The bestselling contouring products at MECCA
January 1 | 4 minute read
Words by Arabella Roden and Sherine Youssef
Originally published on | March 8
Whether you’re looking for a subtle sculpting effect or a super snatched look, contouring is the transformative makeup technique that can totally reshape your face – or simply boost your best features.
From a secret makeup artist skill to a technique we love to deploy on the daily, contouring is a cinch with these MECCA-approved creams and powders. And it’s not just for special occasions or when you need to be camera-ready; these contouring wonders can also take pride of place in your ‘no-makeup makeup’ routine.
This takes all of makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury's brands- red-carpet sculpting and highlighting tricks, and distills it into one easy-to-use palette. In two shades (‘fair medium’ and ‘medium dark’), it combines a buttery, highly blendable contour shade that doubles as a bronzer thanks to its not-too-orangey tone, alongside a highlighter that features a golden base and light flex technology that expertly captures and reflects light. That movie star moment? It's yours.
Trust Tom Ford to be extra. Here, in addition to offering your two essentials for a glamorous and glowing contour (a dark-nude for subtle shading and a peach-nude to illuminate), there’s also a mauve-nude blush to top off your high fashion complexion. Each shade is designed to add depth and dimension to the face, and the creamy powder formula will really go the distance, from day to night – to dawn.
Founded by a true makeup master, it’s no wonder Kevyn Aucoin’s Sculpting Powder has found its way into the kits of professionals and beginners alike. Sheer yet buildable, and with a shimmer-free, neutral undertone, it’s designed to create an effortless and undetectable contoured look.
A-list cheekbones, here you come! Charlotte Tilbury’s TikTok-famous Contour Wand comes in a foolproof applicator tube, so you can dot or swipe your contour with precision worthy of Tilbury herself. And, the liquid formula blends seamlessly for an expertly sculpted and bronzed look.
New to contour? This crayon-like definer is super smooth and blendable – just stripe on and pat with your fingers or buff out with a dense brush for beautifully chiselled cheeks every time. Use it over foundation or straight over bare skin for a ‘no-makeup makeup’ look with extra dimension.
An artistry favourite for its silky-smooth application and buttery formula, this contour stick creates a sculpted look in seconds. Available in three shades – all with a cool undertone to create a natural shadowed effect – it adds flawless depth and dimension to your complexion without ever looking muddy or patchy (promise!). To top it off, this comes in the most luxurious magnetic case.
Heading off on a winter warmer getaway? This is a highly pigmented contour, bronze and blush palette that’s ready for take-off. Combining a cool-toned true contour shade with rich bronze and peachy-pink shimmers, it’ll create a defined and sunkissed effect in just a few swipes – and save you the trouble of carrying around multiple compacts.
Love Clinique’s iconic Chubby Stick for cheeks and lips? Add the contour version to your beauty bag, stat! Featuring the same buttery-smooth, glide-on-and-go formula, this compact crayon delivers a hit of bronzing contour for defined cheeks. Plus, you can use this multitasker as an eyeshadow, too.
This features a curated edit of three subtle highlight shades and three matte contouring shades to help define and enhance your features in a flash. The soft-focus finish ensures each powder blends seamlessly together and across your skin for a flawless result.
