12 Best Drugstore Contour Kits And Palettes (Reviews) For 2023
Contouring in makeup will now be easy with these listed drugstore contour kits.
Lorrie PearsonProfessional Makeup Artist
Expertise: Makeup & Personal Styling
Experience: 20 years
Lorrie Pearson is a professional makeup artist who has been creating her signature natural makeup looks for 20+ years. She began her career working behind the cosmetics counter that helped her strengthen her skills in application.Ms. Pe... more
Expertise: Makeup & Beauty
Experience: 3 years
Esha Saxena is a writer and journalist with over 3 years of experience. She holds a master’s degree in media and mass communication from St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, and firmly believes... more
Krati DarakCertified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 3 years
Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years o... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Contouring is a makeup technique that adds dimension to your face. The best drugstore contour kits allow you to highlight and shadow some key features. In addition, the best drugstore contour kits enhance the way you appear. This makeup technique is truly a game-changer if you want your face to appear narrower with sculpted cheekbones. You can create beautiful illusions by defining your nose, making your nose appear straight, or your neck appear longer. Here is a sifted list of the best drugstore contour kits that make you look classic and mind-blowing. Check them out below!
In This Article
Top 12 Drugstore Contour Kits
1. Best Mix Of Shades:NYX Highlight And Contour Pro Palette
Image: Nyxcosmetics 
Pros
- Blends like a dream
- Looks very natural
- Super pigmented
- Good mix of shades for all skin tones
- Convenient packaging
Cons
- Subtle fallout with certain shades
NYX Highlight And Contour Pro Palette Review
This NYX contour and highlight palette has to be one of my top favorites, especially for my combination skin. I’ll tell you why! Let me begin with the packaging – this has eight shades to contour and highlight, and each pan pops right out if you want to take any out of the palette. This NYX palette has a crazy amount of pigmentation, and with a light tap of your brush, you can pick up just the right amount of product for a proper, chiseled contour. Even the lighter shades show up well on my skin! Their texture is incredibly soft and smooth, leaving you with a glorious finish. Anna Peterson, a seasoned beauty and wellness professional and the creator of Salon Route, says, “This palette has been a game-changer in my salon for achieving professional-level contouring without breaking the bank. The diverse range of shades makes it adaptable for various skin tones, and the pigmentation is incredible – just a little goes a long way.”
This buildable contour kit is powder-based, and it’s great for all skin tones with the variety of shades it carries. Also, it’s one of the best options for a beginner-friendly contour kit if you’re just starting out with contouring. Click here to check out a detailed personal review of this product.
2. Best Travel-friendly:Elizabeth Mott Bronzer Contour Kit
Image: Elizabeth Mott Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Easy to use
- Great shade options
- Travel-friendly packaging
Cons
- Not long-lasting
Elizabeth Mott Bronzer Contour Kit Review
This mascara kit is perfect for those who want to effortlessly add radiance to their face. The 6 shades in this travel-friendly contour kit make for perfect makeup highlighting and adding depth and definition to the eye area. The defined, lustrous glow makes this mascara ideal for all-day wear. In addition, the contouring shades will give your cheeks a puffy look, while the highlight colors will help you add definition to your jaws. I like this hypoallergenic contour kit more because it comes in a sleek, black box with a clear mirror cover, making it quite travel-friendly. The product also has a handy applicator perfect for setting bronze orchid tones.
Pro Tip3. Best Cream Formula:W7 Lift & Sculpt Cream Contour Kit
Image: W7 Pros
- Blends beautifully
- Lightweight
- Long-lasting
- Value for money
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Small mirror
W7 Lift & Sculpt Cream Contour Kit Review
This high-quality drugstore cosmetic product is perfect for contouring with a satin finish. The lightest shade is perfect for cheekbones, while the darker bronze tone is perfect for areas above the jawline. The contour kit with mirror comes in 6 interesting shades. The blending formula is smooth, creamy, and easy to work with. In addition, the contour kit is a convenient plastic case that can be easily stored and taken with you anywhere.
Anna Peterson adds, “I appreciate this kit for beginners or for those who like a more natural finish. It’s easy to blend and incredibly forgiving. I often recommend it to clients who are new to contouring and need something foolproof.”
4. Best Pigmentation:Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Contour
Image: Physicians Formula Pros
- Oil-free and fragrance-free
- Paraben-free and Gluten-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Cruelty-free
- Great pigmentation
Cons
- Small pans
Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Contour Review
Celebrity makeup artist Monika Blunder, who has a dazzling client list that includes Amanda Seyfried, Molly Sims, and Chelsea Handler, loves this matte contour kit to get clients “red-carpet ready”! This powder trio palette has three gorgeous matte shades and is great for daily use as it provides a subtle, natural-looking contour with a touch of natural sheen. For minimal makeup lovers, this natural contour kit will be your holy grail giving you a fresh and effortless look. The packaging is slightly annoying as the lid opens up awkwardly, but besides that, every aspect of this contour kit is worth raving about!
This cruelty-free contour kit will suit all skin tones, and skin types, even those with really sensitive skin could give this a try!
