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The Best Contour Kits for Every Skill Level

These 15 makeup contouring palettes are so foolproof, they practically sculpt your cheekbones for you
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Best Palette for a Professional-Looking Contour
Kat von D Shade + Light Sculpting Palette, $46

Skill Level: Intermediate

The color selection in this contour kit means it's easy to create a variety of looks, and the smooth powder blends like butta. Just be careful how much you apply — these powders are highly pigmented, making them ideal if you want a more Kardashian-esque contour versus a subtle look.

This contour palette also contains step-by-step instructions for everything from defining your cheekbones to faking the effects of a detox diet (read: your whole face will look less bloated).

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The Contouring Kit That Will Keep You Chiseled All Night Long
Stila Shape & Shade Custom Contour Kit, $40

Skill Level: Beginner

The sculpting and highlighting creams in this contouring makeup kit are super-blendable when you apply. Approximately 60 seconds later, they dry to a semi-matte, budge-proof finish (perfect for a night out when you don't want to brave the bar bathroom line).

The contour kit comes in three shades — light, medium and dark — and each kit includes a how-to pamphlet that breaks down the basics of how to contour for your face shape.

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The Contour Palette That Sephora Couldn't Keep In Stock
Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit, $40

Skill Level: Intermediate

There's a reason why this contouring makeup kit sold out in a matter of hours each time it was re-released at Sephora: the cruelty-free, hypoallergenic palette comes with five silky, matte shades (two for highlighting, three for contour) that look effortless and natural when applied, and one shimmery highlighter that gives skin a glow without looking sparkly.

Any girl worth her weight in face powder knows about Ben Nye Banana Powder — the yellow powder in this palette (also called Banana) is very similar, and sets under-eye concealer in place while adding brightness to the eyes.

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A Contour Kit That Also Includes Blush
Tarte Park Ave Princess Contour Palette, $34

Skill Level: Beginner

This contouring makeup kit comes with a matte bronzer, blush and shimmery highlighter that are all formulated with the brand's signature Amazonian Clay, which helps the product stay on longer.

Each powder goes on smoothly without being streaky, and the bronzer doesn't turn orange and unnatural (even on my pale skin). This is an easy, all-inclusive, cheekbone-sculpting contour palette for beginners.

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The Contouring Makeup Kit That Addresses Your Skin Care Needs
Dr. Jart+ BB Mate Contouring 1.2.3. Kit, $45

Skill Level: Intermediate

This liquid sculpt and highlight contour set dries to a natural-looking finish. The pink-toned highlighter has a touch of shimmer that makes skin look luminous; the contour shade is pigmented and only slightly warm-toned.

The kit also comes with a third shade, which falls between the highlight and contour, for "neutralizing" and softening the lines of the bronzer so it looks incredibly natural. But it's the good-for-skin ingredients, like brightening niacinamide, anti-aging snow lotus and antioxidant-rich rosehip and avocado oils, packed into each shade that make this kit a true standout.

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BY ALLIE FLINN | NOV 21, 2016 | SHARES
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