When the new Multiplayer Mode Shaping Sticks from MECCA MAX landed on my desk, my immediate thought was:
“We’re contouring lips now?“
It wasn’t confusion exactly. More… surprise. Cheek contouring I understand. Nose contouring has been around forever. Lip contouring, however, felt like a beauty technique that had quietly emerged while I was busy perfecting my eyeliner. So naturally, I decided to give it a go.
The good news is that lip contouring is only one tiny corner of what these sticks are designed for. They’re actually multipurpose cream colour sticks meant to work across eyes, cheeks, lips and contour, which means you can use them however you like without needing a complicated game plan. And that’s where the real fun begins.
The sticks have a rounded tip that makes application feel surprisingly intuitive. You draw the colour directly onto your skin and blend it out — fingers work perfectly, though brushes will happily join the party too. The whole thing feels a bit like drawing with a crayon… just on your face. The pigment payoff is strong from the first swipe. One line of colour actually looks like colour, which immediately makes experimenting easier because you can see what you’re working with.
Naturally, I did a few swatches along my arm to get a feel for the shades.
They stayed there all afternoon.
I went about my day, typed away at my laptop, made coffee, forgot they were there — and hours later the colour was still going strong. It took soap and water to remove them properly, which is always reassuring if you like makeup that doesn’t quietly disappear halfway through the day.
The formula itself is creamy and blendable, leaving behind a softly blurred matte finish. Nothing too flat, nothing too glossy. Just that diffused look that feels polished without looking overly “done”.
According to Emily Harris, the idea behind the sticks was to create something easy and versatile — a product you can use for a quick monochromatic look with one shade or mix and layer across different areas of the face.
There are eight shades in the range, covering warm, cool and neutral tones alongside a few brighter options for anyone feeling playful. At $22, they also sit comfortably in the category of beauty products you can experiment with without overthinking it. Which is exactly the point.
My verdict on MECCA MAX Multiplayer Mode Shaping Sticks
After a few days of experimenting, I can confidently say these sticks are very fun to use. The pigment payoff is excellent, the staying power is impressive (those arm swatches truly refused to budge), and the formula blends easily without fuss. The rounded tip makes application feel natural — genuinely like drawing with a crayon, except the canvas happens to be your face.
They’re easy, playful and surprisingly versatile.
As for lip contouring? I’m still learning. Very much in the practice phase. But these sticks make experimenting feel approachable rather than intimidating. Once I work out which shades are my perfect lip contour combination, I suspect that little beauty trick is going to become a regular move.
In her spare time, she likes long walks down the makeup aisle and performing in Brisbane theatre. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and TikTok @thebeautypalate.
