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One thing we tried to avoid was shades that leaned heavily orange since that’s more appropriate for bronzing. Selecting the right contour shade is a difficult process (we explain it here!), and it’s made more difficult when brands have very few shade options! We’ll let you know how many shades are available for each contour stick, along with a brief analysis of which skin tones are being serviced. That’s why we mostly selected creamy, easy-to-blend formulas, but we’ll let you know when a stick is a little harder to blend. Some contour sticks set very quickly, so if you don’t blend them fast your contour can look harsh. We explain exactly how to do that here, but having a product that actually blends out nicely is key. When using a contour stick, you normally draw the contour on roughly before blending it out. Some features have to do with preferences and individual needs, so we included a more detailed selection guide at the end. There are a few factors we made sure to consider when deciding if a contour stick deserves our recommendation.
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They’re easy to carry in a makeup bag, and they’re also very easy to apply since they don’t require any extra applicators. Contour sticks are a little denser than compact contour creams because they have to stay intact when molded into a cylindrical shape. What Is a Contour Stick?Ĭontour sticks are a type of cream contour product that comes in the form of a roll-up stick.
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The opposite technique of contouring is highlighting, which uses light or shimmery colors to bring out certain features and make them look more prominent. It enhances some features, downplays others, and allows you to appear slimmer, more chiseled, or, if you’re ambitious, like a brand-new person! When done with a cream, contouring looks clean, seamless, and natural. Learn what contour sticks are all about and what makes a great one in this section! What Is Contouring?Ĭontouring is the magical technique that sculpts the face and makes certain parts of it appear shadowed. We have to get the basics out the way before suggesting products.
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