The most popular face contouring? It's the soft one. Here's how to do it!

Il contouring viso più in voga? È quello leggero. Ecco come si fa!

The face contouring never disappeared: it evolved. While the ultra-sculpted technique, with sharp cheekbones and distinct shadows, dominated in the 2010s, today makeup has taken a different direction, more subtle and closer to everyday reality.

In 2026, how to contour is still one of the most searched questions in the beauty world, but the answer has changed: less product, more extensive blending, a more natural result. Soft contouring has taken over, and for good reason.

In this article, you will discover why the soft version works better, how to apply it step-by-step, and how to adapt it to your face shape.

FOR SOFT CONTOURING

The FULLFACE SLIM STICK - Matita multiuso in stick viso-occhi-labbra by Diego dalla Palma is a brown twist-up, rounded-tip stick displayed vertically on white. Its long-lasting formula offers versatile, all-day use for face, eyes, and lips.A model with sleek dark hair and bold brows applies FULLFACE SLIM STICK - Matita multiuso in stick viso-occhi-labbra to her lips. Her eye makeup is a soft mauve. Text: She wears shade 86 on eyes, 81 on lips.

Fullface Slim Stick - Multi-use lip, cheek & eye stick novità

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The ALL IN ONE - BRONZER CONTOUR stick by diego dalla palma, shown with its cap off in beige and black, is perfect for precise contouring and make up viso.A swipe of ALL IN ONE - BRONZER CONTOUR in a matte, light mauve-brown shade appears on a white background with bristle texture and smooth edges—ideal for subtle makeup viso contouring.

ALL IN ONE - BRONZER & CONTOUR bestseller

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The ALL IN ONE - BLUSH is a multi-use blush stick in a twist-up tube, labeled BLUSH with the Diego dalla Palma brand partially visible, ideal for face makeup and shown against a white background.A single swipe of ALL IN ONE - BLUSH, a shimmery peach blush stick, creates a textured brushstroke on a white background.

ALL IN ONE - BLUSH bestseller

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The ALL IN ONE - HIGHLIGHTER is a beige stick highlighter with a black cap and light pink tube. "HIGHLIGHTER" is printed on the tube above partially visible brand text. Its creamy texture allows for effortless application.A single brushstroke of ALL IN ONE - HIGHLIGHTER, featuring a shimmery pale pink cremosa texture, on a white background.

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Soft contouring: why the soft version is preferred in 2026

Ultra-defined contouring has now given way to a more natural approach. Soft contouring sculpts the face without revealing where the product has been applied, using light textures and soft blends. Doing light contouring means blending more carefully and avoiding sharp edges. The result is not a less defined face, but a face that looks naturally so: with its own features enhanced, not redrawn.

The technique remains a play of shadow and light, where dark and light tones work together: the former create depth, while the latter enhance features.

To complete the look, highlighter is a must: the finishing touch that creates highlights, giving freshness and a natural, light finish.

If you like the idea of a nude makeup, read our article on simple natural makeup

The ideal products for face contouring

Contour product (powder or cream)

The choice of product influences both the result and ease of application, so it's worth understanding which one is best for you. Face contouring products are mainly divided into two categories: powder and cream.

Powder contouring is easier to manage, especially if you're a beginner: it blends easily, mistakes are corrected without too much effort, and it's applied precisely with an angled brush. Cream or stick formulas, on the other hand, are more pigmented and blend better with the skin, making them particularly suitable for dry or mature skin. But be careful: they need to be blended immediately, before they dry, preferably with a contouring brush. In short, knowing how to contour with cream products requires a bit more practice, but the result is often more natural and seamless.

FULLFACE SLIM STICK

The FULLFACE SLIM STICK - Matita multiuso in stick viso-occhi-labbra by Diego dalla Palma is a brown twist-up, rounded-tip stick displayed vertically on white. Its long-lasting formula offers versatile, all-day use for face, eyes, and lips.A model with sleek dark hair and bold brows applies FULLFACE SLIM STICK - Matita multiuso in stick viso-occhi-labbra to her lips. Her eye makeup is a soft mauve. Text: She wears shade 86 on eyes, 81 on lips.

Fullface Slim Stick - Multi-use lip, cheek & eye stick novità

€25,50
  • +6

FULLFACE SLIM STICK

Highlighter

Let's say it straight away to remove any doubt: contouring without highlighter is halfway there. They are two sides of the same technique: shadow creates depth, light brings out the features you want to enhance. In soft contouring, highlighter is often the real star: it provides radiance without weighing down the result. It can be in powder, for a satin or glowy finish, or in cream or stick for a more natural and melting effect, perfect even on its own for a luminous and fresh look.

