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Best Contour For Dark Skin (2024 Update)

Finding the best contour for dark skin can seem like an impossible task with the endless options on the market. With the right knowledge, picking a contour that complements your complexion is easy. When searching for that perfect product, keep in mind your skin’s undertone, texture, and the finish you want to achieve.

What are the key considerations before purchasing a contour for dark skin? Pigment concentration and undertone are critical. Contour shades for deeper complexions must be intensely pigmented to show up against rich skin. Opt for a product offering buildable coverage so you can customize the intensity. Undertone is also paramount. Cooler ashier tones mimic natural shadow while warm reddish brown hues bring warmth. Determine whether your complexion is cool or warm to select an undertone that flatters.

Texture preference also helps narrow options. Do you want a powder, cream or liquid formula? Powders blend easily but can look chalky on dry skin. Creams melt into skin but may slip and fade faster. Liquids allow precision application but are trickier to blend. Think about your needs and makeup routine to choose the texture that works best.

The finish you want to achieve will guide your decision too. Matte and shimmer options exist. Mattes seamlessly mimic natural shadow for a subtle sculpted look. Shimmers add glow and dimension for a bolder contoured appearance. Decide the level of radiance you want before buying.

With knowledge of your undertone, ideal texture and finish, finding a contour to expertly define your beautiful dark skin is simple. Read on to explore the top options that will have you looking gorgeously sculpted in minutes.

10 Best Contour For Dark Skin

1. Julep Cushion Complexion Skin Perfecter 210 Medium – Multitasking Stick

Introducing Julep Cushion Complexion Multitasking Skin Perfecter, an all-in-one makeup stick that conceals, corrects, blurs, and brightens your skin to perfection. This medium-to-full coverage foundation and concealer is infused with turmeric extract and camellia seed oil, giving it anti-inflammatory and long-term brightening properties to help fight inflammation and keep skin calm, hydrated, and nourished.

This unique stick has a cushion tip applicator that requires no brush, making it easy to apply and layer on more product to build coverage wherever needed. It’s available in 210 medium neutral undertone, making it perfect for a range of skin tones.

To use, twist the bottom of the stick until the product dispenses onto the cushion tip applicator. Dot on your skin and blend outward with fingers. Layer on more product to build coverage wherever needed. Cap tightly after use. (The first time you use this concealer, you’ll need to twist the bottom several times to prime it.)

The soft-focus powders in this product blur the look of fine lines and imperfections while creating a smooth, demi-matte finish that's never flat. With this one versatile stick, you’ll be covered whether you need to conceal, correct, blur, brighten, or all of the above.

Say goodbye to having a drawer full of makeup and hello to having the perfect multitasking stick. Julep’s Cushion Complexion Multitasking Skin Perfecter is the ideal product to keep your skin looking flawless and perfect in no time.

2. Aesthetica Cosmetics Cream Contour Kit – Foundation/concealer Palette – Vegan & Cruelty Free

The Aesthetica Cosmetics Cream Contour Kit is the perfect choice for those looking to achieve a flawless contoured and highlighted look. Designed to blend seamlessly and provide incredible pigmented payoff, this kit contains everything you need to contour like a pro.

The kit includes 6 blendable creams, 3 for contouring and 3 for highlighting. Highly pigmented, each cream is designed to gradually build up your contour and highlight for an airbrushed effect. The kit also includes easy to follow, step-by-step instructions, face shape diagrams and contour mapping guide so you can get the perfect look every time.

The Aesthetica Cream Contour Kit is specially formulated using the highest quality, non-irritating ingredients. Talc and paraben free, this formula is suitable for all ages and all skin types, including dry, oily or combination skin. Plus, it is 100% Vegan, Cruelty-free & Gluten free, so you can contour with a clean conscience!

The sleek, travel-friendly palette is perfect for everyday use or for special occasions. For best results, blend with the Aesthetica Beauty Sponge Blender. The kit can also be used in conjunction with the Aesthetica Powder Contour Kit for a flawless finish.