Pro Tip5. Best Easy Blend:e.l.f. Contour Palette
Image: Amazonus/jacjf Pros
- Blends easily
- Soft and smooth texture
- Contains Vitamin E
- Great pigmentation
- Travel-friendly packaging
Cons
- A little powdery
e.l.f. Contour Palette Review
This affordable contour kit looks incredibly classy with its minimal packaging. The pans can be removed and replaced, which makes it very customizable if you own other e.l.f products. The shades have rich pigmentation, and they glide smoothly onto your skin. Make sure you use a small contouring brush to pick up the product to avoid wastage.
This will suit all skin tones and is a great contour kit for beginners.
6. Best Natural Finish:L’Oreal Paris Cosmetics Infallible Pro Contour Palette
Image: L'oréal Paris Pros
- Leaves you with a natural finish
- Nicely pigmented
- Good staying power
- Does not feel drying on the skin
- Comes with a unique brush
Cons
- The packaging is messy as the shades overlap and touch each other
L’Oreal Paris Cosmetics Infallible Pro Contour Palette Review
If you’re looking for a cool-toned contour powder, this is it. The highlighter in this kit also happens to be a gem! Both the contour and highlighting products are really easy to blend, and the lasting power is decent with an average time of 5-6 hours before they start to fade slightly, but this also depends upon your skin type. If you want a natural-looking, matte finish, long-lasting contour kit, do try this out.
This will suit most skin tones and is really easy to use!
According to Gabrielle Devine, an Emmy-nominated makeup artist, “This is a go-to palette for everyday use. I love the simplicity and efficiency this product provides while maintaining a quality contoured look.”
Pro Tip7. Best Lightweight:Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit
Image: Anastasia Pros
- Lightweight
- Smooth texture
- Refillable
- Easy to use
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
Cons
None
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit Review
Redefine your facial features with Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit. It’s an all-in-one matte and shimmer contour kit with 3 highlighter shades and 3 contour shades in shimmer and matte finishes. They come in both warm and cool shades and provide light to medium coverage for your desired look. You can define or highlight the upper cheek plane, eyebrow arch, bridge of the nose, cupid’s bow, and jawline using this drugstore contour palette. This powder-based contour kit matches with all skin tones. Gabrielle Devine adds, “I love the options and range this palette offers! I keep this in my own professional makeup kit, especially when traveling, since a little goes a long way.”
8. Best For Everyday Wear:Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Contour Kit
Image: Maybelline New York Pros
- Perfect for everyday wear
- Easy to use
- 3-in-1 compact kit
- Suitable for most skin tones
- Sturdy packaging
Cons
- Average pigmentation
Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Contour Kit Review
This Maybelline easy-to-use contour kit comes in two shades – light medium and medium deep. I particularly liked its packaging. The shades are soft and textured powders with a matte finish. The bendability is great, and it gives you a subtle contour that’s great for work or daily wear. According to Gabrielle Devine, “This kit keeps it simple by numbering each step to create the perfect and fast face sculpt. If glam is your style, this should be in your personal kit.” The blush, highlighter, and contour have considerable longevity and stay on the face for a good 6-7 hours. A setting spray increases longevity.
This Maybelline palette suits contouring for all skin tones, and if you have sensitive skin, you could rely on it to not break you out or cause any irritation to your skin.
9. Best Easy-To-Apply:Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette
Image: Makeup Revolution Pros
- Easy to apply
- Good pigmentation
- Long-lasting
- Good value
- Good color selection
Cons
- Depending on the brush you use, you tend to waste a significant amount of product
Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette Review
This blendable contour kit has a set of extremely pigmented shades that don’t look too over the top. You have a set of eight shades to work with, and there’s minimal to no fall out with most shades. Its packaging is black and sleek with a reflective plastic case and a large mirror inside, which makes it look like a high-end kit. This budget-friendly contour kit features an ultra-blendable formula, making it a great choice for effortless application and seamless blending.
It would look great on most skin tones and is one of the best contouring palettes for beginners. Gabrielle Devine adds, “So much bang for your buck! The pigment in the powders allows for easy sculpting with minimal effort. If you are looking to step up your contour game, this palette is for you.”
10. Best Long-lasting:Wet N’ Wild MegaGlo Contouring Palette
Image: Wet N Wild Pros
- Blends well
- Long-lasting
- Value for money
- You get a good amount of product
Cons
- Slightly powdery
Wet N’ Wild MegaGlo Contouring Palette Review
I feel this is such an underrated contouring kit, and more people should actually give this a try. Let me tell you why! It provides you with a subtle, natural-looking contour. Nothing too intense! The duo consists of perfectly complementary contouring powders that are very pigmented and buttery. I also loved the lasting power.
Overall, this is one of the most affordable drugstore makeup contour kits. It would suit various skin tones and is a great choice if you’re only starting out with contouring and highlighting.
