How to Contour Your Face Based on Your Face Shape

*Updated March 2026*

Who doesn’t love a good highlight and contour? It’s a go-to for defining cheekbones and softening angles, but it all washes off at the end of the day.

If you’re looking into options that offer subtle, longer-lasting support to your natural features (minus the daily makeup routine), cosmetic aesthetic treatments may be worth exploring.

Think refreshed contours, time saved, and a more effortless look that aligns with your goals. This post break breaks down the your different treatment options for your specific face type.

How facial contouring works

Basically, these types of treatments involve applying specially formulated solutions beneath the skin to support and enhance specific areas of the face. Think of them as your contour and highlight tools, but longer lasting and designed to work harmoniously with your natural features. The result? A smoother base that can elevate your makeup look or even let you skip it altogether.

Among the most popular cosmetic aesthetic treatments today are wrinkle-smoothing procedures and volume-restoring treatments.

In fact, these two were among the most widely performed non-surgical aesthetic procedures worldwide in 2021, with wrinkle-smoothing treatments performed over 7.3 million times and volume-enhancing treatments over 5.3 million.

Another popular option is the use of skin-hydrating treatments, such as bioremodelling, which help improve hydration and skin elasticity over time. So, is it possible to achieve longer-lasting contour through these treatments?

Absolutely. When guided by a qualified practitioner, cosmetic aesthetic treatments can help sculpt the face toward more balanced proportions, often aiming for what’s known as an oval or inverted triangle shape. These shapes are widely regarded for their natural symmetry, structure, and balance. Features often associated with soft femininity and youthful definition. Celebrities like Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Emma Watson are often referenced as examples of this ideal facial harmony.

In a 2019 study by Farolch-Prats and Nome-Chamorro, researchers outlined facial contouring strategies for six basic face shapes. At Luxe Lips, we’ve built on those insights with real-world experience, adapting our approach to suit every client’s unique features and goals.

Facial contouring treatment options based on face type

Every face has a unique architecture, meaning there is no universal approach to enhancement. Your specific bone structure and natural proportions serve as the blueprint for a tailored treatment pathway, starting with how the following shapes are addressed:

The round face

If you have a round face, you possess what they call a “baby face”. Selena Gomez, Drew Barrymore, and Ariel Winter are some of the beautiful women who possess this particular face shape.

This study highlights that typically, a round face features a gently curved jawline, a shorter chin, a rounded hairline, and a relatively full forehead, making the eyes, mouth, and nose appear closely to one another. 

To elongate the profile and add “edge” to softer features, the most effective interventions include:

• Wrinkle-Reducing Treatments
Rounder face shapes may appear less defined in the upper face. Some clients explore wrinkle-smoothing treatments to relax muscles responsible for pulling the brows downward or inward. This may help support a more lifted and softly arched brow, contributing to the look of a more elongated facial structure.

• Cheek Volume Support
Adjusting volume in specific areas of the cheeks can influence how the face is perceived. When tailored to your unique structure, this can provide gentle contouring that may bring more balance and dimension to the mid-face.

• Chin Profile Refinement
Round face shapes often feature a softer or shorter chin. Supporting projection or length in this area can contribute to a more defined lower face, depending on your anatomy and goals.

• Jaw Slimming & Jawline Contouring
To create a more oval appearance, some clients with strong masseter muscles may explore treatments that support muscle relaxation in this area. This can soften the lower face over time. Additional facial contouring may also be considered to bring structure and definition to the jawline.
Note: It’s generally recommended to wait 4–6 weeks after jaw-slimming treatments before considering jawline contouring. This allows time for the lower face to settle and ensures a balanced result.

• Lip Volume Enhancement
Lip enhancement works by adding height or fullness to the lips may help draw attention to the centre of the face. This can create a more balanced appearance, especially when the goal is to soften the roundness and enhance overall proportions.

The square face

If you have a square face, you possess a boxy or angular face. Typically, a square face has a strong and angular jawline, along with a forehead that is approximately the same width as the jaw. 

Celebrities like Zendaya, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sandra Bullock are stunning examples of individuals who rock the square face shape.

