

The Mocha and Amber shades offer cool undertones for a realistic look. What you’ll love: With seven sticks to choose from, the shade range includes deep contour shades for dark and brown skin tones. What you need to know: This easy-to-apply matte contour stick comes in seven shades to accommodate plenty of skin tones. What’s the best contour stick to buy? Top contour stickįenty Beauty by Rihanna Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick Make sure to blend the color, so your contour doesn’t have any harsh edges. It depends on your face shape, but the most popular areas are your temples, at the hairline of your forehead, on either side of your nose and along your jawline. Where on my face should I apply a contour stick?Ī. But depending on the foundation you use and your skin color, you may or may not be able to find the right shade. Just pick a color that’s two shades darker than your regular foundation stick. Contour stick FAQ Can I use a foundation stick as a contour stick?Ī. Midrange contour sticks start at $25, and high-end formulas can cost up to $50. How much you can expect to spend on a contour stickĭrugstore contour sticks start as little as $4 and cost up to $12 for a dual-ended contour and highlighter. Though non-toxic contour sticks are pricier, they are free from harmful ingredients such as parabens, formaldehyde and phthalates. The clean beauty movement is becoming more popular, especially as health-conscious consumers opt for products that are free from chemicals and synthetic ingredients. You can also look for contour sticks with long-wear formula, which will stay on throughout the day. Water-resistant contour sticks are great for those who live in damper climates and may experience more moisture throughout the year. Contour sticks with built-in brushes tend to be more expensive than an average contour stick. Others offer a brush, so you can blend out the formula. Since good contouring requires highlighting, some beauty brands offer a dual-ended contour stick with a highlighter at one end. This feature allows for more controlled, buildable application and better blending. These sticks, or wands, offer the same easy, direct application while adding the extra perk of a mini-sized beauty blender. Some contour sticks come with a sponge-tip applicator. What to look for in a quality contour stick Applicator tip These ingredients will keep your skin looking dewy and fresh. If you have dry skin, select a contour stick with moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil or shea butter. Many high-end contour sticks feature hydrating ingredients that nourish the skin and allow the contour makeup to glide on. If you have extra oily skin, you may want to consider a contour powder instead. Moisturizingīecause contour sticks are cream-based, they are ideal for dry skin. There are shimmery finish contour sticks available, but these usually act more as bronzers, which adds warmth to the face. You may want to apply a shimmery highlighter for those areas to give you more dimension. Use shimmery products above your contour to mimic where light hits. This is because you want to mimic the natural shadow that falls beneath your sculpted features. Most makeup artists recommend using a matte finish for your contour. Typically, your contour stick should maintain a muted tone to mimic shadow and not add color. However, if you are going for a sun-kissed look, a slightly warm or orange undertone can help you achieve a bronzed look.

A contour stick with cool tones tends to mimic shadows and dimension. In addition to the contour stick’s shade, consider its undertone. As a rule of thumb, choose a contour shade that’s two to three times deeper than your regular foundation. Conversely, if you have dark skin, it can also be tricky to find a shade that’s deep enough for your skin tone. If you have very fair skin, it can be tricky to find a contour shade that’s not too dark. While some brands only offer one shade of contour sticks, others offer a more extensive range of shades. What to know before you buy a contour stick Shade It’s incredibly popular due to the high-quality formula, and it comes in seven different shades. The stick form makes it easy to target contour hot spots, such as your hairline, under your cheekbones and the jawline.įor a highly blendable formula, you can’t go wrong with Fenty Beauty’s Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick. Plus, you don’t need extra tools like sponges or brushes to apply the makeup. These creamy sticks are easy to use and provide you with a simple way to add dimension and sculpting to your features. If you’re just learning how to contour your face with makeup, contour sticks are a great way to start.
