We promise you won't look orange and streaky.
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Picture me at 15: I'm sitting on the floor of my bedroom, zooming into photos of Zoë Kravitz, bewildered about why I don't look like her, and then contouring the absolute hell out of my face to try to mimic her natural beauty. I'll admit, it's sometimes hard to think about how chiseled jawlines and sculpted cheekbones simply don't grow on my face. But I'm here to tell you that with the right technique and products, you, too, can have some A-list bone structure.
There are so many options when it comes to adding dimension to our faces. Everything from highlighters, to bronzers, to strategically placed blush, can work miracles. But if you're a beginner, using a cream contour palette rather than a powder is the way to go. There's a reason why every professional makeup artist has one of these babies in their kit. Not only are creams easier to blend, but a palette with varying shades also gives you options. That means that unlike me at 15 years old, you'll hopefully emerge into daylight not looking orange and streaky. Instead, you'll simply be emphasizing what you've already got, in a natural and dewy way. With that in mind, here are 10 cream contour palettes that might get you just a little bit closer to achieving Zoë Kravitz levels of chiseled.
For contour beginners, this palette has all the basics covered. You get three darker shades for bronzing, sculpting, and hollowing out cheekbones, and a light shade for highlighting other areas to the face. The textures are so creamy and blendable, no one will think you're too done up.
Not only does this palette have everything you need to sculpt your face, but it also has creamy color correctors and a concealer to reduce the appearance of discoloration. That means that when you've finished your whole base routine, your skin will practically look flawless.
This set of five contouring shades was made for the deepest skin tones in mind. While the formulas are creamy and easy to blend, they settle in a matte finish, so no light reflections can ruin the believability of your hard work.
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A classic in the beauty world, this palette keeps it simple and easy. While one side of the product helps achieve a bronzey sculpted look, the other is a gorgeous highlighter to add dimension to the high points of the cheekbones. Plus, the compact is so sturdy and luxurious that it feels like a piece of art in your makeup bag.
If you like creams for bronzers but not for other areas of your face, this trio of base products is for you. It has a cream bronzer but a powder blush and highlighter for a truly multi-dimensional face. Plus, the stacked compact is so convenient that you'll want to bring it around everywhere.
With this palette, you can create your entire base look, including foundation, concealer, and an expertly done contour. These shades are natural-looking, and you can even mix them together to get your perfect tone. Plus, it comes with a brush you can use to blend everything together.
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For the girl on the go who doesn't want to lug a palette along, this stick does everything you need it to in a quick, purse-friendly version. On one side there is a cream contour shade, and on the other there's a glowing highlighter. That means you can effortlessly sculpt your face on your commute, if you so choose.
If your goal is to look supremely hydrated and glowing, this palette has everything you need. Not only are there colors to contour, but there are also tones to add blush and color. Plus, if you're into the monochromatic look, you can also use these shades on your lips, too.
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This palette has eight shades that do it all: Bronze, highlight, color correct, and conceal. They also come in a range of shades so you can find one that best suits your skin tone. If you're feeling a little professional, use this palette to transform your face in minutes.
Tatjana Freund
Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor
Tatjana Freund is Hearst's Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She's a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.