Comparing Cream Contour Products

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Contouring is one of my favorite steps when applying my makeup. Even if I am doing a minimal makeup look, I'm always sure to add a bit of definition to my cheeks. There are some great powder contour products that I love, but nothing compares to a cream contour product to blend into your look seamlessly. I've got four that I rotate between regularly, and they are all a little different. Here is how they stack up to one another, and whether or not they are worth a repurchase.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand in Fair/Medium- $38

If I had to pick one all time favorite contour product, it would have to be the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Contour Wand. There is a lot to love about this product, but one of the best things about it is ease of application. You barely need any product, so I tap about three dots of it onto the hollows of my cheeks, blend out with a stippling brush, and that's it. Since I use a tapping motion rather than swiping the product on, I don't have any issues with it lifting any product underneath it, like bronzer or blush. The color is also fantastic. It creates a nice contour without leaning too cool and making me look sickly. I have a feeling this will last forever as well. I squeeze up the teeniest, tiniest amount when the applicator runs out of product, and it lasts multiple makeup applications. This one is a more liquid consistency, which I feel just can't be beat since it blends out so well and looks so natural and glowy. Definitely can't wait to try some other Charlotte Tilbury wand products after falling in love with this! 10/10 will buy time and time again. 

Fenty Match Stix in Amber- $25

Another contour product that I love is the Fenty Match Stix in Amber. Using a stick formula takes a bit more care, and I find that it does even more-so with this one since the formula is on the dry side. Despite that, I think that the effort is worth it since the color of this product works so well for me. It is definitely a lot cooler toned, but creates maybe THE perfect shadow on my cheekbones. I like to use this in conjunction with a cream bronzer and blush to minimize pulling of the product underneath it, which works very well. It's decently pigmented, so I swipe a short line starting near the top of my ears, then blend down my face into the hollow in an upward motion. This is my go-to if I want to make sure that my contour is really popping. 8/10, will most likely buy again but am hoping that it gets reformulated to be just a bit creamier. 

KKW Beauty Crème Contour & Highlight Set in Light- 

The KKW Beauty Crème Contour is the newest addition to my cream contour lineup. This stick is a bit creamier than the Fenty one which is nice, it's not quite as finicky. I apply it in the same way, but I don't worry about using exclusively cream products with it. The color on this one also works really well for me. It's pretty cool toned, but not quite as intensely cool toned. There are a few downsides to this product though. The first issue that I have is the amount of product that you get. With the Fenty Match Stix for example, you're getting .25oz of product. With these, each end of the stick is only a measly .03oz. This is a HUGE difference, and I probably won't end up repurchasing this one when I run out. The other issue that I have is that the highlight stick that comes with this just flat out sucks, The highlight stick is not as creamy, and the colors are just whatever. I probably wouldn't buy this again given the fact that it doesn't perform miracles for the price point, but I'll gladly use it until it runs out- which shouldn't take long. 5/10 will most likely not buy again given poor amount of product and the fact that the highlight sucks. 

Lancôme Le Duo Contour & Highlighter Stick

The Lancôme Le Duo Contour & Highlighter Stick is probably my favorite stick contour out of the bunch. It's also the one that has broken my heart; it appears to be discontinued. It may seem pointless to include it here, but this is how much I love it and hope that it makes a return one day. The best part about this one is that it's really hard to go overboard with. With the other contour products mentioned here, there is definitely the chance of over applying and having to correct the problem. This one is a great color for me, but blends out a bit more sheerly, so I don't have to be as carefully lightheaded as I do with the others. When I finally use this contour up, I'm going to dry my tears and try the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Longwear Foundation Stick to see how it stacks up. It's marketed as a product that can be used as foundation, concealer, or contour, and I have high hopes that it will be a similar formula. 9/10 would buy again if given the chance since the contour side is phenomenal, even though the highlight is nothing special. 

Do you guys contour often? I feel like a lot of people just stick to sculpting with bronzer which also looks great, but I find that the extra definition from a contour product just can't be beat for the look that I like.