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5 Of The Best Contour Kit For Beginners and Pros

January 10, 2019 By Marla O’Sullivan Leave a Comment

Contouring is the latest entrant and has taken the beauty world by storm. If you want to take your makeup to the next level, then a contour palette and the right contouring tools are essential in your beauty kit that will let you get high cheekbones and chic jawline that you always dreamt of. Contouring can help to shape and slim your facial features and make them more chiseled and defined.

However, finding the right contouring product can be quite a challenge, especially to find one that can accentuate and define your features without making your skin too chalky, orange or ashen or dry it out.

Quick Navigation
Comparison Table
Tips on How to Select the Best Contour Kit?
Choosing a Contouring Product According to Your Skin Type and Skin Tone
Review of the Top 5 Contour Kits
Conclusion 

Comparison Table

Preview

Product Name

Price

Aesthetica Cosmetics Cream Contour and Highlighting Makeup Kit - Contouring Foundation / Concealer Palette - Vegan & Cruelty Free - Step-by-Step Instructions Included

Aesthetica Cosmetics Cream Contour and Highlighting Kit

Shop now at Amazon.com

Contour Kit and Highlighting Powder Palette (Cruelty Free and Paraben Free) by Elizabeth Mott

Contour Kit and Highlighting Powder Palette by Elizabeth Mott

Shop now at Amazon.com

Anastasia Beverly Hills - Contour Cream Kit (Plastic) - Medium

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit

Shop now at Amazon.com

Sleek Makeup Face Contour Kit (Medium)

Sleek Makeup Face Contour Kit

Shop now at Amazon.com

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette

Kat Von D Contour Kit

Shop now at Amazon.com

A contour kit with make up brushes, lipstick, necklace and laptop

Tips on How to Select the Best Contour Kit?

Here are some tips that can help you buy a contour kit that is right for you.

  • Choose the proper base. There are 2 types of bases – powder and cream. A powder base will give a more matte finish, while a cream base will give you a dewy look. When starting out, it is always a good idea to use a powder base, as it offers more control over your contouring technique and you can move to a cream base later on.
  • Invest in good-quality brushes. The right contouring brushes are the ultimate game changer and using high-quality brushes is the key to blending well, which is the most important part of the contouring process. Always remember that proper blending is vital to achieving flawless contouring.
  • Check out various colors and test them out until you find the shade that suits your skin tone the best. Make use of a highlighter that is 2 shades lighter than the foundation you use and the shadow which is 2 shades darker.
  • To soften the contoured makeup, add some blush to your cheeks.
  • Avoid orange, golden and other warm-toned products. The idea of contouring is to create shadows on the face to define it by lifting it, so opt for cool ash-toned products.
  • Avoid using shimmery products to contour your face as this will give you a very unnatural, messy look. Always ensure that you make use of a matte product for contouring.

Choosing a Contouring Product According to Your Skin Type and Skin Tone

It is extremely important to consider your skin type and skin tone and buy contouring products that are well suited for both.

Skin Types

  • Dry Skin

If your skin is dry, then using a cream-based contouring product will give you best results. Cream contours will help to keep your skin hydrated and prevent it from drying out — your dry skin acts as an excellent base to prevent the product from shifting. Dewy, shimmery or creamy highlighters look great on dry skin.

  • Oily Skin

If your skin is oily, then it is a good idea to use matte or powder contours. Using a cream contour will make the product shift on your skin all day and any product with shimmer will just make the midday shine worse. However, if you’re looking for a dewy effect, then you could consider shimmery, powder highlighters. And, if you are using a creamy contour, then ensure that the consistency is thick and it’s a good idea to set it using a powder.

  • Acne-Prone Skin

If you have a combination or acne-prone or problematic skin, then it is a better idea to use concealer sticks or palettes as these offer a heavier coverage and can give you a flawless look by covering all the marks and blemishes.

