How To Apply Makeup To A Square Face

When you boil it down, the art of makeup is really about just one thing: altering the natural color of your features. Whether you use a lot of cosmetics or very little, whether the shades you choose are bold or subtle, you are essentially using color in all its many tones, tints, hues, and shine to invite attention to or repel interest from certain facial characteristics. So, how can those with square-shaped faces use a little makeup artistry to create a more attractive appearance?

Let's begin by tackling the elephant in the room: "Square" may sound negative to you, but this term is not literal and it certainly does not mean unattractive. Quite the opposite for more than a few celebrities, including Zendaya, Olivia Wilde, and Sandra Bullock. They all share a similar angular facial structure with a pronounced jaw. If you study the way they wear their makeup, you'll begin to see a recognizable style shared by all three.

Their iconic makeup looks can be easily recreated in three steps, according to Jane Iredale cosmetics. 

You can think of the entire method in terms of geometric shapes — squares and diamonds, specifically. First, you need to use contour to soften each corner of your face's natural square shape. Next, you'll want to apply highlighter in a smaller, embedded diamond shape. Finally, you'll want to embellish — add blush beneath the cheekbones, shadow to deepen the eyes, and gloss to make your mouth pop.

Begin by addressing the shape of your face with contouring. If you're new to make-up, "contouring" is a word you'll hear often and it may seem technical, but basically all it means is applying foundation (or base makeup) in a way to trick the eye. While you can't restructure your face, you can soften the square form of it by using either a powder or liquid cosmetic that is a little darker than your natural complexion to suggest softened curves where there are none. Blush suggests using contour at the hairline and along the jawline focusing on the areas above the temple and below the outermost cheeks. This application minimizes the corners of the square, giving your face a softer, more rounded look.

Next, put your highlighter to work in the shape of a diamond. "Light" is the key to understanding the use of highlighter, a shimmery shade of cream or powder that brightens the skin. Highlighter is the opposite of contouring and should be applied in the spots where sunlight kisses your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. You'll get the best effect if you merge and smooth as you apply your cosmetics. Mary Winkenwerder, a professional makeup artist, told SheFinds, "Blend seamlessly so there are no stark lines from your skin tone to the area where the makeup is applied."

The final step is embellishment. Use light blush to emphasize the hollows of your cheeks, brush a dark shadow onto your eyelids to accentuate your eyes, and add gloss or subtle color to your mouth for emphasis. These small additions provide warmth to your overall appearance.

In 2022, U.S. makeup sales totaled approximately $1.8 billion, according to Statista. This is undoubtedly big business fueled by many individual buyers, all hoping to achieve the desired look. It's important, then, to be aware of your overall facial structure and to make the most of cosmetic artistry.