As I come to appreciate contouring more and more, I want to make the concept attainable for everyone. So, I am going through my collection to discuss the best contour palettes for beginners, and really makeup enthusiasts of all skill levels.
tarte Tartest Pro Glow Highlight & Contour Palette
This palette contains four highlighters, one powder contour, and one cream contour. I have never used the cream shade, so I cannot speak for that. The powder contour is lovely and the right tone to get the job done. I have a deluxe sample of Stunner and it is an amazing highlighter that glows for miles without shimmer. The tone is perfect to match every makeup look. Strobe is a more subtle highlight with a touch of shimmer. Lit and Fire are a bit too dark for me.
Too Faced Cocoa Contour Face Contouring and Highlighting Kit
My kit is the old version of the palette, as it has since gotten a facelift and is completely different. This all-powder kit includes a medium and a deep contour, plus a matte highlight and an oh-so-slightly shimmery highlight. The brush is decent and you can definitely contour with it. Also, the cocoa smell is divine.
tarte Park Ave Princess Chisel Palette
It features two matte highlights and four contour shades that range from light to deep, that can also do double duty as bronzer. When we think about best contour makeup, we love a double duty item! I love that this shade range completely avoids you looking orange. The powders are so soft and luxurious. A quick tip here- lately I have been applying contour to the hollows of my cheeks, and then following with bronzer. I always did it vice versa, but I am enjoying the new way.
Kat Von D Shade + Light Refillable Contour Palette
This is my special occasion and travel contour palette of choice. The range of tones is exceptionally nice for fair skin, as it includes three contour shades and three matte highlights. The matte highlights really give you options with the banana yellow, the light brightening shade, and the more neutral shade. You can build these colors up for the perfect sculpt.
Kat Von D Shade + Light Creme Contour Palette
This is the all-cream version of the powder palette, but the tones do pull darker than the powder. I admit that I need to get into this palette, and cream makeup in general, more. But, this is a great option for those who prefer cream over powder.
wet n wild megaglo Contouring Palette
She’s old, but one worth having around for contouring for beginners. People always hit pan on the banana yellow matte highlight shade, but I am not really into banana powders. They do a good job of brightening the skin on medium skin tones. The contour shade is just perfect. I appreciate the simplicity of this palette as it completely avoids being overwhelming. It is also great for a quick contour if you are short on time. The formula is highly pigmented.
elf Contour Palette
This palette contains a light and medium contour, a matte highlight, and a gentle highlighter. It is tricky to see, but I have quite a dent in the matte highlight. This is another no-fuss palette like the wet n wild one above. It gets the job done quickly and effectively, but at a much lower price point. It has been around for a long time for a reason, because it is definitely a drugstore makeup hidden gem! The pigmentation is soft and buildable.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Cream Kit
Being that this is another cream palette, I do need to get into this one more. People praise this kit for its lovely blendability and pigmentation, which is why it hits the mark as a best contour palette. I have used the deepest contour shade and it is so easy to work with. This kit includes three contour shades ranging from light, medium, and deep, as well as three matte highlighters, one of which is pure white.
Profusion Pro Contour
You may notice how much this looks like the Kat Von D palette, and I compare the two in my cheap alternatives to high-end makeup. You will honestly get the same look with this palette as the high-end version, and even the performance is there. This is a hard palette to actually find, but definitely scoop it up if you come across it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cream or powder contour best for beginners?
Powder contour is best for beginners, because it is easy to blend and to build along with your other makeup products. While powder is the most familiar, cream does have a learning curve.
How do I choose a contour palette?
You can choose a contour palette based on your needs, as well as skin tone and budget. A beginner may want to stick with powders that have buildable coverage. Creams typically come in darker hues for a more serious contour that is also great for deeper skin tones. There are drugstore and high-end options available.
Do you use contour before or after foundation?
If you are using powder contour, you should apply that after foundation. Cream contour can be used before foundation application, which is known as underpainting. Cream contour can also be used after foundation, but before powder.
Shop The Palettes
Overall, the best contour kit in this is Kat Von D’s powder, because the powder practically blends itself, which is what all beginners need. The colors are suitable to avoid an accidental harsh contour, all with a buildable formula that you can control. Are you into contouring? Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
One Response
Hey
This is a great post- so clear and easy to follow. and yes, I,m holding out for the sharks too -that really made me laugh!Thanks for the ton of tangible, attainable,attainable help.All your hard work is much appreciated.