Ever since Kim Kardashian made it popular, we all already know what “contouring” means: the face is contoured to achieve the desired shape using various foundation or highlighter colors. This highlights the cheekbones or makes the nose visually narrower. But did you know that this effect can also be achieved with a clever hair coloring technique? The whole thing is called hair contouring or face contouring with hair highlights.

How does Hair Contouring work?

How does Hair Contouring work

Hair contouring professionals use a special coloring technique to contour the shape of the face: balayage. The name is derived from the French verb “balayer” (meaning “to coat”, “to sweep”), because this technique does not use foils for coloring, but only a brush. This allows the hairdresser to customize your highlights and the result becomes much more natural. Since the goal is to lighten the hair in a subtle, seemingly random manner. Which facial features you want to emphasize and which ones you want to conceal will determine how precisely the highlights are to be colored.

Visually shorten an oblong face: dark roots, blonde highlights

ombre hair contouring for brown hair and oblong face

You can frame your face with the help of dark shadow roots to visually shorten the elongated face and give it an oval shape. Below the ears, the hair may become lighter again.

Make round face thinner with hair contouring: Lots of blonde highlights

hair contouring for round face caramel highlights on top of the head

To make a round face look narrower and more elongated, you should have as many fine highlights as possible at the crown of your head. This gives your hair more depth and stretches your face at the same time.

Round off a rectangular face: Soft ombré gradient

face contouring with hair highlights for dark hair

You want to make your rectangular face look softer? This can be achieved by gradually lightening your hair as you go from the roots to the ends. Instead of highlights, the ombré dyeing technique is more suitable here. This emphasizes the eyes and draws the focus away from a prominent jaw, making it look thinner.

Balance out heart-shaped face: Bold contrast

pink strawberry blonde balayage for heart-shaped face

A heart-shaped face features a wider forehead and a narrower chin. To balance out the tapered shape, apply the following hair-contouring trick: Color the top of your head very dark and the lengths from the cheek area a few shades lighter. This will make your face appear longer overall and draw attention to your small chin.

Emphasize oval face shape: Shine Boost

balayage hair contouring for oblong face front and back view

The ideal face shape is typically considered to be oval. Are you happy with it and want to accentuate your facial features? Then give your hair a shine boost by adding a few subtle highlights in a slightly lighter shade. Glossing also gives your mane a healthy glow. To enjoy your new highlights for a long time, you should use a shampoo for colored hair and do regular hair treatments.

Also interesting: Brown Hair with Blonde Highlights

hair contouring for square face with orange highlights

Here are more ideas for face contouring with hair highlights:

  1. For those with an oval-shaped face, try adding subtle layers of light brown or caramel balayage around the forehead and temples.
  2. If you have a round-shaped face, consider framing it by adding some volume at the crown of your head.
  3. Those with heart-shaped faces should look into creating some length on their sides by incorporating darker shades near their ears.
  4. If you have a diamond face shape, highlights can be used to create the illusion of a more oval-shaped face by adding lighter tones around the sides of your forehead and temples. Darker shades can then be added along the cheekbones for definition, as well as underneath your chin for an overall slimming effect.
  5. Lastly, if you have a square-shaped face, opt for softening its angles through wispy blonde streaks along both sides of your cheeks.

balayage hair contouring caramel for oblong face

caramel balayage hair contouring for rectangular face

dark hair hair contouring

hair contouring before and after for oblong face

hair contouring before and after for rectangular chubby face

hair contouring caramel for diamond face

hair contouring for square face - blonde streaks along both sides of cheecks

hair contouring for square face shape

About the Author Jaylee Burmer

Jaylee always brings positivity into every room she enters! She is passionate about writing since 2015 and loves to share her thoughts with the world. Her posts range from topics such as fashion, lifestyle, travel and health & wellness - all with an inspiring twist!

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