Lorrie Pearson, a professional makeup artist, says, “Contour sticks are fast and easy to use. You can define your features quickly to create your beautiful look.” Contour sticks are simple to use, fuss-free, portable, and practical. Most of these contouring products come in a two-in-one contour and highlight stick, with a dark and a light hue on either side. There are numerous color combinations to choose from to suit various skin tones. They are available in creamy formulas that blend smoothly and last a long time. In addition, contour sticks are so lightweight that they slide effortlessly over the skin and help you get ready quickly. A decent contour stick should be free of toxic substances, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and cruelty-free. We have hand-picked some contour sticks that have good highlight hues, harmonizing mattes, and beautiful shimmers, along with a creamy yet lightweight formulation to help you achieve that flawless makeup look. Scroll down to find the product that is ideal for you!

10 Best Contour Sticks Available Right Now

1. Best Creamy Formula: NYX Cosmetics Wonder Stick

4.2 Image: Nyx Professional Makeup BUY ON AMAZON | $9.59
NYX Cosmetics Wonder Stick has two different shades on either side – one for highlighting and the other for contouring. It helps you achieve that glowing, sculpted look.  Its thick, creamy formula glides smoothly on the skin and blends well. This ultimate dynamic duo stick is available in six color-coordinated shade pairings. It is easy to apply and PETA-certified cruelty-free. Pros

Blends well Comes with a highlighter Easy to apply Creamy formula Available in 6 shades Cruelty-free

Cons

A bit greasy

2. Best SPF Protection: L’Oreal Paris Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick

4.3 BUY ON AMAZON | $12.96 L’Oreal Paris Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick has SPF 27. It offers long-lasting, buildable coverage. This contouring stick comes in multiple shades and feels weightless on the skin. Its formula melts into your skin without caking or dragging. The creamy texture helps in blending the product well for a sculpted look that helps you define and enhance your features. It can be used to shape and contour your face quickly. Pros

Lasts up to 24 hours SPF 27 Lightweight Medium-to-full buildable coverage Creamy formula Glides easily on the skin No caking

Cons

Slightly oily formula

3. Best In Highlighting Shade: Maybelline New York FaceStudio Master Contour V-Shape Duo Stick

4.1 BUY ON AMAZON | $6.5 Maybelline FaceStudio’s Master Contour V-Shape Duo Stick has a creamy matte formula that blends easily into the skin. It has a dark contouring shade on one side and a light highlighting shade on the other. It helps you add definition and structure to your face.  This 2-in-1 contour and highlighter stick glides easily on your skin to help you create the illusion of a sculpted V-shaped jawline. Maybelline FaceStudio Master Contour V-Shape Duo Stick is available in 3 shades for light, medium, and dark skin tones. This handy contour stick helps you get a flawless look in a very short time. Pros

Glides smoothly on the skin Easy to use Comes with a highlighting shade Blends well Available in 3 shades

Cons

Not long-lasting

4. Best Hypoallergenic Formula: Kiko Milano Creamy Stick Contour

4.3 BUY ON AMAZON | $14.99 Kiko Milano Creamy Stick Contour is enriched with African walnut oil and soothing pistachio extract that give it a soft and creamy texture, thus ensuring good coverage and blendability. It is easy to use and made with pure matte pigments that leave a natural matte finish on your skin. The stick’s ergonomic shape allows you to define your features with precision and ease. Thus, you can contour your features easily to create a sculpted look. This dermatologically tested contour stick is hypoallergenic and safe for most skin types. It is non-comedogenic, so it does not clog your pores and lets your skin breathe. Pros

Creamy formula Great coverage Matte finish Cruelty-free Hypoallergenic Non-comedogenic Dermatologically tested

Cons

Has a warm orange undertone

5. Best Pigmented: Wet N Wild MegaGlo Dual-Ended Contour Stick

4.2 BUY ON AMAZON | $4.99 Wet N Wild MegaGlo Dual-Ended Contour Stick helps you contour and highlight your face with ease. Its creamy formula glides smoothly on the skin and helps in adding definition. The warm contouring shade helps chisel or sculpt your face while the lighter shade enhances your features by highlighting them. This convenient and portable stick allows for precise application. This cruelty-free contour stick lasts all day. Pros

Blends well Highly pigmented Creamy formula Long-lasting Easy to use Portable

Cons

Thick texture

6. Best Shade Range: Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Match Stix Matte Skinstick

Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Match Stix Matte Skinstick is the must-have all-rounder in your makeup kitty. This contour stick highlights, impart radiance, sculpts, adds warmth and contours to create definition. The lightweight cream-to-powder formula is buildable and easily blendable without creasing. It complements most skin types flawlessly and is available in a wide array of shades for lasts kin undertones. Pros

Contours, highlights, sculpts  Wide range of shades Phthalate-free Paraben-free Easy to use Buildable formula Vegan Cruelty-free No caking

Cons None

7. Best Easy To Use: CCbeauty Imagic Highlight & Contour Stick

4 BUY ON AMAZON | $9.59 This dual-ended contour and highlight stick helps you create an illusion of a stronger jawline, well-chiseled cheeks, and a slimmer nose.  This easy-to-use product adds depth and definition to your facial features for a more sculpted look. The contour stick helps in highlighting and contouring quickly and with precision. It has a creamy formula that glides smoothly on the skin. It does not dry out the skin as the formula contains vitamin E that moisturizes your skin. There are 4 different shades available in this product that suit most skin tones. Pros