The goal here is to reduce the prominence of the lower face and create smoother transitions, typically through these targeted methods:

• Wrinkle-Reducing Treatments for the Jawline
Clients with prominent masseter muscles may experience bulkiness in the lower face. In these cases, muscle-relaxing treatments can be used to gradually reduce jaw prominence over time, often supporting a more tapered look. This is commonly considered by those aiming to soften the lower face.

• Mid-Face Volume Support
To balance angular features, some individuals opt to enhance volume in the mid-face or cheek area. When strategically placed, options like thread lifts can offer a lifted and softened appearance that complements strong cheekbones and adds harmony to the face.
Note: Proper placement is essential. Your provider will assess your unique proportions and determine the best approach for your goals.

• Chin Profile Refinement
A square-shaped chin can sometimes appear more prominent in comparison to other facial features. Gentle contouring or volume support may help refine the area and contribute to a more balanced lower face.

• Jaw Slimming
If the masseter muscles contribute to facial width, treatments that relax these muscles may be considered. Over a 4–6 week period, this can gradually reduce lower face volume and enhance definition, depending on the individual’s anatomy.

• Lip Volume Enhancement
Subtly enhancing lip volume can help draw attention toward the centre of the face. This may create a more balanced look, especially when the goal is to soften the emphasis on the jawline and distribute focus more evenly across facial features.

The triangle face

If you have a triangle face, you possess a pear-shaped face. You typically have a a narrower forehead and your face widens gradually towards the jawline.

This widening of the lower face, also known as jowling, can occur as a result of natural ageing or significant weight loss. This phenomenon can lead to a noticeable drooping or sagging of the face.

To harmonize a wider lower face with a narrower forehead, the treatment roadmap centers on widening the upper thirds and softening the jaw via:

• Volume Support for Temples and Cheeks
Enhancing volume in the temples and cheeks may help bring lift to the mid-face and support overall symmetry. This is often considered when the upper face appears narrower compared to the lower third.

• Chin Refinement
Subtle enhancements in the chin area may contribute to a more balanced profile. In triangle face shapes with a broader jawline, creating length or structure in the chin may help refine overall facial proportions.

• Jaw Slimming and Contouring
Depending on muscle bulk or facial width, relaxing certain jaw muscles can support a more tapered appearance over time. For added structure, subtle contouring along the jawline may also assist in creating definition and reducing the appearance of heaviness in the lower face.

• Skin Hydration and Firmness Support
Maintaining skin quality is a two-part process. While some choose hydration treatments to improve surface radiance, deep-tissue firmness in areas prone to laxity is often addressed with Morpheus8. This advanced technology targets the lower face to support long-term elasticity and complement structural contouring.

• Mid-Face and Under-Eye Support
When jowling affects overall harmony, it may also cast shadows or hollow the under-eye area. Enhancing volume in this region can support a refreshed appearance and contribute to mid-face rejuvenation.

• Forehead and Brow Softening
To highlight the upper third of the face, some individuals consider relaxing the muscles that pull the brows downward. This can create a more open look in the upper face and help visually balance broader features in the lower third.

• Smile Line and Lower Face Softening
A downturned mouth may contribute to an impression of tiredness or sadness. Certain muscle-relaxing treatments may assist in lifting the corners of the mouth, depending on your anatomy and treatment plan.

• Jawline Definition
To improve definition or discreetly address concerns such as jowling, a personalised contouring approach may be considered. This supports a more structured lower face while preserving your natural features.

The inverted triangle face

This face shape possessed by the likes of Scarlett Johansson and Reese Witherspoon really captures that sought-after “triangle of youth.” It’s already pretty close to the ideal, so there isn’t much to do here. 

However, there are times when the jawline may lose some of its definition. That’s when it’s a good idea to have a chat with a cosmetic praticioner who can give your whole face a thorough assessment. They’ll help you figure out how we can enhance and bring out the best in the features you already have.

Since the upper face is naturally dominant, the strategy shifts toward adding substance and taper to the chin and jawline using:

• Mid- and Lower-Face Volume Support
  Individuals with an inverted triangle face shape, often marked by a broader forehead and narrower jawline, may benefit from treatments that focus on the mid and lower thirds of the face. Restoring or enhancing volume in the cheek and jawline areas can support more balanced proportions, helping to shift visual focus downward and create a more harmonious appearance.

The rectangle face

A rectangle face shape typically has a face that is longer than it is wide, with straight sides and a defined jawline. Celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker and Sandra Oh proudly showcase the captivating rectangle face shape.

