_1684159898.png?20240509947)
_1712735965.jpg?20240509947)
The 9 Best Contour Sticks for Face Sculpting
At Sephora, we’re all about embracing your natural face shape and highlighting your favourite features. And there’s no better way to explore this art than by using our best contour sticks. Whether an avid MUA or a fresh-faced makeup beginner, our contour makeup delivers creamy, blendable formulas that will help you to sculpt in seconds. New to the game? If you’re wondering how to contour your face or use a contour stick, we’ve got you covered; our best contour sticks and top tips are here - and they’re made just for you.
Best contour sticks at a glance - our top picks:
Best contour stick for oily skin: Fenty Beauty Match Stix Contour Skinstick, £25
Best dual-ended contour stick: UOMA Beauty Double Take Sculpt and Stroke Stick, £34.50
Best contour stick for light skin and dark skin: Makeup by Mario Soft Sculpt Shaping Stick, £32
Best liquid contour stick: Charlotte Tilbury Contour Wand, £30
Best affordable contour stick: KIKO MILANO Sculpting Touch Creamy Stick Contour, £11.49
Q: What is a contour stick?
A: A contour stick is one of the fave parts of our makeup bag. We just love how it can completely transform your look by defining and enhancing the natural structure of your face. So, what is contouring? Contouring involves using different shades of makeup - lighter shades to highlight certain areas of the face, while contouring with darker shades where you want to create shadows. Where there's darkness, there must also be light, right? The goal? To create the illusion of more defined facial features including distinct cheekbones, a slimmer nose and a sculpted jawline.
Typically coming in the form of a stick or pencil, a contour stick is convenient, portable and super easy to apply - making it ideal for makeup beginners and enthusiasts alike. You can also use powder, cream or liquid contour. And it's not limited to the face; contouring is an art that sculpts the face and body, such as the collarbones or décolletage. Whether for everyday makeup or special occasions, contour has the ability to transform your makeup look without the need for multiple products. You had us at contour.
Q: How do you contour a face?
A: When learning how to use contouring, it largely depends on your face shape, skin type and tone, and placement of contour. Start with a clean, moisturised face and apply your base makeup. Then apply a darker shade of contour in the areas where you naturally have shadows: by adding depth to the hollows of your cheeks, under your cheekbones, along the jawline, and on the sides of the nose. From here, blend your contour upwards, towards your forehead and into the hairline for warmth and definition. Or for a more subtle look, start in the centre and follow the natural shape of your temples and jawline.
Using a lighter shade, highlight where the light would naturally hit. We like to focus on the top of the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, forehead, brow bones and the cupid's bow. Grab a makeup sponge, brush, or use your fingertips to blend, blend, blend. Smoothing out any harsh lines is key for a natural-looking finish. Set with a translucent setting powder to give your look the ultimate staying powder.
The best trick? Using products that aren’t too dark or too light for your skin tone - helping to give you a healthy, contoured glow. If you have oily skin, avoid shades that are too warm or orange-toned – these can make your skin appear even oilier. Instead, opt for powder-based contour sticks with cooler-toned shades to help absorb excess oil and give you a more natural-looking contour.
For dry skin, darker shades can make your skin appear even drier. Choose cream-based, moisturising ingredients like Shea Butter or Coconut Oil in a contour shade that’s only one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Enhance your features even more with additions of highlighter and blush for a beautiful glow. Finish off with your fave setting spray to lock all your hard work in place.
Q: Contour vs bronzer - what's the difference?
A: Now you know how to use a contour stick and how to apply contour makeup with confidence, you need to know the differences between a contour and bronzer. While both are used to enhance the face, they offer difference purposes, shades and application areas. Meant to sculpt and shape facial features, contour is used to define and add dimension to areas of the face by creating shadows. These products are typically matte and a few shades darker than your natural skin tone, helping to mimic the natural shadows on your face.
Bronzer, on the other hand, is used to add warmth and a sun-kissed glow to the face. Your complexion will look healthier and more radiant once applied and you'll be good to glow. Ranging from matte to shimmer, bronzers often have warm undertones in various shades. Play with different colours and shapes to find your perfect match.
By Sephora UK Makeup Editorial Team
Writers and experts
Updated: 1 March 2024
-
Fenty Beauty
Match Stix Contour Skinstick
Best contour stick for oily skin
One of our fave names in beauty right now? Fenty Beauty by Rihanna. Known for its inclusive shade range and high-quality formulas, it's no surprise that their Fenty Contour Sticks are a top contender for the best contour sticks. With a creamy texture, these sticks allow for easy blending and a seamless matte finish - making them perfect for contouring. And that’s not all: with a number of inclusive shades to choose from, Match Stix promises everyone can find their perfect contour match.
Top tip: On bare skin (or after applying your foundation), apply Match Stix directly to the areas of your face you want to define - blending with a dense concealer brush or your fingers for a more even glow.
