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Updated May 15, 2024The Best Contour Makeup for Your Wedding Day
These contour product picks will make creating a sculpted wedding look a breeze.
Massion Liang Photography
Are you looking for a makeup technique that will give your face natural definition and enhance your features in wedding photos? Contouring will take care of that. Despite all the crazy trends on the internet these days, the best contour makeup will naturally define your bone structure and enhance your already beautiful facial features.
To help avoid any unnecessary contouring faux pas on the big day, we recommend hiring a skilled makeup professional who can help you achieve your desired look. However, if you plan on doing it yourself, we've found some of the best contour makeup products that are available to shop right now. Plus, we tapped Becca Ashmon, an expert makeup artist at BA Beauty in Dallas, Texas, who shares her tips on how to apply contour correctly so you can start practicing for all of your wedding and engagement events.
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In this article:
- What is Contour Makeup?
- Why is Face Contouring Makeup Good for Photos?
- What to Look for in Contour Makeup for Your Wedding
- Where & How to Apply Contour Makeup
- The Best Contour Makeup Palettes
- The Best Cream Contour Makeup
- The Best Contour Makeup Sticks
What is Contour Makeup?
Contour makeup mimics natural shadows by applying matte and cool-toned products to the face for snatched definition. While it may seem like a trend that only took off in the early 2010s Kardashian Era, its use dates back to the 16th Century, when Elizabethan actors would use chalk to create more defined facial features so audiences could read their expressions from afar. Nowadays, it serves a much different purpose. "Makeup artists now use it to restore the appearance of depth, shadow and even sleepy eyes," says Ashmon.
Why is Face Contouring Makeup Good for Photos?
If you want to look snatched in your wedding and engagement photos, contouring is the way to do it. "Lighting can sometimes flatten out the natural contours of the face, making you appear less defined and less three-dimensional," Ashmon tells us. "Contouring can help balance the face and create a more symmetrical appearance, which can be especially useful in candid photographs where the subject is viewed from different angles."
What to Look for in Contour Makeup for Your Wedding
Ideally, you want to look for contour makeup that is "one or two shades darker than your skin tone to create natural-looking shadows," according to Ashmon. It's easy to walk into a makeup store and feel completely overwhelmed, especially when shopping for products you'll use on your wedding day. Should you use creams or powders? How do you find your shade? Here are a few things Ashmon recommends looking for when shopping at your local beauty store:
Consider using cream or liquid contouring products instead of a powder for a more natural-looking finish.
Don't use a contour shade that is too dark or warm for your skin tone, as it can look muddy and unnatural.
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Consult a beauty professional, even if you plan to do your makeup on the day of. See if you can book a lesson with a professional makeup artist to learn the ins and outs and receive product recommendations.
Where & How to Apply Contour Makeup
Ready for a quick lesson in contouring 101? It's not as scary as you think it is. "Where you apply contour will vary based on face shape, skin tone and the overall desired outcome," says Ashmon. "Practice and experiment with different techniques to find the best contouring style for your face shape and skin type." Here are a few of her expert dos and don'ts to achieve your ideal sculpt:
Do:
Apply contour products to the areas of your face that you want to create the appearance of depth, like your cheekbones, jawline and temples.
Blend with a fluffy brush to avoid harsh lines.
Use a highlighter to brighten the areas of your face you want to bring forward, like, your forehead, nose bridge and cupid's bow.
Don't:
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Use too much product, which can look heavy, unnatural and even age you well before your time.
Forget to blend thoroughly. Remember, we want to stay away from harsh lines!
Avoid applying contouring products to areas of your face with texture or dryness, as it can accentuate imperfections.
Forget to set your contouring products with powder to ensure they last through your wedding.
The Best Contour Makeup Palettes
We love a good contour palette. Many brands offer palettes as an all-in-one option with multiple shades that let you work with various tones. Below, we've rounded up a few of our favorites, from budget-friendly picks to high-end finds for you to shop now.
