The best part is that unlike traditional powdery contour products, cream contour is a lot easier to blend and doesn't result in a cake-y finish (think dewiness all around, instead). That being said, mattifying creamy formulas are also very much a thing, so if that's up your alley, there's definitely more than enough to choose from. Plus, one of the main reasons why I adore cream contour is because of how versatile it is. I love using it as cream eyeshadow in my crease for an everyday look. Contour should be applied after your foundation and be around two to three shades darker than your natural complexion or the shade of your foundation. That difference is key for creating enough of a contrast between your skin colour and the contouring product to achieve a sculpted appearance without looking unnatural. How much should I spend? It is generally believed that the use of contour in makeup is best-suited for special occasions like an event or a photoshoot. Since it takes a long time to contour, daily use can be skipped. Instead, learn to strategically place your blush, to add subtle contour without using as many products. Does contouring make you look older? I generally find that powder formulas are great for oilier skin types due to their longevity and mattifying properties,’ explains Laren. ‘For drier or more mature complexions, cream and gel contours are better for achieving a dewy, hydrated finish.’

But as is the case with most other makeup staples, there's a wide range of options to choose from coming from notable brands like Fenty Beauty, MAC, L'Oreal, Rimmel, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Charlotte Tilbury and many, many more. To help you find the perfect cream contour product for you, we've put together a roundup of all the best cream contouring products out there. Contour kits are now such a staple in our makeup arsenal, it's hard to believe that only a few years ago barely any of us paid attention to our cheekbones. Sure, we smothered our face in bronzer, but carefully sculpt and shade we certainly did not. Note that since some bronzers come with light-reflecting particles that give a shimmery or glittery appearance to the skin, these should be avoided if your purpose is contouring. Instead, look for formulas that are completely matte; you want the contour to look like your own skin instead of an unnatural shimmer. A go-to phrase among make-up artists is “follow the hollow”, which basically means assessing where shadows naturally occur on the face,’ explains Lauren. ‘I then apply my chosen contouring product around the sides of the forehead, down to the temples, and over the jawline for that gorgeous, sculpted look. Depending on your face shape, you can change where you apply your contour. To complement your jawline you can concentrate contour there, or if you want to flatter your forehead you can apply extra product along your hairline.’ Although bronzers do add dimension and colour to your face, they’re also not to be confused with contour products. Priscilla Ono from Fenty Beauty shared that “the biggest difference is that bronzing products typically have a warmer undertone, while contouring products have a cooler undertone.” How to apply contour makeupBlending cream contour, liquid or powder sculptor is as important as mapping it out. Use the larger surface area of a damp makeup sponge to blend the contour shades into your base makeup. You can switch to a smaller blender for areas like your nose or the eye crease. Use small, circular motions while tapping, and make sure you only stop when the contour looks seamless. To set your contouring makeup, you’ll need a big, wide and fluffy brush for powder. To avoid cakey effect, take a product with the brush, then shake it a little bit to get rid of excess powder, and apply to your face in slight circular motions. How to Contour: A Step-by-Step Contouring Guide for Beginners How to apply contour? Following this simple rule of contouring will give you a defined and sculpted look. Trace out the parts of your face you want to add depth to with the Lakmé Absolute Facelift Palette. This can be your jawline, the hollow part underneath your cheekbones, or your nose makeup contouring. If there was just one tip that a professional MUA had to give you on how do you do contour makeup, it would be to identify your face shape. Face shape is essential information to have while contouring. So step in front of the mirror, take a close look at the dimensions of your face, and do your contour lines makeup accordingly to face shape. Once you figure out how your face can benefit from contouring, you can easily do it in a few simple steps.

For those looking for a more defined finish, or who are a dab hand at the process of contouring and wish to move to the next levels, cream formulations can add greater dimension and depth to the skin, while remaining easy to blend. Where should contour be applied? Both contour and bronzing are used to add definition to your face. While bronzing is used to warm up your complexion, contour brings out your best features in a more blended way. Simply put, contour does not show up in the end result of your makeup look, but a bronzer does! Is contouring necessary?

