If you really want your make-up to look flawless, you're going to need to know how to contour which is why we've had a look at the best contour kits that won't break the bank.
We love keeping up with the latest make-up and beauty trends that include how to clean your make-up brushes at home, the best full coverage foundations for ALL skin tones and even all the 'need to know' on lip fillers.
However, one that's been around for quite some time is contouring. You know, the thing that was once strictly reserved for the Kim Kardashians and TOWIE girls of this world?
Our obsession with reality TV has seen the make-up trend filter down to the masses so that now, no make-up lover worth their salt would go without one.
How do I contour, you ask? We have to admit, a proper contour job can be fiddly. Jawlines you could cut paper with are often the work of properly trained make-up artists and hours of painstaking practice, but that doesn't mean all of us at home can't benefit from a little light and shade to accentuate our best bits and hide our flaws.
The best news is, you don't even need to break the bank for a make-up look that's more than a little A-list – just ask Tulisa.
Here are some of our favourite all-in-one contour compacts to pick up for under £15 and keep in your handbag for any time you fancy living your best life.
Whether you're using a make-up brush or a contour stick here's our favourite pressed and cream contour palettes...
CHECK OUT: the best products to use for contouring under £15
Best contour kits under £15
1 of 9Sleek MakeUp Cream Contour Kit
This nifty little palette from one of our favourite pocket-friendly brands, Sleek, has six (count em) shades for you to build and play with depending on your mood, meaning you can go the full hog and contour your face full on Kimmy K style.
Pros: For the price point its pigmentation is out of this world.
Cons: It's a little bit heavy and not as apt for oily skin types.
One reviewer wrote: "I imagine this would be great for people with dry skin as it is very rich and moisturising. I also do think its fine for highlighting and contouring certain areas of my face which aren't oily such as cheekbones and eyebrow arches etc - so if you have oily skin it could be ok for this."
2 of 9L'Oréal Infallible Sculpt Contour Palette
You can use this pocket-sized wonder product with your fingers or a couple of stiff-angled brushes. Its innovative cream-to-powder formula makes blending a breeze and as usual, L'Oreal prides itself on its true-to-skin shades and matte finish.
Pros: Mirror included. Best for a subtle, dewy-style contour.
Cons: Not as long-lasting as you might hope, but at less than a fiver you can't really complain. One reviewer wrote: "From all the fancy contouring products, I think this affordable and simple kit is just perfect, easy to use and is great especially for everyday use."
3 of 9Maybelline Master Sculpt Contouring 01 Light/Medium
This 2 in 1 contouring powder is the best value for money we've found. Not only does it have the highlighter and bronzer, the compact comes with a brush too, meaning no extra pennies need to be spent on tools.
Pros: Includes a brush and has a subtle effect best for those new to contouring.
Cons: Doesn't have excellent durability - do not drop it.
One reviewer wrote: "A great starter kit for people new to contouring or who still want to remain looking natural and not overdone."
4 of 9Barry M Chisel Cheeks Contour Kit
This perfectly travel-sized palette includes a light powder to highlight, a bronzer to warm, and a dark powder to sculpt; it's the full ticket! Plus it's also great for contour novices as it has a step-by-step diagram for how to achieve optimum results.
Pros: The highlighter is matt, so a good one for oily skin types.
Cons: Some fall-out - be prepared to do a tiny clean-up with a bit of foundation.
One reviewer wrote: "I have been using this for a year now and it's still going, the kit is very pigmented. I am medium-dark skin tone and the two darker shades are so pretty!"
5 of 9NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick
You can create killer contour angles, using it just as you would a pen, to shape your face. No need for a brush either as the creamy texture allows you to blend using your fingers with ease.
Pros: It really is super creamy so it won't drag away all your foundation while you apply. Plus, you can BLEND.
Cons: Not as much product at a higher price point.
One reviewer wrote: "As a guy I enjoy using this I find it to be a fairly undetectable compared to warm orange contour colours. The cream allows an effortless blend and the colour can be built for more definition. "The pale highlight is a bonus as it contains NO shimmer though I find it's more noticeable in fine lines on the face."
