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Hey there, beautiful souls! Welcome back to Beautyistic, where we uncover the truth behind the products you’re curious about. Today, we’re exploring the Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Kit in Light/Medium—a compact powder set designed to help you shape, highlight, and define your face effortlessly. It comes with three buildable powders and a dual-ended brush, aiming to simplify contouring whether you’re a beginner or a pro.
Opening up the kit, the first thing I noticed was its thoughtful layout. Each pan is clearly labeled with step numbers: Step 1 for sculpting, Step 2 for defining, and Step 3 for highlighting. The powders themselves have a matte finish, which I personally love because it avoids that overly shiny look that can feel unnatural under certain lighting. The included brush is dual-ended, with one side slightly angled for contouring and the other more rounded for blending.
Testing this kit over the past week, I found the buildable formula easy to work with. The sculpting powder blends seamlessly into the skin without looking patchy, and the highlight shade gives a subtle lift without being glittery or harsh. The contour shade isn’t overly cool-toned, which is nice because it avoids that ashy finish that some powders have. I tried this both on bare skin and over foundation, and it performed consistently well in both cases. The brush, while convenient for travel or quick applications, works best when you’re careful not to overload it—too much powder can make blending slightly trickier.
What I really appreciate is how this kit caters to different face shapes. Even if you’re not a seasoned contour user, the step-by-step design guides you through each area of your face, which takes away a lot of the guesswork. On the flip side, if you’re someone who loves custom blending or experimenting with multiple shades, the limited palette might feel a bit restrictive.
Considering value for money, the kit sits in the mid-range price point for contour products. The quality of the powders and the inclusion of a brush justifies the price, especially if you’re looking for an all-in-one travel-friendly contour solution. Compared to other contour kits I’ve tried, Smashbox holds its own in terms of pigmentation and blendability, though some larger palettes might offer more shade versatility for deeper skin tones.
The packaging itself is sleek and sturdy, making it durable enough for tossing in a makeup bag without worrying about breaking the powders. Smashbox has a solid reputation for customer support, and their professional-grade formulations are consistent across products, so you’re likely to have a reliable experience.
If you’re looking for alternatives at a slightly lower price, brands like e.l.f. or NYX offer buildable contour sets that perform decently, though they may lack the same polish in powder texture or brush quality. However, if you value a curated, beginner-friendly experience with matte, blendable shades, this kit definitely delivers.
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All in all, the Smashbox Step-By-Step Contour Kit is intuitive, approachable, and effective. It shines as a starter kit for those new to contouring while still offering quality that seasoned users can appreciate. Its key strengths lie in its buildable powders, matte finish, and thoughtful guidance, while the main limitation is the restricted shade range. This kit is best suited for anyone looking for a reliable, easy-to-use contour solution without needing an extensive palette.
Thank you so much for stopping by Beautyistic! You can find the link to this kit in the comments or description box. If you’ve tried it yourself, drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for tuning in, and until next time, stay beautiful inside and out!
Available to buy here:
