Contour powder suggestions - for ridiculously pale skin!

Feb 17, 2012

Andrea S.

My skin is pretty white (Bobbi Brown Porcelain, Illamasqua RichLiquid RF115)

Every contour powder I have ever used has either been too orange, or too brown and just looks fake. I've heard of contour powders with grey undertones but I don't know if they would work either

Has anyone got any advice or suggestions? I have pretty much non-existant cheekbones.

Feb 17, 2012

Courtney A.

I am extremely fair as well. I think the key with contour powders is the not overdo it. If you've been using bronzers as your contour powder that may be the problem. A lot of bornzers are very warm. You want something that is either going to be neutral or cool to really give the appearance of a shadow. I personally like to use ben nye contour powder. I also know that MUFE makes contour kits and I believe sleek does as well.

Feb 17, 2012

Katie Louise H.

I really like the Sleek Contour kit in Light. But its not the "perfect" shade for me. Im interested to try some of the MUFE ones as Gossmakeupartist recently showed them in one of his videos and said they had some good lighter shades.

Feb 17, 2012

Sofia C.

I'm just as pale as you and I've heard great things about the MUFE sculpting kit. it comes in tan/pink porcelain as it's lightest shade http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P230511

Feb 17, 2012

Shelly T.

Some options I know of...

* MAC Strada blush (permanent at Pro; you can still buy it even without a Pro card; I'm using this at the moment)
* MAC Taupe blush (see above)
* Illamasqua cream pigment in Hollow
* Illamasqua powder blush in Spite (they had another one in, I want to say Rebel? (can't remember the name, just that it started with "R"), that looked good for contouring, but they discontinued it)
* Urban Decay e/s in Naked (from the original Naked palette)
* MAC Omega e/s

And yeah; don't use a bronzer to contour. Bronzers are supposed to warm up your face.

Feb 17, 2012

Andrea S.

Yes, I know that bronzers are meant to warm up the face. I never use them because my complexion is too cool.

I'll check out all your suggestions though, thank you! As I said, I wanted to try something a bit more on the grey side.

Feb 18, 2012

Anjum C.

You don't even have to use a face powder. Try using an eyeshadow.

Feb 18, 2012

Deana K.

I'm very pale as well, and I use powder foundation a few shades darker (what I call "average human color") to contour. Works perfectly!

Feb 18, 2012

Jasmine Marie E.

I too use "average human" powder to contour, it's just a few shades darker and warm toned, works better than anything else I've tried!

Feb 19, 2012

Lawrenundead M.

I used a grey matte eyeshadow i had a while ago, since i finished that, i can't seem to find any like it, it was perfect for my shade :P 

Feb 20, 2012

Molly B.

It depends on your undertone. If there is more of a green or yellow undertone then use more of a greyish/brown toned bronzer which is a warm toned bronzer. If there is more of a red undertone then use one with a more goldish/brown toned bronzer which is a cool toned bronzer.
Try one of these. They're my favorite.
http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/face/bronzers/bronzers
Or if you want a higher end bronzer, try Hoola by Benefit.

Feb 20, 2012

Lisa U.

Sleek do a lovely one, it's the only one I have found that isn't over powering for light/pale skin. 

Feb 20, 2012

Tanziina G.

Yes I agree with all the lovelies on here, sleek has a lovely contour kit however you might have to be quite light handed with it, I'm definitely not pale (clearly!) and I use shade light, which is the lightest shade but that's because I want the contour to be very subtle! Again using eyeshadow is an option and I have done that many times.

If possible, I would really appreciate you asking a look at my blog which is http://makeupatoz.com/ and also would love to get to know you, become my friend on twitter :) I am @makeupatoz  

Feb 20, 2012

April F.

I like the idea of using a face powder a few shades darker than you are.......i think that method gives one of the most natural looks. You could also contour with your concealer too. gossmakeupartist on youtube did an excellent vid on the concealer method. Hope this helps : )

Feb 21, 2012

Stephanie T.

Rimmel London's "Sun Light" is amazing for contouring and I am extremely fair as well. It's not so pigmented where it looks like you have brown lines on your face and it's matte so you're not shimmering everywhere!
It's also a super plus that it's drugstore and isn't crazy expensive.

Feb 21, 2012

Jaclyn G.

i have really pale skin as well and i love MAC's Sculpt powder. i think it's available at a PRO store but i also found that NYX Taupe blush is an amazing dupe of it.

Apr 19, 2012

Lauren M.

I was just watching one of EssieButton's videos on YouTube and she mentions having the same issue, she's now using NYX's blush in 'Taupe'....here's a link to the video so you can see what she says about it:
http://youtu.be/DqEkUkr2zM8

Apr 19, 2012

Katie A.

I'm the palest of the palest at the minute, nc15 to be precise! And mac harmony blush works quite nice on me, hope this helps!

Apr 19, 2012

Flora V.

I use regular face powder 2 to 3 tones darker than the one i wear for everyday make up.
For a more dramatc effect I prefer matte blushes.

Apr 19, 2012

Megan-Rose Core MUA C.

I agree with Flora I am paler then MAC Face and Body C1 and I use a face powder 3 shades darker then my normal face powder and if I want a darker contour I use a matte contour powder from Inglot. 

Apr 19, 2012

Colleen H.

I use nyx's blush in taupe but I always make sure to use a brush that's not super dense so it doesn't look too harsh on my skin, but the color of it is perfect. It's cool toned so it won't appear orange on pale skin.

May 7, 2015

Lydia P.

Eek I feel like there needs to be a warning though about using eyeshadows, or NYX for contouring. but thats just me--only because TALC is a horrible ingredient that really makes me break out and a lot of eyeshadows have it. including NYX.