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Your Ultimate Guide To The Best Drug Store Contour Products

Tya January 06, 2025

Finding the perfect contour product can be a daunting task, especially when you are on a budget. Fortunately, drugstore aisles are brimming with affordable contouring options that deliver impressive results. Whether you're aiming for a subtle definition or a dramatic sculpt, the best drugstore contour products can help you achieve your desired look without breaking the bank. These wallet-friendly options offer quality that rivals high-end brands, allowing you to enhance your features effortlessly. In this guide, we'll explore the top drugstore contour products, provide tips on selecting the right shade and formula for your skin type, and share application techniques to help you master the art of contouring.

With countless products available, choosing the best drugstore contour can feel overwhelming. However, by focusing on your specific needs and preferences, you can narrow down the options and find the perfect product for you. Whether you're new to contouring or a seasoned pro, understanding the basics of contouring, including how to choose the right shade and formula, is essential for achieving a flawless finish. In this article, we'll break down everything you need to know about the best drugstore contour products, including top recommendations and application tips.

Contouring is a makeup technique that involves using contrasting shades to enhance and define your facial features. By strategically applying lighter and darker shades, you can create the illusion of more defined cheekbones, a slimmer nose, and a sculpted jawline. With the right drugstore contour products and techniques, you can achieve a professional-looking contour at a fraction of the cost. Join us as we delve into the world of drugstore contouring, exploring the best products, tips, and tricks to help you achieve a flawless, sculpted look.

What is Contouring?
How to Choose the Right Contour Product?
Best Drug Store Contour Products
How to Apply Contour Like a Pro?
Cream vs. Powder Contour: Which is Better?
Contour Tips for Different Face Shapes
Common Contour Mistakes to Avoid
Affordable Drugstore Contour Brands
Top Contour Palette Picks
Can You Contour with Bronzer?
How to Choose the Right Contour Shade?
Best Drugstore Contour for Different Skin Tones
How Long Does Drugstore Contour Last?
Is Drugstore Contour Good for Sensitive Skin?
How to Remove Contour Makeup Effectively?

What is Contouring?

Contouring is a technique used in makeup to define and enhance facial features by using makeup products that are slightly darker and lighter than your natural skin tone. By creating shadows and highlights, contouring can make your cheekbones appear higher, your nose look slimmer, and your jawline more defined. This technique has gained popularity for its ability to transform and enhance natural beauty with just a few products.

How to Choose the Right Contour Product?

Choosing the right contour product is crucial for achieving a natural and flattering look. Here are a few factors to consider when selecting a contour product:

Skin Type: If you have oily skin, opt for powder-based products. For dry skin, cream-based contours work best.
Skin Tone: Choose a contour shade that is 1-2 shades darker than your natural skin tone to create a natural-looking shadow.
Formula: Consider whether you prefer cream, powder, or stick formulas based on your application preference and skin type.

Best Drug Store Contour Products

Here are some of the best drugstore contour products that offer quality and affordability:

NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick: A dual-ended stick that makes contouring quick and easy.
Maybelline New York Master Contour Palette: A versatile palette with contour, blush, and highlight shades.
e.l.f. Contour Palette: A budget-friendly palette with four blendable shades.

How to Apply Contour Like a Pro?

Applying contour makeup requires precision and blending skills. Follow these steps to contour like a pro:

Prepare your skin: Start with a clean base and apply foundation to even out your skin tone.
Apply contour: Use a contour brush or sponge to apply the contour product in the hollows of your cheeks, along your jawline, and on the sides of your nose.
Blend: Use a blending brush or sponge to blend the contour into your skin for a seamless finish.
Highlight: Apply a highlighter on the high points of your face, such as your cheekbones, brow bones, and the bridge of your nose.

Cream vs. Powder Contour: Which is Better?

The choice between cream and powder contour depends on your skin type and preference:

Cream Contour: Best for dry or mature skin, cream contours offer a dewy finish and are easy to blend.
Powder Contour: Ideal for oily or combination skin, powder contours provide a matte finish and are perfect for setting creams.

Contour Tips for Different Face Shapes

Contouring techniques vary depending on your face shape. Here are some tips for different face shapes:

Round Face: Focus on contouring the sides of your forehead and jawline to create the illusion of a slimmer face.
Oval Face: Apply contour along the cheekbones and temples to enhance natural features.
Square Face: Contour the corners of the forehead and jawline to soften angular features.

Common Contour Mistakes to Avoid

To achieve the best results with your contouring, avoid these common mistakes:

Using the wrong shade: Choose a contour shade that complements your skin tone to avoid looking unnatural.
Not blending enough: Ensure your contour lines are blended seamlessly into your skin for a natural finish.
Applying too much product: Start with a small amount of product and build up as needed to avoid a heavy look.

Affordable Drugstore Contour Brands

Several drugstore brands offer top-quality contour products at affordable prices. Some of these include:

Wet n Wild: Known for their Photo Focus Stick Foundation and Contour Stick.
L'Oreal Paris: Offers the Infallible Pro Contour Palette for easy sculpting.
Covergirl: Features the TruBlend Contour Palette for customizable shades.

Top Contour Palette Picks

Contour palettes offer convenience and versatility with multiple shades in one compact. Here are some top picks:

Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Highlight & Contour Palette: Features three shades for contouring, bronzing, and highlighting.
Revlon Sculpt and Highlight Contour Kit: Includes contour, highlighter, and blush shades for a complete look.
Milani Contour & Highlight Cream & Liquid Duo: A dual-ended stick with a cream contour and liquid highlighter.

Can You Contour with Bronzer?

While bronzer is typically used to add warmth to the face, it can also be used for contouring, especially if you're aiming for a more natural look. However, it's important to choose a bronzer with a matte finish and a shade that isn't too warm to avoid looking overly bronzed.

How to Choose the Right Contour Shade?

Choosing the right contour shade requires understanding your skin tone and undertone:

Fair Skin: Opt for cool-toned contours to avoid looking orange.
Medium Skin: Neutral or slightly warm-toned contours work well.
Dark Skin: Choose rich, deep contour shades for definition.

Best Drugstore Contour for Different Skin Tones

It's crucial to select a contour product that complements your skin tone. Here are recommendations for different skin tones:

Fair Skin: NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick in Light/Medium.
Medium Skin: Maybelline New York Master Contour Palette in Medium to Deep.
Dark Skin: Black Radiance True Complexion Contour Palette in Dark to Deep.

How Long Does Drugstore Contour Last?

The longevity of drugstore contour products varies depending on the formula and application technique. Generally, powder contours tend to last longer on oily skin, while cream contours may require touch-ups throughout the day. Setting your contour with a translucent powder can help extend its wear time.

Is Drugstore Contour Good for Sensitive Skin?

Many drugstore contour products are formulated to be gentle on the skin. Look for hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and non-comedogenic products if you have sensitive skin. Brands like e.l.f. and Physicians Formula offer options specifically designed for sensitive skin types.

How to Remove Contour Makeup Effectively?

Properly removing contour makeup is essential for maintaining healthy skin. Follow these steps for effective removal:

Use a makeup remover: Start with a micellar water or oil-based makeup remover to break down the makeup.
Cleanse your face: Follow up with a gentle cleanser to remove any leftover residue.
Moisturize: Apply a moisturizer to hydrate and nourish your skin after cleansing.