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The contour-heavy heyday of the late 2010s may have come and gone, but the sculpting technique is here to stay. Thanks to easy-to-use products like contour sticks and customizable cream contour palettes, you can get a sculpted look that’s more subtle and natural, rather than muddy and harsh. And while you can use a warm-toned bronzer to create dimension, the best contouring looks are made from cool-toned products that strategically create the appearance of shadows on the face.
Whether you’re looking for a one-and-done contour shade or a palette of multiple shades to blend like a pro, we’ve got you. Ahead, find the 10 best cream contour palettes, along with expert insight from New York City-based makeup artist Jaleesa Jaikaran.
The Best Cream Contour Palettes
Best Contour and Highlight Palette
MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Cream Contour and Highlight Sculpting Palette
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Best Contour and Highlight Palette
MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Cream Contour and Highlight Sculpting Palette
Pros
- Contains everything you need for a full face
Cons
- Only one shade option
If you don't necessarily need a full palette of just contour shades, this one also has creamy, fine-shimmer highlighters to add dimension to your look.
Customer Review:
"Replaces so many products in my makeup bag, I love applying it with my clean fingers after doing skincare when skin is very dewy from serums and moisturizer." —gfr95387
Pros
- Inexpensive and great for beginners
Cons
- Only two shade options
This pocket-sized duo is ideal for beginners, as it contains just two shades, as well as for travel. Use the deeper shade for sculpting and the lighter one for highlight, or blend them both for a custom shade.
Customer Review:
"I really like this contouring set. The color is always consistent and smooth...This is small enough to take in my travel case so I don't have to bring a larger palette in a pinch. The darker shade works well to fill in the eyebrows, or even as a quick shadow contour." —Blondie
Pros
- Hydrating formula
Cons
The six shades in Iconic London's palette let you play makeup artist for the perfect match. In addition to using it for contour, you can use the creamy shades for color correction and concealing, too.
Customer Review:
"I am in my mid 40s. I am new to using contour kits. I've tried other products...This is my absolute favorite product. It is so lightweight, it goes on so smooth and blends extremely well. My face looks flawless with it on. Which at my age isn't any easy feet." —Krista
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Pros
- Great for deeper skin tones
Cons
If you've had trouble finding your perfect contour match, try this product from Danessa Myricks, which is offered in nine colors for every skin tone. Plus, the formula is vegan and infused with vitamin E and hyaluronic acid for bonus skincare benefits.
Customer Review:
"Not as neutral as expected but incredible texture, melts into the skin and is super pigmented so you need very little! Really lovely on the eyes and nose." —ashleighdevon
Pros
- Under $10
Cons
- Only one shade option
If you're looking for a great contour, no chaser, it's hard to find a better one for the price than this palette from e.l.f. Cosmetics. With four shades in one, it lets you mix and match for the perfect shade, and blends into skin easily.
Customer Review:
"This product is amazing for mature skin. Powder products can get stuck in wrinkles that will draw more attention to them. With this cream product, it goes on smooth and gives you that natural glow!" —Dawn
Pros
- Features both a contour and highlighter
- Skin-loving ingredients
Cons
Anyone who's seen a Tom Ford ad knows the designer loves a chiseled jawline. This palette—which comes in three different hues—will help you achieve just that, featuring a cream-to-satin finish and a highlighter for that Studio 54 glow.
Customer Review:
"Fascinated. Recently started venturing out to cream and liquid contours/bronzers. This is so beautiful from packaging to actual products. Performance and blendability is wonderful. And yes it snatches my face." —KarenIvonne
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Pros
- Bronzer is talc-free
Cons
With both a cream contour and complementary powder bronzer, this two-in-one is a must-have for your makeup bag. It also comes in light, medium, and deep shade options.
Customer Review:
"WORTH IT. I’ve bought and tried several bronzers and I’ve never had one that was as easy to use as this one. It blends seamlessly and is buildable. I like more of a natural look and this is perfect for that." —herrosammie
Best for Deeper Skin Tones
Black Radiance True Complexion Creme Contour Palette
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Pros
Cons
- Contains contour, sculpt, and highlight shades
Not only does this palette have three perfectly paired shades to contour, sculpt, and highlight, but the inside also features a guide to help you know exactly where to apply each one. Genius!
Customer Review:
"I've been using this product since I discovered it's color palette and it's perfect on price and blend for my dark skin tone. I keep this one on auto delivery!" —Lynn
Pros
- Great for multitasking
Cons
- Smaller shade range
Not a ton of space in your makeup bag? This single-shade pot, which is available in five shades, does double duty as both a cream contour or a bronzer.
Customer Review:
"I bought this on a whim a few years ago and it has been my makeup collection since then! It is blendable and provides the nicest contour/bronze."
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Pros
- Easy-to-blend shades
Cons
Featuring one deep shade, one highlight, and one for shading, this trio (available in light, medium, and deep) is already easy to use, but the diagram on the back makes it even easier.
Customer Review:
"Love the colors and how smooth it goes on. It's so worth the money having highlight and contour in one!"
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you apply cream contour?
The right tools will be your best friend. "The first thing you want to do when applying contour is to use a synthetic, medium-sized blending brush," says Jaikaran. "I like using the Mary Kay Cheek Brush as it gives a precise application yet you’re still able to blend." Then, it's all about the placement and blending. "Apply the product on the perimeter of the face and the bridge of the nose. When blending, blend in an upward direction then in small circular motions until there are no lines of demarcation," advises Jaikaran.
How do you find the right shade of contour for your skin tone?
One mistake people make is going either too dark or too light. "To find the right shade of your contour, go two to three shades deeper than your actual skin tone," says Jaikaran. "One thing to keep in mind is that you can go cooler and more neutral toned with your contour as you don’t want it to appear too red."
Lindy Segal
Lindy Segal is a beauty writer and editor. In addition to regularly contributing to BAZAAR.COM, she also writes for Glamour, People, WhoWhatWear, and Fashionista, among other publications. She lives in New York City with her Chihuahua mix, Barney.