Skin Tones​

  • Light Skin Tone

It is quite difficult to find the right contour palettes for people with a light skin tone. Several contouring products available on the market are quite dark, so it’s a good idea to test out various products before buying one that suits your skin tone.

  • Medium Skin Tone

There are quite a few contouring products available for medium skin tones. But you must ensure that whichever product you buy, must be two shades darker than your skin, as lighter palettes can end up looking ashy and unnatural.

  • Deep Skin Tone

Finding contouring products for deep skin tones can be a challenge. It is a good idea to focus on the highlighting that can help to create contrast with your face’s natural shadows and you can also use products like a bronzer to add dimension.

  • Warm Undertones

If your skin has warm undertones i.e. the veins on your wrist appear green, then you should choose a darker coffee shade or caramel shade for contouring.

  • Cool Undertones

If your skin has cool undertones i.e. the veins on your wrist appear to be blue, then it’s a good idea to use ashy or taupe shades of brown for the contouring. 

There are several contour kits out there from budget-friendly drugstore options to premium, luxury products that may be quite pricey and the choice of the right contour kit may be quite difficult. So, here is a review of some of the top-quality contouring kits available to make your choice easier.

A contour kit with two brushes

Review of the Top 5 Contour Kits

Aesthetica Cosmetics Cream Contour and Highlighting Kit

Aesthetica Cosmetics Cream Contour and Highlighting Makeup Kit - Contouring Foundation / Concealer Palette - Vegan & Cruelty Free - Step-by-Step Instructions Included
Aesthetica Cosmetics Cream Contour and Highlighting Makeup Kit - Contouring Foundation / Concealer Palette - Vegan & Cruelty Free - Step-by-Step Instructions Included
  • The Aesthetica Cosmetics Cream Contour Kit contains 6 blendable, silky creams that are designed to sculpt, define and highlight your face. Aesthetica puts everything you need to achieve the coveted contour look in one palette.
  • Each kit includes easy to follow, step-by-step instructions, face shape diagrams and contour mapping guide so you can contour like a pro, every time! Packaged in a sleek, travel-friendly mirrored palette. Great for everyday use or for special occasions. Each cream is highly pigmented with incredible payoff. Designed to gradually build up your contour and highlight for a flawless, airbrushed effect.
  • Our Cream Contour Kit contains removable and refillable pans; 3 cream foundation/concealer shades for contouring and 3 illuminating creams for highlighting. Create the illusion of higher cheekbones, a smaller forehead, a softer jawline or a slimmer nose while drawing light to the areas you want to highlight. All six contour and highlight shades can be mixed and matched. You can create a perfect blend that will work for your skin tone, whether it be fair to light, medium or dark.
  • The Aesthetica Cream Contour Kit is specially formulated using the highest quality, non-irritating ingredients. Our formula does not contain Talc or Parabens and is suitable for all ages and all skin types, including dry, oily or combination skin. All of our products are 100% Vegan, Cruelty-free & Gluten free, so you can contour with a clean conscience!
  • Can be used in conjunction with the Aesthetica Powder Contour Kit for a flawless finish. For best results, blend with the Aesthetica Beauty Sponge and/or the Aesthetica Double-ended brush.
Shop now at Amazon.com

The Contour and Highlighting Kit from Aesthetica Cosmetics is an excellent all-in-one kit that will help to highlight your natural beauty and tone down your problem areas. The kit includes 6 silky and highly blendable creams in all. It has 3 shades of contouring makeup and 3 shimmer highlighters that can enhance and sculpt your facial features.

The creams are highly pigmented with excellent payoff and they are designed to build up your contour gradually and offer a fantastic airbrushed and flawless look. The contouring and highlighting creams come is a travel-friendly palette which is easy to carry and it has a mirror that allows easy application on the go.

The Aesthetica Cosmetics contouring kit is a great makeup product if you are a beginner trying out contouring for the first time. The creams are hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested and formulated with high-quality, non-irritating ingredients and are suitable for all skin types.

