Our Best Contour Kits for Creating a Sculpted Look

Contouring your face is just about the closest you can get to making magic with makeup. A few sweeps of a shadowy shade, and the appearance of your face can be totally transformed. Whether you want to visually slim the look of your face, change the look of your nose, or sharpen your cheekbones, contouring can make it possible. But first, you need to know how to contour. The easiest way? With a contour palette that provides all the colors you’ll need. L’Oréal offers two kinds of contour palettes—a powder and a cream—and we’re sharing how to use both, below.

All About the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Contour Palette

Define, sculpt, and enhance the look of your features with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Contour Palette. The palette contains one contour shade and one highlight shade, both of which are powders, and is available in three different color schemes: light, medium, and deep.

How to Use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Contour Palette

Follow these easy steps to use this powder contour palette like a pro.

Step 1: Highlight. Contour palettes aren’t only for contouring! Use the lighter powder to highlight and create the look of dimension, sweeping it onto the highpoints of your face.

Step 2: Accentuate contours. Using the darker shade, contour. Place the pigmented powder below your cheekbones, down the sides of your nose, along your jawline, and across your forehead.

Step 3: Blend. Don’t forget to blend! Your contour should look natural—not streaky. Use a fluffy makeup brush to get the job done.

Step 4: Add blush. Complete your cheeks with a flush of color. Brush the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Blush on the apples of your cheeks.

Step 5: Use setting spray. To help lock your look in place, spritz your face with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Extender Setting Spray once you’re done applying your makeup. Shake well and spray 4-6 times in “X” and “T” motions to coat your complexion with the lightweight mist.

All About the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Total Cover Concealing and Contour Kit

The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Total Cover Concealing and Contour Kit comes with four creamy concealer shades to blend or use individually, just like a professional. You can use the palette to contour your whole face, but that’s not all. You can also use the colors to hide dark circles, imperfections, and scars, too.

How to Use the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Total Cover Concealing and Contour Kit

Here’s how to add this contour kit to your makeup routine.

Step 1: Conceal. Use the same palette to correct and to contour. Pick the shade that matches your skin tone and conceal any imperfections, being sure to blend out with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Concealer Blender. (Read this article for more on how to use your makeup blenders.)

Step 2: Customize your color. Choose the color that looks most like a suitable contour shade for your skin, or mix and match the four available shades to create one that’s just right for you. Once you have your contour color, apply the cream along your hairline, on the sides of your nose, beneath your cheekbones, and under your chin.

Step 3: Buff into skin. Your contour color should always, always be blended. Bounce the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Contour Blender in circular motions to buff and blend out harsh contouring.

Step 4: Highlight. A touch of radiance will complement your contouring. Apply the L’Oréal Paris True Match™ Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator to the center of your forehead, the bridge of your nose, above your cheekbones, and your chin. Blend out with your fingers and you’re ready to glow.

Step 5: Add blush. Stick to just one type of texture for your cheek products—that mean’s choosing a cream blush. Blend a blush that works with your skin tone onto your cheeks. (Avoid making blush mistakes with this helpful list.)

Now—whether you’re partial to powders or creams—you’re ready to contour. Next, learn how to strobe for every skin tone.