13 Best Drugstore Contour Sticks That Rival High-end Counterparts
I made the switch to drugstore contour sticks due to a blend of practicality and quality. The affordability of these products caught my attention, prompting me to explore whether they could rival high-end alternatives. In my quest, I discovered an array of drugstore contour sticks that not only fit my budget but also delivered exceptional results. The decision to review them stemmed from the desire to share this revelation with others who, like me, sought effective yet cost-efficient beauty solutions.
My review process involved an in-depth examination of various factors. I scrutinized the texture, ensuring it was creamy and easy to blend, and assessed the diverse shade ranges to cater to different skin tones. The formulas had to be buildable, offering versatility in contouring intensity. I considered undertones, longevity, and the practicality of the packaging. By integrating personal experiences and insights, I provided a comprehensive guide for potential users, emphasizing the ease of application and the impressive, natural, seamless finish achievable with these drugstore contour sticks.
I wholeheartedly recommend the best drugstore contour sticks identified in my review because they not only meet the standards of high-end counterparts but exceed expectations, proving that beauty on a budget is not only possible but remarkably rewarding.
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Wonder Stick
wet n wild MegaGlo Dual-Ended Contour Stick
KIKO MILANO - Cream Contour Stick
SHEGLAM Sun Sculpt Cool Toned Liquid Contour Stick
Ogee Face Stick Crystal Collection Trio
KIMUSE 2Color Dual Cream Contour Stick
YOUNG VISION Contour Stick
CCbeauty 2-IN-1 Contour Stick
FOCALLURE 2 in 1 Cream Bronzer and Highlighter Stick
KYDA 6 Colors Highlight Concealer Contour Stick
In This Article
13 Best Drugstore Contour Sticks
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1Best Easy-to-Use
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Wonder Stick
This dual-ended wonder stick simplifies contouring and highlighting, making it accessible for makeup enthusiasts of all skill levels. The Universal Light shade is carefully crafted to complement a variety of skin tones, providing a subtle and natural definition. The creamy contour stick glides smoothly onto the skin, allowing for seamless blending and buildable coverage. With its convenient design, this stick is perfect for on-the-go touch-ups, ensuring a flawless look wherever you are.
Finish type: Natural
Coverage: Buildable
Color: 02 NEW Universal Light
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Easy to use
- Low intensity
wet n wild MegaGlo Dual-Ended Contour Stick
Featuring a contour shade on one side and a highlighter on the other, this drugstore contour stick from wet n wild allows for effortless sculpting and illuminating of facial features. The medium/tan shade is thoughtfully curated to suit a range of medium to tan skin tones, providing a natural and flattering contour effect. The creamy and blendable formula ensures easy application, enabling both precise contouring and a radiant highlight. With its convenient design, this contour stick is perfect for those on the go, making it a versatile addition to any makeup routine.
Finish type: Semi-matte
Coverage: Medium
Color: Medium/Tan
- Cruelty-free
- Portable
- Easily enhances features
- Poor packaging
KIKO MILANO - Cream Contour Stick
Expertly crafted in Italy, this professional-grade contour stick boasts a creamy texture that effortlessly glides onto the skin, ensuring seamless application. The Hazelnut shade offers a natural warmth, perfect for contouring and highlighting, while the matte finish provides a refined, photo-ready look. Designed for precision and ease of use, this cream contour stick allows for seamless blending, enhancing your facial features with a subtle yet defined contour.
Finish type: Matte
Coverage: Full
Color: 200 Hazelnut
- Creamy texture
- Excellent blendability
- Non-comedogenic
- Not very moist
SHEGLAM Sun Sculpt Cool Toned Liquid Contour Stick
Unleash a sun-kissed radiance with this innovative formula, designed for a flawless, natural definition. The cool-toned Tawny Amber shade adds depth and warmth, creating a sculpted effect that complements a range of skin tones. Crafted for extended wear, this contour stick ensures a lasting, crease-free finish that withstands the rigors of your day. The liquid formula effortlessly blends for a seamless application, providing both ease of use and professional-quality results.
Finish type: Shimmery
Coverage: Light
Color: Tawny amber
- Easy-to-use formula
- Blendable
- Cruelty-free
- Leaves a sticky feeling
Ogee Face Stick Crystal Collection Trio
This trio encapsulates beauty and sustainability, comprising a bronzer stick, blush stick, and highlighter stick for a comprehensive and effortlessly radiant look. Immerse yourself in the nourishing power of organic ingredients as each stick glides seamlessly across your skin. Ogee's commitment to quality is evident in the finely crafted contour palette, offering a harmonious blend of natural hues to enhance your features. The bronzer imparts a sun-kissed glow, the blush adds a flush of color, and the highlighter provides a luminous finish.
