Review! | Anastasia Beverly Hills Build Your Own Contour Palette

I know, I know.  I'm so late to the contour party.  Contouring is even being tossed about as one of the biggest 2014 makeup trends to leave behind!  Before we all discard it in favor of The Next Big Thing, I'd like to make a case for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Build Your Own Contour Palette, $40.00 USD.  I was 100% one of those "I never highlight-and-contour" people, but this palette has changed my daily routine.

I follow founder Anastasia Soare's daughter Claudia a/k/a Norvina on Instagram (seriously, if you're not following her already, GO!  Hit the button!  You're missing out on amazing makeup inspiration, her fun personality, and new ABH products still in the research and development stage!) and knew a few months ago that they were working on a build your own version of their mega popular Contour Palette.  Instead of buying the pre-made option, you can now customize a 6 pan palette that best suits your skin tone.  Individual refill pans are $14.00 each, but once you add 6 to your cart, the price drops to $40.00 and an empty 6-pan palette is added to your order.  It's a great deal and the site narrows the shades by skin tone and undertone to help you choose shades that will be flattering.

I'd always used a matte bronzer on the odd day or two when I'd contour.  I stumbled across a YouTube video from Jordan Liberty called "Why You SHOULDN'T Contour with Bronzer" and the proof was in the split screen (2:23 mark)!

After seeing the difference it made to contour with Fawn, an ashy taupe powder, I've been converted!  It really makes my cheekbones look more defined, as well as my jawline.  Fawn looks more like the color of shadow versus a brown or orange-toned bronzer.  I also love setting my under eye area with Banana; the yellow really counteracts dark circles and makes me look awake.  The bronzer shades I choose are all beautiful, and I love using Terracotta as a blush.

My only suggestion for the brand would be to release a 2 or 3 pan palette version.  I know a lot of people are hesitant to even try a Contour Kit because they feel a 6 pan set up is better suited for a makeup artist's stash and not for a regular user.  I also think a sleek, 3 pan option would be a blessing for those who travel frequently and only want to take the 2-3 powders they consider necessities.

Top Row (L to R): Banana, Fawn, Camel

Bottom Row (L to R): Macchiato, Nude, Terracotta

Indoor Lighting

Indirect Sunlight

If contouring powders or bronzers aren't your thing, you can pick shades close to your skin tone to act as setting powders, or choose from a variety of illuminating powders if you tend to go for the glow.

Since I'm not huge on illuminating on the daily (oily skinned people, I know you feel me!), I didn't choose any highlighters; only powders that I will definitely, 100% use.  Bronzer?  I use that daily.  Setting powder?  Yes!  The customizable palette really allows you the freedom to choose exactly what you want out of this kit.

Need to see more photos and swatches of the refills before making your selections?  

Here are a few blogs I found helpful:

Hello Jaa | Linda Steph | Caught In A Daze | Sharlene's Makeup Addiction | Indian Beauty Reviews

Do I leave the house every day with chiseled cheekbones that could cut glass and perfect pie-shaped isosceles triangles of white light beneath each eye?  Ummm...no.  But after sweeping Fawn into the hollows of my cheeks and along my jawbone, setting my concealer with Banana, and sweeping on one of the gorgeous matte bronzers in this kit, I do feel like I've upped my makeup ante with minimal time and effort.  A win-win situation for sure that I will definitely not be leaving behind in 2014.

Do you own either the original Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit or the Build Your Own version?  What's your favorite contouring product?