PATRICK TA Major Sculpt Creme Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo
Why you'll love it: This contour palette from celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta reigns supreme. The silky texture melts into your skin, while the talc-free powder finishes with a hint of warmth. The product is best applied with a brush in a gentle stamping motion to help it naturally diffuse into the skin. Plus, the portable packaging makes it easy to throw in your wedding clutch when you need a quick touch-up.
Shades: 5
Bonus points awarded for: AAPI-Owned, Vegan
KVD Beauty Shade + Light Refillable Powder Face Contour Palette
Why you'll love it: If you prefer powders, we recommend this matte contour palette from KVD Beauty. With three cool-toned contouring shades and three illuminating highlighting shades, you'll have everything you need, whether you want more masculine makeup contouring or a soft glam finish. Plus, it comes with removable magnetic pans to refill and customize your ideal palette.
Shades: 3 Contour Shades; 3 Highlight Shades
Bonus points awarded for: Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Paraben-Free
Alleyoop Stack The Odds Compact Palette
Why you'll love it: The Knot's Assistant Fashion Editor, Sofia Deeb, adores Alleyoop's Stack the Odds cream compact, which includes a blendable bronzer, blush and highlight for a natural glow. "I have extremely sensitive skin, so I love that it's free of parabens, latex, aluminum, and phthalates, plus it's Leaping Bunny Certified." In addition, the travel-friendly packaging is TSA-approved and will fit perfectly in your honeymoon bag for on-the-go sculpting.
Shades: 3
Bonus points awarded for: Clean, Cruelty-Free, Paraben-Free, Vegan, Sustainable Packaging
e.l.f. Cosmetics Cream Contour Palette
Why you'll love it: Chizled cheeks on a budget? Yes, please. This affordable contour palette comes with four shades, all specially formulated to sculpt and brighten your wedding day complexion. Plus, the vegan and cruelty-free powder formula is an excellent choice from the store if you're a beginner who wants to test the waters before investing in higher-end products for the big day.
Shades: 4
Bonus points awarded for: Cruelty-Free, Vegan
ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr Made for Shade Bronze & Sculpt Trio Palette
Why you'll love it: YouTube beauty guru Patrick Starrr started ONE/SIZE Beauty to create quality makeup that honors expression and acceptance for all. While the beauty brand is filled with stunning products, the Made for Shade palette is a total standout. The compact comes with three different shades to customize your contour and is formulated with magnolia bark extract to help blur texture. One reviewer even says, "From the tones to the formula, this palette will do all the blending and sculpting for you; it's flexible enough to give you that perfect day-to-night complexion look."
Shades: 6
Bonus points awarded for: AAPI-Owned, Cruelty-Free, Vegan
The Best Cream Contour Makeup
Cream contour is always a go-to for its ease of use and bendability. Below, we've gathered the best cream contour products on the market to help you put your best face forward.
Saie Sun Melt Natural Cream Bronzer
Why you'll love it: The Saie Sun Melt Bronzer is a personal favorite of mine. The lightweight, creamy balm is easy to apply and gives a natural finish that will look good whether I'm attending a Zoom meeting or a wedding. Plus, the formula is packed with skin-nourishing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, grapeseed oil and elderberry extract to soothe, moisturize and support elasticity. You'll be camera ready in seconds.
Shades: 6
Bonus points awarded for: Female-Founded, Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Recyclable Packaging
FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Bronzer
Why you'll love it: You can always count on Rihanna to deliver a product that will make contouring a breeze on your wedding day, no matter your makeup skill level. Its Sweat- and water-resistant formula feels weightless on the skin and comes in seven versatile cool- and warm-toned shades for a soft contour or a natural-looking bronze.
Shades: 7
Bonus points awarded for: Female-Founded, BIPOC-Owned, Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Paraben-Free
Makeup Revolution Ultra Cream Bronzer
Why you'll love it: Want a sun-kissed glow for your wedding and engagement pictures? Look no further than the Makeup Revolution Ultra Cream Bronzer. This creamy contouring makeup is ultra-blendable to the touch and melts right into the skin, giving you a sculpted and radiant complexion. Bonus: This vegan and cruelty-free bronzer is only $8.
