Best Bronzer & Contouring Powder for Fair Skin!

Nov 26, 2015

Ana Q.

I just purchased a physician's formula Bronze Booster. It's AMAZING!
It doesn't look muddy and isn't really that shimmery, which I love.
You need a grey toned powder because if you have a cool undertone (pale/fair skin) that would help create depth and still correspond with your light pigment. If you use a warm under toned powder it has more of a brown and even sometimes orange look which clashes with the light pigmentation and looks mismatched or even muddy.

May 29, 2014

Lilly W.

I recently found a contour powder that is lovely. It's a loose powder, but the jar has the twisting mechanism that allows to get the amount of product needed without spilling. The shade is beautiful! It reminds me of Nars Laguna, but I it is more ashy and it is completely matte. It's called Alima Pure Sombra Contour Powder and I have a review on my blog with a photo of me wearing it. I hope it helps! http://genuineglow.com/contouring-with-alima-pure-sombra-contour-powder/

Apr 18, 2014

Brynach D.

I'm on a hunt for a decent cheap contouring powder also. Tried the buy-darker-face-powder option, which is pretty good if you don't mind getting it twice. The Elf is ok, a bit brown...but does anyone know where to find the NYC Sunny? Is it discontinued? Because I've tried all of the usual beauty places, and no go.

Oct 15, 2012

Sonjdra D.

try MAC mineralize skinfinish in medium dark for a cooler tone or medium deep for a warm tone, and check this tutorial to see how to apply!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhakEFMsk0Y it doesnt get blotchy and blends really well

Jan 22, 2012

Amanda J.

I'm sticking to the smashbox one, just because i't more gray, lol.

Jan 21, 2012

LeeAnn B.

I am really glad I read this post, gained some new knowledge thanks to Andrew and Maria! I also used bronzer as a contour never thought to use brown/grey eyeshadow. It makes 100% sense as to why bronzer isn't that great to contour with since it can be shimmery! I am definitely going to check out the Harmony blush from MAC! 

Jan 20, 2012

Heather K.

My favorite bronzer is either the ELF studio bronzers, or physician's formula powder palette:) they are both under $15 dollars with a lot of different options for different skin tones:)

Jan 20, 2012

Amanda J.

I'm asking because I need a new one, haha. I guess my bronzer isn't a typical bronzer, it's not orangey, it's actually pretty brown. I understand that's not what I should be using, but if it works okay, then it works. But like I said, I'm dying over that smashbox one, so I think I'm just going to splurge my butt off, haha. Thanks for the help. :)

Jan 20, 2012

Amanda J.

I just looked at that contour kit on smashbox.com... And I'm kind of dying. I need it! >.< Gall, guess it's a splurge. Next pay check, it's all going to that puppy. :P

Jan 20, 2012

Amanda J.

I don't use bronzer-bronzers for contouring. The contour I use is very faint, totally matte, and a little muddy; pretty much just a dark brown. I'll check out that smashbox contour kit, it sounds pretty awesome! I understand why people freak out about using bronzers for contouring, but I would never use a bronzer meant for making you look tan for contouring. I am not an epic fail, I know what I'm doing. -.- Jeez... Anyways.... I can't buy online, so that Nyx one is out of the question unless it comes to ulta. 

Jan 19, 2012

Raven N.

I know that everyone pretty much has this question answered and NYC Sunny is a good one, I agree. But also wanted to throw another one out there that I just tried. The Physicians Formula Healthy Glow Bronzer is pretty great. It is matte and gives the perfect color for someone pale. I got the one for light skin but if you wanted a more noticeable color, you could go for one of the darker ones! I think it is really great and blends very well!!

Jan 18, 2012

Amanda J.

@Katie M. Which one do you use for contouring? And that's awesome! I just looked at the NYX website, and I'm very into creams. :) Too bad I don't have a credit card or anything.

Jan 18, 2012

Katie M.

I use a face powder that's one or two shades darker than my normal powder. I use a physicians formula powder, those mosaic ones, and I have one for setting makeup and one for contouring. Nyx just released a contour/highlight compact on their website, too!

Jan 18, 2012

Amanda J.

HOLY SHIZ THAT'S EXPENSIVE!!! I'm a college student! Spending that much on just a contouring powder to me is just... ridiculous. Are there any cheaper suggestions that you guys might have? lol

Jan 18, 2012

Amanda J.

@Maria O. Did they really? Huh, I guess I'll get on that. And I'll check out that Kevin Aucoin one. Thanks soooo much guys! And I understand now. Thinking of using grey as a contour didn't make much sense originally, but once you mentioned that shadows are grey... Well, the whole time I thought you were talking about eye shadows, not shadow-shadows. lol Seriously, thanks so much guys!

Jan 17, 2012

Maria O.

@Andrew- You are welcome! :0)

Jan 17, 2012

Maria O.

@Terra thanks so much for the shout out. 80) xoxo

@Andrew--OMG yes the Kevyn Aucoin one is a staple in my kit. I love the fact that it works with all skin tones!

@Amanda-great topic to start. The reason both Andrew and I wrote about shimmer vs matte and he wrote about grey tones is because we are both professional MUAs and wanted to explain the difference between a bronzer & a contouring powder as initially asked in your convo starter. Any type of shimmery bronzer is not ideal to contour at all. Also, try and write to Mary Kay. When another brand I love discountinued a product I sent them an email and to my surprise the company sent me four of that product. I did it a second time with another company for a different product and got stuff in the mail. 80)

Jan 16, 2012

Stephanie H.

Honestly I always hear about the NYC sunny bronzer but have never tried it.

Jan 16, 2012

Lisa U.

I have exactly the same problem!

Jan 16, 2012

Jaimi-lee S.

NYX bronzer amazing! Great bronzer and contourer! not over shimmery! :)

Jan 15, 2012

Amanda J.

@Andrew B. Why would I use grey to contour my cheekbones? O.o Not daily anyways... I've contoured with some crazy colors... >.< Like blue and orange and green... lol I use a bronzer for contouring, and it works well for me. I do know that you should typically use those brown/grey colors for EYE contouring... The bronzer that I was using was a really dark brown/red but was super blendable. It was perfect for contouring... Let me find the link... Damn, they don't sell it any more. But it was the Mary Kay bronzing beads. :) But yeah, it wasn't shimmery at all, which is surprising for Mary Kay cosmetics... lol 

Jan 15, 2012

Amanda J.

@Terra lol, it's cool. haha
@Kate C. Thanks! I'll have to check out the ELF one!

Jan 14, 2012

Kayla N.

Laguna = My go to bronzer & contour powder.

Jan 14, 2012

Amanda J.

I don't have a problem with bronzers! >.< I'm pretty damned skilled with them, just saying. But yeah... I guess I'll just see which one looks best against my skin, haha.

Jan 14, 2012

Maria O.

Most people use bronzer with shimmer to add a "sun-kissed glow" to the face, cheeks temples, chin, & forehead. If you want to contour and add depth/dimension to your face and alter it's shape then the best type of bronzer to use is a matte. Sephora collection makes a pretty good one comparable to Smashbox that is matte. It runs approx $16 or so.