What is hair contouring and how to choose a suitable look

The fashionable method of "hair contouring" is becoming more and more well-liked because it brings out your best features. This technique, which is similar to makeup contouring, uses hair color to add depth and dimension, bringing attention to your best features while gently drawing it away from areas you’d like to minimize.

It’s important to consider your skin tone, facial shape, and personal style when selecting the ideal hair contouring style. With the correct combination, you can look more youthful, have a brighter face, and even have fuller-looking hair.

Hair contouring offers a customized method to achieve your desired look, whether you’re looking to soften sharp angles, add warmth to your complexion, or just try something different.

What is hair contouring

The word contouring is English. Sculpting, sketching, Color correction is applied to the front strands of hair during the contour dyeing or hair contouring process.

The most common coloring colors are those that are somewhat lighter or darker than natural, but bolder hues are also acceptable when it comes to coloring the hair in close proximity to the face.

The master, at the client’s request, may choose to add color to the remaining portion of the head or leave it unaltered.

The idea behind hair contouring is similar to a similar makeup technique: you can adjust the shape of your face and update your hairstyle by appropriately highlighting the front strands of your hair. Adding vivid colors and unconventional combinations is a valid way to express oneself without having to consider how the oval of the face will look when done.

Benefits of contouring

• It will help to correct the oval of the face, make it proportional and neat.
• Minimally harms the hair – only the front strands are dyed, so the main part of the curls remains unharmed.
• Suitable for all women – you can choose an option for women with any type of hair, face shape and any age.
• This is the fastest coloring technique. The master works only with the front strands – this saves time. The result is obvious: the face is transformed, and the hairstyle looks fresh.

Cons:

• Requires frequent correction – when the roots grow back, the corrective effect disappears.
• Suitable only for medium and long hair – the technique cannot be performed on short strands.
• It is difficult to find a master – the task of this coloring technique is not just to highlight the front strands, but to select the optimal shade and size of the hair fragment. You need a good colorist who knows the intricacies of color selection.

Types of contouring

There is no precise categorization of contouring because masters employ a variety of coloring techniques, color schemes, and dye application methods. The following division can be found in some sources:

• Flash – lightening the strands near the face by a couple of tones. As a result, they look as if a flash of light hit them.
• Compound Coloring – several similar shades are used to design the strands.

@natasha_vanbasten

In actuality, these are not the only contouring techniques. The principles of classic Californian highlighting, ombre and gradient coloring are applied in addition to composite coloring, highlighting the ends, shatush and balayage.

This implies that the creativity and technical proficiency of hairdressers is the only thing limiting the types of contouring. For contouring, almost any coloring method can be modified.

How hair contouring is done

Working with small strands framing the face is the technique’s main feature, as we have already discovered. But everything is much more involved than just splitting the hair, covering it with lightening powder, and tinting it.

Different contouring techniques are used by colorists and hairdressers to achieve smooth coloring without sharp color transitions. Schemes with 13 or 15 strands are particularly well-liked. This indicates that the strand that splits in the front of the head is colored according to the master’s selected color scheme and divided into 13 or 15 sections.

The video provides an example of how to color using the 13-strand formula.

Regarding the actual contouring process, it is carried out in the same manner as any other coloring:

1. On clean, dried hair, a triangle of hair is selected – from the crown with an orientation to the frontal hollows. As for bangs, only a little larger.
2. The resulting strand is divided into several small ones – there can be 13, 15 or any other number, depending on the thickness of the hair and the chosen coloring technique.
3. A lightening composition is applied to each strand and kept according to the instructions for a specific hair type.
4. The composition is washed off, the hair is tinted in the desired shades.

Contouring coloring for different face shapes

As correcting the face is the primary objective of hair contouring, the oval is taken into consideration when choosing the coloring technique and color.

Two color principles serve as the master’s guidance when selecting shades:

• Light – emphasizes the features and attracts attention.
• Dark – creates shadows and masks.

Any face shape can be altered to make it aesthetically harmonious and proportionate by adjusting the light and dark shades and their respective locations.

Oval face

Oval-faced girls don’t have to worry about being corrected. Here, contouring with staining is employed to draw attention to the advantages and accentuate the face’s inherent beauty.

Almost every choice is appropriate:

• Color contouring – the front strands can be distinguished by a fashionable pastel color or less relevant, but extravagant neonov.
• Balayazh-Color the front locks in 2-4 close shade with smooth transitions. The plus of such staining is that it grows softly, without highlighting the roots.
• Protecting or dimming of strands in a face by 1-2 tones. In the first case, the skin will become visually lighter, in the second – a clear oval of the face will stand out.

Round face

Smooth transitions and relatively soft features characterize a round face. Both graphics and elaboration are absent. The contour coloring method with strand lightening or darkening is used to remedy this. Within 1-2 tones of the primary hair color, the shades shift in either direction.