The contour and highlighter palette come along with an extremely step-by-step instruction guide that includes many tips and techniques on how to achieve flawless contouring. The kit also comes along with face shape diagrams and a contour mapping guide that will help you in figuring out which are the best areas for contour and highlighter application.

Features

  • Contains 6 silky, blendable creams.
  • Contains 3 contour and 3 highlight shades.
  • Dermatologically tested.
  • Special hypoallergenic formula with non-irritating ingredients.
  • Paraben- and talc-free.
  • 100% vegan, gluten-free and cruelty-free.
  • Suitable for all ages, skin types and skin tones.
  • Comes in a mirrored palette that is travel friendly.
  • Kit includes face shape diagrams and step-by-step application instructions.

​PROS

  • Creams are silky textured and easy to apply and blend.
  • Includes very step-by-step instructions, contour mapping guide and face shape diagrams that are very easy to follow.
  • Highly pigmented cream.

CONS

  • Suitable only for medium skin tone.

Contour Kit and Highlighting Powder Palette by Elizabeth Mott

Contour Kit and Highlighting Powder Palette (Cruelty Free and Paraben Free) by Elizabeth Mott
Contour Kit and Highlighting Powder Palette (Cruelty Free and Paraben Free) by Elizabeth Mott
  • SOFT POWDER FORMULA – These soft powders are easy to apply and blend
  • SIX SHADES – Three shades for contouring, three shades for highlighting
  • VERSATILE COLORS - Contour shades help add dimension and define your cheekbones, jaw, forehead and nose. Highlight colors will lift and brighten your face
  • INTRUCTIONS INCLUDED – A detailed step-by-step instruction booklet is included
  • RISK FREE RETURNS & REFUNDS. If you are unhappy with the product, just contact us Elizabeth Mott and we can process an exchange or refund! CRUELTY FREE - Elizabeth Mott is a cruelty-free brand (Registered in PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies program)
Shop now at Amazon.com

You don’t really have to be a pro to get a flawless look. The Elizabeth Mott Contour and Highlighting Palette is a great makeup product to draw attention to your best features. The shades in the contour colors help to define your nose, cheekbones, jaw and forehead and define your features and the highlight shades brighten and lift while giving a luminous glow to your skin.

The contour and highlighting kit contains 3 contour and 3 highlighter colors. The contour and highlighting powders are smooth and highly pigmented and all the powders come in a strong palette case with a mirror. The Elizabeth Mott Contour and Highlighting Palette is extremely easy to use and is suitable for everyday wear.

The kit comes with an instruction booklet with step-by-step instructions that guides you how to use the contour palette to achieve an even and flawless contoured look.

Features

  • 6 shades – 3 for contouring and 3 for highlighting.
  • Soft and smooth powder formula.
  • Highly pigmented powder contour and highlighters.
  • Comes with a step-by-step instruction booklet.
  • 100% cruelty-free.

PROS

  • The smooth and soft powders are highly pigmented and offer extremely easy to application and blending.
  • Versatile colors.
  • Paraben- and cruelty-free.
  • Easy to use.
  • Made of high-quality ingredients.

CONS

  • Not very easy to apply.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit

Anastasia Beverly Hills - Contour Cream Kit (Plastic) - Medium
Anastasia Beverly Hills - Contour Cream Kit (Plastic) - Medium
  • Smooth cream formula with natural matte finish
  • Buildable coverage from light to full
  • Includes 3 highlight shades to lift, brighten and color correct skin
  • Includes 3 contour shades for defining, sculpting and bronzing skin
  • Anastasia Beverly Hills ensures that all products sold by ‘Anastasia Beverly Hills Inc.’ on Amazon are authentic and meet our high-ingredient and quality standards. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the authenticity of products purchased on Amazon from other third-party sellers.
Shop now at Amazon.com

If you are looking for a contour palette that will give you the look of a professionally done flawless and defined look, then the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit is a great option to consider. The kit consists of 6 high-quality powder contour and highlighter shades. Designed especially for professional makeup artists the Anastasia Beverly Hills kit is excellent for amateurs too.

