Whether you want to create a specific makeup style, sharpen your jawline, or slim your nose, contouring and highlighting make it possible to achieve your ideal look in any video. But applying both can take time, and if you’ve never done it before, it probably won’t come out perfect on the first try. Instead of spending hours learning the right techniques, do it with a video editing app. Keep reading to learn how YouCam Video can add perfect contours and highlights to your videos in just a few taps!

What to Know Before You Start Contouring

For a successful contour, start by finding your face shape. There are six different face shapes, and the one you have will determine where and how you contour and highlight. Here’s how to contour each one for a look that complements yours:

Round: Contour the sides of your forehead, down along your temples, under your cheekbones, and along your jawline to define the shape of your face. Then, highlight your chin and forehead to make them stand out.
Oval: Contour right under your cheekbones and highlight your forehead, chin, and under your eyes to make your cheekbones pop.
Square: Contour the corners of your jawline and forehead to soften them, and highlight your forehead and chin to create dimension.
Diamond: Contour along your jawline to bring it out. Highlight your forehead, between your lower lip and chin, and beneath your eyes to show off your cheekbones.
Heart: Contouring for heart-shaped faces is similar to square faces in that you apply it at the corners of your forehead and jawline. However, the purpose here is to balance your face by narrowing the forehead.
Oblong: Applying contour to your forehead and chin shortens and balances your face with or without highlight.

Once you apply your foundation and concealer, use an angled makeup brush to apply contour where you need it. Then, use a beauty blender to blend it properly and create a natural look. Use a powder brush to set your contour and make it last all day.

Contouring and Highlighting Techniques

Everyone has their own contouring process, but if you’re a beginner or want a low-effort way to get your look, try these techniques from TikTok. You don’t always need dramatic contour lines. For a look that works for most face shapes, try Megan Lavallie’s method. Just put a dot of contour on the soft part of your cheek, just below your cheekbone. Then, use a blending brush to blend it and create definition without intensity.

@meganlavallie sometimes a straight line from your ear can look a little intense #contourhacks #contour #makeup ♬ Elevator Music - Bohoman

The rainbow contour technique is more involved but gives stunning results. To use it, draw lines of concealer, blush, and contour across your face in a rainbow pattern. Then, spray with setting spray and blend with a damp beauty blender for a quick, natural look.

@jacquelinekilikita I’ll never wear foundation again tbh #beautyinatik #contouring #makeuphacks ♬ Why Are There Boundaries - FKJ

Contour Makeup & Highlighter Types

Before you start contouring, choose whether you want to use cream or powder contour. Cream works better for dry skin types, as it can make already oily skin look shinier. On the other hand, powder contour can dry out your skin, but it also gives you a deeper, more angular look and gives you more control.

You get more variation with a highlighter than contour. When you pick your highlighter, you can choose from:

Pressed powder
Cream
Loose powder
Liquid

Just like with foundation, you want to find contour and highlighter colors that work for your skin tone. Cool skin tones shouldn’t apply highlighter with orange in them, for example, because it will reflect an unnatural shade rather than bring out your skin’s existing beauty. Instead, go for a pink- or peach-toned highlighter. Always apply highlighter after contour so the darker contour doesn’t overpower the lightness of the highlighter.

@rinalmomen Contouring and highlighting step by step #makeup #contour #highlight #makeuptutorial #makeuphacks #fyp #inthegarden #momsoftiktok #guessmyprovince ♬ Sexy - JoeVille

Bronzer vs. Contour

Contour and bronzer both create depth in your complexion, but contour goes a step further than bronzer. Bronzer gives your skin a warmer tone, and you typically apply it to areas where it will be highlighted by the sun. Contour defines your features using a less understated method and makes your natural face structure stand out by creating angles in the right areas.
Bronzer and contour have different jobs, so it’s best not to mix them up. If you use bronzer to contour, you could end up with more orange than angles.

How to Choose Your Contour Makeup Style

If you don’t have time to learn how to contour your face, try YouCam Video. This video editing app gives you a natural makeup look that always matches your skin tone and saves you money, time, and hassle. Follow these steps to create your ideal contour:

Download YouCam Video free for iOS or Android.
Open the app and choose the video you want to contour from your gallery.
Go to Makeup and select Contour.
Choose your contour pattern, color, and intensity.
For highlight, go to Makeup and select Highlight.
In Highlight, scroll to choose your desired pattern and color, and adjust the intensity.
Make the rest of your edits, like adding makeup and other effects.
Save and share!

Download YouCam Video Now for Perfect Highlighting & Contouring on Video

YouCam Video lets you choose the perfect contour look for your face shape. It’s easy to apply any edits you want with one tap. Download YouCam Video for iOS or Android to show off your face’s natural angles and transform your look!