Over my nine-year tenure at Allure, I’ve written (many times, in fact) about how lazy I am when it comes to applying makeup (and cleaning any accompanying brushes). I’m always looking for a loophole, a shortcut, literally anything to cut corners. This is because, like I said, I am both lazy and *whispers* unskilled.
Okay, okay, I’m skilled, but I could be better. Especially when it comes to contouring. I typically use a cream-based contour-bronzer stick, and… you know what? Now that I think about it, I’ve been using it for about a year now, so it’s time for it to kick the beauty bucket.
Good thing I’ve switched over to a newer, cleaner, more intuitive option: the Tarte Cosmetics Sculpt Tape Contour. The liquid-based formula makes sculpting, chiseling, and defining as easy as pressing the cushion-top wand to the skin.
Its fluid format is actually easy to manipulate, no matter how you contour: stamp, stencil, or sculpt. (You chose which of the four versatile shades—Cool Bronze, Medium Cool Bronze, Warm Bronze, or Deep Bronze—you’d like to receive in your box.)
I like to go in with my bronzer (or contour stick, in this case) after I’ve applied my foundation, concealer, brow gel, and mascara, but before my blush. With the Tarte wand, I pop off the cap, twirl open the top, and then squeeze to distribute the bronze-y goodness (I use the Cool Bronze shade).
I then lightly dab the cushion-covered applicator head directly onto my cheekbones, forehead, and down my nose (about three dots worth for each section) and quickly grab my tapered base brush and blend. My advice? Be quick! The pigment dries fast.
The result is a warmer, more defined look that gives more post-PTO glow and less “Help me, it’s freezing outside!”
You can find the Tarte Cosmetics Sculpt Tape Contour Wand, along with other editor-loved products, in the January Allure Beauty Box.