12 Best Contour Sticks for Lifting and Sculpting, Tested and Reviewed for 2024
My name…my name is Bella Hadid.
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise.
Gone are the days of 2016 when I covered my skin in full-coverage foundation, bright-ass under-eye concealer, and matte setting powder—all before sculpting my cheekbones with a chalky contour kit. Now, in 2023, when I want to lift my cheekbones and ~chisel~ my jawline, I reach for a creamy, soft contour stick. And after testing dozens of different formulas and consistencies, I’ve realized that the best contour stick is all about control, blendability, and shade range.
Which is what brought me to compile this list to help you find the best contour stick for your specific needs, whether you want a neutral undertone, a matte finish, or a drugstore option. I also consulted big-shot makeup artists Brandy Allen, Sean Harris, and Britty Whitefield for their favorite contour sticks, and also got their tips for getting that soft, natural-looking sculpt. Before that, though, here’s a preview of my faves:
✔️ P.S., This is new, up-to-date info, bb. We updated this article in March 2023 to add new contour sticks the internet won't stop talking about, delete outdated oldies, and check in with new experts for the latest in contour sticks, just for you.
Our top picks for the best contour sticks of 2024:
Now that you know how to contour, you’re anxiously waiting to go shopping. Totally get it, but there’s still more to consider before you buy that contour stick, like the undertone, the blendability, and the creaminess for easy blending. Keep scrolling for all the info, bb.
Pros
- Blends easily into your skin, said testers
- Comes in 20 shades from a cool-toned light greige to a warm-toned deep brown
Cons
- Some reviewers said they wished the packaging included more product
Celebrity makeup artist Sean Harris says this contour stick is his all-time favorite because “of the vast shade range and the long-lasting formula.” If you struggle to find your shade, you’re covered here, bc this bb has 20 shades with neutral, cool, and warm undertones depending on your skin. Plus, Harris loves how the matte formula sticks in place, even if you sweat or get greasy throughout the day.
THE REVIEWS: “There is obviously a great shade range, which is to be expected with all Fenty products, and this contour color is stunning,” one tester writes. “It gives just that hint of shadow and depth. And the creamy formula is so easy to work with. Fingers, brush, sponge, whatever—it all works with this stick.”
Pros
- Has a dense brush on the end for blending
Cons
- Some reviewers wished there were deeper shades
I used to spend eons blending my jawline contour down my neck in the morning…until I met this bb. Its ultra-creamy formula seamlessly melts with my foundation or tinted moisturizer underneath. I just draw little dots wherever I want to sculpt (a lil goes a long way), then buff it out with the attached brush. Fyi, I also like to set this with a little translucent powder so it lasts all day.
THE REVIEWS: “The formula is lightweight and blendable, so it's easy to get a subtle shadow when you want it,” writes one reviewer. “That said, it's also very buildable in case you want a dramatic makeup look. I haven't had any issues with pilling or lifting my base, and the brush does a good job of blending.”
Pros
- Helps moisturize skin with shea and mango seed butters
Cons
- Need to use a lot of product to get strong pigment, reviewers say
This liquid contour stick actually makes your dry skin look hydrated instead of patchy and cakey. It’s filled with moisturizing butters—see: shea butter and mango seed butter—so it looks ultra-smooth and dewy when you blend it into your skin. But don’t worry, the liquid consistency makes it feel hella lightweight too. Use the sponge-tip applicator to dot a few lines on your cheekbones and forehead (or wherever you contour), then buff it out with a makeup brush or sponge.
THE REVIEWS: “I'm so glad I bought this one,” one tester writes. “It melts into my CC cream beautifully for a very natural, sculpted look. I'll never go back to a powder contour. I've worn it a couple of times and gotten compliments every time I've worn it.”