Comes with a highlighting shade Premium quality Creamy formula Easy to use Moisturizes the skin Available in 4 different shade combinations

Cons

Strong fragrance

8. Best Anti-Aging Benefit: PÜR Cameo Contour & Highlight Stick

4.1 BUY ON AMAZON | $39.5 PÜR Cameo Contour & Highlight Stick is made with a proprietary blend of ceramides and vitamin A that has hydrating and anti-aging properties. The microspheres in this formula have light-reflective properties that make your skin look good by hiding imperfections such as age spots, fine lines, and uneven skin tone or texture. Its creamy formula gets absorbed easily into the skin to add depth and dimension to your face. Thus, this dual-ended contour stick contours and highlights your face simultaneously for a flawless look. It also comes with a contour blending sponge. Pros

Comes with a highlighting shade Creamy formula Anti-aging properties Hydrates the skin Cruelty-free Comes with a contour blending sponge

Cons

Contains phenoxyethanol

9. Best Cream-Gel Formula: TRE’STIQUE Color & Contour Bronzer Stick

4.4 BUY ON AMAZON | $23.8 TRE’STIQUE Color & Contour Bronzer Stick is a new generation cream-gel contour stick that is ideal for creating a perfectly sculpted look. It is formulated to glide with a silky touch and contour your cheeks with a veil of matte bronzing color. It is infused with coconut oil that moisturizes your skin. Its formula is super blendable and comes in one universal shade that looks good on everyone. Blend it to your heart’s content and mix it with your favorite blush or highlighter for your ideal contoured look. Its custom magnetic seal cap keeps your makeup bag clean. Use the built-in angled brush on the opposite end to blend and buff the contour. Pros

Blends well Matte finish Moisturizes the skin Durable Cream-gel formula Custom magnetic seal cap Comes with an angled blending brush

Cons

Only available in one shade

10. Best Multipurpose Use: Focallure Face Contour Stick

3.8 BUY ON AMAZON | $9 Focallure Face Contour Stick suits most skin types. It comes in a set of 4 products – 2 contour sticks and 2 highlight sticks. It helps you get a sculpted look by adding depth and definition to the face. This dermatologically tested makeup product gives you that subtle glow perfect for a date or a special occasion. Its creamy formula blends well and lasts long. It can be used on the collar bones and legs too. Pros

Multipurpose Blends well Dermatologically tested Long-lasting Creamy formula

Cons

Difficult to use due to the shape

Anyone can achieve the perfect cheekbones with contouring. By using a darker shade of makeup product on the areas, you want to recede and a lighter shade on the places you want to bring forward, you can create the illusion of higher cheekbones. Many products on the market can be used for contouring, but contour sticks are a great option because they are easy to use and blend. However, when looking for a contour stick to highlight your cheekbone, you should keep a few things in mind.

Things To Look For In A Contour Stick To Highlight Your Cheekbone

Shade

First, consider the shade of the contour stick. You want a shade slightly darker than your skin tone to create a natural-looking shadow. For instance, look for a light brown or taupe contour stick if you have fair skin. For medium skin, look for a dark brown or chocolate contour stick. Look for a black or espresso contour stick if you have dark skin.

Formula

Look for a contour stick that seamlessly blends into your skin without looking patchy or cakey. You should be able to build upon the color and intensity as you like without it looking patchy on the skin. Instead, opt for a stick with a creamy formula that will blend easily and create a natural look.

Brand

The brand you select should have a good reputation in the industry. It should already have a few high-quality products. Look for brands that have been around for a while and have a good track record. Also, look for customer reviews to understand what others think of the brand. If you find that difficult, just go for a brand you may have tried.

Price

Finally, don’t forget to consider the price when shopping for a contour stick. There are great drugstore options available that won’t break the bank. But if you want something high-end, there are plenty of luxurious options out there as well. However, if any contour stick meets your eye, whether affordable or expensive, don’t hesitate to invest in it.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Baishali Bhattacharya, the author of this article, is certified in makeup techniques. Her expertise in this field drives her to choose the best contour sticks for her readers. Understanding the struggle women go through with finding the perfect makeup, she has reviewed some of the top contour sticks out there to make it easier for you. This well-researched list of contour sticks is simple, portable, easy to use, and most importantly, helps you achieve a flawless look! What is the purpose of a contour stick? A contour stick imparts definition to your face as it highlights and darkens certain areas of the face to make it look sculpted. Is liquid or stick contour better? For dramatic effect, the liquid contour can work wonders. However, if you want to go for a subtle makeup look, it is better to use stick contour. Which contour stick is best for beginners? Beginners can use the NYX Cosmetics Wonder Stick. It is easy to apply and blends well with your skin tone. Do you use a contour stick before or after foundation? Contouring is done after applying foundation and concealer. This makes the process of blending makeup products easier and more effective. Is a contour stick the same as concealer? No, contour sticks and concealers have different usages. Contour sticks offer definition while highlighting the natural features of your face. On the other hand, concealers cover spots, blemishes, and signs of aging to enhance the appearance of your skin.

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