-
Milk Makeup
Sculpt Stick
Best for soft sculpting
We love nothing more than a brand new beauty crush, and Milk Contour Stick brings us the freshest results. Your ticket to a more polished, sculpted look, this is one of the best contour sticks on the market. Buildable and creamy, this contour formula elevates your base from good to great in a matter of seconds. Available in four cool-toned shades that work across a range of skin tones, each one recreates the natural shadows on your face to subtly play up your angles. Just swipe it on, blend it out, and you’re good to go.
Top tip: Blend into skin with your fingertips, brush, or sponge and build to desired intensity. Pair with Milk’s other makeup sticks for an instant soft-sculpted look. Our favourite? Lip and Cheek for an instant flush of colour.
-
Makeup by Mario
Soft Sculpt Shaping Stick
Best contour stick for light skin and dark skin
Our number one contour stick for beginners, Makeup by Mario Contour Stick boasts a creamy formula that’s easy to apply and blend. Offering a variety of shades from Light to Deep Dark, all skin types and tones can enjoy the natural matte dry-down that’s taken the beauty world by storm. Cruelty-free and easy to use, this formula blends and builds for ultimate creative control. Go for a soft glow or to full base beat with just one stick – all while enhancing your favourite features.
Top tip: For a more even, fluid application, try using the five nubs within the head of the specially designed buffing brush to make sure the product goes *exactly* where you need it to.
-
Charlotte Tilbury
Contour Wand
Best liquid contour stick
We’re lighting up all complexions with Charlotte Tilbury Contour Wand. Lightweight, blendable, and buildable, use the precise cushion applicator for sculpted cheekbones in seconds. Pulling together some powerhouse pigments, each application defines shadows and features for a natural finish that lasts all day long. It’s no wonder this a favourite among makeup artists and enthusiasts alike.
Top tip: We don’t just use this wand for contouring. By sweeping the magic cushion applicator over the eye crease and creating a deeper socket, you’ll also add depth to any eye look. Just remember to buff and blend for a seamless finish.
-
Rare Beauty
Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer
Best for sun-kissed warmth
Rare Beauty delivers on so many fronts, but we can’t help but agree their makeup is created to feel good in. Giving us a rush of warmth with every application, this skin-loving Rare Beauty Contour Stick melts into skin for an effortless second-skin finish. Both non-greasy and water-resistant, expect no creasing - and no clogged pores in sight. Made with a Botanical Blend of Lotus, Gardenia, and White Water Lily, softly sculpt cheeks, eyes, and all over the face with this dreamy texture.
Top tip: We love applying this product *anywhere* to add warmth - and that includes our bodies! Once you’ve built dimension and definition to the face, apply the bronzer stick to your eyelids and across your collarbones for an extra flush.
-
KIKO MILANO
Sculpting Touch Creamy Stick Contour
Best affordable contour stick
Fans of KIKO MILANO know exactly how beautiful their formulas are - without breaking the bank. This Creamy Stick Contour is no exception. Enriched with African Walnut Oil and soothing Pistachio Extract, expect seamless coverage and easy blendability. Feeling as good as it looks, take ultimate contour control with each swipe of this innovatively designed essential. Rooted in its Italian DNA, KIKO MILANO satisfies the needs of every contour connoisseur.
Top tip: Choose a contour stick shade that’s a few shades darker than your natural skin tone, but not so dark that it looks unnatural. Start with a light application for everyday, and build up the colour for evening events by applying more contour and blending into your skin.
-
Rodial
Banana Lowlighter
Best for brightening dark circles
Contour sticks don’t just come in bronzer form. Enter this sellout lowlighter by Rodial, which enhances your natural radiance in a few short swipes. The science? By using a lighter shade of makeup, you’re highlighting the parts of your face you love the most - like your cheekbones and browbones. Perfect for those wanting a softer highlight, this sheer liquid leaves skin looking fresh and dewy - promising our favourite no-makeup makeup look. And with its warm yellow undertones, Banana Lowlighter is ideal for brightening and colour correcting dark undereye circles.
Top tip: To provide a soft highlight to the skin, apply a pea-sized drop using the brush tip applicator to the tops of your cheekbones, bridge of nose, corners of the eyes, underneath the eyebrows and across your Cupid's bow. Go a step further and conceal your undereye circles by patting in gently with your fingertip after eye cream.
-
Clinique
Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour
Best longwearing contour stick
We came, we saw, we contoured. Get defined cheekbones (even if you don't have them!) with Clinique Chubby Stick Contour. Creamy and oil-free, this contour stick creates the illusion of depth so you can contour and conquer all night long with this long-wearing formula.
Top tip: Start with your custom-fit foundation to create an even canvas. Dot on Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour down the sides of your nose to slim and shape, and under your cheekbones and chin to define the jawline. Use a lighter shade to highlight under the eyes and down the middle of your nose, forehead and chin. For a flush of colour, apply Chubby Stick Cheek Contour Balm onto apples of cheeks and blend.
