Fashion

12 Highlight And Contour Palettes And Pencils To Help You Find Your Perfect Shade For A Little Subtle Sculpting

Finding the right contouring and highlighting shades can be a daunting practice. Although many bloggers and vloggers tout specific bronzers and other powders as the perfect contour or highlight shade, taking a specific contour color recommendation is like taking a specific foundation color recommendation. We don't all have the same skin tone or even undertones. Because the practice of contouring and highlighting is supposed to mimic natural shadows and light on the face, these colors should be tailored to our specific complexions for the most natural results.

And yes, super intense contouring a la Kim Kardashian might be on the way out for 2015. But contouring as a practice isn't going anywhere anytime soon as evidenced by all the new palettes and sets that have been released in recent months. The best part about these new releases? They take the guesswork out of finding your ideal shades. So sit back, relax, and let your new holy grail come to you.

Image: kazzakova/Fotolia

by Miki Hayes

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit

This customizable contour and highlighting palette allows you to pick and choose your favorite highlighters, bronzers, and contour powders. There are also pre-made options for those of you who are unsure or indecisive.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit, $40, Sephora

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette

This contour palette includes shades that give the effect of natural shadows and definition for a wide range of skintones.

Shade + Light Contour Refillable Palette, $49, Sephora

Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Kit

If you’re new to highlighting and contouring, look no further than this simple palette that includes a tutorial that shows how to perfectly sculpt your face.

Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Kit, $45, Sephora

Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Stick Trio

If you like the idea of a simple contouring system but prefer cream products, try this trio of pencils that allows you to simply draw on (and blend) your shadows and highlights.

Step-By-Step Contour Stick Trio, $45, Sephora

Sephora Collection Contouring 101 Face Palette

For a compact way to contour, try this palette that houses five shades of contouring and highlighting powder in one small disc.

Contouring 101 Face Palette, $15, Sephora

Lancome Le Duo Contour & Highlighter Stick

Find your perfect contour and highlighter shade pair with this travel-friendly, dual-ended cream stick.

Lancome Le Duo Contour & Highlighter Stick, $36, Nordstrom

BECCA Lowlight/Highlight Perfecting Palette

Take the guesswork out of finding your contouring and highlighting shades with this buildable, universal cream compact.

BECCA Lowlight/ Highlight Perfecting Palette, $42, Sephora

NYX Cosmetics 3C Conceal Correct Contour Palette

Select the perfect range of shades for your skintone, and let this palette work triple duty to conceal imperfections, correct any discolorations, and contour the face.

NYX 3C Conceal Correct Contour Palette, $12, Ulta

Stila Sculpt & Shade Custom Contour Duo

This matte-finish, cream contour palette features line-filling ingredients to blur imperfections, and comes in three different shades so you can find your perfect duo.

Stila Sculpt & Shade Custom Contour Duo, $40, Sephora

NUDESTIX Sculpting Pencil

This dual-ended, long-wearing, cream-contouring stick is infused with skin-conditioning ingredients to moisturize while it sculpts.

NUDESTIX Sculpting Pencil, $24, Sephora

Laura Mercier Flawless Contouring Palette

This cream contour palette features five buildable shades in varying finishes to achieve a perfectly sculpted face.

Laura Mercier Flawless Contouring Palette, $50, Sephora

Marc Jacobs Beauty #Instamarc Light Filtering Contour Palette

Create natural looking dimension with these finely milled powders so you can skip those Insta filters.

#Instamarc Light Filtering Contour Palette, $49, Sephora

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