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2.02.2015

Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Stick Trio

 


Contouring is one of those things that simply baffles me. Playing with the shadows and curves of your face to highlight or conceal is just so neat. I have been playing around with contouring for quite some time now and am still learning new ways to perfect the contours of my personal face shape. Smashbox just recently released a nifty trio of chubby sticks that are actually contouring, bronzing, and highlighting pencils. I've been looking for the perfect products to test out cream contouring with and I have to say, this trio is absolutely perfect. The Smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Stick Trio is a beginners guide to perfecting a cream contour. 

The formulation on these chubby pencils is incredible. They are creamy, pigmented, and blend out so gracefully that even someone with a heavy hand can achieve a flawless finish. Cream contour always scared me off because I felt like it would be too difficult to keep a foundation base and still achieve a nice contour. These sticks make it so easy to control where you're placing the product and are just the right size to not go overboard and create a muddy texture. The highlighting shade is a very subtle brightening neutral tone. For my complexion it isn't light enough to really create a dramatic difference but the formula does smooth out any rough texture and creates a more rounded appearance to my T zone. As for the bronzer and contour duo, I can't really decide which one I enjoy more. I do know that the contour shade is a bit darker while the bronzing shade is a tanner more subdued brown. Both together create this gorgeous shadow affect to the cheeks and under the chin that I just am so impressed on how natural my contour looks. 

I did have a bit of a tough time finding the right brush or rather technique to blend out these products. You know those funny little flat foundation brushes you always get in kits but never really put to use? One's similar to the Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush or the Sephora Wide Foundation Brush, these are perfect for blending out a cream contour. I found that a flat brush that isn't too dense was more convenient on controlling where the product blends. With the right amount of pressure you can really play with these sticks. On natural days I tend to just use these alone for contouring and when I'm wearing a more full face, they're a gorgeous base to a powder bronzer. I really hope Smashbox brings out a wider range of colour choices so that everyone could give these a try because they are so user friendly and a perfect introduction to cream contouring. 
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22 comments:

  1. definitely need to get my hands on these when you're raving so much about them :D

    www.thefashionfraction.com

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  2. These look really good! I can be so heavy handed or flimsy with my contour/bronzer application and a cream product would slow me down and be a bit more careful haha.

    xx Kat @ Katness

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  3. great post! i just followed you :) x

    http://ladyshazbeauty.blogspot.com/

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  4. They do look creamy and pigmented! I would have love to see you wear it :)




    xx Bash | Bash Says Hey

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  5. These are amazing- I haven't seen them yet! Definitely going to have to check these out.

    xx Lindsay
    Wandering 20-Something. // Beauty & Lifestyle Blog

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  6. These look really nice, I've never tried anything like this before ♥
    Amy xx

    Perfect Imperfections

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  7. These pencils look really small - makes them precise but also more difficult to blend out. Maybe try using a beauty blender with this?

    Erin | Erin and Katherine Talk Beauty

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  8. Pencils to me seem really difficult to use for contouring!



    http://notesofglam95.blogspot.it/

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  9. I actually never contour my face although I might need to as a foundation can make you look really pale haha :) If the products were less expensive I'd try them out immediately! XX

    www.fashionatic.be

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  10. wow never seen contouring pencils!

    lisa | lisaxbeauty

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  11. Hey Stefanie! You messaged me on Twiter to check out your blog, and it is gorgeous! I love it and your photography is just stunning!

    I love a good contour but have never used sticks to do it - stuck with the handy dandy powders! These do look super interesting, though!

    Just to add, you are so pretty, & lovely blog!

    xoxo,

    BerryBloomXO.com | Beauty & Lifestyle Blog 
    also on BLOGLOVIN

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  12. I'm obsessed by your photos, they're amazing!
    Paige x
    www.herandthehighstreet.com

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  13. These look divine! Although I think I'd have to wait for them to bring out a wider colour range before trying them myself. Stunning photos as per usual, and if I do invest in these, I guess I'll finally have a reason to whack out the flat foundation brush!

    little miss fii || Fii x

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  14. Both look stunning, and I am so drawn to the highlighter!

    Annabel ♥
    Mascara & Maltesers

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  15. This looks Amazing. Such a straight forward product and it looks super easy to get a perfect contour. I've now added that to my wish list!

    http://themakeup-gypsy.blogspot.com.au/

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  16. I haven't experimented much with contouring yet, but I hope to play around with it more! I'll have to check out these pencils :)

    lovejoanna.com

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  17. So Inspiring! Awesome post! :)



    http://ovationspas.com

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  18. I found you after you commented on my blog and I'm so glad! Loved the review. Glamlifeguru (a youtuber) did a tutorial with these and they looked so creamy!

    http://alittledoseoflove.blogspot.ca/

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  19. thank you, yours too. i followed you, feel free to follow back x

    annazuerker.blogspot.com

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  20. Contouring baffles me too, but then again so does anything complicated makeup wise. :)

    Amy Ann
    The Real Arnolds

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  21. I'm yet to try cream contour but these sticks seem to do the job easily and what a better way to use those flat foundation brushes :) xx

    Mary Bloomy

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  22. I've been doing contour for a year and your blog seems to be inspiring and helpful.
    Thanks for some quick tips and ideas. :)

    Stay in Style

    Karen Shannon Lookbook Store Wordpress

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