The right brushes

In contouring, one of the details that truly makes a difference is the brush.

To define cheekbones and jawline, an angled brush is used, which allows for precise and controlled application.

For a more diffused and soft face contouring, however, a large domed brush is better, as it distributes the product over a wider surface and blends more naturally.

If you want to delve deeper into choosing the right brushes for each technique, you can find everything in the article on "which makeup brushes are essential and how to use them".

You can find them all in Diego dalla Palma's collection of professional makeup brushes.

Full Face Slim Stick and All in One: all your makeup in one stick

If you want to simplify your routine without compromising on results, we have two products designed specifically for this:

  • The Full Face Slim Stick is a multi-purpose stick with a creamy, highly adhesive texture. It's long-lasting, water-resistant for up to 12 hours, and available in 10 versatile shades designed for the face, eyes, and lips.
    Its slim format with a thin tip makes it ideal for precise sculpting: darker shades are perfect for contouring and eye shadow, lighter ones for face and eye highlighter, and pinker shades can be used as blush or on the lips.

  • The All in One, on the other hand, has a compact format and a highly blendable texture, perfect for those who prefer a warm, natural effect. As the name suggests, this product actually offers three distinct functions: bronzer, highlighter, or blush, to be used as you prefer all over the face.

How to contour? In just a few simple steps!

Before we share the perfect face contouring tutorial, a disclaimer: contouring is applied over foundation, but before powder. If you're using cream products, leave your skin powder-free to help them blend with your complexion.

Step 1 - Prepare the base

Apply foundation and concealer as usual. If you are using creamy textures, do not set them with powder yet.

Step 2 - Identify the areas to be shaded

Shade where the sun doesn't naturally hit: the sides of the forehead, the sides of the nose, the area under the cheekbones and the jawline

Step 3 - Apply and blend

Always start with a small amount of product.
With creams, apply small dots and blend immediately.
With powders, work under the cheekbone with light, upward strokes.

In both cases, no harsh lines: blending is the difference between a natural and an artificial result.

Step 4 - Blush

Blush time: apply it to your cheekbones and blend towards your temples to restore warmth and vitality to your face.

Step 5 - Highlighter and finishing

After blush, it's time for highlighter on the high points of the face: cheekbones, nose, and brow bone, to enhance the features and complete the look. Blend outwards, without overlapping it with the shadow. For longer-lasting wear, set everything with a translucent powder.

With the Full Face Slim Stick or the All in One Bronzer Contour you can contour and complete your look with a single product: the creamy texture blends easily, making every step faster and more intuitive.

Contouring for every face shape

Oval face

The oval face is the most balanced shape, so it does not need major corrections.
Simply slightly define the cheekbones and jawline to enhance natural volumes, without overdoing it with shadows.

Round face

The goal for contouring a round face is to visually lengthen the shape.
You shade the sides, from the temple to the jawbone, and bring highlighter to the center of the face on a vertical axis.
The steps for round face contouring are the same as the basic technique, but with greater attention to the side areas.

Long and thin face

For contouring a long face, the goal is the opposite: to shorten.
You shade the high forehead and chin, lighten the temples, and avoid any marked vertical axis that would further prolong the shape. Contouring for a long and thin face aims to create width and balance proportions.

Triangular and heart-shaped face

For a triangular face, with a wide jaw, you shade the jawline and lighten the temples. For a heart-shaped face, with a wide forehead and narrow chin, you work the opposite way: shadow on the temples and highlighter in the center to balance the upper part.

FAQ

What is the difference between bronzer and contouring?

Bronzer warms up the complexion and simulates a tan: it has warm, golden, or orangey shades and is applied where the sun naturally hits (forehead, nose, cheekbones, chin). Contour products, on the other hand, have cool or neutral shades and are used to create shadows to sculpt features. The two products are often used together, but with different goals.

Is contouring applied before or after foundation?

Apply after foundation and concealer, but before setting powder. If you use a cream or stick product, it's important not to set your base before applying it, so the texture blends better with your skin.

Is it possible to contour without brushes?

Yes, especially with cream or stick products. Your fingers or a damp sponge blend the texture well and give a very natural result. Brushes help you to be more precise*, but they are not essential for everyday soft contouring.