The contour and highlighter powders are highly blendable and are excellent for you to get a sharp and defined contour and luminous highlights and creates illusions of a slimmer nose, higher cheekbones, smaller forehead and softer jawline.

Features​​​​

  • Kit contains 3 powder contour colors and 3 powder highlights.
  • Satin finish, highly blendable.
  • Set is removable and can be refilled.
  • Innovative, highly-pigmented formula.
  • Available in 3 shades.
  • Made in the USA.

PROS

  • Contains high-quality ingredients.
  • Silky, smooth and highly blendable.
  • Creamy texture.

CONS

  • Does not have a mirror or applicator with the contour palette.

Sleek Makeup Face Contour Kit

Sleek MakeUp Face Form (374 Medium)
Sleek MakeUp Face Form (374 Medium)
  • With multi-tasking elements such as contour powder, highlighter and/or blusher or bronzer, Face Form is the ultimate face definition kit in one neat compact designed to suit all skin tones.
  • Face Form in Medium is ideal for medium skin tones
  • Face Form in Medium comes available with contour powder, highlighter and a bronzer.
  • Store in a cool dry place. 20g/0.68oz. Not tested on animals.
  • Sold in 1000's of stores across the globe, the product is developed in UK and manufactured in an ISO certified plant a
Shop now at Amazon.com

The iconic contour kit from Sleek Makeup contains 2 pressed powders, a contour powder and a highlighter powder in a single compact. Sleek Makeup is one of the fastest growing high-street makeup brands that manufactures innovative and high-quality makeup products.

The contour powder is matte, the highlighter is luminous and both have a smooth and silky application. They blend very easily and build an excellent contour according to the intensity you require. The Sleek Makeup Face Contour Kit is small and compact and is ideal if you want to carry it with you wherever you go for “makeup on the move.”

Features

  • Duo compact contains a contour powder and shimmer highlighter.
  • Suitable for medium skin tone.
  • Cruelty-free.
  • Available in 3 shades.

PROS

  • Lightweight and very easy application.
  • Highly pigmented.
  • Smooth and satiny texture.
  • Compact and travel-friendly packaging.

CONS

  • Does not blend very well.
  • Highlighter shades are not very pigmented.

Kat Von D Contour Kit

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette
Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette
  • Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette
  • Beige
Shop now at Amazon.com

Now you can effortlessly chisel, sculpt, slenderize and shape your features for an enhanced, defined look with the Shade + Light Contour Palette from Kat Von D. The contour palette contains 6 matte powders, 3 shades of contour and 3 colors of illuminating highlighter powder. The powders are smooth, silky and highly buildable and blend very easily into the skin for a fade-proof and flawless finish.

The contour palette allows you to add unique dimensions to your face by making use of the contour powder to create shadows and highlighter powder to create luminous light. The Kat Von D contour palette offers intense colors that are long lasting and are ideal for all face shapes and skin tones.

The colors are highly pigmented and do not fade quickly after application and are ideal all-day wear. The kit comes along with step-by-step instructions that teach you how to capture the shadows and light and become a contouring expert.

Features

  • Palette contains 6 matte powders, 3 contouring powders and 3 highlighting powders.
  • Silky, smooth highly buildable powders.
  • Fade proof and long lasting.
  • Comes along with a step-by-step contouring guide.

PROS

  • Easy to apply and blend.
  • Long-lasting and ideal for all-day wear.
  • Value for money buy.
  • Large size pans, lasts for a long time.
  • Highly pigmented.

CONS

  • Shades are quite powdery and not creamy.
  • Quite pricey

Conclusion 

Contouring products are an excellent addition and a must have in your makeup collection if you want to achieve that defined, chiseled and flawless look. However, choosing the right kind of contour makeup can be quite difficult because of the several types and brands available on the market. Our detailed review should be able to help you buy a contouring palette that’s right for you.

Last update on 2021-01-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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