Kevyn Aucoin Medium The Sculpting Powder Review, Photos, Swatches
Kevyn Aucoin Medium The Sculpting Powder
Kevyn Aucoin Medium The Sculpting Powder ($44.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a medium-dark taupe brown with subtle warmth and a mostly matte finish. Marc Jacobs Beauty Contour (P) is warmer. Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Medium (P) is a cream product. MAC Sculpt (P, $16.50) is warmer, lighter. MAC Coffee Walnut (LE, $20.00) is a cream product, slightly darker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
After falling in love with Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Medium/Candlelight The Creamy Glow Duo, it seemed imperative to test drive the powder version of the contouring shade. It’s a very shadowy contour, so for those who have bemoaned the plethora of warmer bronzes and feel like there is too much orange in other products marketed as contouring powders, this might be a great option. It reads warmer in tone in the pan and swatched, but even against my warmer undertones, it read shadowy, cool-toned, and very much like a true contouring shade. The product is incredibly pigmented, and a little goes a long way. The first time I applied it, the contour was deeper and more dramatic than I anticipated, so less is more with this one. It had a silky, smooth, and blendable texture that applied nicely and sat well on the skin. The contour wears well for eight hours before fading slightly.
I wish the brand also had a light and deep option, because I bet they could nail the right variation in color and undertone so it could fit a wider spectrum of skin tones. I’d also like to see a price reduction, because when they changed packaging, they reduced significantly (0.23 oz. to 0.11 oz.) without reducing the price–the product is so, so good but knowing it used to be double the size for the same price is hard to overlook.
Medium
PPermanent. $44.00.
See more photos & swatches!
Kevyn Aucoin Medium The Sculpting Powder
Kevyn Aucoin Medium The Sculpting Powder
Kevyn Aucoin Medium The Sculpting Powder
Kevyn Aucoin Medium The Sculpting Powder
Kevyn Aucoin Medium The Sculpting Powder
Kevyn Aucoin Medium The Sculpting Powder
Kevyn Aucoin Medium The Sculpting Powder
Kevyn Aucoin Medium The Sculpting Powder
Kevyn Aucoin Medium The Sculpting Powder
Wow, I could even use this shade with a light hand. I love how pigmented it is.
It is REALLY pigmented!
You said it perfectly! I have this one. I tend to reserve it for special occasions and evening events due to the high cost and the product amount seems tiny. But, I have other products to use that works just as well imo. Plus,as you mentioned, it can get heavy easy particularly when I have less color. Agreed, lighter and darker variation is a great idea! Every time I use it, that Disney movie “Maleficent” flashes in my mind..Angelina Jolie was the contour queen in that!
I think this might be my new favorite contour color – so few colors nail it as well as this one for me!
Yes..this is a perfect shade for you. I totally can see that! I am glad you reviewed this so soon after the MJ ones. I have had those on my mind. They were not out at Sephora Fri to look at..only for Vib rouge to buy. Seriuosly,she wanted me to buy it without even looking at it..that’s ABH liquid lips flashback,lol.( Seriosly, I think that was a I was on too many crazy meds scenario!) I was looking at the swatches of the MJ and thinking..idk..I may need the middle shade for now and then have to do the dark in the summer..ugh..too much. The KA , I can build or switch brush types.It is a great true shadow. And, as you said, you don’t need much. It’s so sad that Kevyn Aucoin had to leave this world .He was an amazing,classic,true artist.His book “making Faces” had every corner dog-eared and it remains on my shelf. I hope his products remain. I love so many of them. I really want more. But, as you know, it doesn’t come cheap! thank you for reviewing this product along with his other products. He has these new cream type shadows out that look beautiful..I know you are a busy girl. they look gorgeous though! Just throwing that out there for the future. Thank you again for your hard work and honesty.
I agree., I love this one too. I was also pleasantly surprised with The Balms Bahama Mama! I also like Mac Sculpt.
This looks nice but THE PRICE, lmao I cant drop that on a contour powder, Anastasia is coming out with more cooler toned options so I would prefer to make my own palette. Christine, will you review the NYX contour palette?
I hear ya! I wish the price had been reduced.
