The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (2024)

The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (1)

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We love a good makeup stick. Stick foundations, eye shadow sticks, blush sticks, and, of course, one of the newer sticks to enter the scene, contour sticks. There are infinite reasons why they’re at the top of our list of favorite contour methods, but we’ll point out just a few. For starters, they’re self-sufficient—as in, they don’t require a brush to make it from the tube to your cheekbones. Another reason: They’re the optimal size for travel or on-the-go sculpting. Throw them in your bag and they take up less space than a tube of mascara. And last (but, obviously, not least): They require little to no skill. Just twist 'em up, swipe them exactly where you want to sculpt, and blend. Boom. Perfect cheekbones. No notes.

Of course, not all contour sticks can be the best. That’s why we’ve rounded up 10 of our absolute favorite contour sticks that you should probably add to your rotation ASAP.

1

Pro Tool

MAKEUP BY MARIO SoftSculpt Shaping Stick

The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (2)

We can’t talk about contouring without mentioning the master of the art, Mario Dedivanovic. He essentially put the makeup look on the map (via the Kardashians’ faces); therefore, it’s no surprise that his namesake contour stick is an actual magic wand.

2

Drugstore Deal

NYX Wonder Concealer Stick

The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (3)

Pros
  • The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (4)Works as a concealer and contour stick
Cons

    This double-sided stick features shades for both contouring and highlighting, and users swear by it. “I love how easy it is to contour my face with the wonder stick: It adds a nice natural glow to my face. I can’t live without this product,” one reviewer wrote.

    Pros
    • The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (6)Moisturizing ingredients
    Cons

      Infused with jojoba oil, green tea, and sunflower seed oil, you’ll score hydration along with your contour. Warm tones instantly liven the skin, while subtle shimmer delivers a naturally radiant finish.

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      4

      Best for All-Over Contouring

      Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer

      The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (7)

      Pros
      • The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (8)Matte finish
      Cons

        Use this bronzer stick literally everywhere: cheeks, eyes, lips, collarbones, arms, legs … you get the point. It’s crazy easy to blend for a contoured look or all-over bronze.

        5

        Best Multitasking Stick

        Live Tinted Huestick

        The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (9)

        Pros
        • The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (10)Creamy formula can be used on lips and cheeks
        Cons

          Live Tinted founder Deepica Mutyala knew what she was doing with this creamy eye, lip, and cheek stick. One user says, “The formula is so creamy...It makes contouring so easy and I love the subtle look as it blends into my skin.”

          6

          Drugstore Deal

          L'Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Foundation Shaping Stick

          Now 23% Off

          Pros
          • The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (12)Great multitasking product
          Cons

            Use this stick as foundation, concealer, contour, highlight—you name it. With more than a dozen shades, there’s something for every complexion need.

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            7

            Best Highlighter and Contour Stick

            UOMA Beauty Double Take Contour Stick

            The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (13)

            Pros
            • The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (14)Inclusive shade range
            Cons

              Complete with both contour and highlight shades, Uoma Beauty’s stick is buildable and long wearing, plus it comes in a variety of shades that cater to all skin tones.

              8

              Best for Blending

              Palladio Build+Blend Contouring Stick

              The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (15)

              Pros
              • The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (16)Has a built-in sponge
              Cons

                No brush? No problem. Get a perfect contour in seconds with the built-in blending sponge (and don't worry about getting any product on your fingers).

                9

                Best Matte Contour Stick

                Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick

                The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (17)

                Pros
                • The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (18)Inclusive shade range
                Cons

                  In short: Anything Rihanna creates is gold. In more detail: This matte, blendable stick is a must-have, and like all Fenty products, the shade range is hard to beat.

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                  10

                  Best Creamy Contour Stick

                  KIKO Milano Sculpting Touch Creamy Stick Contour

                  The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (19)

                  Pros
                  • The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (20)Matte but not drying
                  Cons

                    This matte stick blends easily, covers imperfections, and is infused with African walnut oil and pistachio extract for a comfortable application.

                    11

                    Frequently Asked Questions

                    The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (21)

                    Should you use a contour stick or powder?

                    QQ: How dewy do you want to look? Contour powders will often leave your skin looking matte and airbrushed (unless, of course, there’s shimmer in it), while matte formulas will leave your skin with a more hydrated look. It really comes down to preference.

                    Should you blend with a brush?

                    Nope! You can totally blend in your contour with your fingers, however some prefer to use a dense blending brush or a damp sponge.

                    What step in your makeup routine should you contour?

                    Typically, you’d want to apply your contour after foundation and before blush, bronzer, and highlighter. Think of it as framing the structure of your face. Once that’s locked in, you’ll have the perfect framework to finish the rest of your look.

                    The 10 Best Contour Sticks for Easy Sculpting (2024)

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