A good contour stick can add colour to your skin and define features. Although contouring may seem an unnecessary, and rather difficult step to add to your make-up routine if you are a novice, it can really work wonders for your face. It’s all about knowing how to apply it correctly, plus what products work best on mature skin; which I have recommended below in my guide to the top six contour sticks for mature skin.
Although contour sticks work the same as bronzers in adding depth and colour to the face, there is a slight difference to both. Contour products add shape and help define the face, while bronzers or warm blushers' main purpose is to warm up the skin where the sun would naturally hit. That said, I have included one bronzer that doubles up as a contour stick, too.
Best contour sticks at a glance
The purpose of contouring the face is to help you enhance the natural shape of your features by adding shadows that would appear in your cheekbones, jawline, and forehead. This can be a particularly beneficial make-up step for older women who – as skin ages – may be conscious of the structure of our faces changing. Below, are my recommendations (as a beauty editor for women over 50) for the best contour sticks for mature skin.
How we tested these products
I'm Suzanne Baum, a 51-year-old award-winning beauty editor. I have written about beauty for over 20 years, and regularly report on the latest beauty news; from trialling out new beauty innovations and aesthetic treatments to writing about the best products for women and men. With a keen interest in mature skincare, I've written extensively on everything from the best products to use during menopause to how to protect your skin from the sun.
I sourced every product on this list and tried them on my own skin for an extended period of time. I then considered a number of factors including value for money, ingredients, quality of the product, effectiveness of the eye primer, how well the application of a subsequent eye look goes and holds on the skin, how the primers feel on the skin, and how well it works on mature skin. All our reviews are honest and we make sure to include both the positive and negative comments received from our reviewers. Find out more about how we test products for Yours.
Best contour sticks for mature skin: tried and tested
We've put together some of our favourite products to help you achieve the look.
There’s a lot to love about this stick. Firstly, it has a contour at one end and an angled buffing brush at the other so it is a great dual-usage product. It also comes in seven shades; from fair to dark deep, meaning it is suitable for all skin types. The creamy formula is super easy to blend and I find one swipe of it creates enough shadow to enhance my face, without making it look too overdone. The product dries quickly on the skin and has a matte appearance, making it nice for everyday wear.
Packed with anti-ageing ingredients, the formula goes on like butter, and my skin feels instantly hydrated. I’m often conscious that some makeup products tend to stick to my dry patches, but this worked magically to create smooth lines. Even with blusher and powder on top, my skin felt lightweight and had a defined shape all day.
Pros
- Vegan and cruelty-free formula
- Blendable, buildable and for all skin types
- Creates a soft, natural look - dries to matte
- Easy application with the angled buffing brush
Cons
- Some users experienced patchiness when using the included brush
- Expensive, but a little goes a long way
If you are new to contouring and don’t want to splash out on one of the more expensive brands, I would definitely recommend this contour stick. It is really easy to use as the creamy texture -enriched with African walnut oil and soothing pistachio extract – glides onto the skin and is super easy to blend in. You can use a blending brush but I use this with my fingers and it produces a smooth, natural finish without looking too cakey on the skin.
There are numerous five-star reviews of the contour stick, with one user describing it as “the holy grail of make-up,” adding: “The colour is cold enough to be a great contour for me and the shade is just perfect for my skin tone which is brown.” With another writing: “This stick is amazing, easy to blend and provides really pigmented buildable coverage.”
Pros
- Budget friendly pick from a renowned Italian brand
- Only a small amount of product is needed - hooray!
- Soft, creamy and promises easy application
- Enriched with hydrating ingredients and won't block pores
Cons
- Four shade range is a little lacklustre compared to other brads
- Said to only last six hours or so - before starting to fade
It’s no surprise to hear this wand (available in shades from Fair to Deep) constantly gets sold out as it is one of the best contouring products I have ever used. I love a dewy finish as I think it helps take years of you and this wand does just that. You just swipe it across the cheekbones and the effect is a chiselled look so if you have saggy skin, this will instantly lift it. The creamy texture of the product – which comes with a cushion applicator that can be applied straight to the skin – makes it easy to create a precise contour that blends in so nicely.
In the words of one user: “I love this product as it looks beautiful on my light skin, blends easily, and gives a natural, dewy effect.”
Pros
- Features seven shades for many users to enjoy this product!
- SILOXANES create a lightweight and dry feel - for easy blending
- A natural-looking sculpted finish, thanks to the buildable formula
- Easy to use for a dewy look - no wonder it's a trendy buy!