While this contour powder looks very nice, I got the cream version -The Kevyn Aucoin Creamy Glow Duo in Sculpting/Candelight that you recommended, and I Iike it! I find it easier to work with cream contours, and it’s the first contour I’ve tried that’s not too orange or dark, and while the kit is very small, it’s only $28, and a little goes a long way. It’s my first Kevyn Aucoin purchase!
So glad you’re loving the Creamy Glow Duo! It is very nice. I’m glad they have a powder and cream version of this shade!
What is on your lips? This is a gorgeous look, Christine!
Anastasia Pure Hollywood
Oh yes, the perfect color for sculpting!
Agreed!
I so want to try this powder! I wanted the Candlelight Duo as well. And planning to pick up the Marc Jacobs. Alas, there are so many things to try! But a good contour is always worth investing in, right? 🙂
Love this one sooo much more than MJB’s (personally, of course).
I appreciate the coolness in it but this definitely isn’t for me. I wish they had a “light” version!
It would be awesome if they did!
As much as I like this one, I doubt I’ll be repurchsing. I have the larger sized one, and $44 was steep for that one, so I don’t think I could justify that price for half the product. Also, Inlgot’s sculpting powder in 505 is similar enough at 1/3 the price, as is the Smashbox trio, which I believe was about $30-something, but also includes a matte bronzer & highlight powder. This powder will last a while, so I’m almost afraid of what it will cost when it’s time to replace it, LOL!
Glad you found alternatives!
Yes, the Inglot one is good, also.
I’m not a contouring kind of person, for two main reasons: my physical biotype (light skin tone and fair hair) and a matter of personal taste – really not to my taste!
This is so true that currently, I have only Charlotte Tilbury ‘Film Star’.
This KA is awesome in all aspects: cool toned, excellent pigmentation, outstanding texture, high end brand and small packaging (perfect for travel).
And it is great as an eyeshadow as well, principally in the crease.
I’m gonna get it!
There is never enough tell “thank you very much, Christine” !!!!!
I could see this working well in the crease! 😀
I find it quite silly to have a shade called “medium” without a light or a deep. It’s remarkably difficult for me to find cool-toned contour products and I would love Kevyn Aucoin to come out with one, even if it does cost an exorbitant amount of money for a very small amount of product.
I feel like they intended to do a lighter and darker shade but never got around to it.
Have you tried MUFE, Amanda? It’s well pigmented, and very creamy. Also, for about the same price, the Kat von D palette has a noce deep contour shade, and is *very* pigmented.
This looks like a very promising contour powder! I’m curious to check out the other shades now
I wish they had other shades 🙁
Hey Christine great review!
I picked this up last month and have been really enjoying it when I wear it 🙂
What would be your preferred brush to use with this?
I used Sephora’s PRO Angled brush – I think it may even say contour, but if it doesn’t, it is angled blush.
Well exactly.. hoping a Light and Dark version is forthcoming. I very much like what I am seeing in the medium powder, but it’s too dramatic for my skin and tastes.
From your lips to the brand’s dev’s ears, lol!
Would this work for Mac NC 50 skin??! Nice not red which is always great..
I think it might be too light 🙁
I couldn’t use it as too dark and warm but it’s very nice for medium skin!
It is good for medium skin!
Any idea if Kevyn Aucoin is cruelty free? I looked everywhere and i can’t find a definitive answer. There is no mention about it on their website, or back of their products, so i assume they are not… would love to try this product if they are in fact cruelty free
I don’t know, sorry!
I’ve been wondering this too! The brand doesn’t seem to be featured on any list whether it be a cruelty-free list or not. How odd. A quick google search only revealed a comment someone made on a blog post that the brand was, but I haven’t read anything to prove or disprove it. I’ll probably just email the company and ask.
Woah! That’s a small product! I can’t justify the price, well, at least for me. 🙁 Other brands have waaaaay more product for that amount of money. 🙁
As long as you’re able to find the right contour color elsewhere, certainly worth looking at other products!
How is this compared to Too Faced Chocolate Soleil?
It is a lot less warm-toned!
Are you reviewing the new Anastasia Contour Book? It’s coming out tomorrow in limited quantity and it has two new contour shades that are in the grey tones called Ash Brown and Mink. I would love to see all of these compared. Thank you so much, I hope I’m not asking too much.
Sorry, I do not have that!
