9 Best Contour Sticks That Make Contouring a Breeze

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By Ashley Locke
Published on October 9, 2024
A flatlay shot of different shades of FENTY BEAUTY Match Stix Matte on a beige background
A flatlay shot of different shades of FENTY BEAUTY Match Stix Matte on a beige background

Contouring your face to achieve a sculpted look may be something you think is only achievable if you’re a pro makeup artist. Or course, that isn’t the case—but we admit that contouring can be a bit tricky to get the hang of when you’re first getting started. But the good news is that there are products that make mastering this makeup skill easier than you’d suspect. Enter: contour sticks. These sculpt sticks often come in creamy formulas and are easier to apply than something you’d find in a contour palette because of their design. So whether you’re a contour beginner or just want to make the process less difficult, we’ve rounded up the best contour sticks for every skin tone. Find your ideal stick below!

1. Best Contour Stick for Beginners:

FENTY BEAUTY Match Stix Contour Skinstick

FENTY BEAUTY Match Stix Contour Skinstick
FENTY BEAUTY Match Stix Contour Skinstick

For those who are new to the contour game and need a little extra help when it comes to sculpting their face shape, one Ipster swears this is the contour stick for you. “I just started contouring, and this makes it super easy for me. The stick glides on smooth and the color is very potent. The color also stays very well—did a test on my hand and couldn't rub the contour off.” The longwear, cream-to-powder formula will stay put for hours, and you don’t have to worry about creasing or caking. This matte-finish contour stick also comes in a shade for every skin tone. Everyone, repeat after us: “Thank you, Rihanna!”

2. Best Multi-Use Contour Product:

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Contour & Highlight Stick

ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Contour & Highlight Stick
ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Contour & Highlight Stick

Not only can this cream contour stick chisel your jawline, but it also works as a concealer and a highlighter. So if you’re looking for a one-and-done product for your glam, this is the contour wand for you. And because it has a cream formula, this product allows you to achieve better definition than a powder contour. The formulation is also incredibly buildable, so you can add more if you need to. Just take it from this Ipster who said this product was a “game changer” for them. “It’s so easy to apply, very lightweight, and buildable! Really able to get that definition with the cream stick,” they note. And as if you needed another reason to to give this contour stick a try, get this: It’s even ideal for oily and combination skin types because it provides a natural-looking matte finish.

3. Best Clean Contour Stick:

PINKLIPPS COSMETICS Contour Stick

PINKLIPPS COSMETICS Contour Stick
PINKLIPPS COSMETICS Contour Stick

Cruelty-free and vegan, this cream contour has been trending on TikTok for good reason. Even our Ipsters can’t get enough of this contour stick. “My most favorite contour stick to use, I liked it so much that I got back on here and ordered two more,” says one member. Another shares that this cool-toned contour works incredibly well for their skin tone and hair color. “I have ivory, cool-tone skin, and I'm blonde with red undertones. This contour is not too dark and perfect for my complexion...I'll use this contour until I find something better. However, for the price, I'm not sure that will happen.” 

4. Best Contour Makeup Kit:

SMASHBOX COSMETICS Step-By-Step Contour Stick Trio

SMASHBOX COSMETICS Step-By-Step Contour Stick Trio
SMASHBOX COSMETICS Step-By-Step Contour Stick Trio

Featuring a creamy contour, bronzer, and highlight stick, this trio has everything you need to create an ultra-pigmented makeup look. The blendable contour stick allows you to sculpt and define your favorite features; the bronzer contour shade warms your complexion and will help leave behind a more natural finish; and finally, the highlighter stick provides that extra pop of shimmer and shine to really emphasize your features and complete your makeup routine.

5. Best Drugstore Contour Stick:

MODELCO Contour Stick

MODELCO Contour Stick
MODELCO Contour Stick

With its pointed tip, this contour stick is ideal for contouring those features that require a little more definition, like your nose or brows. The formula is easy to apply and incredibly blendable, so you won’t experience any harsh lines when you’re done. Plus, many of the Amazon reviews point out that this shade also makes for a great lipstick color. We’re calling it now: Matching your lipstick to your contour is about to be the next big makeup trend.

6. Best Contour Stick With Skincare Ingredients:

LYS BEAUTY No Limits Cream Bronzer Stick

LYS BEAUTY No Limits Cream Bronzer Stick
LYS BEAUTY No Limits Cream Bronzer Stick

Yes, this is a bronzer stick, and yes, you can still use it as a contour. While there is a difference between the two makeup products, they can be used interchangeably depending on the final look you’re hoping to achieve. A bronzer tends to provide more warmth than contour, so if you’re going for more of a sunkissed makeup look, you can contour with a cream bronzer stick. But if you want something that will sculpt your face, contour is your best bet. For the former, we’re obsessed with this bronzer stick because it features skincare ingredients like green tea extract, watermelon seed extract, and rosehip oil that offer some serious hydrating powers. This makes it a great product for those with dry skin types that need an extra boost of moisture from their makeup products.

7. Best Water-Resistant Contour Stick:

RARE BEAUTY Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick

RARE BEAUTY Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick
RARE BEAUTY Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick

Another bronzer stick that can be used as a contour stick, this one has some serious staying power. The water-resistant formula ensures it stays in place no matter how sweaty or oily your skin may get. Ipsters are obsessed with how well it lasts and the sunkissed glow it leaves behind. “Absolutely adore this bronzer! Its creamy texture blends seamlessly, delivering a flawless finish unlike any powder bronzer I've tried,” says one Ipster. “It's foolproof, making application a breeze even for beginners. Perfect for both brush and direct application, especially on smaller areas like the nose.”

8. Most Hydrating Contour Stick:

MILK MAKEUP Matte Cream Bronzer Stick

MILK MAKEUP Matte Cream Bronzer Stick
MILK MAKEUP Matte Cream Bronzer Stick

Formulated with mango butter and apricot oils, this bronzer stick helps hydrate and nourish your skin for a glowy finish. We use it as a contour on days when we don’t really want to wear much makeup but still want a subtle glow. One Ipster does the same and notes, “I recommend this for the baddies that don't wear a lot of makeup and just need a quick countour. I'm someone who wears a ton of makeup but I find myself wanting to put this [contour stick] on days I go to the office and need to significantly tone down the look.” This product is basically office siren–approved.

9. Most Blendable Contour Stick:

TRÈSTIQUE Color + Contour Bronzer Stick

TRÈSTIQUE Color + Contour Bronzer Stick
TRÈSTIQUE Color + Contour Bronzer Stick

The highlight of this bronzer stick is the angled contour brush on the other end that allows for seamless blending of the product. It’s one of the reasons we adore it so much, and the same can be said for all the Ipsters out there who also rave about how easy it is to blend this product with help from the brush. “I love this contour stick! Even more, I love the brush thats on the other end of it. The brush is a good one—it’s a small, slanted, dense-bristle foundation-style Kabuki brush,” raves one. Another Ipster shares this is why they’re a fan of TRÈSTIQUE, because their “products are multi-function and have multiple features, meaning less products for application.” We agree, the brand makes makeup application a breeze.

Want the best contour sticks dropped off at your doorstep? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.

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