Cons
- Some reviews were disappointed by the amount of product in the stick
Although this is essentially a bronzer, I use it also as a contour stick and have included it because it is a good introductory product if you are a newbie. Firstly, it feels really solid in the hand so is easy to draw the contour lines onto your face using the side of the product. Whilst it does paint some colour and warmth to the face, it also has a contouring effect that creates dimension where you need it. For example, I use a couple of swipes to define the cheekbones and help chisel my jawline and it goes to work in really defining and shaping the face. It’s a foolproof way to bronze and contour skin quickly.
I also think it is an excellent product for mature skin as it is enriched with Ginseng and Aloe Vera for hydration and conditioning.
Pros
- Thanks to the retractable stick design, this means no mess
- Features only skin-loving ingredients, cruelty-free and vegan
- One sweep colour payoff for a touch of a sunkissed glow (!)
- Use on cheeks and lips for a vitamin-packed, hydrating tint
Cons
- Some users with very oily skin said it felt greasy on - may not suit all skin types
If you have fair to medium skin, then the best shades to use for your contouring are neutrals and similar cool shades. With so many contouring products out there for deeper and warmer complexions, it can be difficult to find a brand that caters for fair skin but this one ticks all the right boxes. It’s my go-to when my skin has not seen the sun in months as it gives a subtle sculpting look, with the right amount of shadow - whilst not making the face look too “orangey”.
I also love the cream-to-powder formula which keeps the skin looking matte once it is applied. While I find a blending brush creates a better finish with this contour stick, you can also use a mini sponge to dab it in and help define your features.
In the words of one user: “This contour stick is perfect for fair skin. It is super pigmented so you only need to use a tiny bit to create a sculpted look.” Another added: “This works like a dream. It is the best contour for my fair pale skin as it blends seamlessly and looks natural.”
Pros
- Quick, easy and precise - thanks to the stick application
- Buildable coverage allows for a variety of make-up looks
- Smooth application - works well on various skin types
- Long-lasting, waterproof and adds a natural, matte finish
Cons
- You need a brush to blend this in as your fingertips won’t work
- May not apeal to those who prefer a dewy finish
As with all our make-up reviews, the longevity of a product is always taken into consideration and this contour stick by make-up artist Dani Levi definitely stands the test of time. Easy to apply with a blending brush or your fingers, it gives skin an instant pick-me-up, adding a sun-kissed glow to the face. It’s subtle and has just the right amount of shine to make the face appear more structured.
I actually find, if applied beneath my cheekbone, this stick gives me a chiselled look, taking the eye away from the saggy skin I have started to get on my lower jawline. The results are super impressive and being a small business owner, Dani has impressively created a product on par with some of the biggest contour brands. I wear this from day to night and it never budges so is definitely the best product when it comes to long-lasting wear.
Pros
- Can also be used on the eyelids and lips to give a pop of colour
- Aesthetically pleasing product - and super trendy (!)
- Multi-use and versatile for contouring, sculpting and bronzing
- Long-lasting - and creates a natural sun-kissed beachy look
Cons
- You may need to practice a few times to master this pick!
Contouring FAQs
Are contouring sticks worth it?
According to London-based make-up artist Rina Steinberg, contour sticks are great for mature skin because “they can add definition to sagging jawlines and symmetry to the contours of the nose.”
In addition, she adds: “Contour sticks are great swept along your eye crease to counteract eyelids that have become hooded with age. Their soft and creamy consistency makes blending easy and blurs any harsh lines.” Luckily, there are plenty of hooded-eye-friendly eyeliners and eyeshadow looks for hooded eyes, and we've written guides on both…
To achieve a seamless look, it is important to know how to apply contouring products. Below, Rina gives her expert tips for contouring like a pro.
How to contour your face
Apply the contour after your foundation but before applying any powder to set your face makeup.
To sculpt the face, the contour should be placed just below the cheekbone, starting from the tragus part of the ear and travelling diagonally down the cheek.
Mature ladies should avoid the temple area, as the darker colour will make that area appear hollower and therefore older looking.
To make the face appear tighter and firmer, sweep the contour along your jawline.
Blend upwards and outwards to give a lifting effect.
Suzanne Baum is an award-winning beauty editor, with columns across numerous outlets, including the Metro, Women's Fitness, the Independent and Yahoo. Having written about beauty for over 20 years, Suzanne regularly reports on the latest beauty news; from trialling out new beauty innovations and aesthetic treatments to writing on the best products for women and men.
With a keen interest in mature skincare, Suzanne has written extensively on everything from the best products to use during menopause to how to protect your skin from the sun. Having established an excellent working relationship with PRs and beauty experts, Suzanne is often the first to know about new innovations on the market and to report on them.