Don't Waste Your Money is supported by our readers. When you purchase an item through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Best Contour Palette

Last updated on July 5, 2022

We looked at the top 3 Contour Palettes and dug through the reviews from 10 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Contour Palettes.

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

Concealer and contouring makeup products are used after facial moisturizers and primers but before the foundation is applied. Instead of exactly matching the skin tone, these creams, powders and cream-to-powder formulas come in other colors.

The concealers can cover red spots and acne, and the contouring tones accentuate shadowed areas of your face, adding dimension and depth. You might look strange at first with the different tones on your face, but you’ll blend and cover these contours with foundation.

These products are buildable, too, so you can mix and match and use a light hand or keep sculpting and highlighting to your heart’s content. The palettes come with several shades per case and may or may not include an applicator; many people use their fingers. Look for color groupings that match your skin type and tone for the best results. Powders generally last longer than creams but may be drying or not go on as smoothly.

You can find plenty of contouring palettes from companies that do not test their products on animals, as well as vegan ones made without irritating ingredients and parabens. Look for phrases like “cruelty-free” in product descriptions when this is a concern. If you plan to keep the palette in your purse, get one that has a built-in mirror on the inside. It works best to apply these products when you have a looking glass!

Some of these creams and powders are matte, while others have more shimmery or pearlescent finishes. Applying contours and concealers takes time, so don’t be discouraged if things don’t look right at first. It helps to follow the instructions that came with the kit or look for online tutorials. Once you figure out how to use these products, you’ll see how easy it really is.

Our Picks For The Top Contour Palettes

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Runner Up

Aesthetica Cruelty-Free Vegan Cream Contour Palette

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Aesthetica

Cruelty-Free Vegan Cream Contour Palette

Aesthetica Cosmetics' contour and highlighting palette is cruelty-free (vegan, too) and comes with three silky-smooth cream concealers/foundations, three highlighters and helpful instructions with face shape diagrams. It all comes in a convenient, mirrored cas...

Overall Take

Enhance Your LookYou can apply this makeup at home or on the go; these creams are a real game-changer.

Pros
" Ideal for all skin types. Ideal for a wide range of skin tones. Suitable for sensitive skin."
Cons
"Improper blending causes problems. Can feel oily upon application. May result in blotchy skin."
 We Also Like

Ruby Kisses 3D Lightweight Moisturizing Cream Contour Palette

Ruby Kisses

3D Lightweight Moisturizing Cream Contour Palette

With eight shades and a lightweight formula that promises to conceal, contour and sculpt your face, this fantastic palette allows you to mix and match to find the right shades you need.

Overall Take

Velvety Smooth and FlexibleYou won't believe how well this makeup works, and once you understand how to use the colors, you'll quickly become a pro.

Pros
" Blends easily. Weightless formula. Richly pigmented. Affordable. Available in three shades."
 Also Great

Maybelline Master Contour Blush & Highlighter Contour Palette

Maybelline

Master Contour Blush & Highlighter Contour Palette

This unique contour face kit by Maybelline has three blendable powders to bronze, blush and highlight your skin. It also comes with an angled contour brush for an easy, smooth application every time.

Overall Take

Respected BrandYou can quickly shape, camouflage and define as needed and will end up with a glowing, natural look that will turn heads wherever you go.

Pros
" Suitable for all skin tones. Instructions provided. Perfectly blendable pigments."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
10

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the contour palettes available to purchase.
3

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

10

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: ReviewThis, Best Products, Glossn Glitters, Elle, Style Craze.

26,465

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 3 Contour Palettes and also dug through the reviews from 10 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Contour Palettes.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval
Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Overall

Aesthetica Cruelty-Free Vegan Cream Contour Palette


Our Expert Score

8.8
5 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.6
4,433 user reviews

Our Take

Aesthetica Cosmetics' contour and highlighting palette is cruelty-free (vegan, too) and comes with three silky-smooth cream concealers/foundations, three highlighters and helpful instructions with face shape diagrams. It all comes in a convenient, mirrored case.

What other experts liked

Ideal for all skin types. Ideal for a wide range of skin tones. Suitable for sensitive skin.
- ReviewThis
Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. Colors blend in easily. Suitable for everyday use and for occasions too.
- Mom Junction
This hypoallerginic contour palette has a lush, cream formula that seamlessly blends into the skin.
- LifeSavvy
Easy to blend. Longwearing. Hypoallergenic. Refillable pans. Gluten-free. Dermatologist tested. Vegan. Cruelty-free.
- Style Craze
Not only is this contour kit good for the environment (the pans are removable and refillable) and animals (it's vegan and cruelty-free), but it'll also look really effing good on your face. The cream-based shades are easily built up and...
- Cosmopolitan

What other experts didn't like

May have an orange tint.
- ReviewThis
Improper blending causes problems. Can feel oily upon application. May result in blotchy skin.
- Mom Junction
Not ideal for those with cool or neutral undertones.
- LifeSavvy
Expensive.
- Style Craze

What to Look For

  • There are also liquid and stick contouring and concealing makeup products that you may enjoy using.
  • Sweep a thin layer of translucent powder over your foundation before putting on powder contouring makeup.
  • Popular areas for contouring include the jawline, along the sides of the nose, under the cheekbones and around the hairline.
  • A highlighting product should be one to two shades lighter than your skin tone; use it under the eyes, on the bridge of the nose, on the chin and on the forehead.
  • There are palettes with removable trays that you can refill.
  • Don’t be afraid to experiment; contouring is usually done after foundation and concealer, but the rules aren’t set in stone.

 

Contour Palette Rankings

More to Explore

Who said that contouring makeup was only for the face? Body contouring cosmetics are used to add definition to your chest, arms, abs and décolletage.

You’ll want to exfoliate first and then add on a lightweight moisturizer. Wait until that is completely absorbed and your skin is dry, and then apply witch hazel to smooth everything out. Cream body contouring makeups work best; go with a color two or three shades darker than your skin. Feel free to highlight and add bronzer!