Achieve the professional look of contouring and highlighting with the Aesthetica Cream Contour Kit. With easy to follow instructions and high pigmented payoff, you can create the perfect look every time.

3. Nyx Professional Makeup Conceal Correct Contour Palette – Light

The NYX Professional Makeup Conceal Correct Contour Palette – Light is the ultimate color correcting concealer palette. Featuring six expertly chosen shades, this palette helps to conceal and correct discolorations, providing you with the perfect canvas for your makeup look.

Light and medium shades help to camouflage imperfections, while yellow and peach conceal dullness and dark circles. Green covers redness, purple and pink shades brighten, and together they help you to achieve a flawless complexion. With all of these options, you can create a look that’s completely unique to you.

To complete your look, NYX Professional Makeup offers a full line of face products to aid in color correction and coverage, from concealer, blush, bronzer, foundations and contouring, to palettes and powders. All of these products are certified and acknowledged by PETA as cruelty free, so you can apply them with a clear conscience.

Discover the full range of professional makeup products from NYX Professional Makeup today. From eyeshadow, eyeliner, and false lashes, to liquid lipstick, lip gloss, primer, concealer, setting sprays and eyebrow makeup, you’ll find everything you need to take your look to the next level. With the NYX Professional Makeup Conceal Correct Contour Palette – Light, you can achieve a flawless, photo-ready complexion every time.

4. Tommy John Men's Trunk Underwear (3 Pack) – Medium, Black

Introducing Tommy John Men’s Underwear – Second Skin Trunk with Contour Pouch and Shorter 4" Inseam. Crafted with a luxurious blend of Modal and Spandex fabric, this trunk provides an ultra-soft, silky feel that is light and breathable. The Second Skin Trunk’s shorter 4” inseam provides coverage down the thigh for comfort and support.

The contour pouch is designed to hold the boys comfortably in place all day long – no chafing, swinging or jiggling to see here. The waistband won't roll, sag or leave marks on your skin. It won’t pinch, bunch or ride up your leg, whatever moves you make. The Quick Draw Fly provides rapid access when nature calls. Reinforced panels and a double gusset add long lasting durability.

This trunk is perfect for every day wear. It is easy to care for, as it can be machine washed and tumble dried with no lint balls or fuzz. The sleek design and comfortable fit make this trunk an ideal choice for any man. With the Tommy John Men’s Underwear – Second Skin Trunk with Contour Pouch and Shorter 4" Inseam, you can look and feel your best all day long.

5. Neutrogena Rapid Firming Contour Lift Face Cream, 1.7 Oz.

Neutrogena Rapid Firming Peptide Contour Lift Face Cream is an advanced moisturizing cream specially formulated to visibly lift and firm the skin while smoothing the look of wrinkles. This gentle face cream is free from dyes and mineral oil, and is designed to restore skin's youthful plumpness, promote visible firmness, and provide a lifted and contoured look to the face and jawline.

Neutrogena's patented 0.4% peptide quickly absorbs into the skin's surface and is clinically proven to target the visible effects of collagen and elastin depleted skin, leaving it feeling firmer and more youthful looking. After 16 weeks, 97% of subjects saw a more lifted look, 95% saw visibly plumper, more volumized skin, and 92% saw visibly improved cheek bone definition.

This peptide face cream is perfect for adding to your daily skincare routine. To get the best results, apply the contour cream twice daily to a freshly cleansed face and neck. The results are visible within just two weeks and continue to improve over time. With Neutrogena Rapid Firming Peptide Contour Lift Face Cream, you can look forward to a more lifted, contoured, and youthful appearance.

6. Wonder Stick Contour & Highlight Cream Stick Set (3pcs)

The CCbeauty Wonder Stick is the perfect choice for a natural and sculpted makeup look. This dual-ended stick is designed to provide both highlighting and contouring with its light and bronzer sides. The creamy, blendable formula makes it easy to apply and leaves behind a smooth, delicate flush of color.

