Dual-ended contour and highlighter that blends creamy into a soft satin, offering buildable, natural-looking definition for many skin tones.
Want cheekbones and jawline definition that look naturally sculpted, not streaky or orange, on a realistic budget? These drugstore contour sticks are easy to blend, forgiving on rushed mornings, and chosen to match a wide range of skin tones.
If you want subtle definition that looks like real bone structure instead of obvious makeup, a good contour stick is one of the easiest ways to get there. The challenge is that many budget formulas are either too orange, too stiff to blend, or disappear by lunchtime. This guide focuses on drugstore contour sticks that are easy to work with, flattering on real skin, and actually worth your money.
Quick picks
- NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick – Best overall drugstore contour stick. Creamy, buildable, and dual ended with a highlighter and contour in multiple shade combos, it is user friendly for most skin types.
- Wet n Wild MegaGlo Makeup Stick Contour – Best under $5 and best for beginners. The stick format is simple to control, and the pigment blends out quickly for soft, everyday definition.
- L.A. Girl Velvet Contour Stick – Best for dry or mature skin. The extra creamy texture glides over texture and fine lines, giving a smoother, more hydrated look.
- L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick (in a deeper shade) – Best natural looking long wear contour. It doubles as a foundation stick, wears for hours, and is ideal if you have combination or oily skin.
- Black Radiance True Complexion Contour Stick – Best for deep and rich skin tones. The shades are designed for melanin rich skin and give real dimension without turning gray or ashy.
In-depth reviews
NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick review
The NYX Wonder Stick is the most balanced choice if you want one product that does almost everything. It is dual ended, with a cream highlight on one side and a deeper contour shade on the other, in several shade pairings from fair to deep. The formula feels creamy going on but sets to a soft satin finish that works on normal, combo, and slightly oily skin.
Because it is buildable rather than ultra intense, it is forgiving if you are new to contour. Draw a few short lines under your cheekbones and along the jaw, then blend with a sponge or brush for a diffused shadow effect. The main downside is that some contour shades lean a bit warm, which can give more of a bronzed look than a sharp sculpt on very cool undertones.
If you love the idea of a two in one product, you will appreciate this over the Wet n Wild MegaGlo stick, which is contour only. For very long days, though, those with oily skin may prefer the more budge resistant L’Oréal Infallible Shaping Stick.
Wet n Wild MegaGlo Makeup Stick Contour review
Wet n Wild MegaGlo Makeup Stick Contour is ideal if you want to experiment with contouring without spending much. The chubby stick format makes placement intuitive, and the pigment level means a couple of quick swipes deliver visible definition. It blends out best with a dense brush or a damp sponge, giving a soft matte to satin finish.
This stick works nicely on normal to slightly oily skin and holds up decently through a workday with a light powder on top. On very dry or textured skin, the formula can feel a bit stiff and may cling to dry patches, where a creamier option like the L.A. Girl Velvet Contour Stick will look smoother. Shade range is the biggest drawback, since it primarily serves light to medium skin tones and only a limited range of undertones.
If you are torn between this and the NYX Wonder Stick, choose Wet n Wild if price is your top priority and you only care about contour, not highlighting. Choose NYX if you want a more versatile stick that can shape and brighten at the same time.
L.A. Girl Velvet Contour Stick review
The L.A. Girl Velvet Contour Stick is a great pick for dry or mature skin that hates anything draggy or chalky. The texture is noticeably creamy and slightly dewy, so it glides over fine lines and does not emphasize dryness. Once blended, it leaves a soft, skin like sheen that mimics natural shadows without looking flat.
The shade selection includes bronzy and sculpting tones that work on light through medium deep skin, with a few richer options that can double as bronzer on deep tones. Because the formula is more emollient, it is best set with a light translucent or matching powder if you have combo or oily skin. On very hot days, the L’Oréal Infallible Shaping Stick or NYX Wonder Stick will last longer.
Compared with Wet n Wild, this stick is easier to blend and more flattering on textured or aging skin, though it can slip faster if you do not set it. Pick this if comfort and a hydrated look matter more than all day wear time.
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick review
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick is technically a foundation stick, but in a deeper shade it works beautifully as a natural looking contour. The formula has a creamy stick to powder feel that melts in as you blend, then sets to a soft matte finish that resists transferring. L’Oréal markets it as up to 24 hour wear, which is overkill for most people but does translate to strong staying power on oily or combo skin.
You will need to choose a contour shade that is one to three shades deeper than your base, ideally in a neutral to cool undertone for sculpting cheekbones and jawline. Because the coverage is higher than a classic contour stick, it takes just a little product to shape the face. The downside is that it can feel heavier if you already wear a full face of foundation, and it can cling slightly to very dry patches.
If you want a true contour plus highlight combo in one, the NYX Wonder Stick is the better fit. Reach for L’Oréal if your main concerns are shine control and not having your contour fade by the end of a long, busy day.
Black Radiance True Complexion Contour Stick review
The Black Radiance True Complexion Contour Stick is designed specifically with deeper skin tones in mind, which means the shades actually show up and sculpt instead of turning gray. The pigment is rich and warm, flattering undertones that many generic “deep” shades miss. The formula is creamy enough to blend without tugging, then sets to a natural demi matte finish.