Pros
- Comes with a highlighter on the end
- Least expensive highlighter on this list
Cons
- Some testers had a hard time finding their shade (bleh)
This was the first contour stick I ever tried, because I, obviously, had limited funds as a wee high schooler. But despite its affordable price, it’s seriously good—so much so that even makeup artist Brandy Allen uses it. “This drugstore contour stick is perfect for me because it comes with a contour and highlighter, and it’s so small, it fits right in my makeup bag,” she says. I also swear by this contour stick for getting a precise line for my nose contour, thanks to the thin, pencil-like shape.
THE REVIEWS: “I've always been a prestige makeup fan, but NYX definitely wins with this contour and highlighter stick,” a tester writes. “Smooth and easily blends with finger, brush, and even a beauty blender.”
Pros
- Uses fine shimmers to give your skin a dewy glow
Cons
- The most expensive contour stick on the list
Makeup artist Britty Whitfield says this dual-ended contour stick is one of her holy grails because the highlighter and contour work together so well to create a glowy look. Draw the contour stick under your cheekbones, forehead, and under your jawline (or contour for your face shape), then dab the highlighter on the high points of your face, and melt it all together with a brush, says Whitfield. The final look? A soft, blended sculpt with a shimmery finish.
THE REVIEWS: “I use the shade white pearl, and it’s my go-to contour stick,” one reviewer notes. “It’s just beautiful overall: pigmented, SO easy to blend, and is the perfect gray tone for contouring. You can literally blend it with your fingers if you want, and once blended, it becomes one with the skin.”
Pros
- Comes in 29 shades, from fair to deep, in varying undertones
- Full coverage, according to testers
Cons
- Some reviewers said the product doesn’t last very long
If you’re new to contouring, this foundation stick will make the process so much easier, says makeup artist Britty Whitfield. “It blends seamlessly with your foundation underneath, especially if they’re the same texture,” she says. TBH, though, you could just get one stick in the shade of your skin and another two to three shades deeper to contour to make blending a breeze. These are also great if you have a hard time finding the right undertone for your skin tone, since there are 29 shades with warm, cool, neutral, and olive undertones depending on your skin.
THE REVIEWS: “In love with this product! I got it on sale at Ulta for $9 after taking a shot in the dark on my shade,” writes one reviewer. “It goes on smoothly, and the coverage is buildable. A little goes a long way!”
Pros
- Comes with a bronzer, highlighter, and blush
- Sheer enough to blend with your fingers
Cons
- Doesn’t have a deep shade offering (boo)
If you’re a ~jetsetter~, you need this cream contour kit. It comes with a mini warm-toned contour stick, highlighter, and blush, all of which have a lightweight feel and dewy finish that basically blend right into each other. Just draw them all on at the same time (like this TikTok tutorial), then blend with the same brush or your fingers to melt all of the creams into your foundation or skin tint underneath.
THE REVIEWS: “I really like the fact that each of these products is versatile. With only three products, you can have a complete look,” a reviewer writes. “I would definitely recommend this product for anyone who is on the go on a regular basis and wants a quick and easy look without having to bring an entire makeup bag!”
Pros
- Comes in four cool-tone shades, from light beige to nearly black
- Easy to blend, according to testers
Cons
- Some reviewers wish it came with more product
So many TikTokers have been raving about this bronzer for deep skin tones. It comes in four cool-tone shades, including an almost-black color for those with the deepest skin tones. Per tone-inclusivity creator, Golloria George, this contour stick is “giving inclusivity—it might be the deepest contour shade I’ve found.” Tip, tho: If you feel like the finish is too dewy but can’t find a powder contour shade that matches, just grab a deep-brown or black eyeshadow on a fluffy brush to set down the cream.
THE REVIEWS: “First off the packing is so cute and compact,” one tester notes. “It can fit in your pocket or purse. I got the shade “Sizzle” and the color is to die for! It has this chocolatey and creamy goodness as it glides on your skin. A perfect shade for darker skin tones. Also, it is so easy to blend that I just use my fingertips.”
