Nars Contour Blush, $42
Skill Level: Novice
On the cream/liquid vs. powder debate, I usually always opt for cream makeup, whether it's blush, foundation or a contouring kit. I find it easier to blend and more natural looking. That is, until Nars Contour Blush hit my desk.
An all-over foundation application makes your face appear flat — this duo adds definition back in and is perfect for everyday wear. The formula is so silky and easy to blend that I'm convinced witchcraft was involved in the making of this contouring palette. And it goes on sheer, so you can build up to your desired level of contour (from naturally blessed with high cheekbones to Blue Steel). The matte highlight shade gives skin a soft-focus effect that looks luminous and natural.
Buy It Now
Skill Level: Novice
On the cream/liquid vs. powder debate, I usually always opt for cream makeup, whether it's blush, foundation or a contouring kit. I find it easier to blend and more natural looking. That is, until Nars Contour Blush hit my desk.
An all-over foundation application makes your face appear flat — this duo adds definition back in and is perfect for everyday wear. The formula is so silky and easy to blend that I'm convinced witchcraft was involved in the making of this contouring palette. And it goes on sheer, so you can build up to your desired level of contour (from naturally blessed with high cheekbones to Blue Steel). The matte highlight shade gives skin a soft-focus effect that looks luminous and natural.
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Marc Jacobs Beauty #Instamarc Light Filtering Contour Powder, $49
Skill Level: Novice
Drawing inspiration from the flattering filters of Instagram, this contouring makeup kit comes in shades so subtle and natural, you'll never have to worry about looking like you've got dirty smudges on your cheeks. Because the highlighting and bronzing colors are so forgiving, this contour kit works for amateurs or pros. The light-filtering formula is matte, silky and blendable. Plus, the sleek packaging features a mirror big enough to actually use to apply your makeup.
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Skill Level: Novice
Drawing inspiration from the flattering filters of Instagram, this contouring makeup kit comes in shades so subtle and natural, you'll never have to worry about looking like you've got dirty smudges on your cheeks. Because the highlighting and bronzing colors are so forgiving, this contour kit works for amateurs or pros. The light-filtering formula is matte, silky and blendable. Plus, the sleek packaging features a mirror big enough to actually use to apply your makeup.
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Laura Mercier Flawless Contouring Palette, $50
Skill Level: Beginner
With three shades of creamy contour and two shades of highlighter to choose from, this contouring makeup kit makes it easy to custom-mix a color combination that works for your skin tone. The formula is incredibly easy to blend, but stays where you want it (translation: you'd really have to try to mess this one up). Hello, sculpted cheekbones of your dreams.
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Skill Level: Beginner
With three shades of creamy contour and two shades of highlighter to choose from, this contouring makeup kit makes it easy to custom-mix a color combination that works for your skin tone. The formula is incredibly easy to blend, but stays where you want it (translation: you'd really have to try to mess this one up). Hello, sculpted cheekbones of your dreams.
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Cover FX Contour Kit, $48
Skill Level: Beginner-Advanced
Finding the right shades to contour and highlight with is notoriously difficult. CoverFX takes the guesswork out of it by breaking their vegan, fragrance-free sets into six different contour palettes based on not only how dark or light your skin is, but also your skin's undertones.
People with advanced contouring skills will appreciate the creamy, pigmented shades that are about the opacity of medium-coverage foundation and can take you from flat to Kardashian (face-wise, anyway) in the span of a few minutes; contouring novices will find that the step-by-step instructions, buildable intensity and foolproof color-matching make contouring infinitely less terrifying to attempt.
Buy It Now
Skill Level: Beginner-Advanced
Finding the right shades to contour and highlight with is notoriously difficult. CoverFX takes the guesswork out of it by breaking their vegan, fragrance-free sets into six different contour palettes based on not only how dark or light your skin is, but also your skin's undertones.
People with advanced contouring skills will appreciate the creamy, pigmented shades that are about the opacity of medium-coverage foundation and can take you from flat to Kardashian (face-wise, anyway) in the span of a few minutes; contouring novices will find that the step-by-step instructions, buildable intensity and foolproof color-matching make contouring infinitely less terrifying to attempt.
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Becca Lowlight/Highlight Perfecting Palette Poured, $42
Skill Level: Beginner
The creamy, sheer highlight in this contour kit defines cheekbones with a dewy, soft radiance. The sculpting cream contains a blend of brown and gray hues, so when applied, it looks like the natural shadows of your face, not an obvious contour job. Build up the creamy formula to your desired intensity or set it with a contour powder for extra-defined cheekbones.
Buy It Now
Skill Level: Beginner
The creamy, sheer highlight in this contour kit defines cheekbones with a dewy, soft radiance. The sculpting cream contains a blend of brown and gray hues, so when applied, it looks like the natural shadows of your face, not an obvious contour job. Build up the creamy formula to your desired intensity or set it with a contour powder for extra-defined cheekbones.
Buy It Now