Just recently I was looking in my draw and noticed that I have three of what is technically the same thing. Which is probably quite common for bloggers, (well I really hope it is). I should probably take my own advice, and declutter my makeup collection. The three products that I will be reviewing are by Seventeen, Sleek and I <3 Makeup, so we’ll be able to see Which Contour Kit is Best?
All of these brands offer a product with a bronzer on one side an a highlighter on the other. Of course the product inside is not the same, but the idea is the same.
Let’s see, Which Contour Kit is Best?
The packaging is a major difference between the three. The Seventeen Define and Conquer is similar to Nars, the I Heart Makeup Bronze and Glow is sort of similar to Too Faced, and the Sleek Contour Kit is smaller and compact. All three contain mirrors and all three are extremely similar colour wise. Not that the packaging will let you see which contour kit is best? But it’s worth noting right?
Sleek | Contour Kit in Light – £6.99
I’ve heard a lot of people rave about the bronzer in this palette, but not so much the highlight. The packaging is a sleek (get it), matte box, that’s sturdy and travels really well. The bronzer is matte, pigmented and blends really easily.
The highlight however is not for me. It looks like such a glowing champagne colour, but for me the pigment just isn’t there. If you like your subtle highlights then it’s very likely that you’ll love this.
Overall I would recommend this as the bronzer is really good, and I tend to layer a ColourPop highlight over this one if I’m feeling fancy and want to give this a go, because it adds that pigment that isn’t available otherwise. It is a little more effort, but can be worth it.
Seventeen | Define and Conquer Contour Kit Light – £5.99
I’ve decided to put my least favourite in the middle to go with the whole sandwich approach, start with a positive and end with a positive, because that always goes down well. So yes, this is my least favourite out of the three. The packaging is absolutely stunning, and definitely took inspiration from Nars.
I used to love this bronzer, but I used it the other day to try for this post, and it came out orange. It took a whole lot of blending out, and in the end I gave up; recovered it with foundation and used something else. The bronzer is matte and kind of chalky.
The highlight confuses me. It’s matte. Matte highlight??? I like using matte highlight on my eyes, but cheekbones? Is this a thing, I’m missing out on, or what?
If you can’t tell I would advise passing on this one, the other two are better and I’m still confused about matte highlight. A little update from future me, the matte highlight makes a great under-eye setting powder.
I <3 Makeup | Bronze and Glow – £6
This one is the most recent addition to my collection and I love it. I <3 makeup is owned by the same people who own makeup revolution and makeup obsession, so great things are expected already, as I love their bronzers and highlights. The packaging looks like a chocolate bar, and has the same melted imprint as the Kylie Cosmetic highlights and Blushes.
The bronzer is a perfect cool brown for contouring, I find this one works the best for me. It is also matte, pigmented and blends easily. As it is light, it is not so good at creating dramatic looks, unless you work with it and build it up.
The highlight is pigmented without being too pigmented, if you know what I mean. You get a good amount out in one sweep, but I like to do two to get that glow. The highlighter is a light champagne gold.
Out of the three the Sleek and the I <3 Makeup one I find work really well. The contour is definitely a lot stronger in the Sleek palette where as the Highlight is stronger in the I <3 Makeup palette, so it’s all down to preference really!
Comparison Swatches
Top to Bottom: Seventeen, Sleek and I <3 Makeup
Top to Bottom: Seventeen, Sleek and I <3 Makeup
I hope you’ve got a better idea of: Which Contour Kit is Best?
Have you tried any of these?
Thank you for reading!
Great post! I’m looking for new drugstore contour kit – I will definitely have a look at the Sleek and the I <3 Makeup ones when I'm next in Superdrug X
Sarah X
Author
Thank you! I hope you pick one of them up and get along with it!xx
The I <3 makeup one looks beautiful and I love the look of the highlight shade! I will have to try that one. X
Kate// itskaterose.com
Author
It is such a pretty duo xx
Lovely post! It’s actually scary when I look through my makeup collection and see how many things I have that are so similar to each other. I’ve never seen the I <3 Makeup one before, love the style of it.
Alice | alicemaysnell
Author
Thank you! Glad it isn’t just me! I think it’s rather new, but it’s so good!xx
What a great comparison! The I Heart Makeup one looks like such a great palette from the swatches and your thoughts on it. I also love the design of it. Must check that one out for sure x
Lauren | itslaurenvictoria.blogspot.co.uk
Author
It is such a lovely little palette! Thank you xx
I don’t think I would like the Seventeen one either, the contour shade seems really pale! I see what you mean, there packaging is very similar to Nars!
Nicole xx
nicoleannx.co.uk
Author
It’s not the palest, so it’s not too bad, in all fairness! It really is xx
Sleek is definitely my favourite, nothing beats it when it comes to the price, shades and pigmentation out of everything I have tried. Great post! Thanks for sharing, I should try the I Heart Makeup one too xxx
ALittleKiran | Bloglovin
Author
Sleek have some gorgeous products, and that’s so true! Thank you so much, and thank you for reading! xx
I love the seventeen contour kit! I haven’t used the other 2 but they sound good too xx
Author
Lots of people love it, and it is a nice little palette for the price. I just personally prefer the other two compared to that one xx
oh no it looks like I’m going to have to give that I heart makeup one a go! I have the sleek one and I find the highlighter extremely chunky to be honest compared to other highlighters. I do however like it for travelling, but saying that, if the I heart Makeup one is better I may have to invest in that one being my new travel contour kit! xx
http://www.iridescentplaces.com
Author
It is such a gorgeous little kit! Yeah, the highlighter in that one isn’t the best! I hope you like the I heart makeup one if you decide to get it!xx
I love the look of the highlight shade in the I <3 makeup duo, it looks like such a gorgeous shade. I've always debated picking the Sleek one up but never have for some reason, it's a shame the highlight isn't quite as good.
