Contour Products For Pale & Fair Skin That Won’t Leave You Looking Orange

With so many makeup contour products on the market, it’s easy to be confused about which is good for you and your skin. It’s even harder for those like me, with pale and fair skin. That is for the simple reason that most contour products have a slight orange tint to them, which is a disaster for pale and fair skin.

Unfortunately, I had to learn that the hard way and that’s why I put this blog post together- so that you skip wearing the wrong shade!

I’ve put together some of my favorite contour products for pale and fair skin that won’t leave you looking like an Oompa Loompa! Included are matte and shimmer contours, as well as, cream and powder ones for every budget, luxury to drugstore makeup.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases on Amazon and other affiliate programs. This means on some purchases I make a commission. It doesn’t mean you spend more, it simply allows me to keep this blog going!

Best Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow in Light to Medium

One of my favorite makeup products is the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow contour palette, which I frequently mention in my posts for good reason.

This palette is among the best contour options for pale skin and has been my go-to for several years. It provides just the right amount of pigmentation without appearing orange or overly brown, thanks to its neutral tone and illuminating finish.

I love how the contour shade is buildable and applies evenly, allowing for a natural look that enhances cheekbones without heavy makeup. While I prefer a no-makeup makeup look, it easily builds up for more coverage if desired.

The Bronze & Glow is available in two variations: light to medium and medium to deep. For pale skin, I recommend the light to medium option. The palette includes both a contour and a highlighter; however, I find the highlighter to be too dark for my complexion and rarely use it. For alternatives, check out my recommendations for the best highlighters for pale skin.

If Charlotte Tilbury were to offer the contour shade separately from the highlighter, I would certainly purchase it. Despite this, the quality of the contour makes the palette worth buying, even if the highlighter isn’t utilized.

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Best Drugstore: Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette

One of my favorite budget-friendly options is the Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette. Despite its low price, the quality of this palette is impressive.

It includes eight shades: three contour colors, three highlighters, and two merged baked highlighters for added illumination. The shades are highly pigmented and apply smoothly, making it easy to achieve a flawless look.

The Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette has become a staple for many makeup enthusiasts, including myself.

For other budget-friendly makeup options, check out my reviews of the best drugstore foundations and the best drugstore concealers.

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Best For Dry Skin: KVD Beauty Shade + Light Refillable Powder Face Contour Palette

The KVD Beauty Shade + Light Refillable Powder Face Contour Palette is an excellent choice for those with pale skin, thanks to its neutral-based shades that avoid orange undertones.

While the darkest brown shade may be too deep for very pale complexions, it can be effectively used for brow definition or replaced with one of your preferred shades. The palette features magnetic removable pans, allowing you to customize and refill it to suit your needs—a fantastic feature for makeup enthusiasts.

All contour shades in this palette are matte, providing a natural finish when applied, while the highlight shades deliver a soft, subtle glow. With silky, highly pigmented formulas that blend easily without drying out the skin, this palette is a worthy addition to your makeup collection.

Infused with nourishing ingredients such as Wild Rose Extract, Safflower Seed Oil, and Vitamin E, it’s particularly beneficial for those with dry skin. Plus, the KVD Beauty Shade + Light Refillable Powder Face Contour Palette is vegan and cruelty-free.

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Best Cream Contour Stick: Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick

Fenty Beauty has made a significant impact in the beauty industry with products like its Pro Filt’r Foundations and Snap Shadow Eyeshadows. The Match Stix Matte Contour Skinstick is another standout offering from the brand.

This cream-to-powder contour stick is a bestseller, and for good reason. The cream formula allows for precise application, making it especially suitable for beginners who want to see exactly where they’re applying the contour. Cream contours typically offer more control than powders.

The Match Stix applies as a cream but sets to a matte powder finish, providing comfortable wear that doesn’t crease or cake. It’s available in 8 shades, from very light (Soft Amber) to very dark (Caviar).

For those with pale skin, I recommend trying Amber or Soft Amber. Both shades have a neutral tone without any orange undertones. The key to successful contouring for pale skin is to stick to cool tones, and Fenty Beauty has achieved that with these options.

However, one drawback I’ve noticed is that the cream formula can make pores appear larger, as the pigmentation tends to settle in them. Using a strong primer can help mitigate this issue. For those without open pores, the Match Stix Matte Contour Skinsticks are really great!