Because the color payoff is strong, you need only a small amount under cheekbones, along the hairline, and around the jaw for real dimension. On very oily skin, setting with powder will lock it in place, but on normal to dry skin it wears comfortably on its own. The main drawbacks are limited availability in some stores and a shade range focused almost entirely on medium deep to very deep tones, so it is not the best choice for lighter complexions.
If you have deep skin and felt let down by the deeper shades of NYX or Wet n Wild, this stick will likely give a more sculpted, intentional look. Pair it with a brightening concealer to bring forward the center of the face for a full, professional looking contour.
How to choose the right drugstore contour stick for your skin
Picking the right contour shade and formula matters more than the brand name on the tube. A good contour should quietly mimic real shadows on your face, not look like a stripe of bronzer.
- Match the depth correctly. For light to medium skin, choose a contour that is about one to two shades deeper than your natural tone. For medium deep to very deep skin, you may need two to three shades deeper to see definition without looking flat.
- Watch the undertone. Cool to neutral taupe or espresso shades create the most convincing shadows on cheekbones and jawlines. Very warm or orange browns read more like bronzer, which can be pretty on the forehead but less realistic under cheekbones.
- Consider your skin type. If you are dry or mature, look for words like “cream,” “velvet,” or “hydrating” and avoid very stiff matte sticks. If you are oily or combination, semi matte, long wear formulas such as the L’Oréal Infallible Shaping Stick usually hold up better.
- Decide how intense you want it. Beginners or minimal makeup wearers often prefer softer, buildable sticks like the NYX Wonder Stick or Wet n Wild MegaGlo. If you love full glam or have deep skin, a more pigmented option like Black Radiance will show up with fewer layers.
Application tips for a seamless, natural contour
Even the best contour stick can look harsh if it is placed or blended carelessly. A few simple habits make a big difference in how natural your sculpting looks.
- Prep your base. Apply your usual skincare and foundation or tinted moisturizer first. Contour sticks glide and blend more evenly over a slightly tacky base than over bare, very dry skin.
- Use less product than you think. Draw short dashes or dots instead of long stripes under the cheekbones, along the temples, and around the jawline. You can always add more, but removing excess cream is difficult once it is on.
- Blend upward and outward. Use a dense brush or damp sponge to blend in small, upward motions so the shadow lifts the face instead of dragging it down. Keep the color slightly higher on the cheek for a more sculpted, youthful look.
- Customize for your face shape. Heart and oval faces often benefit from subtle contour at the temples and under the cheekbones. Round faces may want a touch more along the jawline and under the chin. If your face is very thin, go lighter with cheek contour and focus more on soft definition at the hairline.
- Set strategically. On normal to dry skin, you may only need a light dusting of translucent powder on areas that crease. On oily skin or in hot weather, set your contour with a sheer powder bronzer or matching powder to lock in the cream underneath.
Final thoughts
If you are not sure where to start, the NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stick is the most balanced option for most people, combining a user friendly formula with practical contour and highlight shades. For absolute beginners or very tight budgets, Wet n Wild MegaGlo Makeup Stick Contour gives you an easy way to practice placement and blending without overcommitting.
If your skin leans dry or mature, L.A. Girl Velvet Contour Stick will look smoother and more flattering on texture. Oily or long day wearers should look closely at L’Oréal Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick for its extra staying power, and those with deep complexions will likely get the best payoff and undertone match from Black Radiance True Complexion Contour Stick. Choose based on your skin type and depth, keep the application light, and you will get natural looking structure from products that fit comfortably within a drugstore budget.
See also
If you have deep skin and want even more sculpting options, explore our guide to contour sticks for deep skin.
- Try multi use sticks that work on cheeks, eyes, and lips in our guide to multi tasking sticks for mature skin.
- For a sun kissed finish that will not cling to dry patches, see the best bronzers for dry skin.
- If your skin reacts easily, check out our picks for the best bronzer for sensitive skin.
- To pair your contour with a flattering flush, browse the best cream blushes for dry or mature skin.
FAQ
What is the difference between a contour stick and a bronzer stick?
A contour stick is usually cooler or more neutral in undertone and slightly deeper in shade, so it mimics natural shadows under the cheekbones, along the jawline, and at the temples. Bronzer sticks tend to be warmer and more golden, meant to add a sun kissed look on the high points of the face. You can layer them together, but using a warm bronzer as contour alone can sometimes look orange or muddy.
How do I pick the right contour shade at the drugstore?
Test shades on the side of your face near the jawline instead of on your hand whenever possible. Look for a color that is one to two shades deeper than your skin (a bit more if you are very deep) and leans neutral to cool rather than strongly orange. If you cannot swatch, compare the stick color to the natural shadow under your cheekbone in good lighting and choose the closest match.
Can I contour with a foundation stick instead of a contour stick?
Yes, a foundation stick in a deeper shade can work very well for contour, which is how many people use L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Shaping Stick. The key is to choose a shade that is deeper but not dramatically darker, with a neutral or slightly cool undertone. Because foundation sticks often have higher coverage, use a light hand and blend thoroughly so the result looks like a soft shadow instead of a heavy stripe.
How do I make my contour stick last all day on oily skin?
Start with a light, oil controlling primer or a long wear foundation base and avoid heavy cream moisturizers in the areas you plan to contour. Choose a semi matte or long wear formula, such as L’Oréal Infallible or NYX Wonder Stick, and apply in thin layers. After blending, set the contour with a matching powder or sheer bronzer and finish with a setting spray to help lock everything in place.
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