The 8 Best Contour Brushes of 2023 That Will Flawlessly Sculpt Your Features

What to Keep In Mind

Bristle Type

You’ll usually have two choices when it comes to makeup brushes: Synthetic or natural — or in some cases, a mix of the two (which is the case with the Smith Cosmetics #131 Multi Task Buffing Brush). If you’re vegan, prone to allergies, or simply hate washing makeup brushes, you’ll want to go with synthetic bristles (they’re easier to clean!). “[Synthetic bristles] usually last forever if you take care of them,” adds Lujan. Different bristle types may be better for different formula types (more on this below), but it’s more important that the brushes are made well — the bristles should be soft (a sign of high quality), and securely glued into the brush.

Brush Size

We all have different makeup goals, and those goals determine which brushes we should use, especially when it comes to their size and shape (for example, you’d never use an eyeliner brush to apply foundation to your whole face). When contouring, Thomas says that a brush with a head no larger than a quarter will effectively contour the majority of youe face. However, if you’re sculpting your nose, something smaller, like the Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Liquid Touch Concealer Brush, will be able to deliver a more targeted contour.

Contour Formula

Before you select a brush, you should know what kind of contouring formula you plan on using: Powder, cream, or liquid. Not all brushes will give you that flawless sculpted finish you’re after with every formula, so make sure to select a tool that is compatible with the contour of your choice. For cream or liquid contour, look for a densely-packed angled brush that will seamlessly smooth the formula into your skin (Crown Pro Deluxe Angle Contour Brush C453 is our top pick for cream contour). On the other hand, seek out a fluffier brush for powder contour as it will lightly buff in the product without leaving any streaks. (Smith Cosmetics #131 Multi Task Buffing Brush works superbly with powders.) 

And if you use a mixture of all three depending on the occasion, our best overall pick, Tarte Double-Ended Cheek Brush, is double-sided and blends out every type of contour beautifully.

Your Questions, Answered

What brush should I use for contour?

Having the right tools for any job is key, contouring makeup included — and you shouldn’t rely solely on one brush to get the job done on every feature of your face. As you might have guessed from applying other makeup formulas, the larger the feature you’re contouring, the larger your brush head should be. 

“For smaller features like the nose, you want to find a smaller brush shape for better control,” says Lujan. “Some eyeshadow shader brushes make excellent shapes for sculpting the nose, eyes, and smaller features. Just be sure that they are cleaned of wild colors and textures before using.” Don’t be afraid to shop outside the box: Our pick for nose contouring, Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Liquid Touch Concealer Brush, is actually a concealer brush.

Then, consider the density of the bristles. How tightly the bristles are packed in the brush will make a difference in your application, depending on the type of formula used and how defined you want your contour. Lujan recommends seeking out a dense brush for cream or liquid formulas. Adds Thomas, “this will allow you to blend seamlessly and quickly.” 

Dome-shaped brushes, like powder, blush, and angled blush brushes, will create more of a diffused look, which is often best created with powder formulas. “These brush shapes will give you smoother results with powder,” says Lujan, “though it may take more layers to build intensity.” The ultra-fluffy brush head of Chanel Les Pinceaux de Chanel Contouring Brush No° 109 creates a hyperrealistic contour thanks to the loosely-packed bristles.

Lastly, consider the materials used to create the bristles of your brush. You’ll find brushes that use synthetic fibers, natural bristles (often hairs that are naturally shed by an animal over time, though not necessarily), or a mix of the two. Lujan prefers synthetic bristles as they can be used with all types of formulas and are typically easier to clean. Thomas likes both synthetic and natural bristles. “The fibers of a natural bristle brush have ‘pores’ that absorb some of the product and help to diffuse it, creating a more natural finish,” she says. “For a stronger impact, use a synthetic brush as the bristles have no pores and deliver a heavier application of color.” One of her top picks, Smith Cosmetics #131 Multi Task Buffing Brush, combines both goat hair and synthetic fibers for a versatile brush that can be used with all makeup textures to create a more natural look.

How do you use a contouring brush?

Whether you use powder or a cream/liquid formula, there is one pro tip that will make all the difference in your application: “Always work your product into the brush bristles before you apply it to your face,” Lujan advises. “This will ensure there aren’t any dark spots to blend and there is less chance of powder product fallout.”

The type of formula you’re using can make a difference in how you apply your product, as well. For example, not all cream or liquid contouring formulas fully dry down. For these, Thomas suggests painting the contour directly from the packaging onto the skin, blending it out using short, intentional strokes.

When using powders, start with a light hand using a sweeping motion. “Add more layers gradually to increase tone and depth as desired,” says Thomas. If you’re using a blend of both creams/liquids and powder formulas, Lujan says to start with the former, then set your work with translucent setting powder before switching over. “This will create a smoother canvas for blending,” Lujan says.

Can I use a sponge to contour?

Both of our pros agree that a sponge is not the right tool for a precise contour, but it can be used to blend out cream contour. “Since sponges absorb some of the product, they are wonderful finishing tools, but I still apply cream contour with a brush first to get the color to go exactly where I need it rather than chancing any missteps by blobbing on the product with an amorphous object,” says Thomas. When buffing out your contour, Lujan recommends bouncing a damp sponge on the skin using light pressure, which will create a seamless gradient effect.

Why Shop With Us

Emily Orofino is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant with over a decade of experience in the beauty industry. The makeup category was her first love within beauty and she has tried thousands of products throughout her lifetime — and more specifically, has been contouring for about 20 years now, experimenting with cream and powder formulas alike as well as various applicators. For this piece, she interviewed celebrity makeup artists and contouring experts Natalia Thomas, who has worked with stars like Zazie Beetz and Karlie Kloss, and Nick Lujan, Director of Artistry & Education at Kevyn Aucoin, who has worked with Beyoncé and Kim Petras, among others.