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Best Cream Palette: Lorac Pro Conceal/Contour Palette and Brush

The Lorac Pro Conceal/Contour Palette is designed specifically for sensitive skin prone to irritation. Its gentle ingredients make it an excellent choice for those who often experience breakouts.

This palette features 12 creamy, blendable shades and comes with an applicator brush. Lorac Pro enhances the typical highlight and contour palette by including 4 concealer shades, recognizing that concealing and contouring often overlap. In total, there are 8 contour/conceal shades and 4 shimmery highlight options.

Ideal for pale and fair skin, the shades offer a natural finish, with all but one being cool-toned. The cream texture allows for easy blending and can be built up for a more dramatic effect if desired.

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Best For Beginners: NYX Professional Makeup Highlight & Contour Pro Face Palette

This NYX Professional Makeup Highlight & Contour Pro Face Palette is a personal favorite of mine! It features 8 full-sized shades, making it suitable for a variety of pale skin tones and perfect for beginners.

The palette includes 4 highlighter shades and 4 contour shades. While the darkest brown might be too deep for very pale skin, the other three contour shades work beautifully.

The formula applies smoothly and blends effortlessly, ensuring a natural look without any cakiness or patchiness. The color payoff is impressive yet subtle and buildable, making it versatile for different looks.

Lightweight and easy to use, this palette is ideal for makeup novices, enthusiasts, and professionals alike. Plus, it boasts a vegan formula and is cruelty-free. For more details, check out my full review of the NYX Highlight & Contour Pro Face Palette.

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Best For Mature Skin: Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick

You might be surprised to see the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick mentioned in a contour review. Yes, it’s primarily a foundation, but it works brilliantly as a contour too!

When paired with the foundation itself, the shades blend seamlessly, making it ideal for contouring. Many makeup products can serve multiple purposes, and the Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick is no exception. Just choose a shade or two darker than your foundation for the perfect contour.

Available in 43 shades with cool, warm, and neutral undertones, this foundation stick has options for every skin tone, including pale skin.

Its creamy formula offers medium to full coverage and includes moisturizing ingredients like olive extract and shea butter, which help the foundation look more natural and feel softer on the skin. Plus, it won’t settle into fine lines or emphasize pores, making it a great option for mature skin.

Read my full review on the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick.

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Best Matte Contour: Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Kit

The Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Kit is another excellent choice for pale skin. This palette includes three powder shades: contour, bronzer, and highlighter, available in two options — light and deep. The light version is ideal for pale skin, offering subtle yet noticeable shades that enhance without overpowering. The highlight can even double as a setting powder, particularly for the under-eye area.

What sets this kit apart is its handy step-by-step guide, perfect for beginners, with tips on contouring different face shapes. It also comes with a brush that’s great for applying contour to the hollow of your cheeks.

While the palette is smaller than most, the shades are highly pigmented, smooth, and blend effortlessly. The powder isn’t overly packed, which makes it easy to apply without much fallout. Read my full review of the Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Kit.

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Best Drugstore Stick: NYX Wonder Stick, Highlight & Contour in Light

The NYX Wonder Stick is a fan favorite for a reason! This cream contour stick is perfect for pale skin, with 8 shades to choose from, including two that are ideal for fair complexions.

With contour on one end and a highlighter on the other, it’s an all-in-one tool that’s buttery smooth and easy to apply. The formula blends seamlessly, allowing you to build up the product without it becoming patchy. If you’re looking for an affordable, fuss-free contour and highlight combo, this stick is a great option!

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Best For Sensitive Skin: Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Highlight & Contour Palette

Physicians Formula is known for using clean, safe ingredients that deliver results. Whether you have sensitive skin or not, their products are a great choice for anyone looking for quality skincare and makeup.

Their contour palette has two variations: a shimmery strobing palette and the Bronze Booster, which features three shades — a bronzer, contour, and brightening shade. The contour shade is ideal for pale skin, as it’s cool-toned with no trace of orange. It’s highly pigmented, blends easily, and is buildable for fuller coverage.

Plus, it’s budget-friendly, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a great value.

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My Thoughts

Having pale and fair skin can be tricky when it comes to finding the correct makeup products. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s walked around with orange cheekbones. Yep, on more than one occasion.

Fortunately, there are so many contour products for pale skin, it’s all about finding the one that works for you! I’ve done the hard work for you and put together the best contours for pale and fair skin. Next up, read my Step-by-Step Guide on How to Contour Like a Pro.

UP NEXT:
The Best Highlighters For Pale Skin
Best Self Tanners For Pale Skin

Hollie xx

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