Learn How to Do Foilayage Hair

Contouring

HOW TO FOILAYAGE HIGHLI…

How to Contour
Different Face Shapes
Where highlights are placed is essential
when it comes to your face. That’s what
makes hair contouring such a unique
concept.

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The use of color and shadows can bring

attention to any part of the face. This
technique works to focus on any features
that you want to accentuate.

Although there are several face shapes,

there is a way to contour hair to play up
any features you want to pop the most.
This brilliant hair coloring technique is
the perfect addition to any hairstyle as it
helps to change your look in the best way.

Oval

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An oval face shape is the best face shape

to have because it’s so versatile. Many
styles work well with this face shape, and
hair contouring is no different. For an oval
face, add some depth, along with some
shine and texture. These will all help
accentuate and add a little flair to your
features.

Square

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Square faces typically have sharper jaw

lines, broadened cheekbones, and a
broad forehead. For this face shape,
emphasize the corners of the face to
balance it out properly.

To do this, add multi-tonal layers of dark

and light shades along each corner of the
face. This method can help to soften
those corners giving a less sharpened
appearance.

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Round

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Round face shapes are symmetrical but

sometimes don’t have a sharpness to the
chin area. These kinds of faces may also
lack some definition in the cheekbones.

The best way to combat this with

contoured hair is by adding light shades
along the hairline and extending these
shades from one end to the other. Next,
add darker shades on the hair’s ends,
giving an illusion of a more pointed face
and definition in the cheekbones.

Heart

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Heart-shaped faces are wider at the top

of the head and narrow as you reach the
cheekbones and the chin. You can help
widen the jaw line by adding lighter
shades to the bottom of your hair.

This placement of contour highlights with

lighter shades will also help to give the
face a more oval appearance.

Rectangular
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A rectangular face shape is much like a

square face shape, except longer. The
entire face extends in length but not
width. The forehead is broad, while the
jawline and cheeks are the same widths.
They also have sharper angles that can
mellow down through lighter tones above
the ears.

Darker roots can add a deeper tone, and

darker shades at the facial corners can
also play on softening sharp angles.

Hair Contouring Vs.

Money Piece
Highlights

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These two hair trends look similar, but

they are very different in where they are
put in the hair and the styling purpose
they serve.

Money Piece Highlights

Money piece highlights were introduced

in the ‘90s. This technique comprises
chunky highlights placed at the front of
the hair to frame the face.

These highlights are perfect if you’re

looking for a fresh new look that requires
little to no maintenance. Money piece
highlights also grow out seamlessly,
leaving the hairstyle to look nice and soft.

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Hair Contouring

Hair contouring essentially blends

highlights and shadows that help target
and enhance certain facial features. It can
also add length or shorten the overall
appearance of the face. How to Flat
Twist Natural
Hair: 21…
Styling Ideas

FAQs