How do you contour your face?

First, apply foundation and then layer contour on top. The beauty of the stick form is that you can apply the contour directly to your face, and then use a brush or sponge to blend it out. You’ll want to apply contour wherever you want to chisel your face by adding shadows. For instance, along your temples, under the cheekbones, along your jawline, and down the sides of your nose. Then blend, blend, blend before adding blush and highlighter to balance things out. “You want the contour to melt into the skin so there are no harsh lines,” Guam says. “My goal is never for someone to look ‘contoured.’ I simply want their features to look a little more defined while still looking like themselves.”

How do you blend your contour?

Instead of drawing lines directly onto the skin, Guam recommends using an angled brush and then blending by using “light tapping motions instead of dragging the product across the skin.” Additionally, she always blends upwards to give the look a “softer, lifted” look. The most important step is to continue blending until you can’t see where the product starts or ends. “My philosophy has always been to enhance your natural features, not hide them. Makeup should make you look like you—but better,” Guam adds.

What’s the difference between bronzer and contour?

Bronzer is meant to warm up your complexion, while the goal of contour is to sculpt your features. You can sometimes get away with using one product in place of both, but contour sticks tend to come in cooler tones than bronzers since the goal is to mimic the effect of shadows and depth on the skin rather than add color.

What type of contour is best?

Guam recommends using a cream contour stick if you’re a beginner because it allows you to apply makeup more concentratedly. But if you’re interested in trying a liquid contour, the benefits are that they’re “usually lightweight and blend seamlessly into the skin,” she says. Pro-tip from Guam: Be careful when using liquid contour as it dries quickly and you might need to move faster. “Powder contour definitely has its place. If you have oily skin or wear a fuller-coverage matte foundation, powder can work really well,” Guam shares. She usually sticks to cream contour because it really blends into the skin rather than sitting on top—giving a more natural finish.

Why should you use a contour stick?

Makeup artist Alex Byrne highlights the versatility of contour sticks: “Their shape allows for use on the larger flat side or the smaller edge, making precise application easy. Many creamy formulas blend well and can be layered for a more dramatic evening look, while their cream texture provides a skin-like finish,” she explains. “They also travel well since they’re not powder or liquid, and many are long-wearing, doubling as eyeshadow or bronzer.”

The 8 Best Contour Sticks of 2026, Tested and Approved

A makeup contour stick displayed alongside a woman holding it near her face — Byrdie

TL;DR

Best Overall: If you could only buy one contour stick, we recommend the Haus Labs Precision Sculpt Shaping Balm. It got knockout reviews because of its incredible blendability, long-lasting wear, and shade range (nine in total!).
Drugstore Favorite: Being new to the contour game can be daunting, so if you want to start with a simple drugstore find, consider the NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick. The dual-ended highlighter and contour is a bonus, giving you two makeup products in one.

The art of contouring—using shadows and darker colors to define and reshape your face—has long been a technique reserved for the pros. However, due to a massive influx of new products and the rise of makeup artists sharing their skills on social media, contouring is now more commonplace—even the newest makeup novices can do it. “I think contour can get a bad reputation because people often associate it with dramatic makeup. When it’s done well, you shouldn’t really notice it,” says Jen Cayle Gaum, a NYC-based makeup artist. “A contour stick simply adds a little dimension back into the face. It enhances the features you already have, creates subtle definition, and helps everything look balanced. The result isn’t that you look different—you just look a little more sculpted and refreshed.”

To narrow down which formulas will do exactly that, we consulted with makeup artists and tested dozens of contour sticks on a variety of skin types, skin tones, and makeup preferences. Then we evaluated each one on its shade range, bendability, and wear. Ahead, we’re sharing the ones that impressed us the most.

Top Picks

Best Overall:

Haus Labs Precision Sculpt Shaping Balm Contour Stick at Sephora $30

Jump to Review

Best Overall, Runner-Up:

Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick at Sephora $48

Jump to Review

Best Drugstore:

NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick at Amazon $14

Jump to Review

Best for Beginners:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Smooth Blur Cream Contour Stick at Amazon $34

Jump to Review

Best Matte:

Makeup by Mario Softsculpt Shaping Stick at Sephora $34

Jump to Review

Best Precise:

Morphe Shapelifter Micro Contour Stick at Amazon $13

Jump to Review

Best Natural-Looking:

Nars The Multiple Sculpting Stick at Sephora $40

Jump to Review

Best for Dry Skin:

LYS Beauty No Limits Bronzer Stick at Sephora $24

Jump to Review

Best Overall

Haus Labs Precision Sculpt Shaping Balm Contour Stick

Credit: Sephora

$30 at Sephora $30 at Hauslabs.com $30 at Kohls.com

What We Like

Blends effortlessly
Excellent, cool-toned shade range
Buildable and pigmented

What to Consider

Not a ton of product in the stick for the price

Shades: 9 | Finish: Matte | Size: 3.5 grams | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re looking for the best contour stick, stop right here. The Haus Labs Precision Sculpt Shaping Balm got a knockout review from us thanks to its blendability, buildability, shade range, and staying power. There are nine shades to choose from; unlike many contours that are too gray or so warm they look like bronzer, these are perfectly cool-toned. Our tester raved about how effortlessly the creamy formula blended, and was so pleased by its natural look on her skin.

