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For a seamless sculpt.
Byrdie / Shannon Stubbs / Caitlyn Martyn / Lauren Pardee
TheNYX Professional Makeup Wonder Stickis an affordable drugstore fave and celebrity makeup artist-approved.
Then, we evaluated their formulas, shade range, bendability, and wear.
Ahead, we’re sharing the ones that impressed us the most.
PHOTO: Kohl’s
Tester and writerAmanda Rosenthalwas impressed by its lineup of shades, each with varying depths and undertones.
Plus, a built-in brush makes software easy.
Amanda Rosenthal, writer:I am obsessed with the formulation and pigment of this contour stick.
It also comes in options for fair, medium, and dark skin.
The payoff and wear are impressive for a fraction of the cost of other popular contouring sticks.
The results were impressive for a budget-friendly contouring stick and exceeded my expectations.
PHOTO: Target
And finally, it plays nicely with any foundation or concealer you layer it on top of..
If you’re in the market for a luxe option, this is the one we recommend for you.
We love that the line features nine shades ranging from fair to dark and varying undertones.
Each stick is highly pigmented and buildable, offering a natural-looking definition or a more full-glam sculpt.
A little bit of this creamy formula goes a long way to deliver a gorgeous matte sculpt.
The applicator is ideal, and the formula blends nicely without disappearing.
PHOTO: Sephora
With a smaller and more precise tip, this product gives more precision than its competitors.
Amanda Rosenthal, writer:This is the perfect contour pen for small, targeted shading.
It was the ideal size and consistency to easily contour my nose and eyelids for subtle definition.
Byrdie / Shannon Stubbs
It makes it much easier to impart more sheer color than youd get with a traditional cream formula.
Lauren Pardee, senior editor:The radiance this contour delivers is unmatched.
It truly imparts a sun-kissed glow.
PHOTO: Sephora
Whether youre using it all over or just to sculpt your features, were fans of this classic.
Plus, theres an option for every skin tone.
Its creamy consistency blends smoothly and seamlessly into the skin, and the warm finish lasts all day.
Caitlyn Martyn, associate editor:I love the consistency and feel of this bronzer.
While buildable, it feels weightless on the skin and blends very easily.
The creaminess allows for superior blending, which is one of the nicest callouts for this product.
PHOTO: FWRD
It plays well with other products, and its smaller size is ideal for travel and touch-ups.
It applies smoothly straight from the tube and blends easily without much effort.
I love the rich undertone and silky finish, and it gives my complexion the perfect amount of dimension.
A few swipes helps achieve a healthy glow and sculpted bone structure.
However, the bronzer completely popped out of the tube the second I uncapped it.
Thankfully, I caught it before it fell on the floor.
PHOTO: Ulta
It’s buildable and blendable, and it has the most bold finish of all the ones I tried.
Our testers come from various backgrounds, from writers and editors to professional makeup artists.
Then blend, blend, blend before adding foundation and highlighter to balance things out.
She has extensive experience researching, testing, and reviewing makeup and skincare products.
She loves to emphasize her cheekbones daily and appreciates a great contouring product.
Associate editorAlyssa Kaplanis an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics.
PHOTO: Sephora
She has extensive experience with contouring and has tried most products on this list.
PHOTO: Byrdie / Khera Alexander
PHOTO: Sephora
PHOTO: LYS Beauty
PHOTO: Milk Makeup
PHOTO: Sephora
Byrdie / Caitlyn Martyn