How To Use Liquid Contour

Powder makeup contouring is better for oily skin type, and it gives you sharp look and matte finish. If you’re looking for powder contour makeup in India, you can cut your contour makeup price by using a powder in darker shade. Try Lakmé 9to5 Primer + Matte Powder Foundation, available in 6 shades, that gives you comfortable wear, long-lasting and smooth finish. The Tools You Need FYI: We updated this article in January 2023 to give you the most up-to-date info on contouring makeup kits, including several we personally tested, makeup artist tips for how to apply them, and how to choose the best contouring makeup for yourself.

And if that isn't enough, cream contour also comes celebrity MUA-approved. Mario Dedivanovic, for one, is the ultimate contour trend-setter, alongside one of his most famous clients – none other than Kim Kardashian herself. Cream contour is also vastly involved in some of the latest trending makeup techniques - “underpainting”, courtesy of another acclaimed celebrity MUA, Mary Phillips (the artist behind the likes of Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner). In case you're unfamiliar, the technique involved applying contour before foundation for a more natural-looking and air-brushed result. Liquid contour makeup is more natural looking and better for dry skin type. To try it, you can add to your best contour makeup kit a concealer in darker shade, like Lakmé 9to5 Primer + Matte Liquid Concealer with built in primer and smooth application. Many believe bronzer and contour have the same function, but this isn’t strictly true,’ says Lauren. ‘While there are definitely similarities, knowing the key difference is important when it comes to creating that desired sun-kissed or sculpted look. Bronzer works to warm the skin, providing a tanned radiance for an enhanced, more glowing version of your natural complexion. Contour, however, is designed to add cooler tones to sculpt the skin, creating the illusion of more defined facial features. When properly applied, it’s a magic transformation.’

Scroll for the best contour makeup products to add to your beauty wishlist…

A contour palette traditionally comprises several different shades of product, but can be available in different formulations. If you’re looking for a natural effect, we recommend using a powder contour palette, since these are the most easy to blend out. That being said, we all know that when it comes to makeup, there are no set rules and it all comes down to having fun experimenting and figuring out what best works for you. So if you're all about using a bronzer as contour, we're definitely not here to judge. How to apply cream contour

Often when we see bad contouring, it comes down the using the wrong shade. Treat matching your contour product like finding a perfect foundation match, and you can avoid those muddy greyish cheekbones we've probably all spotted once or twice. Did you know that blush can also help in contouring your face? This technique is called draping. Apply blush, for example, Lakmé 9to5 Pure Rouge Blusher, on your cheeks, eyelids and nose tip. Follow the ascending lines, and for refreshing anti-age make up we suggest applying blush on higher points of your face. Do not use cream or liquid blush over dry textures, powder products should be layered only over creamy and liquid ones. You can blend out contour either with your fingers, a fluffy makeup brush or a beauty blending sponge, depending on your preference. Should I apply contour before or after foundation? Otherwise, the placement is also one of the key differences between contouring and bronzing makeup products. Since the purpose of the former is to accentuate the shadows, you'd normally place the product in the hollows of your face (think underneath your cheekbones, sides of your nose, jawline etc). Meanwhile, bronzing products are usually applied on the areas where the sun would naturally hit your face (think the high point of your cheekbones, top of your forehead and so on). Highlighters, on the other hand, can have either a matte or shimmery finish, delivering a glowy or brightened look. What different types of contour palettes are available?

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Once you’ve worked out your undertone, select a contour shade that’s two or three times darker than this. Remember, all good contours will likely contain at least some grey pigments.’ Still unsure? ‘Knowledge of how your skin reacts to the sun is also useful here,’ explains Lauren. ‘If you have cool skin you’ll tend to go more pink than olive, so to achieve a natural look, choose contours with a subtle hint of pink. Warm undertones tan easily so they lend well to deep terracotta and chocolate hues, while those with neutral tones may burn then tan, making earthy toned, olive shades good for them.’ Feeling overwhelmed? ‘It’s all trial and error,’ reassures Lauren. ‘Be patient and play around with products until you find what works best for you.’ For liquid and creamy formulas, we recommend reaching for a makeup sponge or dabbing it in with your fingers, whereas powdered compacts and palettes work best with makeup brushes. Start by using circular motions to apply a small amount of bronzer under the cheekbones. Start from the top of the ear, and follow the hollows of your face. We've scoured through options that are suitable for all skin tones and skin types, including both bronzers that can work as an alternative as well as cool-toned contouring products. You'll find everything from affordable must-haves and premium buys to new releases and cult-favourites (including those that are loved in the GLAMOUR office).