Contouring has its roots in Elizabethan theatre, where performers relied on chalk or soot to sharpen their features for audiences seated far away. As cinema emerged, the technique evolved further, with make-up artists refining facial structure to prevent faces from appearing flat on screen. Later, drag performers played a major role in popularising contouring, using it to dramatically sculpt and transform facial shapes.
That artistry now carries through to modern beauty routines, made far more approachable thanks to today’s contour sticks. Once reserved for professionals, contour products have become a staple in everyday make-up, offering soft definition, subtle shadow, and a sculpted finish. Unlike bronzer, which adds warmth, contour products are usually cool-toned with grey undertones, designed to replicate the look of natural shadows on the face.
A Softer, More Natural Approach
Modern contouring is much more understated than its theatrical beginnings. The right formula enhances your features with a lifted, soft-matte effect, avoiding harsh lines or heavy shading. Stick formats are particularly beginner-friendly, allowing for direct application and easy blending along the cheekbones, temples, nose, and jawline for a naturally sculpted look.
However, not all formulas perform well. A poorly made contour stick can result in a muddy finish or become difficult to blend, disrupting the overall make-up look. To avoid this, I spent several weeks testing contour sticks across a wide range of price points to identify the standout options.
The Best Contour Sticks for 2025
- Best overall: Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick – £44, Harrods.com
- Best for precision: Morphe Shapelifter Micro Contour Stick – £12, Boots.com
- Best long-wearing: Sacheu Contour STAY-N – £18, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy: MCoBeauty Dual-Ended Contour Stick – £14, Amazon.co.uk
- Best shade range: Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick – £17.50, Johnlewis.com
How I Tested the Contour Sticks
Over the course of a month, I thoroughly tested a variety of contour stick formulas to narrow the list down to the top performers. Each product was assessed on how smoothly it blended over foundation and skin tints, how effectively it sculpted my round face, particularly along the cheekbones, as well as the packaging quality, shade availability, and overall value for money.
The final selection includes contour sticks priced from around ensuring options for every budget. A more detailed breakdown of my testing process can be found at the end of this guide.