I’ve actually just been looking into this contour powder so how cool you just post a review about it! I was also checking out the Kat Von D shade and light palette and I wanted to see if you maybe forgot to post the final rating for it? You had posted the preview about a month ago but never the final review. I’m in the market for a contour product so I’m in research mode right now 🙂 Thanks!
Hi Emily,
I’m still testing it, sorry! I misplaced it, and I only found it last week, lol!
So pretty on you.
Thanks, Luna!
This looks beautiful on you! It would be too dark on my pale skin…but amazed at how it looks on you! Very nice!
Thanks, Kelly!
I feel like this is the best contouring product I’ve ever seen you wear. You look great! You’re a bit more olive than me so I think it would be too dark for me, but that’s ok!
I’m yellow in undertone, just FYI! 🙂
This looks like a nice contour shade! I am so horrible at doing contour! I have a similar skin color/tone as Christine. I guess I just like a very, very subtle contour so I have been trying to find a very light matte bronzer shade. The NYX matte bronzer looked appealing but was sold out in the lightest shade at my ULTA. I tried using my Bahama Mama bronzer from theBalm with the ELF small stipple brush though, and that worked pretty well even though the bronzer is pretty dark! Maybe I just need to use a lighter brush like that and a lighter hand since I don’t like an intense contour. I just got the new RT Contour brush which is really dense and now realize it’s not the best choice for me… meh. I did like it for applying highlighter and quickly swiping down the sides of those nose for contour, just not for the cheeks.
A light hand will always do you right 🙂
It’s so pretty on you! For me, 2015 will have lots of contour, will you review the Kat Von D Shade + Light so we can compare all the swatches (I hope?).
Yeah, this year is filled with contour, and I don’t know why – feels like two years too late, lol!
LOl..so true..it does seem a little behind the height of the trend. I was told by the Sephora SA that just about all the brands were coming out with contour products and kits. She said Cover Fx was supposed to be a big deal one too and mentioned something about Urban decay?? Dry lips form and chiseled faces..hmm. 🙂
I was so soooooooo sooooooo waiting to see your review for this …
I google search the other day and couldn’t find your review
so glad to read and see your ratings
I’m definitely buying this …. am nc 40 and hope it looks nice
you are looking wonderful as always 🙂
Thank you so much, Rashmi! 🙂
Dear Christine,
do you happen to know if this shade might be similar to “Omega” from MAC? I’ve been looking forever for that shade in a sculpting powder, it’s a little bit unconvenient to use an eyeshadow with a blush brush, the pan is just too small..
Here you go! http://www.temptalia.com/submit-dupe?sbs=1&pid=189261&dupe=105628
This is my absolute favorite contour product. At first, I tried several of the contour palettes out on the market, but I was never fully satisfied with a contour shade. Then I tried this and LOVED it. I feel like, for everyday use, why have six so-so shades when you can have one perfect color? To me, a whole palette of colors would only make sense if my skintone changed a lot over the year or if I were doing others’ makeup, too. So now I pass on the kits and stick to KA sculpting powder since it’s HG status for me.
Totally agree! It’s definitely not necessary to have a contour palette for most people – if you’re someone who does a lot of experimenting, it might be a great option, but someone who just wants to find the ONE contour/highlight, it isn’t.
I”m really surprised they cut the amount of product in half and kept it the same price – makes me glad I have the old one!
Me too!
I own this, and I absolutely love it! It’s extremely pigmented, but with a light hand and blending, it easily mimics the natural shadows on your face. I agree about there needing to be a lighter version and darker version. I’m a medium olive person (I wear NARS foundation, but if I had to guess MAC I’d say NC35/NC37 ?) and I do have to build a bit before I can get it to even show up! And when I was purchasing it, the gentleman selling it did say that if I were to get any darker, it would start to look like an ashy gray on me. But I’m light enough to make it work, and I love the lack of orange in it!
I hope they’ll do a darker one!
Aaaah, a true contour colour. Thank you, Kevyn.
So true!
I love how it really does have that shadowy edge to it 🙂 And even though I don’t know much about makeup contouring personally, you can definitely count on a rogue to know about shadows, LOL! 😀
😀
How does this compare to MAC’s harmony blush? Will this show up on NC35 skintone??
Yes, definitely, it would! It’s not as warm-toned as Harmony if I recall correctly.