Site Loop: Person’s face before and after using Haus Labs Precision Sculpt Shaping Balm.

Alyssa Kaplan, editor: “This is the most blendable contour I’ve ever used. It blends in seamlessly and with almost no effort required, but without blending away. It layers over foundation well and doesn’t disrupt other makeup.”

Best Overall, Runner-Up

Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick

Credit: Sephora

$48 at Sephora $48 at Nordstrom $48 at Westman-atelier.com

What We Like

Super creamy formula makes it easily blendable
A little bit goes a long way
Applies well with a brush or fingers

What to Consider

Some online reviewers had issues with the packaging

Shades: 8 | Finish: Natural | Size: 6 grams | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Westman Atelier’s contour stick is buildable, long-lasting, and blendable. If you’re out and about and want a quick touch-up, our tester noted that applying it with a brush or your fingertips works wonderfully. While it is on the pricier side, a little bit goes a long way, meaning you won’t have to grab another one anytime soon. We also like the shade range; it offers a spectrum of colors with cool and slightly red undertones for a real-looking contour. It’s worth noting that although our tester didn’t experience any trouble, some online reviewers mentioned the stick fell out of the tube, which is unfortunate considering how pricey this pick is.

Site Loop: Person’s face before and after using Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick.

Lauren Pardee, associate editorial director: “The product melted into my skin so stunningly sans any extra effort. I didn’t notice any patchiness, streakiness, bleeding, or disruption of other makeup.”

Best Drugstore

NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick

Credit: Target

$14

$13 at Amazon $14 at Ulta $14 at Target

What We Like

Affordably priced
Comes in a variety of shades
Dual-ended stick has a highlighter on the other end

What to Consider

Texture is firmer than creamier contour sticks

Shades: 8 | Finish: Natural | Size: 8 grams (4 per side) | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This dual-ended stick features a contour shade on one side and a precisely paired highlighter on the other to brighten and sculpt your face in targeted areas. Both formulas are smooth and easy to blend (though they take a bit of warming up on the skin), and we love that they set to a natural finish. The payoff and wear are impressive for a fraction of the cost of other popular contouring sticks.

Site Loop: Person’s face before and after using NYX Professional Makeup Wonderstick.

Ashley Rebecca, tester and makeup artist: “When I first got this contour stick, I feared it might not be the right shade for my fair skin, but as soon as I blended it in, it worked like magic. The results were impressive for a budget-friendly contouring stick and exceeded my expectations.”

Best for Beginners

Anastasia Beverly Hills Smooth Blur Cream Contour Stick

Anastasia Beverly Hills Smooth Blur Contour Stick

Credit: Ulta

$34 at Amazon $34 at Sephora $34 at Ulta

What We Like

Blends easily
Doesn’t disrupt other makeup
The pigmentation was buildable

What to Consider

Leans cooler (if you’re looking for warmer tones, this might not be for you!)

Shades: 8 | Finish: Natural | Size: 8 grams | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This contour stick is excellent for beginners because of its impressive blendability and how nicely it layers with other complexion makeup. Our tester used a makeup sponge to blend it in, and it didn’t leave any streaks or patchiness, nor did it disrupt her foundation. It’s also a good option for a first-timer because the color is slightly sheer upon application, meaning you can build it slowly.

Site Loop: Person’s face before and after using Anastasia Beverly Hills Smooth Blur Contour Stick.

Melody, tester: “The product did not lift or disturb any makeup underneath it. I did not notice any patchiness, streaking, or uneven blending.”

Best Matte

Makeup by Mario Softsculpt Shaping Stick

Credit: Kohl's

$34 at Sephora $34 at Kohls.com $34 at Makeupbymario.com

What We Like

Matte finish creates beautiful shadow
Built-in brush
Easy to blend

What to Consider

Packaging is a bit finicky

Shades: 7 | Finish: Matte | Size: 10.5 grams | Cruelty-Free: Yes

With a list of celeb clients, including Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian, makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic knows a thing or two about contouring. This contour stick is a staple in his eponymous makeup line, with a creamy, buildable formula and a matte finish, available in shades from fair to deep dark. Our tester was impressed by its lineup of shades, each with varying depths and undertones. She also loved the matte finish, which is great for those with oily skin or people who want to create an authentic-looking shadow. Plus, a built-in brush makes application easy.

