The key to hassle-free contouring? An amazing contour brush. After all, the right makeup brush is vital for every other step of your makeup routine, from dusting bronzer or highlighter onto your cheekbones to buffing in eyeshadow or foundation. Contouring is no different: an amazing contour brush can make it easy (or at least, easier) to nail a makeup artist-worthy sculpt.
Whether you’ve mastered the art of contouring or are brand new to the technique, we've got you covered. We asked our beauty editors for their faves and read Ipster reviews from past Glam Bags to round up some of the best makeup brushes for contouring below.
1. Our Pick for the Most Luxurious Contour Brush:
COMPLEX CULTURE Contour•Blush Brush
COMPLEX CULTURE was founded on the idea that makeup should be simple, fun, and accessible, values that are evident in this sculpting contour brush. Featuring a fluffy, angled brush head and almost impossibly-soft bristles, this contour and blush brush in one makes it easy to contour, blend, and get out the door in minutes. Not only is it a multitasking miracle, but it's also vegan, cruelty-free, and features the world's first biodegradable velvet matte brush handle.
To use as a contour brush, dip the narrower end of the brush head in your contour powder and swipe the bristles around the areas of your face that you want to define (like under your cheekbones, around your jawline, and even your hairline and the sides of your nose). Blend it out using light, swift strokes. To add a flattering flush to your complexion, dip the wider end of the brush head into your blush powder or bronzer and swirl the color onto the apples of your cheeks, blending in light, circular motions.
2. The Softest Contour Brush:
GIGI GORGEOUS The Gorgeous Contour Brush
This limited-edition contour brush from IPSY's collab with GIGI GORGEOUS features oh-so-soft bristles and a chic, light wooden handle that's never heavy or awkward. Ipsters loved how smooth the synthetic bristles felt, with one Ipster writing the brush was "soft and luxurious all in one. A must have brush." Another Ipster wrote: “LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! So soft and perfect shape! More please.” This contouring brush also doubles as an allover powder brush, too, and can be used to set powder under your eyes or even as a powder foundation brush in a pinch.
3. The Best Handle:
F.A.R.A.H BRUSHES Contour 218M in Midnight Blue
The hourglass shaped, velvety matte brush handle on this F.A.R.A.H. BRUSHES contouring brush is ergonomically designed for ultimate comfort and a streak-free, precise application. Don't just take our word for it: as one Ipster wrote, “this brush is silky soft and has the best grip!” Plus, the high-quality synthetic bristles can be used on a variety of different formulas, from liquids to creams, all while being 100% vegan. As Ipster @mma09 wrote, "LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BRUSH!!!...Feels good to hold, picks up (and holds on to) product well, and it feels like a good quality brush!"
4. The Best for Hard-to-Reach Spots:
LUXIE BEAUTY 1010 Small Contour
The bridge of your nose, your jawline, even your Cupid's bow… for these hard-to-reach spots, you need a ultra-precise contouring brush. This conveniently-sized cruelty-free contour brush is just that, making applying and buffing in contour or bronzer so easy. The compact vegan bristles and easy-hold handle make it ideal for targeting all your face’s beautiful nooks and crannies. As Ipster @PRuss92 wrote, "This is quite possibly one of my favorite brushes ever...The shape is lovely and it’s the perfect size for contouring with control."
5. The Best Angled Contour Brush:
FIRMA BEAUTY 103 Angled Contour
This contour brush's angled brush head and densely-packed bristles means it's ideal for defined sculpting and definition. The angled shape fits perfectly under your cheekbones and jawline for easy, streak-free application and blending. And it doesn't just stop at contour powder, either: the cruelty-free synthetic bristles play nicely with bronzer, highlighter, blush, and even setting powder. One Ipster wrote “I use this for my blush but it would also be great as a highlighter brush, it is so soft and gives a seamless finish,” while another wrote "The brush is great! Soft bristles that apply makeup with ease."
6. The Best Multitasking Contour Brush:
SIGMA BEAUTY Bronzer/Contour Brush
Whether it's buffing, blending, or sweeping, this bronzer and contour brush duo from SIGMA BEAUTY makes makeup application easy. The brush head is designed to fit perfectly under your cheekbones, with bristles that blend powder blush, powder foundation, or bronzer seamlessly for a buildable finish. Oh, and it's cruelty-free, too, making it one of the best brush options for multitasking animal lovers.
7. The Best for Traveling:
MAËLLE BEAUTY Retractable Contour Brush
This retractable face brush from MAELLE BEAUTY is perfect for on-the-go contouring, and compact enough to throw in your makeup bag and use for touch-ups throughout the day. It’s sleek, portable, and features a slightly-angled brush head that makes it ideal for buffing in a variety of products. You can even use it as a makeshift kabuki brush for setting powder or powder foundation in a pinch. Plus, it's 100% cruelty-free and vegan.
8. The Best for Cream Contour:
SIGMA BEAUTY F61 Angled Cream Contour™ Brush
The ideal cream contour brush should have dense synthetic bristles and an easy-clean brush head. This angled face brush from SIGMA BEAUTY checks off both of those boxes. Antimicrobial bristles mean you can go longer between washes, while its sharp, face-hugging angled brush head picks up and applies cream contour, highlighter, and even cream concealer with ease. The end result is contouring that looks defined yet natural, never cakey or streaky.
9. The Best Flat Contour Brush:
SERAPHINE BOTANICALS Contour Brush
Combine the benefits of an angled brush head and a fan brush, and you get this multi-use sculpting brush. The brush head is wide enough to use for quick, swift contouring under your cheekbones, but malleable enough to use in smaller areas, too, like your nose or your hairline. You can also use it to sweep bronzer or highlighter on the high points of your face for an instant glow. And, like all SERAPHINE BOTANICALS products, this brush is 100% cruelty-free.
10. The Best for Seamless Blending:
PÜR COSMETICS Contour Blending Brush
Blend together concealer, foundation, or blush seamlessly thanks to this amazing blending brush from PÜR COSMETICS. The round brush head is ideal for light contour or natural-looking bronzer. Just swirl the cruelty-free synthetic bristles into your product and apply in light, circular motions wherever you need for a defined, sculpted look in seconds. Bonus: it's amazing for buffing in cream products, too.