How to Use The Face Pencil for Concealing, Contouring, and Highlighting: A Complete Guide

A multi-use makeup pencil can be a game-changer in your daily routine, especially when it’s designed to do more than just one job. Jones Road Beauty’s The Face Pencil is a versatile clean beauty staple that works for concealing dark circles, contouring cheekbones, and highlighting the high points of your face. Whether you’re a makeup minimalist or someone who loves a full beat, this pencil can streamline your routine without sacrificing a natural finish.

In this guide, we’ll walk through three main ways to use The Face Pencil: as a concealer, a contour stick, and a highlighter. You’ll also learn how to pick the right shade, prep your skin, and blend for a seamless look. Plus, I’ll share a few honest tradeoffs so you can decide if this multi-use pencil is right for your makeup bag.

Why The Face Pencil Works for Concealing, Contouring, and Highlighting

The Face Pencil is a cream-based formula that’s buildable and blendable, making it ideal for multiple applications. Its precise tip lets you target small areas like under-eye circles or blemishes, while the creamy texture can be diffused over larger zones like cheekbones or the jawline. Because it’s part of Jones Road’s clean beauty makeup line, the formula is free from common irritants and feels lightweight on the skin.

One of the biggest advantages of using a single pencil for all three steps is the streamlined application. You don’t need separate products for concealing, contouring, and highlighting—just one tool and a good brush or sponge. That said, the pencil’s creamy consistency may not be ideal for very oily skin types, as it can crease without a setting powder. If you have oily skin, you might want to pair it with a translucent powder or use a lighter hand.

• Tip: Always start with a moisturized, primed base so the pencil glides on smoothly and blends easily.

How to Use The Face Pencil as a Concealer

To use The Face Pencil for concealing, choose a shade that matches your skin tone or is one shade lighter for under-eye brightening. Start by applying a few small dots directly onto dark circles, blemishes, or redness. Use a clean fingertip or a dense brush like The Detail Brush to gently tap the product into the skin—avoid rubbing, which can disturb the coverage.

The pencil’s creamy texture allows you to build coverage gradually. For under-eye circles, you can layer a second thin coat if needed. One tradeoff: because the formula is emollient, it may settle into fine lines if you apply too much. To avoid this, set the area with a light dusting of powder. For blemishes, the pencil provides enough coverage to neutralize redness without looking cakey.

• For best results, warm the pencil tip on the back of your hand before applying to ensure a smooth, even glide.

How to Use The Face Pencil for Contouring

For contouring, select a shade that is two to three shades darker than your natural skin tone. The Face Pencil’s precise tip makes it easy to draw lines along the hollows of your cheeks, the sides of your nose, your jawline, and your forehead. Start with a light hand—you can always add more product later. Then, use a brush like The Bronzer Brush or a damp sponge to blend the lines outward into a soft shadow.

The cream formula blends into a natural-looking shadow that mimics real bone structure without harsh lines. A key advantage is that you can control the intensity: for a subtle daytime contour, blend thoroughly; for a more defined evening look, leave the lines slightly less blended. Just be aware that cream contours can move if you apply too much foundation on top, so it’s best to contour after your base is set.

• Tip: Use a stippling motion with your brush to diffuse the product without wiping it away.

How to Use The Face Pencil for Highlighting

To highlight, pick a shade that is one to two shades lighter than your skin tone. Apply the pencil to the high points of your face: the tops of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, your cupid’s bow, and the inner corners of your eyes. The creamy texture gives a natural, dewy sheen rather than a glittery sparkle, which aligns with clean beauty makeup aesthetics.

Blend with a clean fingertip or a small brush like The Precision Eyeliner Brush for precision. The highlight effect is subtle and luminous, perfect for everyday wear. One tradeoff: if you have very oily skin, the highlight may look greasy rather than glowy. In that case, you can set it with a matte powder or use a lighter hand. For dry or mature skin, this creamy highlight is especially flattering because it doesn’t settle into texture.

• For an extra pop, apply a tiny dot to the center of your eyelids as a cream eyeshadow.

Choosing the Right Shade and Pairing with Other Products

The Face Pencil comes in several shades, so you can buy one for concealing, contouring, and highlighting—or get two or three for more versatility. A good strategy: pick a concealer shade that matches your skin, a contour shade two to three shades darker, and a highlight shade one to two shades lighter. If you only want one pencil, go for a shade that matches your skin tone and use it solely as a concealer or spot corrector.

To complete your look, pair The Face Pencil with other Jones Road staples. For example, after concealing and contouring, apply Just Enough Tinted Moisturizer for a sheer, even base. Or use Miracle Cream under your eyes before concealing for extra hydration. The pencil also works well with powder products—just make sure to blend cream before powder to avoid patchiness.

• Pro tip: Keep a small makeup sponge in your bag for touch-ups throughout the day.

The Face Pencil by Jones Road Beauty is a true multi-tasker that can simplify your makeup routine while delivering natural-looking results. Whether you use it for concealing, contouring, highlighting, or all three, the key is to blend well and choose the right shade for each purpose. With a little practice, you’ll find that one pencil can replace several products in your clean beauty collection—saving you time, space, and money. Experiment with the techniques above and see how this versatile tool fits into your daily look.