Contouring for Square Faces: Best Techniques to Soften Strong Jawlines & Angles

Square face shapes are known for their bold, structured beauty—but if you’re looking to add softness and harmony to your features, contouring can be your secret weapon. This guide walks you through the best makeup strategies to soften angular lines and bring balance to a square face shape.

Why Contouring Matters for Square Faces

Square faces naturally project strength, symmetry, and confidence. But sometimes, the jawline and forehead can appear too dominant, especially on camera. The goal of contouring isn’t to hide your features—it’s to enhance them with balance and flow.

How to Know If You Have a Square Face

You likely have a square face shape if:

• Your forehead and jawline are about the same width
• You have a strong, angular jawline
• Your face appears straight on the sides rather than curved

Not sure? Stand in front of a mirror and trace your face’s outline with a white eyeliner or lip liner. If the shape resembles a square or box, this post is for you!

Contouring Goals for Square Faces

With square faces, the aim is to:

• Soften angular lines (especially around the jaw and temples)
• Add curvature to the face
• Create a more oval-like silhouette for smoother proportions

Where to Contour: Softening the Angles

Contouring is all about creating shadows in the right places. For square faces:

✔️ Jawline

Apply contour along the jawline and blend downward to soften its sharpness.

✔️ Temples and Forehead

Add contour at the outer corners of the forehead and temples to visually round out the edges.

✔️ Cheekbones

Contour just below the cheekbones with a slightly curved motion—don’t draw a straight line. This creates a natural lift and breaks the boxy feel.

👉 Pro Tip: Use a contour stick or cream for better blendability and natural finish.

Highlight to Add Softness and Dimension

Strategically placed highlighter draws the eye away from the angles and creates a glow that lifts and refines your face.

Apply Highlighter To:

• Center of the forehead
• Top of cheekbones
• Down the nose bridge
• Chin
• Cupid’s bow

💡 Avoid highlighting the jawline, which may make it appear even more prominent.

Blush Placement: Round Out the Look

Blush adds warmth and fullness to areas where you want soft definition.

Best Technique:

• Apply blush to the apples of your cheeks and blend slightly up toward the temples.
• Stick with soft pink, peach, or rose tones to maintain a natural, diffused look.
• Cream blushes work best for a subtle, dewy effect.

Brows That Balance the Jaw

For square faces, eyebrows can offset strong features by adding a touch of curve.

Ideal Brow Shape:

• Softly arched or curved
• Avoid flat or square brows—they echo the face shape and add more harshness

Use a brow pencil or pomade to lightly fill and define. Keep the front soft and tail slightly tapered.

Eye & Lip Focus: Enhancing the Whole Face

A full face look is all about balance. Here’s how to complete your sculpted glam:

Eye Makeup

• Go for blended, rounded eyeshadow looks
• Avoid sharp cat-eyes; instead, try a soft wing or halo eye
• Use lashes or mascara to lift the eyes

Lips

• Use a lip liner to create fullness and symmetry
• Gloss adds softness
• Nude or berry tones keep the focus on structure without overpowering

Product Picks for Sculpting Square Faces

• Contour: Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick, Huda Beauty Tantour
• Blush: Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Blush, Milani Baked Blush
• Highlighter: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector, e.l.f. Halo Glow
• Brows: Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil, Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade

Common Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Over-sharpening the jawline with dark contour
🚫 Ignoring temple contouring
🚫 Using overly shimmery highlighter
🚫 Choosing straight-across brows

Final Thoughts

Contouring for square faces is all about softening angles, lifting the features, and embracing your unique beauty. Once you get the hang of shadow placement and blending, your whole face will feel balanced and glowing.