Gone are the days when contouring was once a secret technique done by makeup artists in photo shoots: Now it's all over every single Instagram account you follow. Chalk it up to Kim Kardashian's influence — after all, it's her secret to looking amazing all the time.

Even with its widespread popularity, contouring still takes skill and a lot of practice. New to the technique? We recommend starting with a quick brush-up on how to contour. Once you've got that covered, it's time to get shopping — start with one of these best contour kits and contour palettes that are perfect for beginners. 

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Start with a brush set that's made for mastering contouring. Just as the name implies, these brushes will take the guesswork out of your contouring. It comes armed with a bronzer brush, a highlight brush, a blush brush and a contour brush, as well as a step-by-step tutorial from the Sephora PRO team, all housed in a nifty a travel pouch.

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This set of contour powder, bronzer and highlight is all you need to get your contour technique on lock. The palettes come in two color options and the powders themselves are highly pigmented and blendable. It also comes with a guide that teaches you where to place each powder on your face, which makes it great for beginners.

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If you're hesitant to buy an expensive contour palette, this compact palette from NYX is a wonderful budget-friendly option. It may not come with as much product, but for someone who just beginning to learn about makeup, consider it your go-to product for mastering contouring. It also comes in four different shades.

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This fan-favorite contour kit comes equipped with six shades, each designed to chisel your face into perfection. You've got your pick of lighter and darker shades within the palette and since it's pigmented and blends well, it's ideal for creating just the right look.

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