Shades: 4
Bonus points awarded for: Vegan, Cruelty-Free
Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer
Why you'll love it: This wouldn't be a wedding contour round-up without mentioning the Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Bronzer. Those with sensitive skin will love that this creamy formula is free of fragrance, sulfates and parabens. "This cream bronzer has changed my life; just by using the tip of my finger, I can create a supernatural glow and beautiful face definition," says one reviewer. Best of all, it clocks in at ten gorgeous shades, a generous range for a contour product.
Shades: 10
Bonus points awarded for: Female Founded, Cruelty-Free
Tower 28 Beauty Sculptino Soft Matte Cream Contour + Bronzer
Why you'll love it: If a clean contour product is a nonnegotiable for your wedding events, this Tower 28 Sculptino will check all the boxes. The formula is fragrance-free, silicone-free and non-comedogenic, making it safe for sensitive skin. It's also packed with hydrating ingredients like green tea extract, mango seed butter and castor seed oil to calm the skin. That's a win-win in our book.
Shades: 4
Bonus points awarded for: Clean, Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Fragrance-Free, Silicone-Free
The Best Contour Makeup Sticks
Whether you're a makeup novice or a professional, stick formulas are one of the most popular ways to apply contour makeup, and it seems like every brand has one. Luckily, we've narrowed down the list to a few of our favorites so you can find the perfect contour makeup stick.
Makeup By Mario SoftSculpt Shaping Stick
Why you'll love it: Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic knows a thing or two about contouring (he is Kim K's makeup artist, after all), so it's no surprise that his contour stick continuously sells out online. The Knot's Social Media Coordinator, Kerre Jo Lattanzio, uses it on a daily basis. "I'm a big fan of the Makeup by Mario SoftSculpt Shaping Stick—it's creamy and blends easily; I feel like it gives a natural bronzy look that isn't too intense." says Lattanzio. No matter your role in the wedding, this product is super easy to use: Simply swipe on the blendable formula, then use the hidden brush on the opposite end to blend for a natural, aisle-ready contour.
Shades: 6
Bonus points awarded for: Vegan
Milk Makeup Sculpt Cream Contour Stick
Why you'll love it: I have been testing out Milk's newly launched matte contour stick, and I have to say, I'm obsessed. It comes in four beautiful cool-toned shades and is formulated with sunflower seed oil and a thyme extract blend that hydrates and nourishes my normal-to-dry skin. I also adore the packaging. While it may look tiny, this stick can be used up to 1,000 times, and it's super portable for bach weekend or honeymoon travel.
Shades: 4
Bonus points awarded for: Clean, Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Paraben-Free
UOMA Beauty Double Take Contour Stick
Why you'll love it: The dual-ended UOMA long-wear stick is a one-part contour, one-part highlighter that melts immediately upon contact with the skin for a beautifully sculpted finish. Founded by Nigerian-born beauty executive Sharon Chuter, the brand aims to fill a void in the market for vibrant, Afro-centric makeup that represents a wide range of skin tones, which includes their contour stick that comes in six beautiful shades.
Shades: 6
Bonus points awarded for: BIPOC-Owned, Female-Founded, Vegan, Fragrance-free, Silicone-Free, Paraben-Free
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Stick
Why you'll love it: Wedding makeup artists and TikTokers alike have deemed the Charlotte Tilbury contour wand a must-have thanks to its creamy formula and unique sponge applicator. The Knot's Senior Fashion Editor, Shelley Brown, can vouch for the fan-favorite formula, which she says gives her a buildable, natural contour.
Shades: 2
Bonus points awarded for: Female-Founded, Paraben-Free
Ogee Contour Collections Three-Step Glow Routine
Why you'll love it: You know what they say, the best things come in threes, like this three-step set from Ogee. The Knot's Associate Director of Editorial Operations, Sam Langabeer, describes the kit as a "game changer" for her dry skin. "The extra creamy contour, highlight and blush sticks give the perfect glow for natural everyday makeup but can also be layered on for a more dramatic look," she explains. "I love that I end the day still feeling like my skin is hydrated when using these sticks, even allowing me to go foundation free."
Shades: 3
Bonus points awarded for: Certified Organic, Cruelty-Free, Gluten-Free, GMO-Free
