This One Product Is Ideal for Those Who Want an Easy 5-Minute Face

As a beauty journalist who is inherently lazy when it comes to my makeup routine (I'm all about easy-to-use cream products), I must admit that I have never been particularly sold on the whole contour trend. For those who aren’t au fait with the concept of contouring, the premise is actually quite simple. It involves applying cool-toned, dark shades to the hollows of your face and lighter, glow-boosting "highlighting” products to the high points, creating the illusion of a chiselled bone structure.

But when it first blew up on social media years ago (thanks to Kim Kardashian West’s super-sculpted makeup routine), I ruled it out as unachievable straight away. Not only did the whole process seem to involve an abundance of costly products and countless time-consuming steps, but it also only seemed to cater to those who like a full-coverage, über-glam look. And that is just not me.

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(Image credit: @MISSTPW)

However, over the years, I have watched virtually every contouring video and tutorial around, and I have learned that the premise can be easily adapted to fit in with my low-maintenance makeup routine. It turns out following the contouring rule of "3” is quick and easy and can be executed with just one or two products. 

To nail your contour every time, just create a 3 shape on both sides of your face with your dark contour product—starting from the centre of the forehead, running along and down the hairline, following under the cheekbone and drawing back out and under the jawline. Then simply swipe the highlighting shade over the top of the cheekbone, and you’ve got a low-key contoured base. Yes, it is that easy.

And the best bit is I have found a whole bunch of products that make things even easier. I’m talking contour kits that are essentially foolproof. Keep scrolling to discover the best contour kits for those who want in on super-sculpted cheekbones.

1. Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow

2. Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate

3. MAC Studio Fix Sculpt and Shape Contour Palette

4. Westman Atelier Clean Glow Trio

5. Charlotte Tilbury The Hollywood Contour Duo

6. Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Creme & Powder Duo

7. Fenty Beauty Match Stix Trio

8. Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Powder Kit

9. Sigma Sculpt Highlight + Contour Palette

10. Benefit Hoola Contourist Bronzer Palette

11. Kevyn Aucoin The Art of Sculpting and Defining Volume III

12. Nyx Professional Makeup Highlight & Contour Pro Palette

Next up, I'm a beauty editor, and I never learned these basic makeup skills until now.

Freelance Beauty Editor

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous.

Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics.

While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best.

When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.