I seriously love me some Maybelline. The first palettes I gravitated to as a tween makeup lover were Maybelline, and, as an adult makeup lover, the brand continues to be, by far, the most purchased affordable makeup in my collection. At their price point, I often find their quality to be unrivaled — finely milled powders, fabulous cream shadows that apply like By Terry’s Ombre Blackstars and long-lasting pigment for days.
First time I saw the new Master Contour Palette in Light to Medium 10, which goes for $12.99 (available in Medium to Deep 20, as well), I was immediately reminded of Estée Lauder’s 2016 Bronze Goddess Summer Glow Multi Palette, which retails for over four times as much!
Comprised of a contour shade, a coordinating classic pink blush and a champagne highlighter, this gem poses as an excellent and wallet-friendly substitute to some similar, considerably more expensive summer 2016 releases.
In the name of testing, I abandoned my long held (and often unnecessary) rule of skipping the brushes that accompany palettes and actually tested Maybelline’s small brush (shown below) while applying the contour shade.
Color me impressed! Pretty good for an affordable palette brush…but I think the synthetic hairs are almost too dense, meaning that the powder really packs a punch where applied. I only tried the brush with the contour shade, but it really loaded up the color (which could be a plus, depending on how you like to apply your makeup!). For me, it made it harder to buff out the contour and create a seamless and natural look.
In regard to the powders, I have nothing but fabulous things to say! 🙂 Pigmented, smooth, easy to blend and without a trace of the chalkiness that often accompanies affordable powders. Maybelline has shown me once again that price and quality aren’t inextricably linked.
These Maybelline Master Contour Kits easily stand up to their high-end competitors, which is probably why I’ve been seeing so many rave reviews of them crop up here and there.
Girl, even if contouring isn’t your thang, you should totally check out Maybelline’s Master Contour Palette. If the whole “sharp cheeks, sharp nose, sharp forehead, sharp ears” (wait…that last one is just Kylie Jenner) routine doesn’t appeal to you, the contour shade in the palette makes an excellent bronzer. I know, because I’ve been using it exclusively that way nonstop!
The contour shade is versatile, the blush is a classic “stand by” shade, and the highlighter is subtle, but just right.
Tell me, makeup lovers — what’s your favorite contour product of them all?
Hmmmm I might give this a try. Because I really need a another contour powder… Not really. ? But, it sounds great! I will most likely pick one up. Thanks!
Hey, it’s an approachable price! I can always justify drug store treats. 🙂
Jessica
I havent really seen these around yet, but I am starting to get into contouring (a little), so I will keep my eyes open.
I think this is a good way to test the waters without jumping into the deep end with a big ol’ Anastasia contour palette. I’m really impressed with the quality!
Jessica
Looking chiseled!!! 🙂
I have been really curious about this kit but haven’t taken the plunge to buy it yet! Now I definitely wish that I did because it looks amazing when you applied it!
Seriously high quality! I should have swatched this next to the Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess palette because it’s almost exactly the same thing!
Jessica
I keep seeing reviews about Maybelline’s contouring products, the drugstore/more affordable brands are really upping their game when it comes to contour and brow products. So far, I have been really impressed. Barry M’s Contour Kit is stunning x
ALittleKiran
I seriously love Barry M (particularly the nail polishes). It’s one of those brands that I’m envious we don’t have here in the states.
Jessica
Hi Jessica,
Looking fabulously chiseled, lady! Question for ya. How’s the wear time? I have combo oily/dry skin. Do you think it might work for me?
Hi Karen! I felt that the powder was considerably less “powdery” (that sounds redundant … but I think it’s logical) than what I’ve come to expect from the drug store. That said, the contour was incredibly pigmented and really stated with me. I’m dry skinned, but I do wear makeup way longer than I should each day and the contour in particular was still with me well after dark. 🙂
Jessica
Could you tell us what you’re wearing on your eyes? It’s beautiful.
Of course! I’m wearing MAC’s Painterly Paint Pot with a thick wing of Aveda’s Petal Essence liner in Sea Fern. It’s super creamy and blendable if you’re interested in making it a shadow as well.
Jessica
Oh jeeze what am I thinking, total brain fart! My son is sick and I think my brain has gone on vacation. In THIS picture I’m wearing the NARS Pleasures of Paris as shadow and liner. 🙂
Jessica
I have it and I use it everyday as a bronzer and blush combo…it is fabulous! It’s also very travel friendly and that’s why I bought it initially.
Nice! There seem to be a lot of these contouring trios around, with some really good drugstore options. I reviewed a few different ones for comparison and found Sleek and Makeup Revolution to be especially impressive – I’ll have to try out the Maybelline for comparison!
How is the highlighter? I couldn’t see much of a sheen in the swatch, and it’s personally my favourite part of these palettes.
It’s cool that the included brush isn’t too bad, and that the bronzer isn’t super dark or orange 🙂 gotta love Maybelline! Their eyeliners are my all time favourites, especially the Master Drama pencil liners <3 crazy staying power, even on waterline!
You’re an expert! The highlight is definitely subtle (by no means Becca Champagne Pop) and more similar to Kevyn Aucoin’s Candlelight than anything more overt currently on the market.
I seriously adore Maybelline. They’re one of my favorites at the drugstore!
Jessica
I liked the shades in the Light kit enough to consider trying it!
What eyeshadow and lip gloss/color are you wearing in these pics? So gorgeous!
Thank you! I’m wearing the NARS Pleasures of Paris palette as both shadow and liner (mostly the golden and peach shades) with YSL’s Tint in Oil in I Rose You on my lips. 🙂
Jessica
I’m very fair with neutral undertones. I find it super-difficult to find a contour product that’s light enough and cool-toned enough. Sephora brand blush in Tranquil is the perfect shade: Not too dark, very gray toned, very easy to blend, and inexpensive. Notoriously Morbid’s Necromancy contour powder is a close second, but it’s insanely pigmented, so I have to be more careful with it.
It looks like Anastasia is coming out with taupe contour products for the summer. Like you I’m pretty pale–fortunately this palette was just right for me, but often brown contours are too dark on me as well!
Jessica
I been eyeing these for a while the three combo colors look very nice! But I already have the contouring/bronzer one from WetnWild and oh! My! It turned out great! I got the Ticket to Brazil but find myself not wearing it much since my cheeks are already contoured and I have a thin oval like face but I like playing with it either way and making that fish face to apply it. Lol! I’ll wait ’till I see it on a sale it does look lovely! I’ll have to get the lightest one. Beautiful!