The Best Contour Sticks For Every Complexion
All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.
Match Stix Matte Skinstick, £23 | Fenty Beauty
Experts and fans of this stick on the SheerLuxe Community rave about its lasting colour payoff. It has a cream-to-powder formula that blends smoothly without any caking or patchiness – game-changing for a contour stick. We love that it stays put, even if you have naturally oily skin, and that there are nine shade to choose from, so it’s easy to find one for your skin tone. Though it’s matte, the finish is best described as a velvety sheen that gives skin a healthy, fresh appearance.
Available at Boots.com
Soft Sculpt Shaping Stick, £32 | Makeup By Mario
A make-up artist favourite, this was created by beauty legend Mario Dedivanovic – the man behind Kim Kardashian’s make-up looks – and it’s one of the best sticks for sculpting your cheekbones and jawline. It’s creamy and comes with an in-built blending brush, so it’s great for travel or throwing in your bag. There are six shades available, all with a matte dry down that’s perfect for creating natural definition. We love applying it just below the cheekbone, blending upwards for a soft, seamless finish.
Available at Sephora.co.uk
Bronze Balm, £32 | Merit
It’s easy to see why this has been such a huge hit. Like others on this list, the stick format makes application a breeze – simply scribble it around the perimeters of your face and blend it out using fingers or a brush. It doesn’t dry down too fast either, so you have time to work it into your skin. It also leaves behind an unrivalled, glowy sheen that catches the light nicely. Just go for a shade darker than you normally would – it’s so sheer, it’s very natural-looking.
Available at MeritBeauty.com
Nudies Bronze, £30 | NUDESTIX
Few multi-tasking products rival this one from NUDESTIX. With a soft, balm-like consistency, the Nudies give skin a healthy hint of colour without any unwanted shimmer or shine. Swipe them on eyes and cheeks, or wherever you want definition and shape. You can blend the formula with your fingers, but a brush will help you get that diffused, even finish. Extra points go to the gentle ingredients like kaolin and glycerin that keep skin smooth and hydrated.
Available at Boots.com
Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer, £25 | Rare Beauty
Thanks to its buttery texture, this glides onto skin and blends out effortlessly. It leaves behind a satiny wash of colour that goes the distance thanks to the water-resistant formula. Sheer and buildable, it’s easy to layer up for more intensity or dial back for a subtly bronzed finish. Available in seven shades, there’s something for everyone here.
Available at SpaceNK.com
Contour Stylus, £35 | Victoria Beckham Beauty
This is smaller in size than others here, but that doesn’t affect its versatility. Use it to contour and add definition to your skin, or sweep a little over lids for a soft, smokey eye. Because the tip is like an eye crayon, it’s easy to work with and means you won’t deposit too much product in one go, so you always get a natural-looking result. Creamy and smooth, it blends out nicely – you’ll find you can work it in with fingers alone, no brush required.
Available at VictoriaBeckhamBeauty.com
Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour, £26 | Clinique
We’re long-time lovers of this cult contour stick from Clinique. Chunky and easy to hold, scribble it on wherever you want some shape and structure. The colours are particularly flattering – ‘Curvy Contour’ is a warm, sun-kissed tone that never looks ashy or grey. Ideal for those wanting to create a soft sculpt that’s sheer and easy to build.
Available at Boots.com
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