Do you love experimenting with your make-up? Contour sticks are that go-to tool, which will help sculpt, enhance and define your features. If you’re looking for drop-dead gorgeous and ABSOLUTELY powerful cheekbones, we’ve found all the best options.
Whether you’re looking to bring a warm tone to your face or just a blendable product to use daily, then contour sticks are a great place to start.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a newbie to contouring or just looking for some AMAZING recommendations, we’ve found the best contour sticks that will blend in with your lifestyle.
SHOP: The best contour sticks 2023
AmazonThis iconic contour stick has been a go-to for make-up lovers for at least five years, if not more. We love the fact that it's contour and highlight in one.
We love: That this comes as a two-in-one, ideal for carrying in your handbag and on-the-go.
Review: "Love using this product - so easy to apply to add contouring and highlight to your face. Blends so easily with a brush, good value and lasts a long time"
AmazonAre you new to contouring? This incredible cream contour set is perfect for all skin types and includes easy to follow, step-by-step instructions.
We love: That this is super easy to blend, with or without a sponge.
Review: "Being a contouring novice I thought I'd try these as they looked easier to use than some other products."Work well, gives tips on where to place depending on face shape on packaging. Easy to blend (with primer underneath)."
www.boots.com
This Skinstick will work magic on your cheekbones and more - you can use it to conceal, contour, or correct. RiRi loves using Honey as her concealer stick and Caramel as her contour stick - definitely good to know.
We love: These Skinsticks magnetise together so you can mix and match to create the PERFECT contour kit for your skin tone.
Review: "As a dark-skinned woman, I've found this stick to be great for contouring. The shades are amazing. Just buy it sis."
Shop the Bobbi Brown foundation stick in two or three shades darker, and you've got your dream contour stick. The innovative formula provides natural-looking coverage and contains olive extracts and shea butter to help replenish your skin.
We love: The Bobbi Brown Stick comes in an impressive 24 shades, so you're sure to find your true match.
Review: "Love this product! So easy to blend, beautiful colour and flawless finish! Would highly recommend as a foundation and in a darker shade as a contour stick "
www.lookfantastic.com
The Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Stick makes contouring a dream. Sweep over your cheekbones, jawline and nose for Greek goddess-level sculpting and choose from four shades including banana, fawn, mink and shadow.
We love: The dreamy silky texture that creates a velvety illusion.
Review: "Beautiful contour stick. Great shade of brown without being muddy or too grey. Blends out perfectly but not to nothing. Couldn't be happier. Will continue to buy!"
www.lookfantastic.com
For that dreamy creamy look, Morphe is the ONE. It'll transform your make-up game and will make your features pop.
We love: The variety of shades available and the incredible sleek design of the product itself.
Review: "This is such a perfect contour shade, I always find they're usually too orange and this is the only one I've found that isn't!"
Are you looking for a long-lasting contour that won't rub off the moment you step outside? Then this shaping stick will have your name written all over it as it lasts up to 24 hours.
We love: This contour stick will give you the definition that'll have you looking your fiercest all day long.
Review: "I use this product and shade as a contour stick as opposed to a foundation stick, and boy does it do the trick. It's got a really creamy formula that's hydrating so it makes it super easy to blend out. I pop a bit of bronzing powder over the top of it and it sets it for the day so it lasts. There's so many uses for this product it's well worth the money."
Oh, the shade! find. beauty by Amazon is amazing if you're looking for a GLOW up. We're talking shimmer, shine, and all things fine.
We love: The subtle shine in the contour will have you radiating without looking OTT glowy.
Review: "These are a great addition to my make-up box. They are soft and don't make my sensitive skin itch. Contouring is new to me but these are a great help! The colours are great."
Last, but not least… We have the incredible KIKO sculpting cream. We love that it has jojoba oil in it, which is great for a whole load of stuff like helping to keep acne at bay.
We love: This stick has been designed to be soft and enriching, so you don't need to worry about layering up triggering breakouts.
Review: "This is a beautiful contour stick, the size is round enough to place enough product on the cheekbones but the sharp edge is good for nose contour. Its a cool tone which is perfect for sculpting."
Everything you need to know about contouring according to an expert
We were able to get our hands on some expert tips (YAS) from Cosmetify's PR and influencer manager, Iman Bokolo.
Iman had this to say:
"One of the most important things to focus on when it comes to contouring sticks is to apply the product lightly, before then building up where necessary. Using too much product is going to create a lot of additional work, which is not the aim here.
"Your best friend throughout the process should be a damp beauty sponge, as this diffuses the product for a natural finish that blends away those harsh lines.
"You can even use a foundation stick in place of contour pens – just opt for one that is two shades darker than your natural skin tone, as well as one that is two shades lighter to add even more depth and shape. These tend to blend out easily and will look effortlessly natural."
What contour is best for dry skin?
If you find your skin can be a little on the dry side, contour sticks are one of the best ways to achieve that chiseled look without irritating your skin or adding to the dryness.
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As well as being SUPER simple to apply, contour sticks have a soft and creamy texture that'll melt flawlessly into the skin and won't settle in dry patches. For that extra enrichment, the KIKO Milano Radiant Touch Creamy Stick is a great pick.
If you have more oily skin or are looking for a more dramatic lewk, it would be best to opt for a powder contour that'll provide a more matte finish.
How to use a contour stick
If you're new to contouring or just want to grab some tips to make sure your contour is on point, you can follow these fab tutorials from Superdrug for lighter and darker skin tones. They provide a great guide as to where to sweep the cream contour from your contour stick and how to make it work with the rest of your make-up to avoid caking - an absolute mare and easy to do if you're winging it.
Once you've placed your contour, blend away those harsh lines with a damp beauty sponge.
Contouring for darker skin tones
Contouring for pale skin tones
Read more on Closer Online:
7 of the best cream contours to cheat amazing bone structure
The best contour kits under £15 for your most defined look yet
Mrs Hinch shares favourite contour palette and it's currently just £4.50