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Contouring your face does not have to be stress-inducing. With a little bit of direction and some great products, you can get the professional-looking results you see on all your favorite celebs and YouTube tutorials.
Below are some great contouring palettes in 2024 that include highlight tones as well to help you accentuate your natural beauty while downplaying your less desirable areas. Most of these kits also come with detailed instructions and even diagrams and provide just the right amount of pigment to easily create or recreate your favorite looks.
Detailing the Leading Contouring Palettes in 2024
Aesthetica Contour Series Powder — Best Overall
The Aesthetica Contour Palette is an all-inclusive kit that comes with everything needed to make your face look more chiseled and structured without looking overly thick or dramatic. This kit includes three matte foundation powders for contouring, and three illuminating powders for highlighting and is suitable for fair, light, and medium skin tones. The brand is also 100% cruelty-free and vegan and when you are out of any of the colors, you can simply buy the specific pan color you need when needed.
Pros
- Also included in the kit is an easy to follow, step-by-step instruction guide with face shape diagrams
Cons
- There are no brushes included with this palette
Aesthetica Contour Series Cream — Runner Up
If you prefer to use cream to contour instead of powder, the Aesthetica Cosmetics Cream Contour Kit will be your next go-to. This kit contains removable and refillable pans of blendable creams including three shades for contouring and three illuminating creams for highlighting. These shades can also be mixed and matched to create a perfect blend that will work with fair, light, medium, or dark skin tones. This kit also contains step-by-step instructions, face shape diagrams, and contour mapping guides ensuring you contour like a pro every single time.
Pros
- This contour kit is packaged in a sleek, travel-friendly mirrored palette
Cons
- You might not need to use all colors in the palette
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Conceal Correct Contour Palette — Honorable Mention
The NYX Professional Contour Palette features six color-correcting concealer-like shades that were chosen specifically to work together and help conceal problem areas. This versatile palette can cover up problem areas, even out imperfections, highlight and sculpt your best features, are buildable, and can be used on their own or blended and layered to create the ideal tones for your skin. This is a natural, lightweight, and creamy formula that blends out easily and consistently.
Pros
- NYX is a cruelty-free company
Cons
- If you prefer a strong contour, another option might be better
Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Bronze Kit — Contender
Maybelline’s latest offering is their Master Bronzer & Highlight Kit which is compromised of four universal bronzer and highlight shades that can be mixed together or worn on their own for your ideal look. This is a weightless, gel-based powder formula that uses saturated pigments for a high color payoff and blends easily in one single stroke. Whether you are in the mood for a natural or glam look, this palette can provide both with their multi-dimensional shades that can be used to contour, bronze, and highlight the whole face.
Pros
- The universal highlighter shade uses micro-fine pearl pigments to illuminate and add dimension
Cons
- This is not a cruelty-free product
Black Radiance True Complexion Creme Contour Palette — Also Consider
The Creme Contour Palette by Black Radiance is ideal for deeper skin tones and features a blendable set of three cream shades to enhance and define your favorite features. Each of the included shades is labeled with contour, sculpt and illuminate so you can easily identify which to use where. The shades in this kit are oil-free, creamy, and provide buildable coverage in your perfect skin tone.
Pros
- A helpful application guide is included
Cons
- If you prefer a powder contour, another option might be better
Luscious Cosmetics Face Contour Kit — Another Option
The Face Contour Kit by Luscious Cosmetics contains four silky, blendable powder shades including two contour shades, a highlighter, and an illuminator that can work together or individually to create flawless sculpted results. In one convenient kit, you can highlight, define and sculpt in a few easy steps while advanced light-adjusting technology ensures the results always look natural. This kit is also free from animal ingredients and suitable for vegetarians and vegan preferences.
Pros
- This kit includes a guide with easy-to-follow instructions
Cons
- This product contains talc
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP 3 Steps To Sculpt Face Sculpting Palette — Editor's Pick
The NYX Face Sculpting Palette includes three specially selected shades for contouring, highlighting, and illuminating the complexion with ease. These pressed powders are creamy in texture and made to be used individually or blended together for a seamless, naturally sculpted look. Use the deep shade to contour under the cheekbones, temples, and side of the nose, apply the matte highlight shade along the t-zone and under the eyes and apply the shimmery highlight wherever you want a subtle glow.
