SheFinds emphasizes that this review is not monetized, compensated, or sponsored in any way. This evaluation of the product is strictly based on the expertise of a beauty industry expert.
Concealer stands as a powerful and time–honored cosmetic ally, perfect for hiding blemishes or enhancing and lifting your facial features without the need for surgical intervention. To illustrate its effectiveness, renowned celebrity makeup artist Mary Phillips, who has beautified stars like Kendall Jenner, Sabrina Carpenter, and Olivia Culpo, posted a tutorial video on Instagram for her impressive audience of 2.2 million followers.
In the viral clip, Phillips demonstrates a technique involving the strategic placement of three concealer dots to achieve a facelift-like or eye-lifting effect. She advises applying the first dot beside the nose and blending it with a beauty blender, the second dot to the inner corner of the eye, and the third to the outer corner.
Intrigued by this method, I decided to give it a try using my favorite $7 Catrice Cosmetics True Skin High Cover Concealer. Below, I’ll detail my results. Turns out, it’s a ridiculously easy trick to lift my cheekbones, wake up my eyes, and save on product. Total win-win.
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First Off, What Is The Viral ‘Three-Dot Concealer Trick?’
In her highly viewed video, Phillips tells viewers how to get an “instant” eye lift. “First, I put a dot [of concealer] at the corner of my nose and one under the inner corner of my eye and another under the outer corner of my eye. Then, I go in and blend.”
She continues: “Starting at the nose and working my way up out towards the temple. It’s a full coverage concealer and doesn’t crease and that’s it. You don’t need a ton of product. All it takes is three dots.” In the clip, Phillips uses the drugstore classic L’Oreal Paris Infallible Concealer in the shade, Cashmere 360.
Testing Out The (Surprisingly Simple) Hack
After priming my skin and applying eyeliner and mascara, I gently placed my first three dots, just like in Phillips' video. One nestled in my inner corner, where my under-eyes are the darkest, another beside my nose on my inner cheek, and the last one at the outer corner of my eye, beneath my liquid eyeliner wing.
I then blended outwards with a beauty blender as Phillips instructed. This hack made me see how much under-eye concealer I usually slap on, and turns out, I don't need that much. Using this simple tip, my under-eyes looked way more natural but still refreshed, and the outer corners of my eyes looked more lifted. My cheekbones looked more lifted too, seriously like an "instant facelift." Phillips wasn't kidding about that!
Additional Concealer Tips From Celeb MUAs
Before applying your three dots of concealer, pro MUA Vivi Mintara tells SheFinds that priming your skin is essential. "Not only will this fill in any fine lines and wrinkles, but it also encourages concealing products to stick to your skin in an even and long-lasting manner," she notes. "With primer, your concealer will last for at least eight hours without the need for a touch-up," she adds.
She says that it's best to use "illuminating concealers after you have first put on a base concealer that matches your skin tone and fully covers the dark spots." Celeb MUA and expert Natasha Moor also tells us that the "most important step is to apply your under-eye concealer (and all of your products) with a damp makeup sponge," as seen in the video.
"I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to start with a dot or two of product and add on if needed," she adds. A common mistake, Moor warns, is to "select a shade of concealer that’s lighter than your skin," as that will only emphasize the product, Moor notes. The solution? "Pick a shade that matches your skin color and press it into your skin with the damp sponge," she advises. The more you know!
