The Instagram-inspired contouring mistake we’re all making (and how to fix it)

By Aisling Keenan
09th Jul 2019

The Instagram-inspired contouring mistake we’re all making (and how to fix it)

I’ve been making this contour mistake the whole time, and one small change I learned this past weekend can fix the problem, and make blending your lines much easier…

I’ll be honest, I didn’t think there was anything more I could learn from Nikki Makeup, my favourite Instagram tutorial account. I was wrong. And, as it turns out, so were my contouring methods.

This look, this stunning copper and blue almost beetle-like eye, was created on Sunday by Nikki and during it, a pearl of wisdom leapt out at me and I banked it for later – just for you.

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A post shared by Nikki_Makeup (@nikki_makeup) on Jul 7, 2019 at 4:40am PDT

The contouring mistake

We see it all the time online – beauty lovers applying their contour by swiping the cream product under cheekbones, into temples, under the jawline, down the sides of the nose and more.

It works, or it seems to. What’s the big deal? Well. I’ve always found that whatever piece of contour product I blend in first looks the best. By the time I get to the last bit I applied, it starts looking mucky.

What are we doing wrong?

The tip Nikki gave solves this entirely. When contouring, swipe on one part – say the right cheekbone – then blend. Then move on to the temple, blending as you go. Then apply left cheekbone, then blend.

Why? The product is creamy and will set, as it should. So if you apply it and then come back to it 60 seconds later, it’ll have set somewhat and so blending will be harder and you run the risk of vigorous blending moving the foundation you’ve already applied.

I am already using this (very sensible) method, and to be honest I can’t understand how I didn’t think of it before. That’s why Nikki is the professional, I guess!