MakeupContouring

Lip Makeup & Face Contouring

Learn professional lip application techniques and face contouring methods to enhance your natural features and create stunning, dimensional looks.

Reviewed by professional makeup artists10 min readUpdated January 2025

Lip Preparation

Proper lip preparation is essential for smooth, long-lasting lip color application. Well-prepped lips provide the perfect canvas for any lip look.

Essential Lip Prep Steps

  1. 1. Exfoliate: Use a gentle lip scrub or soft toothbrush to remove dead skin
  2. 2. Moisturize: Apply a hydrating lip balm and let it absorb
  3. 3. Prime: Use a lip primer or concealer to create an even base
  4. 4. Set boundaries: Use concealer around lips for clean lines

For Dry Lips

Extra exfoliation and heavy moisturizing. Consider overnight lip treatments for severely dry lips.

For Oily Lips

Light moisturizing and always use primer. Blot excess oils before application.

Professional Lip Color Application

Master these professional techniques for flawless lip color application that lasts all day.

Lipstick Application Technique

  1. 1. Outline first: Use a lip liner to define the shape
  2. 2. Fill in: Use the liner to fill in lips completely
  3. 3. Apply lipstick: Use a brush for precision or apply directly
  4. 4. Blot and reapply: Blot with tissue, then apply second layer
  5. 5. Set if needed: Dust with translucent powder for longevity
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Bold Lips

Use lip liner, apply with brush, keep rest of makeup minimal

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Natural Lips

Tinted balm or sheer lipstick, blend edges for soft look

Glossy Lips

Apply base color, add gloss to center, blend outward

Enhancing Different Lip Shapes

Learn how to enhance your natural lip shape or create the illusion of different proportions using professional techniques.

Thin Lips

Create fullness with these techniques:

  • • Line slightly outside natural lip line
  • • Use lighter colors to add volume
  • • Add gloss to center for dimension

Full Lips

Balance proportions with:

  • • Line just inside natural lip line
  • • Use deeper, matte colors
  • • Avoid high-shine finishes

Uneven Lips

Create symmetry by:

  • • Using concealer to adjust shape
  • • Lining to create balanced proportions
  • • Highlighting cupid's bow if needed

Downturned Lips

Lift the appearance with:

  • • Slightly overlining the corners
  • • Using concealer below corners
  • • Highlighting above cupid's bow

Face Contouring Fundamentals

Contouring uses light and shadow to enhance your facial structure, creating dimension and definition where you want it most.

Basic Contouring Principles

Contour (Shadows)

  • • Use colors 2-3 shades darker than skin
  • • Apply where shadows naturally fall
  • • Creates the illusion of depth
  • • Makes features appear smaller/receded

Highlight

  • • Use colors 1-2 shades lighter than skin
  • • Apply to high points of face
  • • Brings features forward
  • • Makes features appear larger/prominent
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Cream Products

Best for dry skin, natural finish, blend before powder

Powder Products

Best for oily skin, buildable coverage, longer lasting

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Tools

Angled brush for contour, fluffy brush for highlight

Contouring for Different Face Shapes

Customize your contouring technique based on your face shape to enhance your natural features and create balance.

Round Face

Goal: Add length and definition

  • • Contour temples and sides of forehead
  • • Contour under cheekbones
  • • Highlight center of forehead and chin

Square Face

Goal: Soften angular features

  • • Contour corners of forehead and jaw
  • • Soften jawline with contour
  • • Highlight center of face vertically

Oval Face

Goal: Maintain natural balance

  • • Light contouring under cheekbones
  • • Subtle forehead and chin contour
  • • Focus on enhancing natural features

Heart Face

Goal: Balance wide forehead

  • • Contour sides of forehead
  • • Highlight chin to add width
  • • Gentle cheekbone contouring

Professional Application Tips

Application Do's

  • • Build coverage gradually
  • • Blend thoroughly
  • • Use appropriate brushes
  • • Work in natural light
  • • Set with powder

Common Mistakes

  • • Using colors too dark
  • • Not blending enough
  • • Contouring every feature
  • • Ignoring face shape
  • • Overdoing the effect

Master Professional Techniques

Learn personalized lip and contouring techniques with our professional makeup artists at Zaynura Beauty Salon.

Visit Our Salon

Brooklyn's premier beauty destination

Address

4016 18th Ave
Brooklyn, New York 11218

Hours

Mon-Fri 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sat-Sun 9:00 am – 7:00 pm