The Best Contouring Tools for Sculpting Your Visage

There’s nothing quite like an expertly contoured, sculpted visage. Long gone are the days of a one-dimensional makeup look. Instead, contouring has become a staple in most of our makeup routines. And while having the right makeup products is important for giving yourself a chiseled face structure, the tools you use to apply them are equally essential. To make your contouring routine a breeze and ensure your face makeup looks flawless every time, stock your makeup bag with the best contour tools, which we’re sharing below—along with the products to use with them.

#1. ANGLED CONTOUR BRUSH

One of the most traditional contour tools? A contour brush, of course! This angled makeup brush comes in an array of sizes so you can contour larger areas, like the hollows of your cheeks, and smaller areas, like the sides of your nose, with ease. We consider this a must-have contour tool for beginners and pros alike. Contour brushes work great with powder bronzers. Not to mention, small contour brushes can also be used to apply liquid highlighter.

Product pairing: L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Bronze It Bronzer and L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glow Amour Glow Boosting Drops

#2. DOMED STIPPLING BRUSH

Not only are stippling brushes a popular option for applying foundation, but they are also great for applying contouring products like bronzer and highlighter. This contour tool features dense bristles that gently push the product onto your skin.

More specifically, domed stippling brushes are the ones that are amazing for contouring. This type of brush has all of the same qualities as a traditional stippling brush, but with domed edges that allow it to apply product to the curves of your face seamlessly. This tool is especially apt for applying liquid and cream formulas.

Product pairing: L’Oréal Paris Summer Belle Makeup Beach Bae Face & Body Liquid Luminizer and L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Liquid Glow Illuminator

#3: FLAT CONTOUR BRUSH

Do you like to rock a super-sharp contour that makes you look like an Instagram model? In that case, you’ll need to make sure your vanity holds a flat contoured brush. With stiff bristles and a flat, thin shape, this type of brush allows you to apply cream and powder contour products in precise lines along your cheekbones, forehead, and jawline for a super defined and sculpted visage.

Product pairing: L’Oréal Paris Infallible Longwear Foundation Shaping Sticks

#4. FAN BRUSH

If you aren’t familiar with the fan makeup brush craze, allow us to enlighten you. This brush can be found across social media, and as you can probably guess, it features bristles that are in a fan shape. It’s ideal for applying a light dusting of product and is most commonly used with powder highlighters for radiant, perfectly defined features. You can also use it to create subtle shadows with a powder bronzer. Now, can you understand why so many people are fans?

Product pairing: L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Shimmerista Highlighting Powder

#5. TAPERED HIGHLIGHTER BRUSH

Speaking of highlighter, if you want your highlight to really stand out, consider a targeted application that offers a can’t-be-missed glow. What does that require? A tapered highlighter brush, of course. Think of this contour tool as a fluffy eyeshadow brush, but a tad bigger (in a pinch, you can use a fluffy eyeshadow brush to get the job done). This type of makeup brush is great for packing on the glow to specific areas, such as the arch of your brows, cheekbones, and the tip of your nose. It’s also the perfect tool for contouring your nose with a powder bronzer. 

Product pairing: L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glow Nude Highlighter Palette

#6. MAKEUP SPONGE

Of course, we couldn’t leave out makeup sponges! This contour tool is key for creating a seamless, perfectly sculpted visage. Bounce it over your complexion post-contour for one last blend of your products, or use it to apply a cream or liquid contour. Makeup sponges, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender, are particularly great when using concealer or foundation sticks to contour. Not to mention, you can also use it to contour your body expertly (hello, abs!).

Product pairing: L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Waterproof, Full Coverage

Want to learn more about using concealer to sculpt your face? For a step-by-step guide, Try this Easy Contour Tutorial with Concealer.