Hair contouring: methods adapted to the shape of your face and maintenance tips

Inspired by the makeup technique of the same name, hair contouring is a coloring technique that consists of using light and dark shades to create a subtle contrast around the face. Its goal is to sculpt the shape of the face and rebalance its proportions for a natural and elegant result. Harmony is the watchword of this technique that “makes up” each hair according to the shape of the face. To do this, it is essential to call on an experienced hair colorist who will know how to adapt the contouring to the shape of your face, because yes… the light areas differ and the result too!

On this subject, Christophe Robin, Parisian hairdresser, emphasizes: “Hair contouring is a coloring that boosts self-confidence, if it is done by a seasoned professional”. And the good news? Apart from the usual care that you apply to all of your hair, a little maintenance is enough to prolong your color and keep your hair healthy. Better yet, your hair will be able to grow without there being any demarcation between the natural and colored part.

Who can do hair contouring?

Curious to know if hair contouring could be right for you? Here are some elements to better understand this coloring approach according to Christophe Robin:

• This method is for all women who want to bring a breath of fresh air, pep and light to their hair without damaging it.
• It is ideal for those who want to avoid the vicious circle of balayage and have a healthy glow without makeup while highlighting the natural features of their faces.
• One of the great things about hair contouring is that it can be done in a variety of ways depending on the shape of your face. It’s infinitely customizable based on your desires and needs. According to hairstylist and colorist David Lucas: “  Hair contouring can make your face appear thinner or fuller, depending on where you apply the color. It can soften or define the angles of a round or full face.”

By opting for hair contouring, you will obtain luminous and dynamic hair. This approach offers a natural effect that frames your face and highlights your features without requiring makeup. It’s time for cheerful manes, ladies!

Hair contouring for every face type

Want a flattering mane? Hair contouring could be your new beauty ally! But before opting for this approach, you must start by identifying the shape of your face. This is the basis for knowing which areas to highlight and which to subtly fade. We thus seek to play with contrasts to enhance the features. Thanks to the precious advice of the hair expert Christophe Robin, hair contouring will no longer have any secrets and techniques for you

Women with an oval face are lucky enough to be able to opt for any type of contouring because everything suits them! Indeed, the goal is to bring a horizontal touch to balance the length of the face. Christophe Robin recommends leaving the roots and the underside of the hair darker in order to create shadows on the top of the head and around the jaw. In addition, lighter strands placed near the ears can reduce the elongated effect while bringing a fantasy of roundness.

The goal for a round face is to lengthen and refine it. Thus, the contouring approach consists of darkening the roots and creating a gradient that gradually lightens to the tips.

The square face can give hard and masculine features. For this, contouring proves to be an effective approach to soften the facial features. It is therefore vital to create contrast by lightening the tips in order to draw more attention to the lower part of the face and divert attention from its square shape.

Characterized by a massive forehead and a thin chin, the heart-shaped face requires a targeted play of light. To balance the proportions and bring volume to the chin, we lighten the lengths, ideally from the ears. A few light strands in the fringe also help to tone down the dominance of the forehead.

For a diamond-shaped face, you should highlight the tops of the ears and the ends of the hair. Deeper tones on the top and along the parting, with soft and delicate strands that start from the ears will give the illusion of a more elongated face.

Who should avoid it?

Are you dreaming of an illuminated look and a radiant complexion thanks to a play of shadows and light? The contouring approach is an asset for all manes…or almost! David Lucas highlights a few exceptions:

• Very short hair: David Lucas explains that very short cuts may not be ideal for contouring because the play of nuances may be less visible on sparse hair.
• If you are against regular maintenance: Although the contouring approach is considered easy to maintain and requires less hair care than balayage, which extends over the entire head of hair, this does not exclude the need for regular visits to the hairdresser to maintain its beautiful effect.

In short, hair contouring is an attractive option to brighten up all hair types, except for extremely short cuts and those looking for low-maintenance coloring.

Hair Contouring Maintenance

Although contouring is an easy and relatively harmless approach to hair, there are a few maintenance steps that are necessary to keep your hair healthy and maintain the shine of your color, according to David Lucas. Here they are:

• Wash your hair with lukewarm or cool water, limiting washing to 1 or 2 times a week at most.
• Use color-protecting care products to preserve color vibrancy over the long term.
• Limit the use of hair straighteners and hair dryers as extreme heat can damage hair and fade colors.
• Schedule regular appointments with your hairdresser to refresh highlights and shadows. The frequency of touch-ups will depend on the desired intensity and how quickly your hair grows.
• Apply nourishing masks to keep your hair shiny and healthy.
• Ask your hairdresser for advice on the best products and methods to use for your hair.

What should you ask your hairdresser if you want to contour?

There is no specific hair jargon to describe to your hairdresser the type of contouring you want to achieve. In fact, the secret of this technique lies precisely in its adaptation to each face shape, something that only a gifted and experienced hairdresser-makeup artist will be able to achieve and respect!

A good hairdresser, who knows your hair and the shape of your face perfectly, will be able to offer you a personalized contouring. Depending on the shape of your face, he will play with lighter or darker shades to harmonize the contours and highlight your assets. We understand that hair contouring is a subtle and tailor-made approach that mainly relies on the know-how of a hair expert. Trust his experience.

How much does hair contouring cost at a hair salon?

Since hair contouring is a custom-made approach, its price could vary depending on the complexity of the work, the length of the hair, as well as the hair salon. In general, the price varies between 70 euros and 150 euros for a sun-kissed contouring, especially if you use a hairdresser specialized in this hair trend.

Advice from Bruno D’Alberto, hairdresser and best worker in France

• Wait at least three days before washing your hair after coloring.
• Avoid exposing your hair to chlorine during pool season to prevent unwanted green tones.
• Ask your hairstylist for advice on what type of contouring will flatter your face shape as well as the best products and methods to use to care for your hair after coloring.