An oblong or rectangular face shape is longer than it is wide and is relatively the same width across the forehead, cheekbones and jawline. For an oblong face, use makeup to accentuate your cheekbones and bring out the middle third of your face.
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Contouring an oblong face
With makeup you can contour an oblong face to make it appear more equally proportioned. Start by applying foundation and powder all over the face. A well-powdered face is essential for contouring.
1. Shade and shorten
Your objective with makeup on an oblong face is to create the appearance of the ideal oval, making your face appear both shorter and broader. Use a darker pressed powder (or a matte bronzer) along the hairline at the top of your forehead, blending it downward. Also add the same bronzer to just the bottom of your chin. This will help your face appear slightly shorter.
2. Contour with bronzer
Next, you want to focus on your cheekbones to make your face appear broader. Apply bronzer just under the cheekbones, in the hollows, and then blend up and out toward the hairline.
“For an oblong face, contour the sides of the jaw, temples and hairline with bronzer to minimize the prominent forehead,” says New York makeup artist Jessica Lauren. “Highlight the chin and cheekbones.”
3. Highlight your cheeks
To really put the focus on your cheeks, you need to apply blush just to the apples, using a fluffy brush in a circular motion. Then apply a light highlighter or illuminating powder to the very highest points of the cheeks to finish widening the appearance of your face.
4. Play up your eyes
By putting the emphasis on your other beautiful features, you can take away from an irregular, oblong face shape. Play up your eyes by experimenting with cat’s eye makeup, bold eyeshadow colours and dramatic lashes. “Extending the eyebrows outward toward your temples also will soften the angular features,” says Lauren.
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