Rufus R. Noble It doesn’t matter if you’re new to makeup or an Sephora VIB Rouge member. Getting cheekbones that look like marble can be daunting. It is possible to create an optical illusion of depth around your cheekbones and jawline using a makeup technique called contouring. However, it takes practice. A contour palette with a variety of shades and colors can help you customize your look.
I get it, you’ve got two products that look like virtually the same thing, but I promise they’re not and they each serve a different purpose. First of all, a contour product is always, always matte. With contouring, you’re creating depth to make the angles of your face pop more, so you need a product that can create the illusion of a shadow (and shadows aren’t shimmer). When using bronzer, think sunlight, not shadows. The goal with bronzing is to create the illusion of a warmer complexion by blending the product (which, by the way, usually has a sheen or shimmer to it) where the sun would naturally hit your face: temples, nose, around the edges of your face, etc.
Just like the concept of contouring has changed, so has the order of the application.
Kat Von D Shade + Lightface Contour Refillable Palette, $49.
To add depth to your face, this palette refills with six matte colors–three dark and three light–to create dimension. One customer wrote, “OMFG! I am so obsessed!” It took me a while to get on board and buy this product, but it was worth it. It blends seamlessly and goes on smoothly. All Kat Von D products are cruelty-free.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit $40
Customers love this versatile palette of six colors, no matter if they want a dramatic contour or a more natural look. One reviewer said, “This palette really is so great.” It’s easy to blend and match the colors with different skin tones if you know how to mix them. These colors are durable and won’t crease even after a hard day of sweat.
Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Kit, $35
This travel-friendly kit contains one contour, bronzer and one highlight color. It also includes an angled brush for applying the colors. One customer wrote that the palette was “perfect for learning contouring,” while another said that the colors were “easy to build and look natural.”
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Trio $54
This cream-to-powder stick trio is a hit with customers from Rihanna’s beauty line. Fenty Beauty has four sets of contour kits in different colors. This is a great way to find the perfect one for your skin tone, unlike other brands. One customer wrote, “This trio is incredible.” They blend well and leave me with a natural, beautiful finish without any hassle.
Too Faced Cocoa Contour, chiseled to perfection, $42
Serious about your chocolate? This kit comes with four shades. Customers love the palette’s cocoa-scented powders. They offer many contouring options, day and night. The palette also comes with a small kabuki brush that can be used to touch upon the move.
