Ben Nye • Contour No 1 • Blush

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kissyfit006 on 1/22/2013 6:15:00 PM more reviews by kissyfit006

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Relaxed, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I managed to find a store that sells Ben Nye products and picked this up for merely $9. Packaging isn't anything fancy, it's very basic. I like how it has a clear lid so I know what color I'm picking up when I do my makeup. It also comes with a ton of product, and I doubt I'll ever be running out of it anytime soon. I was interested in this particular contour powder because I was looking for the perfect color to contour my nose with without looking silly (I've tried bronzers that had too much shimmer which is not a good look on the sides of your nose/ or when I tried eye shadows that were recommended for contouring, the color just wasn't right) This powder has nearly the perfect color, but it's a tad dark and extremely pigmented. Definitely start off with a light touch when using this and build it up. Unfortunately, I found it extremely difficult to put on this product without it looking blotchy and unnatural on my nose. I did end up find my HG powder for contouring my nose, Kevyn Aucoin's The Sculpting Powder. If you have the $$$ it costs 4X as much as Ben Nye's Contour Powder.

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jimmychoordam on 11/15/2012 5:13:00 AM more reviews by jimmychoordam

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Tan, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight   Eyes: Black    

After reading up on other reviews I knew I wanted to try this out. It took a very long time to find an online store that had normal shipping prices. In the end I found one that sells refills so I purchased this, therefore I can not comment on the packaging as I don't know what it looks like. On to the product, I love it I can not state otherwise. I have used before: Strada by MAC, Contour set by Sleek and even dark brown eyeshadows like Espresso by MAC. No more of all of that, I now use Ben Nye. It does exactly what it's supposed to do. It contours and makes it look natural. You can layer of course if you like a real strong shade. Personally I always love the natural look and this is perfect. I apply with the side of the flat top brush, suck in my cheeks and apply under the cheekbone with small light upwards strokes for the natural effect. I like how it looks and it stays put all day. I love pretty packaging which I don't have with this refill but the powder does it's job so I'm happy. I absolutely recommend because this will work on different skin colours due to the fact that you can layer the powder.
I'm very pleased I have found yet another great product !

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*TOP REVIEWER* Lomelindi on 10/22/2012 1:31:00 PM more reviews by Lomelindi

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Black    

Hands down, this product is WORTH IT. It's affordable, easy to find (theater stores or online ordering) and most of it all, it works really, really well. First, the packaging is about the same size as Ben Nye's blushes, so it's not too big (the pan is about 2 inches across) and is eeasy to travel with.


The color is a neutral medium brown which is neither orange-y nor bronze-y as some contour powders can be. It works great for my NC25-30 skin and looks very natural, unlike if I try to use brown eyeshadow or some other product to contour. This powder is SUPER pigmented so use a light hand or a skunk brush to apply it! To get a soft, natural shadow instead of a long streak of color, take most of it off on the back of your hand before you apply it to your face. It can be built up easily for more dramatic looks (helpful for Halloween!) but I find that it's VERY easy to go overboard, so just be careful with how much you use.

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417vsj on 5/30/2012 7:49:00 PM more reviews by 417vsj

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

This is the BEST contour shade I have ever tried!. I don't know how many products I bought trying to find the right shade to contour my face (most of them were either too orange or too shimmery). This is IT, the shade is perfect and the price is great. It really does wonders for my nose!
I'm really happy with the powder version, and very temped to try the cream version (mediapro cream shadow).

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* lil_kismet on 11/4/2011 2:18:00 PM more reviews by lil_kismet

Age: 25-29   Skin: Normal   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

Not only is this the best contour powder out there, but it's also the BEST value! Previously, I was using bronzer to double up as a contour powder, but found most of them to be too red/orange toned and/or shimmery. I then came across this Ben Nye one and have been using it on myself regularly in the past couple of years. I love how natural it looks. I have also added one of these babies to my kit and have used it on a few bridal gigs, tried it on pale-medium skintones, and it works flawlessly! It's super pigmented, so you don't need much product at all per use -- will definitely last a long time even with regular use. I will never look elsewhere because this contour powder is perfection.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

neko90 on 10/10/2011 10:44:00 AM more reviews by neko90

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Straight   Eyes: Black    

I'm so glad my search in makeupalley for a good contour product led me to Ben Nye's Contour 1. Previously, all my contour powders were either too red, or had shimmers in them. I was desperate for a contour powder that would look natural in photos, and wasn't too expensive. This is it - a greyish-brown toned contour powder that showed up well on my NC30-35 skin. I got mine from an ebay theatrical shop for around US$8 (without shipping).