On the front strands, it is advised to create a clean, light transition that will get stronger toward the ends. If the hair is already dark, go a few tones darker; this will help the face appear more elongated.

Rectangular

A rectangular face has a large jaw and is oblong in shape. Dark roots and bottom combined with a light highlight is the best contouring combination. When contouring, you can use the ombre technique, which will soften the face, camouflage the large jaw, and create an oval-shaped silhouette.

Square

Light hues are used near the roots and at the ends of a square face to make it appear longer. It is crucial that the coloring be smooth, soft, and well-shaded. The gradient technique—smooth transitions between shades—is acceptable.

Triangular

It is necessary to lighten the hair at the base, starting at ear level, in order to balance a narrow chin and high forehead. The roots and temples have distinct single highlights to balance the top’s symmetrical appearance. Ombre with a light bottom and a dark top is the best choice.

Hair care after contouring

Following contouring, as with any other coloring, you should take extra care of your hair’s condition and incorporate the following in your regimen:

• Shampoo for colored hair – it will help keep the color longer.
• Balm or conditioner – also for colored or by hair type.
• Nourishing mask – it will help fill the voids inside the hair shaft and make it look nourished and dense.
• Purple shampoo – relevant if strands near the face have been lightened. Will help neutralize the yellow undertone.

If not, adhere to the same maintenance guidelines as for traditional coloring. Use heat protection, shield your hair from UV rays, and don’t skimp on leave-in conditioners.

Examples of hair contouring

Bleached strands on long, light brown hair close to the face.

A cool-toned contour for your hair.

Gentle transitions and delicate pastel pink contouring.

Vivid contours close to the face.

A bob haircut and contour coloring.

Contouring on dark hair that lightens the ends as well as the front strands across the thickness of the hair.

On dark hair, use dark contouring.

Sculpting on lengthy, light-colored hair.

Sculpting in a vivid rainbow hue on fair hair.

Using vibrant colors to create a gradient contouring in the face.

Sculpting long, light brown hair in a cool blonde shade.

Questions

Who looks good with light hair close to the face?

Almost everyone; the only difference is in how expressive they are. Girls with almost contrasting light strands or those with slightly different hair from the main color will look good.

Is it possible to perform self-care hair contouring at home?

In theory, sure, but bear in mind that this calls for an understanding of the fundamentals of coloristics and coloring methods. It is best to speak with a hairdresser if you lack experience.

Which haircuts are contourable?

Any medium-length haircut—bob, cascade, ladder, shag—can be contour colored.

The only exceptions are those with short hair or mullet styles, where the front strands are cut off and there is no longer any area to contour.

Where can I find patterns for hair contouring?

While some hairdressing instructors provide coloring patterns as part of their training, we advise learning about the nuances of color correction. This will help you comprehend the contouring principle and teach you how to select colors and arrange them in accordance with a client’s unique features.

Is contouring the hair a thing in 2022?

Yes, one of the coloring trends for 2022–2023 is contouring. Try on a trendy hairstyle as soon as possible before it becomes outdated.

Share with friends!

Similar to makeup contouring, hair contouring uses highlights and lowlights to accentuate your features and frame your face. You can give the appearance of a slimmer face, higher cheekbones, or a more defined jawline by strategically placing different color shades. Understanding your skin tone and face shape is essential to selecting the perfect look. With the help of a stylist, you can choose the colors that best accentuate your inherent beauty.

Popular on the topic Hair

A ladder haircut’s appropriate audience, styles, and styling

Everything about cascading haircuts: types, ideal wearers, and styling possibilities

What are the different types of hot hair extensions?

Styles and varieties of men’s undercut haircuts

Everything about bob haircuts: types, options, and selection

Evaluation of salon-quality hair shampoos

The top hairdressing courses available online and the knowledge they can impart

Three hairstyles and six haircuts to make your face appear younger

How to shield your hair from UV radiation’s damaging effects

The top programs for stylists

Magazine Sections

Express your opinion or ask a question! Cancel reply

Aspect	Explanation
What is Hair Contouring?	Hair contouring is a coloring technique that uses highlights and lowlights to frame the face and enhance facial features.
Choosing the Right Look	Consider your face shape and skin tone. For round faces, lighter shades around the edges can create a slimming effect. For square faces, softer colors can balance angles.

Smartly applying highlights and lowlights to your hair can accentuate your natural features through a creative technique called hair contouring. It’s important to create a customized look that complements your skin tone and face shape rather than merely changing your hair color.

Selecting the ideal hair contouring style requires taking into account your individual traits. Working with a talented stylist can help you achieve a look that accentuates your best qualities and gives you a contemporary, fresh look.

Hair contouring offers a flexible and attractive option that can be customized to your preferences, whether you’re looking for a subtle change or a dramatic transformation.

Video on the topic

What is contouring?

Hair contouring. Coloring without affecting the main part of the hair. Universal technique

DEMETRIUS | How to make beautiful CONTOURING near the face | Life hacks for a colorist