I Didn't Know How to Contour Until I Used This $7 Product

As often as I do my makeup, there's one technique I haven't mastered just yet — contouring. No matter how many TikTok tutorials I watch or promising new beauty products come out, I can't seem to grasp the concept. I've always feared that I do too much; I want my makeup to be statement-making but still natural. One of my best friends is a makeup genius, so after extensive coaching, I've successfully nailed contouring my nose, but when it comes to the rest of my face, I don't really know what I'm doing. Fortunately, products like the new E.l.f. Camo Liquid Bronzer & Contour ($7) exists.

For as long as I can remember, I've always loved using E.l.f.'s products — even before I garnered any real interest in makeup. After all, it was one of the few cosmetics brands I could afford as a barely working girl still in high school; its brown matte lipstick was the only thing I wore. Fast forward years, and the company is still a part of my trusted collection of beauty products.

I have to admit when I first discovered it, I struggled to wrap my mind around how one product can knock out multiple steps in a routine. After overcoming the initial fear of trying my hand at contouring (yet again), I quickly gained confidence. It helped me achieve a natural dimension that I didn't even know was possible with contour and bronzer. Trust this beginner: the hybrid product may be small, but it's definitely mighty — and works.

Keep scrolling to read my full review of the E.l.f. Camo Liquid Bronzer & Contour, and find out why it's worth trying for yourself.

About the E.l.f. Camo Liquid Bronzer & Contour

What I Like About the E.l.f. Camo Liquid Bronzer & Contour

Prior to this, I'd only ever used a powder bronzer for contouring, so the experience of using a liquid formula was super new to me. I was impressed with how well a couple of dots on the face could blend to create a dewy, sculpted look without making my face look artificial. Normally, I have to rub my brush into my skin a few times to see results, but E.l.f.'s Bronzer & Contour showed up immediately upon application.

I also loved that it didn't make my skin oil or exaggerate my pores over time because I have normal-to-oily skin; it maintained its moisture for hours with no grease in sight. Even though it acts as a contour, I was still able to build on it with my go-to blush, completing the dimension I wanted. Plus, it's $7. Can you really pass up on it?

How to Use the E.l.f. Camo Liquid Bronzer & Contour

The bronzer and contour duo comes with an easy-to-use grooved applicator. I find it best when you apply several dots to the desired parts of your face you want more definition in (cheeks, sides of nose, forehead), then follow up with a contour brush to blend it until you get that sculpted, natural finish. Using one to two dots on each area that I wanted to contour worked well for me.

What to Consider Before Trying the E.l.f. Camo Liquid Bronzer & Contour

If you're ordering online, landing on your perfect shade might take some trial and error. Usually, I have to mix my base products to find my true match, so I tried two shades before landing on the best option for my skin tone — shade five. Also, if you're looking for more of a dramatic contour, be sure to follow up with another product to get that maximum effect.

Where Is the E.l.f. Camo Liquid Bronzer & Contour Available?

You can purchase the Camo Bronzer & Contour from the brand's website and Ulta Beauty. Be sure to also catch its launch at Amazon and Target on Dec. 29th and your local Walgreens and CVS in January 2025.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Naomi Parris is a New York-based fashion and beauty writer with over seven years of experience. She served as an editorial operations associate at PS, specializing in all things fashion. Obsessed with telling stories that merge fashion and culture, her areas of expertise include Fashion Week coverage, daily news, high-profile interviews, shopping roundups, and beauty stories.