How to Use the Rhode’s Pocket Bronzer Stick for Contour (Step by Step)

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The Rhode bronzer stick, Pocket Bronze, is my favorite way to contour. It gives you a soft shadow that looks like your real face, just more snatched. No harsh stripes.

But there’s a trick. How you prep and how you blend matter more than the stick itself. Here’s exactly how I do it, step by step.

The quick answer

1. Prep: hydrate your skin first so the bronze doesn’t look cakey.
2. Map: after concealer, draw small dots and lines on your forehead, cheekbones, nose and jaw.
3. Blend: tap upward with a firm brush. Don’t swipe.
4. Set: add a little blush, then setting powder.

My shade is Bake.

Step 1: Start with hydrated skin

Why prep? Because Pocket Bronze blends best on hydrated skin. I’ve found that if my skin isn’t hydrated, the bronze can look a little obvious and cakey. Dry skin grabs the color in patches. Hydrated skin lets it melt in.

Here’s my prep, in order:

1. Lenox and Sixteenth The Prep Pads. They’re super hydrating and give me the perfect base.
2. Agent Nateur hyaluronic acid toner. I can’t explain the smell or feeling other than this: it’s like being in a luxury hotel on a dreamy vacation.
3. 1 pump of The Preservationist Vitamin C Cream Serum. I will die on the hill that no other serum will make you glow like this one.

Step 2: Map where the contour goes

After I put on concealer, I mark where I want the contour to go. I use Rhode Pocket Bronze in the shade Bake. Draw right from the stick. Small marks are better than big ones. You can always add more.

• Forehead: little dots around the hairline.
• Cheekbones: small lines going upward along the cheekbone.
• Nose: use the side of the stick to make very thin lines on the sides of your nose.
• Jaw: right under the chin, then small lines along the jaw going up toward your ears.

Step 3: Tap to blend so the bronzer blends out cohesively

Blend with a firm brush. Use an upward tapping motion.

Try not to go too hard here. You want to tap the color into your skin so it blends but still stays in place. If you brush too hard, the product moves away, and all that mapping was for nothing.

Step 4: Add blush, then set

I put a little blush on the cheekbone. Then I set everything with Clinique Blended Face Loose Setting Powder. Setting keeps the contour in place all day.

Rhode bronzer stick: quick answers

Can you use the Rhode bronzer stick for contour?

Yes. Map small lines where you want shadow, then tap to blend with a firm brush. It gives a soft, natural contour instead of a harsh line.

Why does my Rhode bronzer look cakey?

Usually it’s dry skin. Hydrate first so the bronze blends in. Also tap instead of swiping, so you don’t drag the product around.

Do you put the Rhode bronzer stick on before or after concealer?

After. I put concealer on first, then map the bronze on top.

What shade of Rhode Pocket Bronze do you use?

I use Bake.