Site Loop: Person’s face before and after using Makeup by Mario Softsculpt Shaping Stick.

Amanda, tester: “I am obsessed with the formulation and pigment of this contour stick. I have olive undertones, and I often struggle to find shades that don’t appear orange on my skin. In this lineup, I found the perfect cool-toned hue that enhances the actual ‘shadow color’ of my cheekbones.”

Best Precise

Morphe Shapelifter Micro Contour Stick

Credit: Target

$13 at Amazon $13 at Ulta $13 at Target

What We Like

Slim applicator is great for precise contouring
Blendable formula
Affordable price point

What to Consider

Thin stick can be fragile, so be sure not to twist it up too high

Shades: 7 | Finish: Natural | Size: 1.45 grams | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This pen-like contour stick is so slim that it’ll give you precise, easily blendable contouring. The formula is somewhere between creamy and solid and doesn’t disturb other makeup products. Plus, the skinny, lightweight applicator is great for on the go or throwing into a travel bag as it doesn’t take up much space. While our tester was pleasantly surprised at the level of pigmentation the initial application afforded her, she appreciated that it could be built up for a darker, more dramatic look. The stick’s rounded tip made “carving out more difficult areas, like the nose and jawline just below the ear,” easier, our tester noted.

Site Loop: Person’s face before and after using Morphe Shapelifter Micro Contour Stick.

Jessica, tester: “The slim stylist format allowed for precise application, so it wasn’t difficult to keep the product in place as I blended it out.”

Best Natural-Looking

Nars The Multiple Sculpting Stick

Credit: Ulta

$40 at Sephora $40 at Ulta $40 at Narscosmetics.com

What We Like

Natural, buildable pigment
Acts like a mix of a bronzer and contour
Doesn’t make other makeup look dry or cakey

What to Consider

Dry formula makes it difficult to blend on dry skin

Shades: 5 | Finish: Matte | Size: 8 grams | Cruelty-Free: No

If you want your contour to look natural and, rather than transform you, accentuate your features, this pick is a great option. “It is very pigmented in the best way,” our tester noted, adding that it created dimension on the applied areas while also remaining buildable. The shades are also a bit warmer than other options on this list, making it a great option for those who want to combine bronzing and contouring steps. Note, though, it has a drier formula, so it might not be ideal for people with dry skin.

Site Loop: Person’s face before and after using Nars The Multiple Sculpting Stick.

Madison Barber, writer: “It’s very matte, which I really like for a contour formula. I think it looked super natural and didn’t emphasize my texture, pores, or dry patches at all.”

Best for Dry Skin

LYS Beauty No Limits Bronzer Stick

Credit: LYS Beauty

$24 at Sephora $24 at Kohls.com $20 at Thirteenlune.com

What We Like

Formulated with hydrating ingredients
Has a triangular shape for precise application
Super creamy and blendable consistency

What to Consider

Product gets stuck in the cap easily

Shades: 7 | Finish: Radiant | Size: 7 grams | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Dry skin types might find that applying contour on top of their foundation can cause patchiness or emphasize dry spots, so you’ll want to look for a formula with a buttery, nourishing feel. We recommend this pick from LYS Beauty, which includes ingredients to add hydration back to the skin, like rosehip oil, sodium hyaluronate, and green tea. While buildable, it feels weightless on the skin and blends very easily. It’s a great pick for those new to contouring since the angular shape makes it easy to create precise lines on the complexion. Another plus is that you only need a little product to create a visible contour, so one tube should last a while.

Site Loop: Person’s face before and after using LYS No Limits Bronzer Stick.

Ashley Rebecca, tester and makeup artist: “This is one of the creamiest contour sticks I’ve tried to date; the texture is soft and very easy to apply to the skin. It took me a little getting used to it, as the first time I used it, I applied too much, but the shape of the stick allowed me to place it under my cheekbones, nose, and forehead easily.”