6 of 9Sleek MakeUp Face Contour Kit
Perfect for darker skin tones, this pretty blush tone is great for a romantic, subtle look. And of course, like all essential make-up compact, comes with a handy mirror.
Pros: Packaging is Morphe-like and really is 'compact'. A great one for on-the-go.
Cons: The highlight is a bit "chalky."
One reviewer wrote: "I'm not mad keen on too much makeup so it works perfectly for nights out and not too heavy for day to day."
7 of 9Soap & Glory 3-In-1 Contour Blush & Highlight Kit
The Mighty Contourer makes some bold claims, but by packing three different shades into this palm-sized palette this really is a kit for every occasion. Try blending all three for a vibrant, healthy glow.
Pros: It really is small enough to fit in your pocket AND it has a mirror.
Cons: No brush, or it really would be the total package.
One reviewer wrote: "This kit is absolutely amazing - the darker colour is dark enough without looking weird and the lighter colour gives me a really healthy matte look to finish!"
8 of 9NIP+FAB Make Up Contour Palette - Light
The NIP+FAB contour palette comes in both light and dark versions and promises a "creamy" texture despite having a powder finish - so you can have that liquid contour feel without the downside of a stiff-bristled brush dragging away the rest of your make-up in the process.
Pros: You get six shades, both ashy and warm, so you can contour in Winter and contour-bronze in Summer.
Cons: No shimmer highlight - it's not a given anyway, but with six shades you might expect something iridescent to make your sculpting really POP.
One reviewer wrote: "I love this palette! Great product for a reasonable price that can be compared with any luxe contour palette."
9 of 9Rimmel London Sculpting Highlighter Palette, Coral Glow
This is the palette for the gal/guy who loves glowy skin. Its warm contour will accentuate your cheekbones and jawline, and add a sun-kissed bronze, too - even in those chilly winter months.
Pros: Blush and shimmer highlight are a welcome addition.
Cons: No mirror for easy on-the-go use and a somewhat limited shade range.
One reviewer wrote: "I really like this! It's extremely subtle, but you can definitely build it if you want to. If you're into highlighters that pop this isn't for you. But I imagine using a setting spray on your brush beforehand would brighten it up."
£5.30
- Rrp: £7.99
Do you contour before or after foundation?
AFTER.
To make the most of your contour, you should apply your foundation and concealer first and then, depending on whether you're applying a cream or powder contour, you may or may not apply a fine powder first, too.
Understandably, you're going to want to apply your cream contour under your translucent powder so you're not just dragging the powder about your face with your contour brush. But, if you're applying a pressed contour, then you can do your foundation, concealer and powder before you start contouring.
What kind of brush should you use for contouring?
If you want a soft and more subtle sort of contour, then you'll probably want to opt for, well, a softer brush! Think, slanted bristles, but not entirely blunt and flat on the end, perhaps more rounded like the Spectrum Precision Contouring Brush.
BUT, if you're after a really striking and chisleled contour, you're going to want to look for a brush with a slant and much tighter and more blunt bristles. The Real Techniques Sculpting Brush is a great choice.
Now that you've shopped the best contour kits, and you're au fait with you to actually, ya know, contour, how about taking inspo from some of the celebs that have absolutely nailed the trend:
First up...
Oh and, FYI, you can literally buy Mrs. Hinch's BARGAIN contour palette. Check it out now.
What contour kit does Kim Kardashian use?
The queen of contour actually uses her very own KKW Beauty contour sticks and we don't blame her, tbh.
When it comes to contouring, less is certainly more – and just when you think you've blended enough, KEEP BLENDING.
Now you've got the right gear, it's worth doing your research when it comes to contouring, so definitely invest a few hours on YouTube before you get to face painting.
Kylie Jenner SWEARS she's achieved her plumper-than-plump pout through lip contouring alone, and you can learn how to achieve a similar look with this handy video.
A great contour job can be one of the most transformative things you can do with the humble make-up palette, and it's not just reserved for your face, either.
Happy contouring, queens.