The highlight side is perfect for brightening up the forehead, nose, cheeks, lips, and chin. The contour side is perfect for shading and defining the cheeks, face, nose, legs, and hairline. It is also great for creating a slimmer, more buildable look for the legs and collarbones.

This product is waterproof and long-lasting, so you can trust that your makeup will stay in place all day. It also works for all ages and different skin tones, including fair, yellowish, and dull skin. The formulation is also vegan and cruelty-free, so you can feel good about using it.

Whether you’re a beginner or a professional makeup artist, the CCbeauty Wonder Stick is the perfect choice for a natural and sculpted makeup look. It provides a full coverage and easily blends with your skin for a striking and beautiful finish. It’s also waterproof and long-lasting, so you don’t have to worry about your makeup fading away as the day goes on. Plus, it’s vegan and cruelty-free, so you can feel good about using it.

7. Tommy John Men's 3-Pack Boxer Briefs L (Black/turbulence/dress Blues)

Tommy John Men's Underwear is designed for ultimate comfort and convenience. Crafted from silky soft Second Skin fabric, this boxer brief offers a contour pouch with a longer 8” inseam for full coverage down the leg and extra support. The luxurious non-pilling modal and spandex fabric is light, breathable, and machine washable.

The boxer brief features a Quick Draw Fly for easy access when nature calls, as well as reinforced panels for extra durability. The stay-put waistband will not roll, sag, or leave marks on your skin, and it won’t pinch, bunch, or ride up your leg, whatever moves you make.

Tommy John Men's Underwear is an ideal choice for daily wear and support. The extra coverage and contour pouch lets you move freely and comfortably all day, without chafing, swinging, or jiggling. The luxuriously soft fabric and stay-put waistband will keep you feeling confident and supported, no matter what your day brings.

8. Yon-Ka Phyto-Contour Eye Cream (15 Ml) – Anti-Aging, Vitamin E & Aloe Vera, Paraben-Free

Yon-Ka Paris introduces Phyto-Contour Eye Cream, a luxurious anti-aging eye cream that invigorates and relieves fatigued eye contours. Formulated with a 4-in-1 phyto-fighter, this eye cream stimulates micro-circulation to help eliminate puffiness and dark circles, alleviate milia, and firm the appearance of the eye area.

Enriched with the remarkable toning properties of rosemary, Phyto Contour helps to unveil brighter, firmer, more defined contours and a supremely refreshed and youthful appearance. It also features an anti-aging cocktail of 8% rosemary extract, beech bud peptides, aloe vera, vegetal glycerin and vitamin E to naturally infuse the skin around the eyes with a delicate herbal blend that relieves and combats fatigue in the sensitive, often over-stressed eye area.

To use, apply a thin layer of the eye contour cream to the eyes & lips area in the morning and/or evening after makeup removal. To give the rosemary fragrance time to dissipate and to prevent tearing, keep your eyes closed during application. Ideal as a pampering, morning eye mask to decongest swollen eyelids.

Yon-Ka Paris is a French, Phyto-aromatic skincare line that prioritizes providing visible and lasting results in an effective manner for dermatological issues and aging. Their Phyto-Contour Eye Cream is the perfect pampering beauty treatment to help you look refreshed and youthful with brighter, firmer, more defined contours.

9. Double-End Contour Highlighter Stick

If you’re looking for the perfect way to contour and highlight your face for your stunning makeup look, look no further than the ONLYOILY Double-end Contour Highlighter Stick. This creamy and blendable highlighter stick features one side for contouring and bronzing and one side for highlighting. It’s perfect for creating a natural 3D makeup look in no time.

The contour stick is made with a natural and gentle formula that will not irritate even the most sensitive skin. Its waterproof and long-lasting effect will keep your makeup looking fresh all day long. To use, apply the bronzing shade to the sides of the nose, cheek cavities, and chin line with a modeling pen. Then highlight in the middle of the nose, over the cheekbones, the brow bone, and the center of the forehead with the lighter shade.

