If you have been underestimating the power of contouring products in making or breaking your makeup look, consider this as your wake-up call! The best contour palettes, as per my experience, are indeed game-changers when it comes to sculpting, defining, and highlighting your facial features while providing a natural-looking finish. From making your jawline look chiseled and cheekbones sharp to offering a slimming effect to your nose, contour palettes are the unsung heroes in your vanities that you often undermine. They also help conceal imperfections and create a flawless complexion that you have always desired. 

Talking about the right way to enhance facial features using a contour kit, our contributor Ghanima Abdullah, who is an experienced cosmetologist and beauty consultant, says, “The lighter color goes high on the cheekbones, under the eyes and in the center of the nose and forehead. Darker colors go low on the cheekbones and are blended into the hollow of the cheeks and light color highlighting. Darker colors also go on the sides of the nose to refine it.”

After trying out several options, I have finally curated a list of the 13 best contour palettes keeping in mind their formulations, texture, blendability, buildability, and cost-effectiveness. Trust me, all of these offer ease of application and long-lasting usage due to their premium formulas enriched with skin-loving ingredients. What’s more, is that these products are easily available at the click of a button to help you create versatile makeup looks that you have long been bookmarking on Pinterest. So, go ahead and take a look at my top recommendations -

• 1
  Editor’s Pick

  NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Conceal Correct Contour Palette - Light

  Buy on Amazon

I have always been a fan of contour palettes, all thanks to their versatile nature giving you the power to sculpt and transform your makeup looks effortlessly. This palette in particular is literally a game-changer. With six color-correcting concealers specially formulated to camouflage imperfections, it is no less than a magic wand providing you with a flawless complexion. What’s more? It’s cruelty-free, PETA-certified, and highly recommended by clean beauty enthusiasts around the globe. The palette is available in 4 shades for all skin tones to look nothing but charming and stunning every day. 

Shades: 4

Size: 0.05 Oz

2

My Favorite

Black Radiance True Complexion Contour Palette - Medium to Dark

Buy on Amazon

True to its name, the Black Radiance contour palette leaves no stone unturned in transforming your look from drab to fab. Available in three shades, the product goes a long way and doesn’t crease, smudge, or budge even in humid weather, making it perfect for oily skin types. Adding to that, it has been my forever companion in sculpting, shaping, and defining my facial features and acing the Pinterest look I have always adored. It is also highly buildable and blendable, giving you the power to take your makeup game up by several notches every time. Well, what else can you ask for? 

Shades: 3

Size: 0.38 Oz

3

Best Long-lasting Formula

RK By Kiss 3D Contour Artist Cream - Dark Medium

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New to contouring or color-correcting like my sister? Give the charge to this Contour Artist Cream by RK By Kiss. Featuring eight unique shades, the palette allows her to sculpt, define, and shape her facial features, creating a flawless makeup look. Besides, formulated to offer a natural, personalized finish, it is ideal for all skin types, ensuring versatile makeup looks perfect for every occasion. It is also creamy in texture and glides like butter on your skin to add depth and dimension to her face. So, what are you waiting for? Bring it home today!

Shades: 4

Size: 0.64 Oz

Quick Tip:

Apply the contour cream on your forehead in a ‘3’ shape, going down to the sides of your face and under the cheekbones, and then carve out your nose and jawline, and blend for a more chiseled look.

4

Most Budget-friendly

L.A. Colors I Heart Makeup Contour Palette - Light to Medium

Buy on Amazon

For beginners and pro makeup artists like me, alike, this contour palette is the go-to for both everyday use and special occasions. With 8 blendable shades, the I Heart Makeup Palette not only conceals and color-corrects imperfections but also paves the way for a natural finish makeup look that fetches several compliments everywhere I go. What’s more? The palette, available in two shades, has lighter colors for glowing, youthful-looking skin, and darker ones for creating shadows. It is also travel-friendly and makes it a breeze for me to do on-the-go touch-ups. 

Shades: 2

Size: 1.04 Oz

5

Most Travel-friendly

wet n wild MegaGlo Contour Palette - Dulce De Leche

Buy on Amazon

From the moment I started laying emphasis on contouring and color-correcting my face, trust me my happiness after seeing the final makeup look has known no bounds. This duo delivers a flawlessly sculpted face in no time. Adding to that, It defines my best features like a pro and leaves me looking nothing but stunning — ready to slay at any event. It is also cruelty-free and preferred by most beauty enthusiasts around the globe due to its creamy texture and long-lasting formula. So, why wait? Get set, and contour!

Shades: 2

Size: 0.44 Oz

6

Highly Blendable

e.l.f. Cream Contour Palette

Buy on Amazon

I have always had a hard time defining my facial features using the right contour shade, but with this palette in my collection, my makeup routine seems to be effortless, providing the desired look. Customizable to match every skin tone, this product blends like a dream to give you a flawless complexion all day long. It is also conveniently sized so that you can toss it in your bag wherever you go for on-the-go touch-ups. The best part? It is vegan, and 100% free from phthalates, parabens, and other harmful chemicals. 

Shade: 1 

Size: 0.43 Oz

7

Best for High Coverage

Too Cool for School ArtClass by Rodin Shading - Classic

Buy on Amazon

Not only mine, but this palette by Too Cool for School is also Korea’s most loved contouring product that helps sculpt and define your facial features like a pro. With three natural shades that can be blended together to achieve the desired tone, it works like magic to help you ace the makeup game in the comfort of your own home. Adding to that, the finely milled powder doesn’t settle into your fine lines and ensures seamless blendability, creating a soft matte finish, further making it perfect for all skin types. 