Finish type: Sheer
Coverage: Lightweight
Color: Copper, rose quartz and opal
- Versatile
- Absorbs excess oil
- Convenient
- May not suit sensitive skin
KIMUSE 2Color Dual Cream Contour Stick
This kit features a dual-ended contour stick with a highlighter on one side and a bronzer on the other, providing a comprehensive solution for sculpting and enhancing facial features. The creamy contour ensures long-lasting and waterproof wear, guaranteeing a flawless look that withstands daily activities. Tailored for light skin tones, this contour stick kit allows for precise and effortless application, delivering a subtle yet impactful result. Whether you're a makeup enthusiast or a beginner, KIMUSE's commitment to quality shines through, promising a radiant and sculpted appearance that lasts throughout the day.
Finish type: Matte
Coverage: Light
Color: W02-Medium
- Long-lasting
- Non-greasy formula
- Perfect for gifting
- Not much pigmented
YOUNG VISION Contour Stick
This versatile stick combines bronzer and matte finish, providing a seamless application for effortless face sculpting. The lightweight formula ensures comfortable wear, while its blendable nature allows for easy and precise contouring. Ideal for both beginners and makeup enthusiasts, this contour stick delivers a natural and seamless finish, enhancing your facial features without a heavy feel. With a focus on professionalism, it offers a contour stick that caters to a range of preferences, ensuring a flawless and refined look.
Finish type: Matte, natural
Coverage: Lightweight, sheer
Color: Brown, white
- Versatile
- Highly pigmented
- Moisturizing
- Small size
CCbeauty 2-IN-1 Contour Stick
The CCbeauty 2-IN-1 Contour Stick Makeup introduces a game-changing approach to facial sculpting with its versatile dual-ended design. This highlighting and contouring kit features a creamy bronzer on one end and a highlighter on the other, simplifying the face-shaping process. The creamy contour ensures smooth application, while the dual-ended stick offers precision for detailing and blending. Ideal for achieving a professional finish, this long-lasting and waterproof contour stick enhances your features throughout the day, providing a flawless look that withstands various conditions.
Finish type: Matte
Coverage: Full
Color: CC01 light-medium-old
- Ultra-smooth
- Lightweight
- Perfect for any skin tone
- A bit cakey
FOCALLURE 2 in 1 Cream Bronzer and Highlighter Stick
This non-greasy and non-drying contour pencil seamlessly combines bronzing and highlighting in a single application. The formula glides effortlessly onto the skin, ensuring easy blending and allowing users to achieve a natural matte finish. Ideal for creating dimension, this long-lasting and waterproof contour stick delivers a flawless look that withstands the elements throughout the day. With a focus on deep tones, it caters specifically to a range of darker shade skin tones, enhancing features with precision and elegance.
Finish type: Matte
Coverage: Lightweight
Color: Deep
- Long-lasting
- Waterproof
- Great price
- Does not spread easily
KYDA 6 Colors Highlight Concealer Contour Stick
This set, designated as Set A, includes three versatile sticks that serve as both body and face makeup essentials. The dual-purpose design combines a highlighter and concealer in a convenient stick form, allowing for precise application and effortless blending. The six color options cater to various skin tones, enabling users to customize their contouring and highlighting for a personalized, radiant finish. These sticks also function as contouring, highlighting, and shadowing tools, providing a comprehensive foundation for makeup enthusiasts. With the convenience of a cream pen, the KYDA Contour Stick set ensures a seamless and professional look, making it an essential addition to any makeup kit.
Finish type: Matte
Coverage: Light
Color: Brown
- Light texture
- Easy to apply
- Lightweight
- Not long-lasting
I'm Meme Contour Stick
Crafted for daily use, this contour stick features a versatile 001 Bronzer shade that caters to a range of skin tones, enhancing facial contours effortlessly. Its easy-blending formula ensures a seamless application, making it ideal for both beginners and makeup enthusiasts. The matte finish adds a natural definition to the face, providing a subtle and refined look. With a convenient 0.24 oz size, it's perfect for on-the-go touch-ups or travel.
Finish type: Matte
Coverage: Light
Color: 04 Bronzer- Shading
- Blendable
- Non-sticky
- Great for daily use
- Costly
KIMUSE Cream Contour Stick Duo
This dynamic product combines a creamy blush and bronzer in a convenient shaping stick, ensuring easy application and professional results. The formula is richly pigmented, delivering a smooth and blendable texture that effortlessly enhances facial features. The long-lasting wear of this makeup stick ensures a radiant and sculpted look throughout the day. Whether you're aiming for a subtle everyday glow or a more defined, glamorous appearance, it caters to diverse makeup preferences. With its creamy consistency, precision application becomes a breeze, allowing for seamless blending and contouring.
Finish type: Matte
Coverage: Lightweight
Color: Hope
- Vegan
- Pigmented
- Easy to use
- Small size
ETUDE Play 101 Stick Contour Duo
This creamy shading and highlighter duo are thoughtfully designed for easy contouring, ensuring a seamless application that enhances your features with a natural finish. The #2 (21AD) shade harmoniously blends to create subtle shadows for contouring and a luminous highlight for a radiant glow. This innovative contour stick is a versatile addition to your makeup kit, allowing for convenient touch-ups and on-the-go sculpting.
