Is using a straw to apply foundation and blusher a good idea?

The hack
Using the end of a straw to contour your face.

The test
I try to keep an open mind before trying these beauty hacks but, honestly, this one truly baffles me. Even if you’re somebody who “contours” regularly – using foundation, concealer, blush and darker contouring product or bronzer to create more shadow and depth to the face – this makes zero sense.

The method? Instead of using a makeup sponge, fingers or brush to apply your products, you use the end of a straw. Why? Despite spending an hour watching people doing this on social media, I have no idea. But I try it while on holiday in the US – the straws, like the food, are bigger here, so it doesn’t take as long as I thought it would.

Before long, I’m dotted with “circles” of base products, which makes me look as if I’ve contracted some kind of medieval plague – or Cheerios. Then I blend it out with my makeup brush and … it looks exactly the same as it would have if I’d applied it the regular way. Like so many TikTok beauty hacks, this reeks of: “What’s the stupidest thing I can do in order to get likes on social media”.

The verdict
Don’t do this; you’re better than this, and so am I. But if you want to try contouring, perhaps try a translucent bronzer product (such as Merit Bronze Balm) as a foolproof entry point – and stay away from the straws.