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At this point in your life, you've probably mastered most of your makeup routine—mascara, blush, lipstick...you know your go-tos and have no trouble applying these products. You may have even perfected more advanced techniques like winged eyeliner. But contouring? That's a tricky one.
Makeup artists say it's worth your best effort, though. "Using a contour stick just under the cheekbones will help create the illusion of more defined cheeks," says Azesha Ramcharan, a professional makeup artist in New York. "Applying contour around the jawline and under the chin will also help strengthen the shape of the jaw and reduce the appearance of a double chin," she adds. "You can even apply contour along the sides of the nose and just under the tip of the nose to help the nose appear more symmetrical or shorten the appearance of a long nose."
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Best Overall
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Match Stix Contour Skinstick
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Best Drugstore Contour Stick
NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick Cream Highlight & Contour Stick
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Best for Beginners
Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Sticks
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Best for Mature Skin
Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick
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Best for Oily Skin
Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Face Powder
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How to choose the best contour stick
And while it may seem intimidating to draw all kinds of dark lines on your face, the pros we talked to said the technique is easier than it looks—but the key is honing in on the right product first. "Be sure to choose a contour stick with cool or neutral undertones," says Ramcharan. "Contour makeup should be somewhat cool-toned, because it's used to mimic shadow areas on the face, and shadows don’t have much warmth to them." And if you have combination or oily skin, consider a powder formula instead of a creamier stick, which can make skin look borderline greasy, says celebrity makeup artist Andrew Velázquez.
How to use a contour stick
Once you've plucked the right product from the shelves, there are a few tips that can help you nail the look. First, always apply your contour after concealer and foundation, says celebrity makeup artist Elaina Badro. "Drawing a '3' on your face is a great tip for beginners, because it will allow you to reach the temples, cheekbones, and jawline." Just remember to thoroughly blend out, so you don't end up with any harsh lines. "Letting the product warm up for a moment or two on the skin will help the contour color blend seamlessly," adds Ramcharan.
Ready to give it a try? We asked makeup artists to recommend their favorite products, plus scoured top retailers like Amazon, Sephora, and Ulta for the most highly rated and well-reviewed contour sticks out there.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Wide range of shades
Cons
- Expensive considering the amount of product
Whether you have pale skin or dark skin, you really can't go wrong with the contour stick in Rihanna's makeup line. "There really is a contour shade for everyone in this collection," says Ramcharan. "And the undertones are spot-on." Reviewers say it's one of the smoother, more blendable formulas, too. Plus, the lightweight cream-to-powder is suitable for oily skin and lasts all day—even professional dancers say this product doesn't fade.
Pros
- Buildable formula
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Only comes in four shades
If you have fair skin, it's important not to choose a contour stick with too much color. "This one is great for a subtle glow around the face," says Becca Raziuddin, director of artist education at Blo Blow Dry Bar. Still, the sheer color is nice and buildable to help you achieve the sculpted look you're going for.
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Two-in-one formula
Cons
- Breaks easily
Whether you're a beginner just testing the waters or someone who's always on the hunt for a good bargain, this budget-friendly buy won't disappoint. More than 16,000 five-star reviews on Amazon praise the dual highlighter and contour stick, noting it's easy to work with—it goes on smooth and blends like a dream. It's also surprisingly long-lasting, even in humid weather.
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Pros
- Natural finish
- Vegan formula
Cons
- Some users say it's hard to blend
Not blending properly is the biggest mistake beginners can make when contouring, but this product is more forgiving than most, says Badro. That's because it has a natural finish that's great for everyday use, she says. Simply swipe on, blend, and enjoy a sun-kissed glow.
Pros
- Hydrating formula
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Expensive
When working with mature skin, it's important to choose creamy products, since more matte finishes can settle into fine lines and wrinkles. This super creamy and blendable formula fits the bill. "The pigment is in a base of skin-hydrating oils yet isn’t greasy," says Ramcharan. "I even use this formula on the eyelids as a base and to contour the eye socket."
Pros
- Wide range of shades
- Unique shape to help contour
Cons
- Expensive
Though technically a foundation stick, not a contour stick, it has a triangular shape that hugs the contours and curvature of your face really nicely to enhance your features for a flawless, balanced look, says Velázquez. As a nice bonus, it comes in a whopping 32 shades, so you can find exactly the right one for your complexion.
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Pros
- Two-in-one contour stick and highlighter
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Requires brush for best results
"Anastasia Contour and Highlight Stick is another product that I highly recommend because of its ranges in tones," says Velázquez, noting the brand has more neutral and cool shades without too much warmth. Just note that because this foundation cream stick has a very cylindrical tip, you’ll want to use a brush for blending to eliminate any harsh lines.
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Large surface area makes coverage easy
Cons
- Requires brush for best results
Ideal for those who've already mastered the art, this product offers maximum coverage and maximum saturation, says Velázquez. Blend it the right way, and you'll have no trouble creating the appearance of structure, whether on the cheekbones, jawline, or nose.
Pros
- Dries matte
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Some say the twisting mechanism gets stuck
Raziuddin recommends this contour stick for its neutral tone range, but that's not all there is to love. Reviewers say the vegan and cruelty-free formula is super creamy and easy to apply, plus blends seamlessly. And because it dries into a matte finish, the product is suitable for those with combination or oily skin, too.
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Pros
- Comes in 14 shades
- Suitable for oily skin
Cons
- Expensive
If you have combination or oily skin, opt for a powder formula for your contouring needs, says Velázquez. Sticks are typically emollient-based, so they have more water and oxygen, which can create too much dew, he explains, noting this powder is one of his go-tos. It comes in 14 shades, all of which deliver natural dimension for a wide range of skin tones.
Comparatively well-priced, this contour stick is easy to apply, not too pigmented, and a cinch to blend, says professional makeup artist Stevi Christine. It's also a great size. Overall, a perfect product that works for both beginner and more savvy users.
Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.