To soften a long, angular silhouette and create a more oval appearance, the clinical priority often involves these volume-placement techniques:

Upper-Face Muscle Relaxation
For individuals with a longer facial structure and stronger jawline, relaxing targeted muscles in the upper face can help draw attention upward. This can contribute to a more lifted look around the forehead and eyes, helping to balance overall facial proportions.

Jawline Softening
To reduce the prominence of the lower face, particularly in the jaw area, wrinkle treatments that help relax overactive jaw muscles (such as the masseters) may be considered. This can support a softer, more tapered jawline appearance over time by reducing the bulk of the muscle.

Cheek and Chin Volume Support
Enhancing volume in the cheeks and refining the shape of the chin may assist in reducing a rectangular appearance. This approach helps introduce gentle curves and adds structure, contributing to a more balanced and proportionate look without elongating the face.

Lip Volume Enhancement
Subtle volume support in the lips may help add softness to the lower face and create a more harmonious overall aesthetic, particularly when aiming to offset angular contours.

The oblong face

The oblong face and rectangle face can share some similarities. However, the vertical length of the oblong face is more pronounced, giving it a slender and stretched-out look. Liv Tyler beautifully embodies the distinctive features of this particular face shape.

The objective for this type is to add fullness to the mid-face while subtly curbing the vertical length. This is usually achieved through:

Temple Volume Support
An oblong face shape may have a more prominent vertical length and less width in the upper face. Supporting volume in the temple area can help soften hollowing and add gentle width, contributing to a more balanced facial silhouette.

Mid-Face (Cheek) Enhancement
Adding volume to the cheeks can enhance mid-face proportions and draw the eye toward the center of the face. This may help soften angular lines and offset vertical length, depending on your natural features.

Lower-Face Contouring (Jawline)
Subtle contouring in the jawline can help add definition and structure to the lower face. This may support overall harmony, especially when the aim is to balance facial length with proportional width.

Upper-Face Muscle Relaxation
Strategically relaxing certain facial muscles in the upper third of the face may assist in creating a more lifted and open appearance. This can be helpful in balancing the visual emphasis of the face by drawing focus upward.

Lip Volume Enhancement
Supporting volume in the lips can gently draw attention to the center of the face, helping to bring harmony to elongated facial shapes. This can be further enhanced by treatments like Exosomes, which support skin regeneration and hydration around the mouth to ensure the area looks smooth and revitalized.

Are these treatments safe?

Don’t worry! Experienced practitioners are trained to work with facial anatomy and proportions, allowing them to tailor treatment approaches that support a refreshed, natural-looking appearance, while aligning with your individual features and goals.

With the right approach, treatment outcomes can be tailored to suit your features without appearing exaggerated, while always keeping balance and proportion in mind. According to Braccini et al. (2021), when performed conservatively, these treatments may support natural-looking results that align with individual goals.

That’s why choosing a qualified practitioner in a trusted clinic is essential. Your safety, preferences, and anatomy should guide every step of the process.

We understand the desire to feel confident in your own skin, not just on special occasions, but in your everyday life. Cosmetic aesthetic treatments are one way some people choose to support that feeling, helping them simplify their beauty routine and feel more comfortable in their natural features.

Professional standards at Luxe Lips

At Luxe Lips, a cosmetic clinic in Melbourne, our care is grounded in medical ethics and quiet clinical responsibility. Every treatment pathway is approached as a medical process, with established health protocols and safety guiding each step.

Across our clinics in Moonee Ponds, Camberwell, and Brighton, our medical professionals carry out a thorough screening process for every person. This includes reviewing medical history, assessing anatomical suitability, and considering psychological readiness. In line with local guidelines, this evaluation helps determine whether a proposed plan aligns with your health.

Practitioners proceed only when a treatment is clinically appropriate. If a procedure does not align with your anatomy or health profile, we will explain why and discuss what that means for you. The focus is always on clear information and maintaining a clinical environment where safety and ethical standards come first.

Because responses and circumstances vary, a consultation is required to determine suitability before any treatment is considered.

Note: Individual responses vary. A consultation with a qualified professional is required to determine the suitability of any treatment for your specific needs.

Commons questions about how to contour your face