Pros
- This palette is available in four shade combinations to match most skin types
Cons
- These powders are very sheer
Buying Guide: Contouring Palettes
Contouring correctly can elevate your makeup, giving you more chiseled features, including more pronounced cheekbones. You can also create a slimmer-looking face, a smaller-looking chin, or a smaller-looking nose.
You can opt for a natural-looking contour or a more dramatic look. Either look can look great if you wear it with confidence, and there are plenty of tutorials on how to contour online. However, even if you follow a tutorial precisely, choosing the wrong product for your skin type can make your contouring endeavors look like a disaster.
There are several considerations you should take into account before making a purchase. Continue reading for our thoughts on the subject and ensure you purchase a contouring palette that will leave you looking fabulous.
From Our Celebrity Expert, Olivia Elgart:
Contour is a total game-changer for anyone who wants to define their facial features and create a more chiseled look. I've seen makeup artists using it on celebrities, and I'm always impressed with how they can transform a person's face. We know that Kim Kardashian is a fan of contouring, and she often uses the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit but there are plenty of similar products on the market that will give you the same result. Just be sure to use a light hand and blend, blend, blend!
Choosing the Right Colors and Shades for Your Contouring Kit
Choosing a contouring palette that contains powders or creams that are at least two shades darker than your foundation is important. Also, look for a palette containing a powder that is at least one shade lighter than your foundation to highlight.
Most contouring palettes will also contain other shades that you can use to make a more dramatic look, but the previously mentioned shades should be the deciding factor when choosing a compatible palette.
Many people choose the wrong contouring palette because they have also chosen the wrong shade of foundation. Foundation should match the color of your neck or be slightly lighter.
The More Shades, the Better!
Choosing a palette with plenty of options will allow you to create a wider variety of looks. Most palettes will match cool or warm skin tones. A large palette can continue to be used as you become more tanned in the summer and paler in the winter. This is because although you are becoming darker or paler, your skin's undertones remain the same.
There is a simple way to tell if you have cool or warm undertones. If the veins on your wrist are purple or blue, you have cool undertones. If the veins on your wrist are more green, you have warm undertones. If you have a mixture of purple and green, you have neutral undertones. If you have cool undertones, choose a palette with cool tones, and choose a palette with warm tones if you have warm undertones.
Contouring Cream vs Contouring Powder
Contouring cream and contouring powder both have their pros and cons. Choosing the best product depends on your preferences and needs.
Contouring cream
Contouring cream should be used over cream or liquid foundations. They are ideal for dry to normal skin and should be avoided by people with oily skin. Contouring cream is used by applying more than you need and blending it into your foundation. This means you will often run out of this product faster than a contouring powder. Additionally, it is barely noticeable in photoshoots where you may prefer a more natural look.
Contouring powder
Contouring powder should be used with powder foundations or if you have oily skin. Too many powder products on dry skin can cause your skin to become even dryer. If you want to use powder to contour over liquid foundation, use a finishing powder over your foundation before and after applying the contouring powder.
Unlike cream, powder contour can be built upon. This means you can gradually build up the powder to create a dramatic look or keep it natural. For some, this means using less product compared to using cream to contour.
Everything You Need in One Product
We recommend choosing a contouring palette that contains everything you need. This includes a simple brush, mirror, and secure case. You should also consider how securely the case stays fastened. Magnetic cases are an excellent option and are less likely to open in your purse.
In the future, you will likely progress to a better application brush than the one provided in a contouring palette. However, it is always a good idea to keep a brush in the palette as a spare. The brush included in the set can be used as a beginner brush to hone your skills.
Having a palette with a mirror allows you to apply your contouring products in locations with no mirror or where the available mirrors do not have adequate lighting.
Be Kind and Choose Cruelty-Free Products
Cruelty-free products are becoming more and more popular. This type of product is not tested on animals. Products tested on animals have no benefit to the overall quality of the product. Instead, ensure a product is dermatologically tested. A dermatologically tested product has been adequately tested on people and has been found unlikely to cause any adverse skin reactions.