Kristy | http://www.thevioletblonde.com
Author
It is such a pretty one! The Sleek one is a nice little palette, as the bronzer shade is so good xx
I don’t actually own a duo palette like this, I own lots of single bronzers and highlighters or contour palettes and highlighter palettes but not duo’s. I would probably put the Sleek Bronzer and I <3 MakeUp Highlight together for my favourite duo. I do need to havea look at these palettes x
http://www.GillMclaughlin.com
Author
Ah do you not! These type of kits don’t seem to be as popular as lip kits! Those two together would make such a good duo!xx
Great post. I have a few contour kits, but my favourites at the moment for me are Anastasia and my BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel palette. I like the last two swatches! 🙂
FASHION TALES
Author
Thank you! Ah I’ve not tried those ones, but heard so many good things! Thank you xx
I havent tried these but I would be willing to try. I usually us anastasia but I’m almost out of it and been looking for a new one to try!
http://www.prettyinleather.net
Author
The Anastasia looks so good! These ones are so good for the money xx
Great comparison posts, I may have to try the I <3 Make Up one out x
A Blushing Beauty Blog
Author
Thank you! It is such a good one, it looks so pretty when it hasn’t been used either haha xx
Thanks for great reviews! I had the Seventeen contour kit but fell out of love with it a little while ago for similar reasons! The I <3 Makeup one looks very intriguing, lovely packaging too!
Kirsty | The Monday Project | themondayproject.co.uk
Author
Aw no problem, I’m glad you like the post! Glad it isn’t just me that doesn’t get along with it. It is such a pretty duo, it smells like chocolate too xx
I don’t really contour, I let my makeup artist friend do my makeup 😀 but this is a great review!
xo
Alyssa // STYLE VANITY // INSTAGRAM ❤️
Author
I struggle with it myself, trying to get better! Ah you’re so lucky having a makeup artist friend! Thank you lovely!xx
Thanks for sharing that!! so helpful <3 <3
Kisses from the Caribbean <3 <3
http://www.lacaleya.com
Author
No problem xx
Haha, I have the exact some problem! I’ve had the Sleek one for a while now, but haven’t used it! I must get round to giving it ago again.
Kate xx
themakeupartistschoice.com
Author
Glad it isn’t just me! I hope you get around to giving it a go, it is a nice duo especially if you like subtle highlight xx
Clicked here ’cause someone retweeted your tweet, and I was literally just looking at these kits at Superdrug two days ago! Thanks for the review, I think I’ve got my eye set on I heart makeup now. I was a little wary of the brand but you’re quite convincing!
Wee bit cheeky here but any chance you’d do a similar post on blushes, or better yet blush and contour kits like the Rimmel Kate Sculpting Palette or the Sleek Face Form Contour kit? xx
Author
Thank you for reading! I love it so much, I use it daily plus it smells like chocolate! It is quite a new brand, but luckily they’re owned by the same people as Makeup Revolution, so if you like them you’ll be sorted!
It’s not cheeky at all! I would definitely do this, but I don’t wear blush (quite unfortunate when you think of the blog name, but still) Sorry xx
As someone who is very nervously edging my way into contouring, this is a big help to me! Especially knowing I don’t have to spend a lot of money either!
Musings & More
Author
I’m glad you found this post helpful! These ones are so good for the money xx
It’s a shame the Seventeen one wasn’t great, the swatches do look pretty chalky. The MUR option looks great though, thanks for the heads up!
Amy – http://amyevans.blog
Author
It really is, especially as that’s the cheapest one! No problem, thank you for reading!xx
I love that you swatched them all side by side, great comparison! I am always so confused by matte highlighters, it puts me right off a palette because I would only use it under my eyes, and I already use translucent powder for that anyway so I have no need for it!
Hayley
http://www.crueltyfreehayley.com x
Author
Thank you! Glad it isn’t just me! The whole thing just seems really weird, like you say it’s good for under the eyes, but we already have powder for that xx
I’ve tried the Sleek duo and really didn’t like the contour side. It’s just too warm toned for me and ends up looking too dark and muddy. Interestingly, I found the highlighter to be really pigmented. I’m holding onto the duo because of the highlighter. Maybe they’ve changed their formula? I bought the Seventeen duo, but haven’t used it yet. The matte highlighter confuses me. I’m just not sure how to work with it. I may end up using it as an eyeshadow or under eye setting powder, something I’ve heard some people use it for. Xx
Tania | When Tania Talks
Author
Did you not? It can be quite dark, I try to apply a small amount and then build up slowly. I have no idea, I’ve had mine for a while and always thought it was a little weak, maybe my expectations are too high haha! Glad I aren’t the only one it confuses! That’s a good idea xx
I have the Makeup Revolution one and I really like it. The highlighter even looks good on my fair skin.
Author
The Makeup Revolution one is great and it really good for fair skin!xx