What to Look for in a Contour Stick

Shade Range: Ideally, your contour color should be two to three shades deeper than your foundation color. “The best contour shade should almost disappear into your skin once it’s blended. It should look like a natural shadow, not obvious makeup,” Guam notes. You also want to pay attention to your undertones—in general, choose a cooler-toned contour for cool undertones and a slightly warmer contour if you have warmer undertones.
Ingredients: Regardless of your skin type, you should seek a formula that contains hydrating ingredients like jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, squalane, or hyaluronate; these will help the stick glide smoothly along your skin and blend seamlessly. “If you have acne-prone or sensitive skin, I’d avoid heavily fragranced formulas or products that feel overly waxy or greasy or have too much talc,” Guam explains.
Design Features: As far as design goes, look for a contour stick that feels easy to hold in your hand. Some have angled applicator heads to aid in sculpting, while others are rounded and cover more surface area—consider which shape works best for you and your skillset. You can also look for a contour stick with a built-in brush or sponge for easy blending.

How We Tested Contour Sticks

A person applying the LYS Beauty No Limits Cream Bronzer and Contour Stick onto their cheek — Byrdie

When recommending beauty products, we prioritize testing each one in real life to give you the most honest and detailed feedback. Each tester has a different skin type, tone, and concern, so we can evaluate each product thoroughly. To find the best contour sticks, Byrdie testers evaluated each one for its formula, shade range, bendability, and wear.

Testing Period: 4 weeks
Methodology: Contour sticks were tested at home in our everyday lives on different skin types and tones. Whether on a hot day, while traveling, out for the night, or eating or drinking, these products went through rigorous testing to see how they’d hold up under everyday life circumstances.
Factors Considered: Skin type, tone, undertone, and blendability; interaction with other makeup products; pigmentation; lasting power; finish; shade range; ingredients; and overall performance.

FAQ

How do you contour your face?

First, apply foundation and then layer contour on top. The beauty of the stick form is that you can apply the contour directly to your face, and then use a brush or sponge to blend it out. You’ll want to apply contour wherever you want to chisel your face by adding shadows. For instance, along your temples, under the cheekbones, along your jawline, and down the sides of your nose. Then blend, blend, blend before adding blush and highlighter to balance things out. “You want the contour to melt into the skin so there are no harsh lines,” Guam says. “My goal is never for someone to look ‘contoured.’ I simply want their features to look a little more defined while still looking like themselves.”
How do you blend your contour?

Instead of drawing lines directly onto the skin, Guam recommends using an angled brush and then blending by using “light tapping motions instead of dragging the product across the skin.” Additionally, she always blends upwards to give the look a “softer, lifted” look. The most important step is to continue blending until you can’t see where the product starts or ends. “My philosophy has always been to enhance your natural features, not hide them. Makeup should make you look like you—but better,” Guam adds.
What’s the difference between bronzer and contour?

Bronzer is meant to warm up your complexion, while the goal of contour is to sculpt your features. You can sometimes get away with using one product in place of both, but contour sticks tend to come in cooler tones than bronzers since the goal is to mimic the effect of shadows and depth on the skin rather than add color.
What type of contour is best?

Guam recommends using a cream contour stick if you’re a beginner because it allows you to apply makeup more concentratedly. But if you’re interested in trying a liquid contour, the benefits are that they’re “usually lightweight and blend seamlessly into the skin,” she says. Pro-tip from Guam: Be careful when using liquid contour as it dries quickly and you might need to move faster. “Powder contour definitely has its place. If you have oily skin or wear a fuller-coverage matte foundation, powder can work really well,” Guam shares. She usually sticks to cream contour because it really blends into the skin rather than sitting on top—giving a more natural finish.
Why should you use a contour stick?

Makeup artist Alex Byrne highlights the versatility of contour sticks: “Their shape allows for use on the larger flat side or the smaller edge, making precise application easy. Many creamy formulas blend well and can be layered for a more dramatic evening look, while their cream texture provides a skin-like finish,” she explains. “They also travel well since they’re not powder or liquid, and many are long-wearing, doubling as eyeshadow or bronzer.”

Meet Our Experts

We consulted with professional makeup artists to learn more about what to know when shopping for contour sticks and evaluate the formulas we tested:

Alex Byrne is a celebrity makeup artist and men’s groomer in NYC with notable clients such as Natasha Lyonne, Matt Long, Diane Lane, and Brooke Shields.
Jen Cayle Gaum is a NYC-based makeup artist, beauty expert, and founder of The Beauty Refresh™.

Why Trust Byrdie

Cullen Ormond is a freelance beauty writer and editor who has years of experience testing and writing about various products. It’s her mission to speak with the best experts and relay testers’ information clearly so you’re armed with all the information you need when you hit the makeup counter.

Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced editor and a product tester specializing in cosmetics. She’s been using and testing contour sticks for years, and has tested several products on this list. Alyssa has been on team Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.

In This Article

Best Overall

Haus Labs Precision Sculpt Shaping Balm Contour Stick