Tired of balayage that flatters your hair but sensitizes it at the same time? Hair contouring is for you! This celebrity hair trend is ideal for enhancing facial contours with strategically placed highlights and coloring techniques. So, are you ready to give your face a new look? Find out how hair contouring works and how it can be adapted to every face type. Decryption.

What is hair contouring?

Inspired by the makeup technique of the same name, hair contouring is a coloring technique which consists of using light and dark shades to create a subtle contrast around the face. Its objective 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 which “makes up” each hair according to the shape of the face. For 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 areas of light differ and so do the results! On this subject, Christophe Robin, Parisian hairdresser, emphasizes: “Hair contouring is a coloring that boosts self-confidence, provided it is carried out by an experienced professional.” And the good news? Apart from the usual care that you apply to your entire 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 might be right for you? Here are some elements to better understand this coloring technique according to Christophe Robin:

• This method is aimed at all women wishing 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 cycle of balayage and look good without makeup while highlighting the natural features of their faces.
• One of the great advantages of hair contouring is that it can be available in several variations depending on the shape of the face. It is infinitely customizable according to desires and needs. According to hairstylist and colorist David Lucas: “Hair contouring can make the face appear thinner or wider, depending on the placement of 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 technique offers a natural effect that frames your face and highlights your features without requiring makeup. Cheerful manes are yours, ladies!

Hair contouring for every face type

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

The oval face:

Women with an oval face are lucky to be able to opt for any type of contouring because everything suits them! Indeed, the objective is to add a horizontal touch to balance the length of the face. Christophe Robin recommends leaving the roots and underside of the hair darker in order to create shadows on the top of the head and around the jawline. Furthermore, lighter highlights placed near the ears can reduce the elongated effect while providing an illusion of roundness.

The round face:

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

Square face :

A square face can result in harsh, masculine features. For this, contouring proves to be an effective technique for softening facial features. It is therefore important to create contrast by lightening the ends in order to draw more attention to the lower part of the face and draw attention away from its square shape.

Heart face:

Characterized by a broad forehead and a thin chin, the heart-shaped face requires a targeted play of light. To balance the proportions and add volume to the chin, lighten the lengths, ideally from the ears. A few light highlights in the bangs also help to reduce the dominance of the forehead.

Diamond face:

For a diamond-shaped face, you need to highlight the tops of the ears and the ends of the hair. Deeper tones on top and along the part, with soft, delicate highlights starting from the ears will give the illusion of a more elongated face.

Who should avoid it?

Do you dream of illuminated eyes and a radiant complexion thanks to a play of light and shadow? The contouring technique 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 shades may be less visible on sparse hair.
• If you are against regular maintenance: Although the contouring technique is considered easy to maintain and requires less hair care than balayage, which extends over the entire hair, this does not exclude the need for regular visits to the hairdresser to maintain its beautiful effect.

In summary, hair contouring is an attractive option for brightening all hair types, except for ultra-short cuts and those looking for low-maintenance coloring.

Maintenance of hair contouring

Although contouring is a simple technique that is not very damaging to the hair, a few maintenance steps are required to keep the hair healthy and maintain the shine of the coloring notes David Lucas. Here they are :

• Wash your hair with lukewarm or cold water, limiting washing to 1 or 2 times a week at most.
• Use color-protecting skincare products to preserve color vibrancy for the long term.
• Limit the use of straighteners and hair dryers as excessive heat can damage hair and dull colors.
• Schedule regular appointments with your hairdresser to freshen up 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 techniques to use for your hair.

What should you ask your hairdresser if you want to do contouring?

There is no specific hair jargon to describe to your hairdresser the type of contouring you want to achieve. Indeed, the secret of this technique lies precisely in its adaptation to each face shape, something that only a gifted and experienced hairdresser 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 personalized contouring. Depending on the shape of your face, it 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 technique which is mainly based on the know-how of a hair expert. Trust his expertise.

How much does hair contouring cost in a hair salon?

Since hair contouring is a tailor-made technique, 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 sun-effect contouring, especially if you use a hairdresser specializing in this hair trend.