🚚 Free US shipping on orders $65+

Holiday sets are HERE! Save up to 40%

Limited Edition Holiday sets are HERE! Save up to 40%

FREE brush when you sign up to SMS or spend $100!

Get a FREE brush when you sign up to SMS or spend $100!

your cart is empty

check out these collections.

Build a Custom Stak
Gift Sets - Up To 40% Off!
Premade Staks
Stak Refills
Stak Tools
take the quiz

bronzer vs contour: how to contour with 2 travel size makeup products

table of contents:

bronzer vs contour: how to contour with 2 travel size makeup products

bronzer vs contour: how to contour with 2 travel size makeup products

we’ll be honest: the infinite confusion that the idea of bronzer vs contour can ignite within beauty lovers all over the world is valid. between vague tiktok tutorials and website articles, it’s not shocking people don’t know the difference between bronzer and contour. what’s more interesting is the fact that contour can be accomplished quickly and easily – with just 2 products!

because we like to make things as simple as possible around here, we put together a bronzer vs contour guide, including a 2 step routine on contouring with subtl’s travel size makeup:

bronzer vs contour: what’s the difference between bronzer and contour? 

bronzer vs contour: what’s the difference between bronzer and contour

knowing the difference between bronzer and contour is key to achieving a balanced, polished look, no matter the season. one common myth is that bronzer and contour are interchangeable – truth is: contour is a technique and bronzer powder is a makeup product. but, using them together in tandem creates a sculpted, harmonized look for a naturally defined complexion.

before moving on, check out this video to see the difference between bronzer and contour: 

what does contour do?

bronzer vs contour: your subtl beauty travel makeup kit has cream concealer and powder bronzer makeup that you can perfectly contour with

contour is all about creating shadows and definition, which can be accomplished using products like powder bronzer makeup and cream concealer. most pros agree that contouring your cheeks, jawline, and nose is the best way to use the technique. for the beginners that’ve ever wondered, what does contour do?, mua jenna nicole explains to cosmo:

“from 2012 to 2018, contouring based on your face shape was seemingly very important. but now, less is more, and we’re embracing natural, dewy skin. the old bronzer vs contour trends were about changing your whole face to look a certain way, but now it’s about embracing your natural shape and giving yourself realistic-looking depth and dimension with little product.”

what is bronzer makeup?

bronzer vs contour: bronzer makeup warms your complexion and be tailored to any look as contour

what is bronzer and how is it different to contour? powder bronzer makeup warms your complexion, adding a sun-kissed glow to the high points of your face (even if you haven’t traveled to the beach lately). bronzer makeup can be tailored to any look and be used as contour. celeb makeup artist hung vanngo says this to cosmo when asked “what is bronzer?”:

"you’re looking to add warmth with bronzer, not color. bronzer is all about making the skin look healthier, which means you're not trying to give your face a fake tan – you're just trying to warm it up.“ as for everyday bronzer makeup placement, try applying it where the sun naturally hits your face, such as your forehead, nose, and cheeks, to give a long-lasting, healthy radiance. 

bronzer vs contour: how to contour with cream concealer and bronzer makeup

bronzer vs contour: how to contour with bronzer makeup and cream concealer

did you know that, in addition to using bronzer makeup, you can achieve a seamless contour with cream concealer? while bronzer, contour, and concealer can be used as independent steps, combining them gives a sculpted, warm look we can’t get enough of. 

here’s how to use cream concealer and bronzer powder to contour with ease:

  1. contour with concealer: subtl’s stackable cream concealer is perfect for this step, as it can double as your contour. to begin contouring, apply your cream concealer to the hollows of your cheeks, around your forehead, and along your jawline. with its transformative and lightweight formula, our cream concealer can shape and contour your face without harsh lines.
  2. follow up with bronzer: after contouring with cream concealer, apply bronzer powder with a stak brush bff to the high points of your face – think the tops of your cheeks, bridge of your nose, and forehead. subtl’s bronzer makeup is considered the best bronzer on the market because it delivers a long-lasting, radiant-looking glow with natural, skin-loving ingredients. 
  3. finish with translucent pressed powder (optional): lock everything in with our translucent pressed powder using your stak brush bff (an all-in-one adjustable travel makeup brush to save space and time). subtl’s translucent pressed powder is sheer, lightweight, and helps tackle unwanted shine, while also setting your makeup in place; we can’t travel anywhere without it!
subtl protip: can you use bronzer as contour? absolutely! apply your powder bronzer makeup to the hollows of your cheeks, forehead, and jawline (like in step 1). this technique enhances your features while giving you a freshly-sculpted, warm glow.

bronzer vs contour: finding the best bronzer makeup and cream concealer to contour with

bronzer vs contour: fair, medium, and dark skin all have different needs when it comes to contour

having trouble choosing the right bronzer makeup and cream concealer shade for contour? that’s where we come in! to get the perfect contour without looking too orange or muddy, it’s vital to find the right shade (or shades) that work for your skin tone. 

here are tips on choosing bronzer makeup and cream concealer shades to contour with based on your skin tone:

  • fair skin: try a light, warm toned powder bronzer and a cream concealer one or two shades darker than your natural skin tone to create soft shadows, minus any harsh lines.
  • medium skin: honey toned bronzer works well for contour, while cream concealer should complement your bronzer makeup and be a few shades deeper than your norm. 
  • dark skin: grab deep, coppery bronzer makeup hues that add warmth without turning ashy, and cream concealers a couple of shades darker than your skin tone for definition.

still not sure which subtl travel size makeup powder bronzer and cream concealer shade to use for contouring? you can take our quick beauty quiz that’ll guide you in the right direction. if that doesn’t do the trick, check out our undertone test for added insight. 

cream concealer, bronzer and contour blog resources from subtl beauty

bronzer vs contour: check out more travel makeup kit and bronzer makeup resources here

want more info on cream concealer, bronzer and contour? here are some bronzer vs contour and cream concealer blog resources great for beginners and pros alike:

up your contour game with subtl beauty’s travel size makeup

bronzer vs contour: check out subtl beauty's ready set go travel makeup kit to get well on your way to the contour of your dreams

now that you’re equipped with the bronzer vs contour know-how, it’s time we ask a serious travel makeup-related question: have you gotten your hands on the ready set go stak by subtl yet? it features everything needed for a quick contour on the go: travel size makeup brush set, translucent pressed powder, lip balm, lip and cheek tint, and cream concealer in your shade.

did you know every subtl travel size makeup stak is refillable, vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free, ensuring you can feel good about your beauty choices. each purchase also comes with a complimentary mirror lid, brush, and base, providing what you need to complete your stak. and yes – you can continuously add to your stak as your aesthetic changes. 

if you’re new here and want to learn more about us before grabbing a travel size makeup kit, like the ready set go stak, here’s our story from the subtl’s founder, rachel reid:

@subtlbeauty The story of how I almost quit my business 🫣 have you heard our origin story before?! #subtlstak #portablemakeup #trendingmakeup #travelmakeup #onthego ♬ original sound - Subtl Beauty

you can grab the travel size makeup ready set go stak here. 

before you head off to tackle bronzer vs contour, tell us – do you prefer contouring with cream concealer or powder bronzer makeup? let us know on our ig, or leave a comment below.

Previous post
Next post