8 contour sticks that’ll sculpt you the cheekbones of your dreams

Bone structure that could cut glass

BEAUTYcrew Beauty Editor / April 29 2024

Do you contour before or after foundation?

A classic choice of choose your own adventure. With makeup application being such a personal choice, it’s no surprise that contouring also comes with its own pros and cons. Contouring before makeup (or under-painting) allows for a more subtle contouring application. Not to mention, you won’t experience any smudging this way. Applying contour after foundation allows for a more precise, defined and generally more glam look. Either way, you’re going to get a major cheekbone popping moment. 

What’s the difference between contouring and bronzing?

Okay, the lines definitely end up getting a little bit blurred here. Especially going through the King Kylie heavy makeup era. But the verdict is in. If you’re after glowing, faux Euro-summer flush of colour, opt for a bronzer. Bronzing offers a ‘kissed by the sun’ look, adding warmth into your skin, whereas contouring adds definition. To get a jawline (and cheekbones) that can cut glass, a carefully placed contour has the power to re-shape your face.

After a warm bronzer to further enhance those cheekbones? Here are 8 silky cream bronzers for a seamless sun-kissed glow.

Main image credit: @shaninamshaik

Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).