When I first began experimenting with contour years ago, I remember feeling like I needed a geometry degree to figure out where the product was supposed to go. Between Kim Kardashian’s contour method surfacing on every platform in 2014 and the theatrical, harsh shading of the past, my makeup ended up skewing muddy. But I realized once you strip away the intimidating diagrams and overly sculpted Instagram tutorials, contour is actually pretty simple: it’s just about adding a little shadow to create dimension—and using the correct formulas.
But let it be known: contour isn’t the same as bronzer. I see the two used interchangeably all the time, but they’re not the same thing. Bronzer is meant to add warmth, like you’ve spent an afternoon in the sun. Contour, on the other hand, is about structure. The shades are usually cooler or slightly gray-toned so they mimic the natural shadows of your face—under the cheekbones, along the jawline, around the temples.
There are a ton of elite products, but I have found that my preferred formula begins with a cream or liquid, and a subtle dusting of powder to lock everything in. Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of contour products. Some melt into the skin and create the softest, most believable sculpt. Others offer more precision or staying power depending on the formula. Below are the ones I can’t get enough of.
Cream of the Contour
If you like your contour to melt into skin instead of sitting on top of it, cream formulas are the move. They’re easy to blend and tend to create that believable “shadow” effect that contour is supposed to mimic in the first place. They’re also super convenient to use, since many formulations come in stick form.
Westman Atelier
Face Trace Contour Stick
If you have yet to experience the luxury that is Westman Atelier, the Face Trace Contour Stick is a great place to start. It can be layered over and under any existing makeup products and blends so beautifully it’s basically foolproof.
Smashbox
Precision Cream Contour Stick
This new-to-market contour comes in a super-precise stick formulation that makes sculpting smaller areas like the nose and lips an easy bet.
Fluid Formulas
Liquid contour formulas are great when you want something lightweight that blends almost instantly into the skin. They tend to be a little more fluid than creams, which makes them easy to sheer out for softer definition—but they can also be built up if you’re going for a more sculpted look.
Charlotte Tilbury
Hollywood Contour Wand
The Hollywood Contour Wand from Charlotte Tilbury was one of the first products to change the contour-as-liquid game. It has a sponge applicator that I like to apply directly to the face—the formula melts instantly.
Rare Beauty
Soft Pinch Liquid Contour
This super-pigmented liquid requires just a dot or two to instantly sculpt and define the face’s contours. I especially love it because it really hones in on the cool undertones, resulting in a shadow-like effect.
Sculpting Powders
Powder contour gets a bad rap for looking chalky, but the good ones are surprisingly seamless. Though there are fewer options on the market as the cream and liquid formulas that are experiencing a surge, I have a few that I rely on to lock my “wet” contour in place, or use a light dusting where I really want to carve out an area.
Pat McGrath Labs
Skin Fetish: Divine Bronzer
This may be labeled a bronzer, but I find it’s one of my favorite powders for sculpting. It does have a little warmth to it, but on my fair-to-medium skin tone, it reads cooler. It is also a true matte finish, which lends to its defining powers.
Kevyn Aucoin
The Sculpting Powder
For a true cool powder, Kevyn Aucoin’s pan deserves its flowers. It’s a finely milled pressed powder that layers seamlessly and doesn’t patch on the skin.
Grown-Up Skin
As skin changes, the goal shifts a bit, and so does our skin. In fact, contouring mature skin can be an awesome addition to a makeup routine, as with age comes loss of firmness. The best contour formulas for mature skin tend to be lightweight, blendable, and never overly matte or dry. They also create the illusion of a lifted appearance. The key is to find one that adds a gentle dimension and lifts and shapes without settling into fine lines.
Sarah Creal
Just Like Paradise Sculpting Cream Bronzer
Sarah Creal is a beloved Marie Claire editor favorite, and Just Like Paradise is a standout. Yes, it’s a bronzer, but it also features a nice balance of undertones that both warm and define the skin. It’s also absent of any shimmer, making it look natural.
Trinny London is another one of those mature-skin-favorite brands that excels in formulas that don’t emphasize texture or settle into fine lines. The aptly named Cheekbones is a cream-based formula that can be applied with the fingertips, and the warmth instantly melts it into the skin.
Palette Pros
If you like options—or just want everything in one place—a contour palette makes the most sense. Most include a mix of shades you can use to sculpt, bronze, or subtly highlight, depending on the look you’re going for. I also like palettes because you can customize the depth of your contour by mixing shades.
M.p.h.
Underpainting Palette
e.l.f. Cosmetics
Cream Contour Palette
A budget-friendly option that certainly doesn’t perform like it is, look to this OG palette from e.l.f. The formulation is so creamy, you’ll be shocked it only costs you $10.
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