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lusciouspreciousluv on 5/18/2011 7:43:00 PM more reviews by lusciouspreciousluv

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Other    

This is a great contour powder. Just a light, light hand will produce a noticable effect. It will last you forever. It isn't orangy like a bronzer. It's the perfect neutral. I love this.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

zongher on 11/7/2010 3:50:00 AM more reviews by zongher

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

OMG.. If anyone is looking for a great contour color, this will be it! i swear it because its a perfect color to contour your face with no hint of that orangy color in it. I totally recommend this product!!! You will not be disasppointed.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Paulygirl21 on 11/7/2010 1:27:00 AM more reviews by Paulygirl21

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I've been using this for quite a while now and find it hard to believe that I have yet to review it. Before trying this out, I relied upon bronzing powders for contour-I shudder to think of the orangey unnatural-looking streaks they left on me. Luckily a product search here lead me to try Ben Nye, which I'm quite pleased with. I agree that it creates a believable shadow. If I'm not careful with application, this can make my cheeks look like they're smudged with dirt, something I attribute to my lack of a decent brush to apply. I typically offset this by rubbing my crappy brush into the pot of #1 and then rubbing the brush into my wrist before applying to my cheek hollows. Both the technique and the product itself work for me and I will continue to purchase.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

kaska2 on 10/24/2010 12:49:00 AM more reviews by kaska2

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I have been searching for a good contouring product and finally I got it. Amazing! I really would buy this again. Finally a shade without any reddish, orange or pink undertones!

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thundurkat on 5/30/2010 9:10:00 PM more reviews by thundurkat

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

Finally! A contouring powder that doesn't make me look dead or over-bronzed! Why I love this product: it looks natural, its easy to blend in, and it's dirt cheap. I use this to contour my unnaturally large cheeks(I blame on baby fat) and after i'm done it looks like i've lost 5 pounds in my face. No joke. love it love it love it

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

bebemonte on 3/5/2010 7:31:00 PM more reviews by bebemonte

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Olive   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This looks so natural on my NC25 skin. The color looks like a natural shadow and not like a bronzer. Buildable, blendable and beautiful.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Hawko on 7/27/2009 9:47:00 PM more reviews by Hawko

Age: 44-55   Skin: Dry, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Initially I got this in #2 but found it too dark for contouring (for e/s, its great) for my NC 30-35. I re-ordered & #1 and it works great. I think its $6 or $8 (can't remember), it is not cakey nor powdery, although its a matte flat smoky brown, it doesn't leave you looking dead. I have only recently played with contours & its amazing. What even more amazing is those fancy-schmancy cosmetics in dept. store can charge us suckas for 10 times the money for it.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* Nikki16519 on 7/5/2009 3:16:00 AM more reviews by Nikki16519

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Absolutely perfect contour shade. Perfect texture, high pigmentation, easy to blend, doesn't break me out. Perfect.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

tiny101 on 4/13/2009 4:57:00 PM more reviews by tiny101

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This product is fantastic for contouring as it doesn't have any kind of red or bronze undertones. It's basically a shade of brown/grey upon application, which is great to create a natural shadow on the face. For reference, I am an NC-25. For darker skin-tones, if this doesn't work, perhaps try No 2.
[ PROS ] - perfect color for contouring; easy application; long-lasting as it doesn't fade off during the day; small amount of product goes a long way so the pan will last a very long time; can be built up if necessary; very good price
[ CONS ] - can only order online (from what I know, anyways)

Upon running out of this product, I will not even hesitate to repurchase it!

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

christianadivine on 11/27/2008 5:54:00 AM more reviews by christianadivine

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I've been looking high & low for a contour color that wouldn't make me look ruddy. i had that problem with alot of bronzers & blushes that i tried contouring with. i finally got this recommended to me by a friend & i LOVE it. :) for reference i'm MAC NC30 - NC35 & it's perfect for me. but i do think that this color could possibly work for darker or lighter complexions because you can use a light hand for lighter complexions & build the color up for darker complexions. :) it's the perfect brown/grey shade that's ideal for contouring.

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*TOP REVIEWER* mljohnson123 on 5/31/2008 3:59:00 PM more reviews by mljohnson123

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Dark, Cool   Hair: Black, Kinky, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Purchase these for a class. Glad that I did. Addes just enough brown-grey to skin to enhance shadows on the face. This would work for fair or light complexions. Could probaby also do with darker foundaton. But still glad to have them. Cost $6 for palette refill.

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