Make-up artist warns popular trick to cover spots could cause contamination

03 February 2023 , 17:34

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The make-up artist shared the common mistake - and how to fix it (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

When it comes to make-up, there's often no right way to do things, and it's great that beauty lovers are free to add blush, eye shadow, and liner however they wish. But with certain products like concealer and foundation, it's worth listening to the experts - or you could risk a breakout.

In particular, you might want to pay close attention to tips about how best to cover up spots, as a make-up artist has revealed one popular method causes contamination.

Posting to TikTok as @itsmakeupbymelissam, celebrity make-up guru Melissa Murdick explained why the common technique should be a no-go.

In the viral clip, the pro warns you should not apply concealer straight to a spot. Not only does this approach contaminate the beauty product but it often leaves a 'cakey' finish, meaning it's a lose-lose situation.

"If you put your concealer straight on to your skin on an open wound or zit, you're contimating your concealer," she warned. "You're also using more product than you need which is going to make this look cakey, especially as it wears throughout the day."

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Thankfully, there's a 'super easy' alternative method that will leave you with a 'natural' look. "First things first, wash your hands," said Melissa as she shared step by step instructions. "Put a little dot of concealer on the back of your hands so you've got a little palette to work from."

Next, she says to take a small brush you can use to pat a small amount of product on top of the area you want to cover. She recommends letting the make-up sit there for about ten seconds before taking a synthetic blending brush and lightly applying it up and down across the covered area.

"We are just patting until we see it start to seep into the skin and then we will pat around the edges," she said. During the demonstration, Melissa added she would need to complete the process once more to ensure her scab is 'perfectly covered'.

"This will be so much less cakey because we used a fraction of the product that you would be using if you were actually dabbing the concealer on your face," she concluded. "This particular technique is designed to be done after your foundation, and rather than setting it with powder which can add to the cakiness, just use a good dose of setting spray all over your face."

In response, stunned commenters were quick to thank the make-up artist for revealing what so many of us have been getting wrong. Replying to the video, which amassed over a million views, one person said: "Wish I had this advice 10 years ago in highschool." A second wrote: "Dang it. my concealer is contaminated." And another added: "Finally someone that's actually helpful. Thank you so much I sincerely appreciate this."

Amber O'Connor