For a while I have been searching for the ultimate contour kit or palette which I can simply grab with me on the go instead of having it separated especially when I started flying around for conferences and vacations. For some reason I found it annoying to be carrying so many products while some where bigger and some were smaller in size.
A contour kit typically includes a highlighter, bronzer and a blush and some kits only have shades of bronzer and a highlighter. For those of you who are not familiar with contouring, contouring is basically using make up to enhance the shape and structure of your face. It’s not supposed to be dramatic but subtle and natural. In the past, only models in runway shows and photo-shoots would contour their faces but nowadays it’s available for everyone and it’s easily learnt online and in make up courses.I have started using products from Smashbox for over a year now and I think I haven’t been more in love with a make up brand than with Smashbox.
So when it came to looking for the perfect contour kit Smashbox was the first brand which I looked at and by coincidence they just released the Shape Matters Palette. The palette contains two brow powders, brow wax, a contour set of powders and 9 eye shadows. The colours are supposed to be universal so they are pretty neutral and warm. I like the brow wax and powders and I think I have been using it everyday since I got it other than those days which I get too lazy. Not a big fan of the eye shadows I feel like they were pigmented enough but would smudge easily. Maybe I should test them out again but with a primer.
Back to contouring… Since the contour set in this palette are powders they require some more time to apply if you actually want a more defined and dramatic look. I usually like to keep it more natural so I don’t spend too long applying but when I have a night out or go to an event which requires a balder look I would spend more time building it up . I personally really like this palette and I think if I were to be using eye shadows more often then this would be completely my go to palette for all occasions.
I think for people who are beginners in make up the Smashbox Contour Stick trio would be easier to use since it gives higher precision and it doesn’t take too long to get enough of the pigment on the face. It’s also more suited for people who don’t have that much time to apply make up everyday yet still want a contoured face. It was funny but only after I purchased the Shape Matters Palette I spoke to one of the make up artists at the Smashbox promotion booth and was told that actually it would have been smarter to get the Smashbox Contour Stick Trio since I don’t usually like to spend too much time in the morning getting ready. I am really really not a morning person and I am strongly attached to my bed hahaha
To conclude this post, I do like both the shape matters and the trio sticks. I assume the Smashbox step-by-step contour kit is the same powders as the one in the Smashbox Shape matters palette so I added the links to purchase all three products below 
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