REVIEW & SWATCHES: Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Contour Kit

ITEM: Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Contour Kit
RRP: $40USD

Thanks to the popular demand of my review on the ABH powder contours (link is HERE) and the ABH liquid lipsticks (link is HERE), I found that the Cream Contour Kit was inevitable.

After testing this extremely popular product - the Anastasia Cream Contour Kit, I have decided to do a complete review and swatches of it for everyone. I only purchased the Medium Kit because that is what I thought would be my shade. However, there is also a Light Kit and a Deep Kit. They are also in the process of releasing a Fair Kit but have yet to do so.

For my fellow Aussies out there, this is available on the Anastasia Beverly Hills website (as linked above) - which ships internationally. For others, Macy's also stock this product. If you shop through Ebates (link is here) you can also get cashback on your purchase (making the product even cheaper than through the direct website)!

So now that we have gone through all the logistical things, we will jump straight into the review and swatches! 

Top Row: Banana - Cream - Warm Coral
Bottom Row: Nude - Cinnamon - Chocolate

I am about an NC25-35 somewhere in skin tone (with strong yellow undertones) and as I already mentioned, I have the Medium Kit. 

SWATCHES
Top Row: Banana - Cream - Warm Coral
Bottom Row: Nude - Cinnamon - Chocolate

This palette comes with three highlight shades (top row) and three contour shades (bottom row). One of the biggest issues that people have found with this palette is that the contour shades are very warm. I personally love warm shades on my extremely yellow skin, so for me this is not an issue. However, if you are someone who has fair skin or prefers a more grey contour shade (which I know is technically the better shade for contouring), then you will probably have issues with the contour shades in this palette.

I love the contour shades and I love the banana and cream shades. However, the warm coral shade would not be suitable for highlighting in my opinion. It is better as a blush or only beneficial for those with very severe dark circles. I think that the colour is a little bit too strong for this palette and doesn't really fit into the colour scheme well. I do nonetheless think that this can be useful in other ways (as mentioned). Ultimately however, I wouldn't complain too much about the shade selections. 

For the texture and blend-a-bility, I would say that this isn't the creamiest formula or one that is super blendable on it's own. It feels kind of dry on my skin - especially considering that I myself, have very dry skin. However, I found that if you place one small drop of facial oil (I use my Josie Maran Argan Oil), and mix it together and then use the product, it is super creamy, super blendable, easy to work with and looks flawless on the skin. So I don't think it's the best alone and found it difficult, but this was a technique that I learnt on Manny MUA's video (link is here), and found that it works beautifully like this.

This product is extremely pigmented. So the tiniest bit goes a long way. I found that if I put too much on my face, blending took so long because it was so ridiculously pigmented. However, once you have managed to blend it out, you can see how natural and flawless it looks. It can be built up to really give cut definition, or a tiny bit can be used to give the most subtle contoured look.

Please note this photo is not tilted. That is what it looks like in person.

One issue I had with the palette that has nothing to do with the integrity of the product or formula was that the wells were not straight. I am aware that this can simply be an OCD issue, but I really did not like that it was diagonal, and when the lid was closed, the misaligned products were really obvious. That is because the lid is transparent, so you can see that the wells don't line up well and are 'wonk-y'. I am aware this is a minor manufacturing issue, but it was something that irked at my OCD.

HOW TO USE:

Step 1: Apply a light layer of foundation onto your face. (Below I used my Makeup Forever HD Foundation).

Step 2: Drop a tiny bit of oil onto the top of the highlight shade you wish you use. (Below I used Banana).

Step 3: Mix the oil in and place the highlight shade on all the areas on your face which you wish to bring forward. I place it underneath my eyes, down the bridge of my nose, top of my lip, on my chin, and a little bit on the jaw line. 

Step 4: Drop a tiny bit of oil onto the top of the contour shade you wish to use. (Below I used Cinnamon). For a stronger contour, also include a tiny bit of the darkest shade in the palette - Chocolate.

Step 5: Mix the oil in and place the contour shade on all the areas of your face which you wish to send back. I place it down the sides of my nose, just under my cheekbones (the hollows of my cheeks), on the temples, under my bottom lip, and underneath my jaw line.

BEFORE

Step 6: Grab a beauty blender and blend in the highlight shades.

Step 7: Use the beauty blender or brush to now blend in the contour shades. (I used my Hakuhodo J212 brush).

Step 8: Set your under eyes with a powder. (I used my Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Powder in Banana).

Step 9: Set your contour with a powder. (I used my Bobbi Brown Bronzer in Golden Light).

AFTER

For a video on the steps that I follow, I pretty much did the same as Manny MUA in the above linked Youtube video, so you can refer to that if you wish. I think it's a great formula that did not break up during the day, did not dry out my skin, did not fade and did not move or slip around. However, because I did mix the oil into the product, it was very tacky and that is why every time I used it I had to ensure to set it with some sort of powder. 

Overall: I enjoy this palette for special occasions. Pigmentation is great, with an oil it's extremely creamy and blendable, it gives a beautiful finish and can be used both underneath and on top of foundation. However, I think that the packaging was one issue, but I feel that this is a bit excessive for an every day look and would only really use it on a special occasion. 

Rating: 7.5/10

If this product doesn't seem right for you and prefer the ABH Powder Contours link is HERE for a review and swatches of all the available colours. If you want to find out about the ABH Liquid Lipsticks link is HERE for a review and swatches for some of the colours. Enjoy.