Pros
- Testers love the matte finish
Cons
- Can be patchy if applied over certain foundations, said reviewers
My skin is so oily that most cream contour sticks tend to just slide right off after a few hours. But not these Rare Beauty contour sticks, which have a matte, velvet-y finish that doesn’t need to be set with setting powder or powder contour to stay on my skin (and embodies that whole “cloud skin” makeup trend). Yes, they’re technically called bronzer sticks, but they come in various cool-tone, buildable shades to help sculpt your cheekbones without looking chalky or ashy. FYI, though: I draw these on my face before foundation, like the underpainting technique, to keep the contour from lifting up my base.
THE REVIEWS: One tester writes, “This is the best bronzer I've ever used. The formula is so incredibly smooth and blendable. I was used to only ever using powder bronzer, but after trying this, I'll never go back. It melts right into your skin and looks so natural. LOVE IT.”
Pros
- Has sheer pigment you can build up
Cons
- Some testers wish it were more pigmented
When you’ve got fair skin, a hella-pigmented contour stick is actually a bit frightening. Instead, try this sheer one from Anastasia Beverly Hills, which comes in three buildable shades to help create a natural-looking shadow on very-light to medium skin. Plus, it has a soft finish that makes it easy to blend into your cheeks to avoid the usual stark, muddy contour line you might get.
THE REVIEWS: “The color is exactly what I was looking for,” writes one reviewer. “It's so easy to apply and blend over my foundation and gives me a perfectly natural looking ‘shadow’. If you have fair or light skin you need to try these contour sticks!”
Pros
- Has five warm-toned contour shades from light to deep
- Triangle shape makes it easy to draw precise lines, said testers
Cons
- Might look orange on some fair skin tones, reviews noted
For some skin tones, a cool-toned contour stick might look v muddy on your skin. Instead, try these warm contour shades from LYS Beauty. Each shade has a subtle warm undertone that’ll sculpt your cheekbones, jawline, nose, wherever, without making you look ashy. And its formula is super creamy, which helps blend if you use the edge of the triangle-shaped stick to draw sharp af lines.
THE REVIEWS: “This is the first cream contour that has ever worked for me,” one tester notes. “ It blends beautifully! It works great with all of my skincare and makeup products! It gives perfect shading and dimension to my face!”
Pros
- Super lightweight, thanks to its liquid consistency
- Has a sheer, glowy finish
Cons
- Only comes in two light to medium shades (sigh)
If you’ve legit ever scrolled through TikTok, you’ve seen this viral contour stick. But instead of a rich cream, this wand is actually filled with a pigmented, neutral-brown liquid, which has a much more lightweight feel on your skin. When you blend it out with a beauty sponge, it diffuses into a radiant, iridescent sheen with no visible shimmer or glitter—just sculpted, glowy cheeks.
THE REVIEWS: “This wand is designed so well, it makes a beginner like me look like a total pro when I’m using the wand,” one tester writes. “The cushion applicator to dispense product gives you total control where you want to apply the product. Because the formula is so blendable, someone very fair like me can use the product, and it blends into my makeup flawlessly.”
What does contour do?
Contour “creates a shadow to sculpt and shade your face, which can give your features a more lifted look,” says makeup artist Sean Harris. You can place your contour in the hollows of your cheek, under your jawlines, on your nose, and on your forehead to accentuate the natural shadows in your face and add dimension.
Which contour is best for beginners?
The best type of contour for beginners is a creamy contour stick, says makeup artist Brandy Allen. Why? They’re soft and creamy, which makes them easy to manipulate and blend into the other creams on your face. And contour sticks make it so much easier to precisely draw your contour right where you want it, unlike powder contours, which tend to offer a more diffused look (and require a lot more buffing out).
Bronzer vs. contour: What's the difference?
