A Makeup Expert Shares Why The 'Triangle Technique' For Concealer Actually Adds Years To Your Look

If you’re looking to hide those pesky dark circles , wrinkles, or eye bags, you’ve probably come across the classic triangle concealer trick from countless beauty tutorials. This method aims to illuminate the under-eye area and banish shadows. But hold up!

According to makeup artist and expert Trevor Barrett in a recent TikTok video, there’s a game – changing technique that’s perfect for warmer weather. Not only does it enhance your natural beauty more effectively , but it also uses less product and avoids that dreaded cakey , aging look . Curious? It’s time to ditch the triangle and embrace a fresher , more flattering approach .

Why The Triangle Concealer Method Could Have A ‘Less Lifted’ Effect Than A Less-Is-More Approach, According To A Pro MUA

In his TikTok video, Barrett kicks things off by revealing one side of his face with the triangle concealer technique under his eyes. On the other side, he opts for a more minimalist approach, skillfully dabbing just a bit of concealer in specific spots. “Don’t make the same concealer mistakes that I did,” he says in the clip, pointing to the side of his face with the triangle. “This is how I used to always do my concealer versus how I do it now.”

The MUA explained that there is a “big difference in formula, color and placement” when it comes to his newer approach. “So like many others, I did the infamous triangle all under the eyes. Really it’s the whole cheek, not just the [under] eyes. I still like full coverage now, but it didn’t need to use this much product,” he said.

Barrett added: "I only used one very light shade, a harsh [darker contour] line through the cheek to cut it out, and I was using a very matte heavy formula. The idea of using a lighter shade is to highlight the face, but when you're using this much concealer, you really lose that dimension."

He also noted: "To blend it out, the whole face just becomes white. I find doing this harsh cheek line is really a pain to blend. It's good for drag, but not every day, and I will give it its props, it photographed very well when the rest of the makeup was done, but it's just too much and too heavy for real life."

The pro then showed how he does his concealer now. "Now, I prefer to use two shades - a lighter shade to highlight the face, but using a closer match for the under-eyes and anywhere I really need to cover up or correct."

He shared, while showing off the other side of his face: "Obviously as you can see, I'm using a lot less product and just highlighting carefully on the tops of the cheekbones and where I want to lift the face."

"There's no longer a harsh line on the cheek, just a little bit on the jaw will give you the same great effect." Another huge change this time around, he noted, was the concealer formula used. Barrett recommends opting for something "medium to full coverage." In the video, he uses the Milk Future Fluid concealer in shades 6C and 3N. He notes that this product is "skincare focused."

The Bottom Line

Despite the "full coverage" of his second concealer method, the creator believed "it still looks and feels like actual skin." He added that he is also a "little bit more careful with the blending" as he likes to "follow the angles" of the highlights. He went on: "as you can see, this concealer has been sitting on my face, but because of that nice hydrating formula, it still gives me plenty of time to blend." The makeup artist then showed "both sides" of his face "blended in."

He didn't think the triangle side of his face looked "terrible," but stressed that the other option's coverage looked "just as good and a lot more natural, skin-like and even more lifted." He also deemed it to be "more comfortable for every day." Barrett concluded: "Look at the difference in my pores and the color under my eyes."

We're def trying this hack!