Review | Smashbox Contour Palette

After trying countless contouring colours, and actually (more or less) giving up on finding the PERFECT contour shade (my Barry M Chisel Cheeks Contour Kit came very very close – and I would say is basically your high street dupe), I came to that point in my life when I gave up buying bronzers/contour kits. However, when £50+ worth of Boots points came my way (I earned them by spending too much…) I decided to treat myself to something, and the reviews online sang nothing but praise for this palette, so I thought I would try it out, and now I have, I thought I would share my thoughts with you.

The palette costs £35, and it comes in a compact, sleek palette. You get three shades; a neutral colour (the control) a warm toned bronzer, and a matte highlighter. The pack also comes with a little brush, and a guide of how to use them. I’m going to talk you through each of the products.

The brush is a short, angles brush with a red handle. The bristles are actually quite soft – which makes a nice change, and although the brush is in no way amazing, it does work to apply the powder. It gives a nice effect, and it’s travel friendly, so what more can you say? It’s also a really good size for contouring. However, I class it as more of a free, bonus item, than a product I was intentionally buying…

The guide is clear, and simple to understand. And, for the first time in my life, it’s explained to me the actual different between where you put contour and bronzer! Haha! – Yes, I’ve actually never known! Although, the main downside is it only shows the cheek, nose and chin, not the forehead, and it’s only one shaped face – when realistically people have different shaped heads… sounds weird, I know.

The contour shade really suits my pale skin, and it’s not too orange toned, which makes such a change! The powder is buttery – more like an eyeshadow, and yes, I’ve used this as an eyeshadow – and it’s pigmented but still buildable. It blends like a dream, and it’s just such an easy shade to work with. The powders are a tad crumbly, but that’s basically my only complaint, and to be honest I think it’s what makes them so easy to blend.

The bronzing shade is a little orange for my liking – the only let down of this palette. I only use a very light dusting of this shade, just above my contour and below my blush to blend everything together. But I use a very light hand, because, like the contour shade, it’s pigmented, and I try to keep anything orange toned off my face.

The highlighter is matte, and if me you’re thinking WAAA a matte highlighter, then I really feel ya! However, it does an amazing job of brightening – yes, not highlighting, brightening – and in doing so it gives the illusion of highlight in such a natural, healthy way. It’s definitely not your BAM highlighter, and if you’re into a really strong highlighter, this won’t be enough for you. However, if you’re looking to use highlighter to help define your highpoints ,then this works really well.

The palette comes with a good sized mirror that makes it all the best for travelling. And the price is £35 – which, I know, is A LOT of money. However, for me this was completely worth it. I feel like it’s restored my faith in contouring, it’s made is so unbelievably fool proof, and it’s amazing for my skin tone!

Have any of you tried this product? If so, what were your thoughts?

Katie x