Concealers traditionally serve to mask our under eye circles, blemishes, and even makeup mistakes. But leave it to TikTok to surprise you with yet another impressive use for concealers!

A “triangle concealer” technique of applying concealer took the makeup world by storm on TikTok and Xiao Hong Shu recently, when beauty gurus showed how this method of application could create an illusion of tighter skin too.

@charmiejanee

3 Triangle concealer placement that instantly brightens dark circles and overall complexion using just concealer! This is perfect for those who love using minimal makeup and looking for a quick way to even out skin tone #concealerhack #concealertips #howtocoverdarkcircles #concealertutorial #makeup #asianmakeup #viralmakeuphack

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The triangle concealer hack

@l_dbeauty

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The trend fully gained traction after TikTok beauty content creator Tbouties (@l_dbeauty) shared her take on the hack.

Using a fine brush, concealer is strategically painted on in triangles under the eyes, by the side of the nose, and under the lower lip, before it is blended out to offer the face a brighter and tauter look.

The science is simple—offsetting shadows created by folded, droopy, or sunken skin as a result of age, to raise and highlight its appearance. This makes your skin seem plump, taut and creaseless; signs of youthful skin.

Area of focus #1: Under eye

Credit: 唐毅/Xiao Hong Shu

To reduce appearance of eye bags, draw a right-angled triangle under each eye.

Credit: 唐毅/Xiao Hong Shu

Start by drawing a line from the inner corner of your eye, down and outwards at a 45 degree angle, and stop when the line is approximately at the outer corner of your iris.

Credit: 唐毅/Xiao Hong Shu

Next, return to the same start point at the inner corner of your eye and extend another line down, this time vertically along the side of your nasal bridge to the middle of your nose bridge.

Credit: 唐毅/Xiao Hong Shu

Then join the two lines to form a right-angled triangle, fill it in, then gently blend it out, before setting it with powder.

Credit: 唐毅/Xiao Hong Shu

Concentrating the highlight using the concealer cancels out the shadow cast by the saggy eye bags, making them less present.

Credit: 唐毅/Xiao Hong Shu

Area of focus #2: Side of nose

Credit: 唐毅/Xiao Hong Shu

Reduce the appearance of smile lines—which tends to droop with age—by constructing yet another triangle by the base of your nose.

Credit: 唐毅/Xiao Hong Shu

From where the curve of your nasal alar tapers in to the bridge, run a line parallel to the direction of your laugh line first.

Credit: 唐毅/Xiao Hong Shu

Then, a line vertically down from the same start point, making sure that it cuts into your alar, stopping right below the nostril.

Credit: 唐毅/Xiao Hong Shu

Likewise, join the two ends to form another right-angled triangle, fill and feather, and set with powder.

Credit: 唐毅/Xiao Hong Shu

You will notice that your smile lines have now magically disappeared. The shadows by the nasal alar should also have become lightened too, making the nasal alar appear smaller and slimmer.

Area of focus #3: Under lower lip

Credit: 唐毅/Xiao Hong Shu

You can get rid of the pesky marionette lines that extend out from the corners of your mouth with concealer triangles as well!

Credit: 唐毅/Xiao Hong Shu

First, trace the marionette line itself from the corner of your lips before extending another line along the bottom of your lower lip from the same starting point.

Credit: 唐毅/Xiao Hong Shu

Connect the lines, fill, blend, and powder.

Credit: 唐毅/Xiao Hong Shu

Instantly, your skin should look smooth and tight. When this part of your face looks slimmer, it naturally shapes your face to appear brighter, and more angular as well.