The difference between bronzer and contour is that bronzer warms up your face, while contour creates shadows. A bronzer is usually in a warm tone because you’re adding a luminous glow back into your face—think ~sun-kissed~ and glowy. Contour, however, is usually cool or neutral, depending on your undertone, because it’s meant to subtly mimic the natural shadows in your face. So, bronzers can sometimes be shimmery or have a sheen to give your skin a glow, while contour is usually matte and meant to blend seamlessly into your skin.
But (!) you can contour with a bronzer or bronze with a contour, but you might prefer a different tone for each, says makeup artist Britty Whitfield. “Bronzer can technically create dimension on your skin, but it might look too warm and orange-y, depending on your skin tone,” she says. Similarly, the neutral and cool undertones of a contour stick likely won’t add that bronze-y look to your skin, but can potentially warm up certain undertones (like very-pink skin).
Another key difference between a contour and bronzer is placement. Bronzer is typically placed at the highest point—where the sun hits you the most, like your temples, forehead, cheeks, and across your nose and chin. Meanwhile, contour goes just underneath that, in the hollows of your face where you’d naturally get a shadow: the sides of your nose, under your jawline and cheekbones, and top of your forehead.
What shade should my contour stick be?
Your contour stick should be a shade or two deeper than your skin tone, Harris says. A color that’s too deep might be difficult to blend out, while a shade that’s too light can just disappear into your skin.
Typically, you'll want your contour shade to have a cool, gray undertone if you have light-to-medium skin, or a neutral, warm-leaning undertone if your skin is very deep. Why is this important anyway? Well, If you choose the wrong undertone, you might end up with an orange or ashy streak across your face.
Don’t know your undertone? Allen recommends following this process: “The more fair someone's skin is, the cooler your contour should be,” she says. “The deeper your skin, the warmer you go.” FWIW, we noted above which brands offer good shade and undertone ranges to help you choose.
How do you apply a contour stick?
To apply a contour stick, draw or dot the product “on the outer perimeter of your forehead, slightly below your cheekbones, underneath your jawline, and on the sides of the nose,” says Harris. But you can also play around with where you place your contour depending on your face shape, Allen notes. Fenty Beauty actually created a helpful TikTok filter as a guide on where to contour based on different face shapes. Once the product is on your face, dab it out with a sponge or angled brush to just diffuse any sharp edges.
Do you apply contour before or after foundation?
You can apply contour before or after foundation—tbh, it’s all up to personal preference. Whitfield prefers to draw contour over your foundation to add shape to your face (especially after a full-coverage, matte foundation). But Harris likes to underpaint, á la the Mary Phillips technique going viral on TikTok, which is a technique where you draw and blend your contour before foundation for a natural, blended look.
How to choose the best contour stick:
Consider the shade range
If you have cool, fair-to-medium skin, then a medium-brown contour shade will probably work for you and is fairly easy to find across the board. However, if you need an ultra-dark shade or a warm or neutral undertone, look for a contour stick with a wide shade range with varying depths. When in doubt, consider trying a foundation stick to contour, which usually comes in a ton of shades.
Determine the look you’re going for
What’s your contour ~vibe~? Do you want an ethereal, glowy look? Then, choose a sheer liquid or cream contour stick with a radiant finish. But if you want a sculpted, “my name is Bella Hadid” look, then opt for a matte, full-coverage contour stick that’ll have a lot of pigment and opacity.
Meet the experts:
- Brandy Allen is a makeup artist based in Los Angeles, CA. She’s worked with celebrities like Dominique Fishback, Issa Rae, and Sadie Sink.
- Britty Whitfield is a makeup artist, groomer, and licensed esthetician based in New York, NY. She’s worked on celebrities, red carpets, advertisements, and editorial.
- Sean Harris is a makeup artist in Los Angeles, CA, whose clients include Beyonce, Ella Mai, Chloë Bailey, and more.
Cosmo Editors Love These Burgundy Lipsticks
Haus Labs Foundation Is Worthy of Its Viral Status
Why Everyone’s Suddenly Obsessed With Makeup Again
e.l.f.’s New Concealer Is Just $5. But Is It Good?
