Contour: creme or powder?

Dec 20, 2014

Maryellen O.

Hi all,
I just saw that Smashbox has release a set of 3 contour/highlight pencils. Any reviews?

I'm wondering if creme or powder is better for contouring. Since I'm older with combo skin, drier in cheeks, oily in T-zone I'm thinking a creme might be better and a bit more mistake proof. If I'm on the right track there, any cremes you can recommend?
Thanks.
mob

Dec 20, 2014

Mallory L.

I was looking at those Smashbox pencils also. Artistry of Makeup Cosmetics makes contour/highlight sticks. I haven't tried them but they look amazing.

Dec 20, 2014

Christine M.

In the pic the dark one is my contour and the lighter one reg for all over my face. I use my real techniques bugging brush to blend the contour in once I've applied my base coat of foundation.

Dec 20, 2014

Christine M.

Blending not bugging darn autocorrect lol.

Dec 20, 2014

Jenni L.

I really like the Becca lowlight cream contour. It looks dark in the compact but it's really buildable and has that gray undertone in it that creates a shadow. I agree with Christine- a darker foundation is a great way to contour because you want to steer clear of red/warm tones with contour. I find creams easier to blend. However, out of all the powder contour palettes, I think Smashbox did it well. When you swatch them in person, they are very taupe-y and cool. I saw Jordan Liberty review them positively and checked it out. It's a nice product. But the Becca cream is my fave, aside from using darker cream foundations.

Dec 21, 2014

Diego G.

I would suggest cream only because you have drier cheeks. also cream tends to look more natural when done right. when people use powder they tend to do a like too much especially if they don't know what they're doing, like those so-called "YouTube Makeup Gurus"

Dec 28, 2014

Maryellen O.

Thanks for the feedback and sorry for my delay in responding. Been a bit out of the loop with the holidays.

I'm thinking of going with a creme to start and hoping that it won't slide off the sides of my oily nose. I think that it will be a better choice for the cheekbone area and more forgiving as I'm still learning my way with this. I've used Laguna bronzer and a LM sample bronzer in the past, but they I think I need something "grayer". I've a lot of redness in the T-zone and acne prone even in middle age. I wear Sand in LM and BB foundations, KA SSE in SX07, but Ivory in Hourglass if that's any help.

Any recs? Thanks in advance for your continued help.

mob