11. Best Buildable:Black Radiance True Complexion Contour Palette Medium to Dark
Image: Black Radiance If you have a medium to darker skin tone and you find it difficult to get hold of a professional-quality contour kit that does the job, the Black Radiance True Complexion Contour Palette Medium to Dark is the palette for you. Designed for people of color, this universally flattering kit is sure to give you a chiseled look with its perfect trio for contouring, sculpting, and highlighting. It comes in a powder formula and can give a sheer finish that suits all skin types, including deep skin tones. The palette is very pigmented and has a buildable formula which makes it quite an economical option. The pigmentation and the texture are both beyond amazing for an under $7 palette. This kit is sleek, lightweight, and simple making it convenient to just throw into your purse and carry with you on the move.
Pros
- Affordable
- Works on all skin types
- Suits medium to dark skin tone
- Cruelty-free
- Highly pigmented
Cons
- Can be difficult to blend
12. Best For All Skin Tones:Aesthetica Contour Series Powder
Image: Aesthetica Cosmetics Pros
- Ideal for all age groups
- Suitable for daily wear
- Cruelty-free
- Travel-friendly
- Long-lasting
- Comes with a mirror
Cons
- Does not blend well
Aesthetica Contour Series Powder Review
The Aesthetica Contour Series Powder combines three dark, matte pressed powders and three illuminating highlighting powders that offer a sculpted and glowy look to your face. These powders come in removable and refillable pans. This contour kit with highlighter delivers an even, flawless tone to your skin and defines your facial structure by lifting brows and softening your face. It gives helps you get a chiseled look on your face while tactfully hiding the problem areas. The palette is ideal for everyday use.
*Subject to Availability
How To Choose The Best Drugstore Contour Kit? – Quick Tips
Now that you have some solid drugstore product options to pick out a contouring palette let me give you a few tips on choosing the right colors for contouring.
- Pick a base – powder or cream. It’s always recommended to start out with a powder base as this gives you more control over your technique. You can always move on to the cream-based stuff later.
- Invest in high-quality brushes. This is the ultimate game-changer because using the right contouring tools and brushes that blend well is so essential to the whole process of contouring. Remember, blending is key to flawless contouring.
- Test out various colors until you find a shade that works best for your skin tone. Use a highlighter that is about two shades lighter than your foundation and a shadow that is two shades darker.
- Add a pop of blush to the apples of your cheeks to soften your contoured look.
- It’s best to avoid warm-toned (orange/golden) products. You’re trying to create the illusion of shadows on your face to lift and define it. Look for cool ashy-toned products.
- Do not try to carve out and contour your face with something shimmery – this will look messy, unnatural, and really cringe-worthy. Always, always use a matte product!
Are you ready to give yourself a pro-grade contour and see what the rage is all about?
Infographic: Drugstore Contour Kits: How To Choose & Application Tips
The right contour kits will accentuate your face and offer the best shades for highlighting your features. While drugstore contour kits are great for beginners and professionals, it might be difficult to choose the right one if you are not aware of the shades to go for. The below infographic explains how to choose the best contour kit for your face and the ways to apply the right shades for a perfect contoured and chiseled look. Check it out!
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.
Download Infographic
The Bottom Line
If you enjoy contouring, it is essential to invest in the best contour kits and contouring essentials to enhance your key facial features. Contouring is essential because it helps you achieve a more sculpted look. You can define your nose, cheekbones, and jawline with the help of good contour kits. Nowadays, drugstore makeup brands offer affordable options that will help you give a flawless dimension to your face.
The NYX Highlight And Contour Pro Palette is perfect for beginners, while the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit gives seamless matte and shimmer finishes. Furthermore, the Wet N’ Wild MegaGlo Contouring Palette provides a natural-looking contour at an affordable price.
The reviewed options in the list blend seamlessly, offer great pigmentation and are available in different shades. To achieve a well-contoured look, we recommend you invest in high-quality brushes.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Esha Saxena, the author of this article, is a makeup fanatic. She loves to explore various products in this domain to provide the best recommendations to her readers. She compiled this list of the best drugstore contour kits after researching all the ingredients keenly and considering customer feedback from various trusted platforms. These kits enhance your look, blend well, and are long-lasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of drugstore contour kit is the best for beginners -powder or cream?
Powder contour kits for beginners are the best since they are easier to blend with effective brush strokes. If you use a cream contour kit without the proper skill, it might not look very natural or seamless.
What type of brush do you use for powder contour?
For powder contour, blush and contour brushes can work wonders. These brushes come in angled shapes that provide you with desired effect and definition while helping you sculpt and accentuate your face.
Which contouring is the best among cream and powder?
Both cream contour kits and powder contour kits have their own pros and cons. Cream contours offer better coverage than powder contours, but the latter is easier to use and apply. Cream contours also provide a more natural finish whereas powder contours are most suited for heavy makeup.
How do you contour with a drugstore powder contour kit?
You can easily contour your face with a drugstore powder contour kit. Focus on adding contour to your hairline, temples, sides of your nose, and jawline. Use clean brushes to blend the contour and highlighter with the other makeup products. Add some setting powder to seal your glam look.
What are the best shades for face contouring?
For face contouring, choose a contour shade that is one or two levels darker than your foundation. You can land on the right contour shades by testing different shades that you think can work best for your skin. The key is to always choose shades that can make your cheekbones and other distinct features look natural.
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