The ONLYOILY Double-end Contour Highlighter Stick is also great for highlighting and contouring other parts of your body like your abs and clavicles. Plus, it’s a great gift for friends and family! It’s perfect for daily use, special occasions like birthdays, school proms, and wedding makeup.

Give your face the perfect contour and highlight with the ONLYOILY Double-end Contour Highlighter Stick. This highlighter stick is creamy, blendable, and easy to use, so you can create a flawless and sculpted look in no time. Plus, it’s made with natural and gentle ingredients that won’t irritate skin. Whether you’re looking for a gift or just want to upgrade your makeup routine, this highlighter stick is a must-have.

10. De'lanci Contour Cream Palette Kit

The DE’LANCI Cream Contour Concealer Makeup Palette Kit is a professional face cream contour palette that features 12 nude, natural, and blendable colors for contouring, bronzing, and highlighting, plus 8 different color concealers for tattoos, dark circles, bruises, acne-prone skin, age spots, aged skin, blemishes, dark spots, wrinkles, eyes, guys, legs, microblading, men, pimples, puffy eyes, pale skin, sun spots, and spider veins on legs.

This palette is suitable for all skin tones, as you can mix the colors to fit your unique skin tone, and it is perfect for use as a tattoos concealer. The high-quality ingredients allow for smooth application and long-lasting pigmentation, with each cream being highly pigmented and providing incredible payoff. The full coverage cream foundation palette is a creamy organic formula designed to glide along your face, providing smooth application and coverage with the purest color pigments.

To apply the Cream Contour Concealer Makeup Palette Kit, use a lighter shade for the center of the forehead, nose, chin, under the eyes, and below the cheekbones. Apply a slightly darker shade below the hairline, nose, and jawline, and an even darker shade underneath the cheekbones. Blend using a makeup sponge or contour brush. As for the 8 concealer shades, simply use them to directly correct your skin color.

This vegan and cruelty-free makeup palette is the perfect way to shape, define, and enhance your features. With its natural blendable colors, waterproof and safe formula, and long-lasting pigmentation, it will give you the beautiful look you desire.

Best Contour For Dark Skin FAQs

How do I choose a contour shade for my skin tone?

When choosing a contour shade for your skin tone, it is important to consider your undertone. If you have a cool undertone, you should look for a contour shade that is slightly ashy or grayish in tone. If you have a warm undertone, you should look for a contour shade that is slightly warmer in tone. Additionally, you should consider the depth of your skin tone. If you have a lighter skin tone, you should look for a contour shade that is one to two shades darker than your natural skin tone. If you have a deeper skin tone, you should look for a contour shade that is two to three shades darker than your natural skin tone. Lastly, you should always test the contour shade on your skin before purchasing to ensure that it is the right shade for you.

How do you contour an African American face?

When contouring an African American face, it is important to use a matte bronzer that is two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Start by applying the bronzer along the hairline, temples, and jawline to create a natural-looking shadow. Then, use a fluffy brush to blend the bronzer into the skin. To add more definition, apply the bronzer along the sides of the nose and under the cheekbones. Finally, use a highlighting powder to bring out the high points of the face, such as the bridge of the nose, the cupid’s bow, and the chin. Make sure to blend the product well to avoid harsh lines.

Is Contour supposed to be lighter or darker than your skin?

Contour should be slightly darker than your skin tone. When contouring, you should use a matte bronzer or contour powder that is two shades darker than your natural skin tone. When applying, use a light hand and blend the product into your skin. Start by applying the product to the hollows of your cheeks, your temples, and the sides of your nose. Then, blend the product outward and upward to create a natural-looking shadow. Make sure to blend the product well so that it looks natural and not too harsh.

Should contour be darker than your skin?

No, contour should not be darker than your skin. Contouring is a makeup technique used to create the illusion of depth and dimension on the face. It is meant to enhance your natural features and create a more sculpted look. When contouring, you should use a shade that is two to three shades darker than your natural skin tone. If the contour is too dark, it can look unnatural and harsh. Additionally, it is important to blend the contour well so that it looks natural and not too obvious.

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