This TikTok Makeup Trend Apparently Yields a Flawless Finish—So, I Tried It

Pre-quarantine, If you asked me anything about TikTok I would have rolled my eyes. Don’t get me wrong, I love social media and seeing what creatives can come up with. But, I wasn't ready to jump into TikTok just yet. Clearly, I didn't know what I was missing. In March, when we were all beginning to shelter in place and I had exhausted my Instagram and Twitter feeds, I found myself yearning for something to keep me busy. Needless to say, I caved and downloaded TikTok.

For me, the app feels like a new-age Vine with the essence of mini YouTube videos. Related to beauty and style, I’m obsessed with everything from step by step fox eye makeup tutorials or how to do your own box braids. There’s always some new trend or challenge to try out. It’s definitely helped me feel inspired that I can achieve all my beauty goals and serve quarantine looks while stuck inside. 

There was one trend that I kept spotting on my feed that had people shook: a unique foundation application technique for a flawless finish that would supposedly last all day. 

The Method

"[Your makeup] will stay on 24/7 and it’s not going to crease,” says TikTok user @jaridamat who is believed to have originated the technique. The original video was posted on February 28 and has since received 484,000 likes. Additionally, 14,500 other TikTokers have created their own videos using her audio instructions to try out the foundation application for themselves. Here's the method she swears will stay on all day and never crease.

• After doing your skincare routine as you normally would, apply moisturizer
• Take some translucent powder and apply it all over your face
• Spray your face with setting spray
• Wait for the setting spray to dry, then apply your favorite primer
• Finish with foundation to reveal an amazing makeup base

About My Skin

I have combination skin, which for me means it switches from neutral to oily or dry pretty easily depending on various factors (my routine, the weather, etc). I’ve had trouble adopting a go-to foundation because of this. Typically, I just opt for a tinted moisturizer with a good amount of setting powder on top. But when I want more coverage and apply foundation, the mattifying effect of powder never lasts.

The Experience

Once I gave this viral method a chance, I was shocked at the results. Following my cleanser, serums, and eye cream, I moisturized my face with Olay's Complete All Day Moisture SPF Skin Cream. Next, I used Real Technique's Miracle Complexion Sponge to apply Laura Mercier's Translucent Loose Setting Powder all over my face, focusing on my oily areas (my T-zone and under my eyes). I sprayed my face with Morphe's Continuous Setting Mist. Once the mist dried, I primed with Smith & Cult's Blackdrop Charcoal Brightening Primer. Finally, I’ll apply the Fenty's Pro Filt’r Hydrating Longwear Foundation to my face and neck with either an Artis Elite's Oval 7 brush or my sponge. Of course, then I continue with the day’s makeup look. After I apply concealer, I set my face with the translucent powder again and spray the setting mist to complete the look. 

The Before + After

The Results

This technique gave my face blurring effect I had no idea I could ever achieve, as my skin gets oily so quickly. I was initially concerned the method would make my the finish look too matte, but it doesn’t at all. Using a hydrating moisturizer and a dewy-finish foundation still allow for a natural looking glow while the setting spray, translucent powder, and primer hold the look in place. It leaves my skin looking soft, smooth, and seamless.

Obviously being quarantined at home may not be the best measure for a wear test, but the makeup lasted through hours of Zoom classes and even virtual graduation celebration. My roommates even it was the best my makeup has ever looked.

The Bottom Line

Many people have commented under renditions of the original video concerned that this method won’t work for people with dry skin, a point I agree with. If you have dry skin, try using a thick moisturizer, your go-to translucent powder, and your most hydrating setting spray, primer, and foundation to both hold your makeup in place while keeping everything glowy and quenched. 

If you’re looking for a foundation application routine that won’t budge, crease, or oil up, I recommend trying out this technique. I may never go back to my old routine.