Contouring Made Easy With Lancôme's Teint Idole Ultrawear Foundation Stick | Review + Swatches

Today's post is all about contouring made easy. Although contouring in and of itself is fairly easy, finding the right products and techniques make a world of difference.

To me, contouring is all about accentuating the features you have and playing with light and shadow.  I'm not a fan of harsh contouring and overly noticeable lines. Some of you might be, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, It's just my personal preference for my face. 

My contour routine consists of three steps that I do after I apply my foundation. The first is to apply my contour shade to my forehead just below my hairline, the sides of my nose, hollows of my cheeks and along my jawline. I then apply a matte highlight to the center of my forehead, along the bridge of my nose through to my cupids bow, under my eyes and just below my cheek contour to my jawline. I then blend, blend and blend some more until there are no visible lines. After I'm done blending I apply a shimmery highlighter to the top of my cheeks and the bridge of my nose.

Up until recently I've only ever used powder products to do my contouring. Mainly due to the fact that I have combination skin and most cream products slide off of my face midday. I was recently given the opportunity to try the latest foundation from Lancôme which just so happens to come in stick form. I was sent my preferred contour shade which is 2 shades deeper than my foundation shade and let me tell you, I was beyond excited to step out of my comfort zone!

The Lancôme Teint Idole stick is a cream to powder type foundation. It is available in 20 shades and can be used as a foundation, concealer, contour or highlight. It is said to be transfer proof, long wearing and it also contains an SPF of 21.

As I mentioned earlier, I received my preferred contour shade which is 410 Bisque W. It is just the right amount of warm without being too yellow. Since I have only used it to contour, I can't say for sure how transfer resistant it is.  I did find it to be long wearing, lasting me the whole day into the evening. The finish is matte which I prefer for contouring as well as foundation. Dewy finishes just don't go well with my combo skin..

410 Bisque W heavily swatched in natural, indoor light

Compared to powder contouring, this was way easier to apply and blend. I learned early on that a little goes a long way and the best way not to over do it is to use the edge opposed to dead on.  I used a medium sized oval brush to blend it out (side to side for forehead, upwards on cheeks and downwards on my jawline).  Minimal effort was needed to blend it out which makes this stick perfect for rushed mornings.

As you can see in the picture below, the result is subtle definition. My face looks slightly chiselled without harsh lines and it looks very natural. This is my kind of contour!

You can find Lancôme's Teint Idole Foundation stick at Sephora, The Hudson's Bay and at select Shoppers Drug Marts for around $50 a tube.


*I received this foundation for free as part of Chick Advisor's Product Review Club. As always, all opinions are my own!