If one thing is clear in the makeup industry, it’s that contouring is going to be here longer than anyone might have expected. The trend, with its fame credited to the Kardashian family, is no longer just part of special occasion glam routines but now goes with everyday makeup looks, too. Naturally, it's easy to make contouring mistakes. The aim of this makeup art is to define your overall look and sculpt your natural beauty to create the illusion of a more narrow nose and thinner cheekbones. However, the art of applying it can turn messy and overwhelming without the right knowledge.
Luckily, we have selected the top contouring mistakes made by almost of us at one point or another to show you how you can correct and avoid them. You'll be relieved to know that they're all easy to learn and fix, no matter what experience or products you might be using. From blending to highlighting, to placement to creating the perfect pout, the following techniques cover all aspects of your contouring needs.
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Contouring in the wrong spots
Narrowing your nose is an easy beauty hack that even beginners can master, so long as you know exactly where to contour. Apply your contour in two parallel lines down your nose and blend it into the bridge. However, be careful not to make the mistake displayed in the first photo below. Blending too far out will make your nose appear flatter and larger. Instead, blend delicately in a smaller area, as shown in the second image.
Narrowing your nose is an easy beauty hack that even beginners can master, so long as you know exactly where to contour. Apply your contour in two parallel lines down your nose and blend it into the bridge. However, be careful not to make the mistake displayed in the first photo below. Blending too far out will make your nose appear flatter and larger. Instead, blend delicately in a smaller area, as shown in the second image.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/b/5/6/6/b5669212e435e053b5d1d617828641da.jpg)
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Picking a shade that's too dark
You can make your lips appear full and plump with something as simple as a lip liner, providing you have the right shade. Using a lip liner that doesn’t match your lipstick will give your pout a two-tone color effect -- and certainly that won’t do your lips any favors when it comes to creating a standout look. As shown below, your lips will appear instantly fuller and more natural when the right lip liner is applied to match your lipstick or gloss.
You can make your lips appear full and plump with something as simple as a lip liner, providing you have the right shade. Using a lip liner that doesn’t match your lipstick will give your pout a two-tone color effect -- and certainly that won’t do your lips any favors when it comes to creating a standout look. As shown below, your lips will appear instantly fuller and more natural when the right lip liner is applied to match your lipstick or gloss.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/c/1/f/1/c1f1b0c138c93ffca43a0df9ebc38c91.jpg)
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Too much highlighter
Highlighter is the ultimate finishing touch to any contouring look, as the holy grail product adds the perfect amount of shimmer to your cheekbones. However, there is such a thing as too much highlighter. As demonstrated below, caking on highlighter across your cheeks won’t give you glistening goddess vibes, but instead sweaty, just-left-a-spinning-class vibes. Apply highlighter just above your contour in a small stroke, with enough to show pigmentation but not too much as to appear overdone.
Highlighter is the ultimate finishing touch to any contouring look, as the holy grail product adds the perfect amount of shimmer to your cheekbones. However, there is such a thing as too much highlighter. As demonstrated below, caking on highlighter across your cheeks won’t give you glistening goddess vibes, but instead sweaty, just-left-a-spinning-class vibes. Apply highlighter just above your contour in a small stroke, with enough to show pigmentation but not too much as to appear overdone.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/9/3/a/0/93a0e42aae4fdc0ac083b8a6eadab04f.jpg)
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Not contouring to face shape
Ever heard contour being described as muddy or streaky? This tip is included so you'll avoid ever being on the receiving end of those comments. It’s easy to go overboard with your contour to achieve a depth-creating shadow in your cheeks; if you apply the contour too heavily and in too large a space, it will look unnatural. Keep the application to your temple and just beneath your cheekbone, brushing toward your ears. Be careful not to apply the contour toward your mouth, as this takes the contour too far away from where it should be.
Ever heard contour being described as muddy or streaky? This tip is included so you'll avoid ever being on the receiving end of those comments. It’s easy to go overboard with your contour to achieve a depth-creating shadow in your cheeks; if you apply the contour too heavily and in too large a space, it will look unnatural. Keep the application to your temple and just beneath your cheekbone, brushing toward your ears. Be careful not to apply the contour toward your mouth, as this takes the contour too far away from where it should be.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/c/4/a/8/c4a816343c91fc8563d256906caa278d.jpg)
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Not blending properly
The difference between blending and not blending your contour is the difference between a polished, pristine look, and a half-finished messy makeup job. When you first apply your contour, you might find it looks like the first picture below: too dark and obvious. Once applied, simply blend it out with a cosmetic sponge or brush. Do so until the contour begins to fade in with the rest of your makeup, as shown in the second image. Contouring is all about being subtle, so make sure you keep blending until you achieve your desired look.
The difference between blending and not blending your contour is the difference between a polished, pristine look, and a half-finished messy makeup job. When you first apply your contour, you might find it looks like the first picture below: too dark and obvious. Once applied, simply blend it out with a cosmetic sponge or brush. Do so until the contour begins to fade in with the rest of your makeup, as shown in the second image. Contouring is all about being subtle, so make sure you keep blending until you achieve your desired look.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/3/e/0/c/3e0cc2ca874ce4786688e2d584e531be.jpg)
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Too strong of a cheek angle
A beginner's mistake is placing contour too high on your cheekbones, as shown in the first image below. It’s easy to assume that this will define your cheeks even more, but the reality is it’ll look too unnatural and uneven. Instead, be careful to apply the contour beneath your cheekbones, as this is where a shadow should linger to create definition and height. An easy way to tell where your cheekbones are is to suck your cheeks in and find where they pull in the most.
A beginner's mistake is placing contour too high on your cheekbones, as shown in the first image below. It’s easy to assume that this will define your cheeks even more, but the reality is it’ll look too unnatural and uneven. Instead, be careful to apply the contour beneath your cheekbones, as this is where a shadow should linger to create definition and height. An easy way to tell where your cheekbones are is to suck your cheeks in and find where they pull in the most.
![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/4/7/d/f/47dffee3ba7da87f1c2724974b2750a8.jpg)
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Forgetting blush
People often neglect blush when it comes to contouring, but it can make a huge difference to the overall look. As displayed below, adding a touch of pink or peach blush will emphasize the contour even more and define your cheeks further by bringing in some natural shades. Lightly dash some blush on your cheeks and blend it into your contour to finish your look.
People often neglect blush when it comes to contouring, but it can make a huge difference to the overall look. As displayed below, adding a touch of pink or peach blush will emphasize the contour even more and define your cheeks further by bringing in some natural shades. Lightly dash some blush on your cheeks and blend it into your contour to finish your look.
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![](https://sftimes.s3.amazonaws.com/2/8/1/1/2811dc4dfc48eb51295ac87f5d7fcaa5.jpg)
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