A Makeup Artist Rates This Viral Dot Makeup TikTok Trend to See if It Actually Works

If you follow any beauty influencers on social media, chances are you’ve seen the single layer 'dot' makeup trend.

TikTok makeup hacks can really go either way, but when Chloe Morello (OG beauty guru, makeup artist, natural glam queen) starts one, my ears perk up. 

Basically this makeup technique involves dotting base products on the areas you’re going to wear them - concealer under the eyes, blush on cheeks, contour on forehead and cheeks etc.

Then, you blend each product from lightest to darkest, resulting in a single layer of makeup instead of six layers.

It’s meant to be more lightweight, less time-consuming and more seamless.

Personally, I never viewed how I apply my own makeup as applying layer upon layer upon layer, but I’m always down to try a new hack!

Especially one that touts itself as being more of a natural look.

Most people have been loving the results, but it depends on the products you use and just how much you’re blending. 

So with all that said, let's get into how to do single layer dot makeup.

How to Do Dot Makeup.

Step 1: Pick out the base products you want to use, as well as a damp makeup sponge and setting spray.

I went with foundation, concealer, highlight, blush and contour.

But you can add or subtract any products based on what you like to wear.

Products used:

• Huda Beauty #Fauxfilter Luminous Matte Liquid Concealer

• Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Makeup

• Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour in 'Curvy Contour'.

• Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Blush in 'Peachy Keen'.

• Giorgio Armani Neo Nude A-Highlight in '11'.

• MAKE UP FOR EVER Mist & Fix Setting Spray

Step 2: Apply your products on the areas you’d normally wear them.

• Concealer under eyes, and highlight anywhere else you want to brighten.

• Blush on cheeks and nose.

• Contour where you like, for me that’s forehead, cheeks, nose and jawline.

Except foundation, because that’s usually worn all over, so we’re going to tweak where we apply that one. 

I apply foundation on the 'empty' areas, like the lower planes of my face and my forehead in between contour and concealer.

Basically anywhere you want coverage.

Watch how AB staffers Nikkita and Liz went when they attempted the TikTok dot single layer makeup trend in the YouTube video below.

Step 3: Apply a face mist all over the skin - yes, before you blend.

You want your face hydrated so it's easier to blend the products out.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Mist & Fix Setting Spray is great because not only is it a setting mist to lock your products in, but it also hydrates.

Step 4: Blend, blend, blend!

Starting with the lightest product (highlight, concealer) through to darkest (contour, bronzer), blend it all out so there are no obvious dots and everything looks seamless.

The trick is to keep misting the skin as you go to keep the makeup from setting before you've blended your dots.

Here's me in action, it can get a little tricky!

Don’t put pressure on yourself to actually keep the colours 'separate', as the goal is to create a blended base look.

This dot makeup hack also takes some practice.

The first time I tried this, I may have accidentally blended my blush into my foundation and turned a little pink all over, but it's fine.

If you find yourself in this position, just add a little concealer to clean it up!

Dot Makeup Review.

The finished look is, as predicted, super natural.

It's kind of that gorgeous, healthy, even base that looks like no-makeup makeup. 

But, and there is a but... is this look easier than the usual way I'd do my makeup?

Your girl likes definition, and this was too natural for my liking. 

I could definitely use more blush and defined contour, so I’d definitely go in with more product afterwards.

That’s probably an error on my part in picking products that aren’t as pigmented, so maybe a deeper shade for contour would be good, and definitely a brighter blush shade.

I was even considering a liquid lipstick and, in hindsight, it's a great idea if you’re a blush lover.

For contour, normally I blend it with a brush because I find a sponge blends it away a little too much and that’s not what I want!

As for being less time-consuming, I guess it sort of cut down the time?

But the blending of specific areas takes some getting used to, so it really depends on how precise you are.

Maybe not so ideal for when you're rushing out the door.

Overall, I think if you’re after a natural look and you want to have fun with your application, this is a cool technique.

But my makeup artist verdict?

You can't go wrong with traditional makeup application using brushes, hands and sponges.

Keen to see and read about other TikTok beauty trends we've covered? Check out these articles below:

• I Tried a Full Face of TikTok-Famous Makeup Products to See if They’re Legit...

• The Viral TikTok Glowy Skin Routine That *Actually* Works

• My Honest Verdict on the #CleanGirl TikTok Beauty 'Trend' Everyone’s Talking About...