10 Best Contour Sticks of 2024

Description

Makeup artists share the best contour sticks to define cheekbones and jawlines, including the best drugstore contour sticks and more.
Ranging from fair to very deep, this Sculpt Cream Contour Stick from Milk Makeup is both matte and cool-toned, ideal for those desiring a more natural look. Enriched with sunflower seed oil for hydration and a thyme extract blend for nourishment, this formula blends seamlessly, ensuring no harsh lines are left behind. This best cool-toned contour stick's teeny-tiny size makes it perfect for on-the-go touch-ups, fitting easily in your makeup bag (or even pockets), and rest assured, you’re not shortchanged — each stick provides more than 1000 swipes. Editor testing and review notes: "This tiny contour stick provides major bang for your buck — a few dots are all you need to cover my cheeks, jawline, and perimeter of my forehead. The product seal on the top of the pigment does remove a bit of the product before the first use, but beyond that, I have no critical notes. The chubby shape of the product goes on in soft strokes, helping me to create a believable sculpted look." Price upon publish date of this article: $24
Allen’s pick for the best splurge contour stick is Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Contour Wand. “It’s definitely a keeper in my makeup kit,” she says. This water-based formula blends flawlessly, and leaves you looking super snatched. Unlike a traditional contour stick, it’s more of a wand with a cushion applicator that requires you to squeeze the tube and tap, tap, tap it onto the skin. This application method allows for a less harsh and more natural appearance. Just be careful not to squeeze too hard, or you’ll end up wasting product. Editor testing and review notes: "Few liquid contours hold a candle to Charlotte Tilbury's gorgeous formula. Beyond carving out my cheekbones and creating a shadow effect on my jaw, it also warms up my complexion to the point that bronzer is optional — and rest assured that it doesn't read orange. The cushion tip delivers a good amount of product per dot, so I really only need two dots per cheek and three on my forehead to get great dimension." Price upon publish date of this article: $42
According to Allen, Nyx’s Makeup Wonder Stick is versatile and easy to use, making it a great option if you’re in search of an affordable two-in-one contour stick that combines a deep, long-lasting contour with a highlighter to bring it all together. “The colors are so beautiful,” she says. I still remember saving my allowance money to purchase this when I was in middle school, and while I have an arsenal of products at my disposal nowadays, I still reach for this when I don't want to splurge but need something reliable. There are eight shades to choose between, and all of them are vegan and cruelty-free. What testers say: “The contour sticks works well and blends well for long wear use. The highlighter goes on smooth and isn’t too bright. Great addition to your makeup routine!” Price upon publish date of this article: $13.14
Both Allen and Scibelli love Fenty’s Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick, a subtle yet highly-pigmented contour with a matte finish for natural definition. The last thing you want is a contour that’s actually a bronzer, as contour is meant to be cool-toned because you want to create shadows. Fenty recently released more shades in the cool-toned family, so there’s no worry of looking overly bronzed or, god forbid, orange. What testers say: “Amazing!! I’ve been looking for a contour that has more of a grey undertone as contour products easily look orange on me. This is easy to apply, very smooth, and the finish leaves a beautiful contour without the orange!” Price upon publish date of this article: $32
After being sold out for months, the viral Lys No Limits bronzer stick is finally back in stock. Super creamy and chock-full of skin-friendly ingredients like hydrating niacinamide and rosehip oil, you can apply it with a brush or directly on your face — its angular shape makes it easy to sculpt different parts of the face. It’s so creamy that you can even blend it in with your fingers if you’re short on time. And because it’s highly pigmented, there’s no fear that it’ll disappear into the abyss as you blend it into the skin. What testers say: “The best cream bronzer I've ever tried. The melt into my base perfectly and are super long wearing as well.” Price upon publish date of this article: $20
Fans of Sofia Richie know that, thanks to her role as the beauty director for Nudestix, she’s almost always wearing the brand. So, if you’re looking to recreate her signature glowy makeup look, the key is the Nudestix Nudies Matte stick, a long-wearing, all-over sculpting stick. The shades vary, leaning more towards warm tones than cool, making it perfect for achieving that beachy glow. True to its name, all of Nudestix’s products come in a stick format, showcasing their mastery of stick formulations. The product blends on super easily and even comes with a blending brush at the bottom, making it easier than ever to get ready quickly. What testers say: “This product glides on so smoothly and leaves a really nice glowing finish. I love that there is a brush included which works amazing to help spread out the product.” Price upon publish date of this article: $35
It’s nearly impossible to mess up your contour with the Westman Atelier Face Trace. It easily glides across your skin and blends in without the need for force, thanks to hydrating berry flux vita and jojoba seed oil. It also contains kaolin clay, which absorbs excess oil, so there’s no worry of a shiny face — you want your contour to be subtle, after all. For fans of the no-makeup-makeup look, this is one of those rare makeup products you may use until its dying day. What testers say: “Best contour I have ever used! Perfect shade, not too warm or ashy. Blends beautifully with brush or fingers and works well layered under powder bronzer. Will be repurchasing when I run out!” Price upon publish date of this article: $48