Shades: 3

Size: 0.33 Oz

8

Palladio Definer Contour and Highlight Palette

Buy on Amazon

This 2-in-1 contour and highlight palette is my go-to for special occasions when I wish to look my best and ace the makeup game like a pro. Perfect for defining and sculpting my facial features, it features three contour and three highlight shades that are 100% cruelty-free, paraben-free, and gluten-free, making it the most preferred product among clean beauty enthusiasts. Plus, it is infused with apricot, chamomile, ginkgo biloba, aloe vera, coconut oil, and ginseng to make your skin glow from the inside out. 

Shade: 1

Size: 0.64 Oz

9

Best Non-greasy Formula

Vodisa 10 Colour Makeup Contour Palette

Buy on Amazon

Like me, if you too have had a hard time picking the right contour shade for yourself, then this contour kit by Vodisa is what you should invest in. Featuring 10 versatile shades, it lets you mix and match to get the desired shade and create stunning makeup looks while sculpting your facial features to perfection. At the same time, it comes with travel-friendly packaging that allows you to do touch-ups effortlessly while on the go. It also has a rich color payoff, and is non-greasy, making it suitable for even oily skin types. What’s more? It is 100% cruelty-free, vegan, and gluten-free. 

Shade: 1 

Size: 3.53 Oz

10

I'm Meme Afternoon Tea Contour Palette - Frozen Choco

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If you have passed the experimentation stage like me, and are on the lookout for a highly-pigmented contour palette that does its magic even on oily skin types, you have come to the right place. This Afternoon Tea contour palette in the shade ‘Frozen Choco’ is a masterstroke by I'm Meme that is highly recommended by experts across the globe. Featuring 3 shades, it lets you sculpt and define your facial features without leaving behind any greasy residue. What’s more? It has a subtle chocolate scent that stimulates your senses and puts you in a good mood as you apply makeup. 

Shades: 3

Size: 0.4 Oz

11

Best Cruelty-free Palette

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer Contour Palette - Light/Medium

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I highly recommend the Physicians Formula Contour Palette in the shade ‘Light/Medium’ due to its ultra-creamy texture, all-day coverage, and ease of application. This 3-shade palette is a must-have for every makeup junkie, as not only does it nourish the skin with this powerful blend of murumuru butter, cupuaçu butter, and tucuma butter from the nutrient-rich Amazon, but it also glides like butter on your skin while sculpting and highlighting your facial features. Well, it goes a step ahead to offer you a natural finish, making you look and feel beautiful from the inside out.

Shades: 2

Size: 0.48 Oz

12

Best Refillable Palette

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Refillable Palette - Brown/Taupe

Buy on Amazon

Perfect for oily skin beauties including myself, this matte finish contour palette has been on my vanity for ages. It blends seamlessly into my skin without smudging, creasing, or budging. What’s more, is that it offers light coverage to ace the no-makeup makeup look that I have always adored. Plus, it comes in a compact size for easy portability and storage. In a nutshell, you can effortlessly sculpt and define your facial contours using this palette that works wonders for all skin types. So, why wait? Get it home today!

Shade: 1 

Size: 10.56 Oz

13

W7 Shape & Glow Highlight & Contour Powder Palette - Light

Buy on Amazon

The imperfections on my face had started to dull my complexion even after layers of foundation — and just then entered the W7 Shape & Glow Highlight & Contour Powder Palette in my collection! This palette not only hides discolorations on my face by color-correcting them but also offers a well-sculpted and defined makeup look that fetches compliments wherever I go. With 8 shades to choose from, it is also perfect for my sister and mother who have different skin tones than mine. Besides, it suits all skin types and comes in a wide range of matte and shimmer finishes. It is also 100% cruelty-free and PETA-approved. 

Shade: 1 

Size: 5.29 Oz

Now that you have seen our product recommendations for the best contour palettes, glance through our buying guide to make an informed purchasing decision.

Here are the factors to consider before getting your hands on a contour palette - 

• Undertone: Contour shades must compliment your skin’s undertone while helping to create natural shadows that define and highlight your facial features. Choose a contour shade that is two times darker than your foundation to add the necessary depth and dimension to your face. Note, that the easiest way to find out whether your undertone is cool, warm, or neutral, is to look at your wrist veins under natural light.
• Ingredients: Invest in contour palettes infused with skin-loving ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, etc. Avoid using products that contain talc, or other harsh components like parabens, sulfates, and mineral oils, as they may cause harm to your skin. 
• Cream vs Powder: If you have oily skin or are a beginner to contouring, powder contours are your way to go. Not only are they highly buildable but they also help create subtle shadows on your face, mimicking perfectly sculpted facial features. On the other hand, cream contours are perfect for dry skin peeps and professionals who wish for long-lasting contours and create versatile makeup looks every day.

Our contributor Ghanima Abdullah says, “Cream-based makeup is always better for the skin because it blends better. However if you have an oily T-zone, consider using powdered contouring in those areas only.

Be mindful of using these tips when contouring your face - 

Step 1: Apply primer and foundation to your face after moisturizing your skin. 

Step 2: Use the contour stick or powder to create shadow-like lines on your forehead, nose, cheekbones, and jawline. 

Step 3: Use a contouring brush to blend it all out, mastering the art of defining your facial features and creating a natural finish. 

Step 4: Apply highlighter and bronzer to add more depth and dimension to your face. 

Step 5: Set your makeup look with a setting spray and be ready to slay wherever you go. 

Contributor: Ghanima Abdullah, Cosmetologist, The Right Hairstyles