How to cover a “fat pimple” flawlessly, according to a TikTok beauty guru

With Singapore’s erratic weather, which can be sweltering hot one minute and gloomy the next, our skin will inevitably suffer. The next thing we know, we’re sporting even more pesky blemishes on our faces.

Concealing them is a task that’s easier said than done, though. It’s not as simple as slapping on a layer of foundation or concealer since it can often create a mask-like appearance on the skin.

Well, fret not. A recent TikTok hack appeared on our FYP (For You Page), and it seems our life-long battle to find the perfect way to conceal our pimples may finally come to an end.

So, grab your concealer and makeup brushes, because we’ve put together a comprehensive guide with all the steps you’ll need to conceal those “fat pimples.”

The “sandwich method” for pimples

Covering up pimples is a speciality of TikTok beauty guru Erica Nicole (@ericanic0le), who has suffered from severe hormonal acne for ten years.

After experimenting with various concealers and techniques, she discovered one that could effectively conceal her severe acne breakouts and made her skin appear completely flawless on camera as a news reporter.

Step 1: Spritz setting spray on your pimple

The “sandwich method” essentially reverses your usual routine, beginning with a setting spray. Erica Nicole begins by spritzing her setting spray onto her palm and dabbing the liquid onto her pimple with her finger.

Step 2: Powder your pimple

After her setting spray has dried and become slightly tacky, she uses her concealer brush to dab the tiniest bit of powder onto her pimple, significantly reducing the redness.

By using a setting spray and powder first, Erica Nicole created the illusion of a flattened surface as opposed to going straight in with a concealer, which will only enhance the pimple’s inflamed appearance.

Step 3: Concealing

Rather than applying concealer directly to her pimple, Erica Nicole outlines it with a concealer shade that matches her skin tone. She then sets the concealer for five minutes, which is essential for the sandwich method to work.

After five minutes, when the concealer had become slightly tacky, she used the same concealer brush to blend the concealer inwards towards the pimple, flawlessly concealing all traces of the blemish.

Step 4: Finishing powder and setting spray

Finally, Erica Nicole uses the same powder to lightly dab over the pimple and spritz her setting spray all over her face to ensure her makeup lasts all day.

For more information on her makeup technique, check out Erica Nicole’s TikTok here!

@ericanic0le

The sandwich method is the ONLY way to cover up pimples !!!! #acnemakeupcoverage #acnemakeup #acnemakeuproutine #howtoconcealacne #makeup #makeuptutorial #makeuphacks #concealerhack #concealertutorial #acnemakeuptutorial #howtocoveracne #howtocoverpimples #acne #acneskin #pimple #pimples How to cover up a pimple, how to make a pimple disappear, how to cover up acne, makeup for acne, makeup routine for acne, makeup hacks for acne, concealer technique for acne

♬ original sound – ERICA NICOLE

The “sandwich method” for dark circles

The “sandwich method” is not only for concealing pimples, but you can use it to conceal your dark circles as well, as shown by professional makeup artist – Vincent Ford!

This time, the steps are much simpler. To begin, he sprayed the Urban Decay Setting Spray onto his makeup brush and dabbed it lightly across the model’s under-eye area.

He then applied concealer by dotting the applicator across the under-eye, using the same brush to blend it out. Finally, he sprays the setting spray onto the brush and lightly sweeps it across the area.

By sandwiching the concealer between the setting spray, Vincent shares that the concealer will last all day and that you won’t have to use powder, which can sometimes make the delicate area under your eyes look dry and cakey.

@vincent.ford

Concealer that lasts without powder #concealer #makeuphack #concealerhack

♬ original sound – Vincent Ford

Recommended products for the “sandwich method”

Youthforia Pregame Setting Spray

In her video, Erica Nicole uses the Youthforia Pregame Setting Spray, a moisturising serum setting spray containing 10% glycerin, as it “helps to correct the redness” of her pimples.

This setting spray’s Slide & Fix Polymer Technology creates a thin flexible layer on your skin that allows the product to adhere to your skin.

With just a few spritzes, you’ll be flaunting a radiant pink glow all day (yes, the liquid is sheer pink to counteract dull, greenish undertones!), and no harmful pollutants will stick on your face to ruin your makeup.

Youthforia Pregame Setting Spray (100ml) retails for US$36 (~S$48.69) and is available at Youthforia online. You can use a courier service like vPost to ship the product from the US to Singapore.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray

Erica Nicole also mentioned that back when she was a news reporter, she used the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray to keep her makeup in place on camera.

The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray Flawless, infused with the goodness of aloe vera, green tea, and aromatic resin, acts as an invisible shield to flawlessly set your makeup for up to 16 hours without melting, or settling into lines.

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray (100ml) retails for S$56 and is available at Sephora.

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Setting Spray

In Vincent Ford’s TikTok, he used the Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, which is known for its non-drying formula suitable for all skin types, including oily skin.

This oil-free, microfine finishing spray applies evenly and weightlessly, leaving you with naturally radiant skin and more vibrant makeup.

With its patented Temperature Control Technology, the Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray lowers the temperature of your makeup to keep your look in place for up to 16 hours without smudging, fading, or settling into fine lines.

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray (118ml) retails for US$36 (~S$48.68) on Urban Decay online, and S$40 at Amazon.

Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder

In her video, Erica Nicole uses the Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder, which is talc-free and ideal for acne-prone skin.

This weightless loose powder is finely milled and infused with soft-focus light-reflecting particles to blur any imperfections, pores, fine lines, and wrinkles, leaving you with a naturally flawless finish.

Hourglass Veil Translucent Setting Powder (10.5g) retails for S$78 and is available at Sephora.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

For someone who has tried every concealer under the sun for acne, Erica Nicole swears by the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer as her secret weapon to perfecting the sandwich method because it’s “magical for (covering) pimples.”

As an award-winning concealer, the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer provides long-lasting, 16-hour wear and is infused with light-diffusing mineral powder to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while also evening out skin tone.

It not only conceals flaws flawlessly, but its multi-active botanical blend, which includes magnolia bark extract, grape seed extract, and vitamin E, also improves the appearance of your skin by hydrating, firming, reducing redness, and strengthening your skin’s barrier.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer retails (6ml) for S$48 and is available at Sephora.

Feature image credits: @ericanic0le/TikTok, @vincent.ford/TikTok