Finish type: Matte
Coverage: Medium
Color: #2_21AD
- Easy blending
- No cakey texture
- Climate-pledge friendly
- Poor packaging
Now that you have seen my product recommendations for the best drugstore contour sticks, glance through my buying guide to make an informed purchase.
What Features Should I Look for in A Drugstore Contour Stick?
When choosing a drugstore contour stick, there are several features to consider to ensure that you achieve the desired contouring effect while also meeting your specific preferences and needs. Here are some key features to look for:
Texture: Look for a creamy contour stick that blends easily into the skin. It should be smooth and not too dry, allowing for effortless application.
Formula: A contour stick with a buildable formula gives you control over the intensity of the contour. It lets you layer the product for a more defined look without appearing too harsh.
Shade Range: Choose a brand that offers a range of shades to suit different skin tones. The contour shade should be a few shades darker than your natural skin tone, while the highlight shade should be a few shades lighter.
Undertones: Opt for a contour stick with natural undertones that complement your skin tone. Warm or cool undertones can influence the overall look, so choose shades that enhance your features without looking too ashy or orange.
Longevity: Look for a contour stick that has good staying power. Long-wearing formulas will ensure that your contour stays in place throughout the day without smudging or fading.
Blendability: A contour stick that blends easily is essential for achieving a natural and seamless finish. Check reviews or test the product in-store to ensure it doesn't leave harsh lines or patches.
Multipurpose: Some contour sticks come with additional features, such as highlighting or bronzing components. A multipurpose product can save you time and money, providing a complete contouring solution in one stick.
Packaging: Consider the packaging of the contour stick. A compact and travel-friendly design is convenient, especially if you plan to carry it with you for touch-ups throughout the day.
Skin-Friendly: If you are someone with a sensitive skin type, look for contour sticks labeled as hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic to minimize the risk of irritation or breakouts.
Budget-Friendly: Since you're looking for a drugstore contour stick, consider the overall affordability of the product. Many drugstore brands offer quality contour sticks at a reasonable price.
Before purchasing, it's a good idea to read reviews, watch tutorials, and possibly try samples in-store to find the contour stick that best suits your preferences and needs.
Tips to Use Contour Stick for the Best Results?
Start with a clean, moisturized face. Applying a primer can help create a smooth base for contouring. Make sure your foundation is applied and set before using the contour stick.
- If possible, apply your contour in natural light to ensure you get the most accurate representation of how it looks on your skin.
- Apply the contour shade to the areas you want to define or create shadows. This is typically along the hairline, under the cheekbones, along the jawline, and on the sides of the nose.
- Apply the highlight shade to areas you want to bring forward. This includes the tops of the cheekbones, down the bridge of the nose, the center of the forehead, and the cupid's bow.
- The key to a natural-looking contour is thorough blending. Use a makeup sponge, brush, or your fingers to blend the contour and highlight into your skin seamlessly. Avoid harsh lines for a more subtle effect.
- It's easier to add more product than to remove excess. Start with a small amount of product and build up gradually until you achieve the desired intensity.
- If you want your contour to last longer, set it with a translucent powder. This helps prevent the product from shifting throughout the day.
- If your contour stick has a shimmery or dewy highlight, use it sparingly. Too much shimmer can accentuate texture and look unnatural.
- Ensure that your contour seamlessly blends into your hairline to avoid an abrupt contrast between your face and neck.
Conclusion
Navigating the realm of drugstore contour sticks unveils a treasure trove of affordable options that effortlessly deliver professional results. The best drugstore contour sticks such as NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Wonder Stick boast creamy textures, a wide range of shades, and buildable formulas, ensuring seamless application and a natural finish. From contouring to highlighting, these versatile sticks like wet n wild MegaGlo Dual-Ended Contour Stick offer a multipurpose solution, making them indispensable in a makeup routine. Optimal undertones complement various skin tones, while long-wearing formulas and easy blendability guarantee a sculpted look that lasts throughout the day. Travel-friendly packaging adds convenience, making touch-ups a breeze. Effective yet affordable contour sticks prove you don't need to break the bank for quality makeup. The drugstore beauty aisle emerges as a beauty enthusiast's haven, housing contour sticks that rival high-end counterparts, providing accessibility without compromising on results.
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Sayantani reviewed the best drugstore contour sticks to streamline beauty choices for others, offering insights into budget-friendly yet high-performing options. Focusing on creamy textures, diverse shades, and versatile formulas, her evaluation prioritized accessibility without compromising on quality. By exploring undertones, blendability, and longevity, she aimed to guide her readers toward contour sticks that seamlessly enhance their features. With practical tips on application and product features, her review serves as a practical resource, simplifying decision-making for those seeking effective and affordable contouring solutions in the vast landscape of drugstore beauty products.
Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!
Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More