'I tried the viral '10-pump' foundation hack. Here's how it went.'

Mamamia’s Tried and Tested series is your review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellbeing. You won’t find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Mamamia's Senior Health and Beauty Writer trials the viral '10-pump' foundation hack.

TikTok is full of some really whacky beauty hacks. And look, a lot of them suck.

I know this to be true because as a beauty editor and co-host of the You Beauty podcast's 'beauty news' series, I try a lot of them. Especially the makeup ones. From the viral 'dot method' hack to mixing foundation with water and *that* concealer hack – you name it, I've probably tried it.

Most of them are a total flop. In fact, it can be really hard to find those golden nuggets that you're actually going to use in your everyday routine.

But when I came across beauty influencer Meredith Duxbury's GRWM (get ready with me) makeup videos, I found I just couldn't... look away.

Have you seen them?

The viral videos basically involve using an *insane* amount of foundation. 

Specifically, she swears by using ~10 pumps~ of foundation for flawless makeup.

Please take a peek below:

@meredithduxbury Replying to @queenjc_16 GRWM… let’s talk about my foundation technique #thefoundationchallenge ♬ original sound - Meredith Duxbury

@meredithduxbury Replying to @trashdoge GRWM…. Would you ever try #thefoundationchallenge ♬ original sound - Meredith Duxbury

In case you can't look past the hectic amount of product (because SAME), the idea around this makeup trend is that you apply a heap of foundation on your face, lather it all on and rub it in with your hands like you would your moisturiser.

Then, it's all in the blending technique.

The process sounds (and looks) INTENSE, but you can't deny that her makeup looks absolutely flawless after each clip.

A bunch of other beauty TikTokers, such as Christen Dominique put it to the test – and honestly, their results look just as good:

@christendominique I Had to try @meredithduxbury Foundation challenge because her end result is soo flawless, but is it on me🤔What do you think? Foundation @makeupbymario shade: 120 Concealer @dominiquecosmetics shade:Oat Milk Contour @fentybeauty shade: Mocha Cream blush @p.louisemakeupacademy Setting powder from Dominique Restock 2.24.23 Pink powder launches same day! Lashes Style Flirty from Dominique Cosmetics #foundationchallenge #meredithduxburyfoundationchallange #meredithduxburychallenge #makeututorial #fullcoverage #makeup ♬ original sound - Christen Dominique

Soooo, is this actually the secret to my best makeup yet?

I'm intrigued. So, I'm putting it to the test.

What is the 10-pump foundation technique?

Okay. Before I start slapping a s**t tonne of foundation on my face willy-nilly, I want to make sure I do this whole thing right – because it looks messy as hell, and I'm not sure I want to do it twice??

On Duxbury's TikTok, she's posted a recent clip offering some tips on how to nail this technique.

@meredithduxbury GRWM… tips for trying out my foundation technique! #thefoundationchallenge ♬ original sound - Meredith Duxbury

She starts off by saying, "I'm not going to lie – this foundation technique does not work for everyone. It really depends on the type of skin you have."

I have dry skin - but she doesn't specify what skin type it's... best for. So.

I'm thinking maybe oily? Because *that* much product would get all slippy Sue by 1pm? Or maybe it is dry skin. Because surely it's going to end up all flaky and patchy?

Cannot confirm.

Anyway. Next, Duxbury says, "The foundation technique also works a lot better when you have no hair on your face."

Sadly, I have hair on my face and don't dermaplane and so... OFF TO A GOOD START   

She goes on to explain that the type of foundation you're using is also going to affect your results - and judging by the formulas she uses, it's best to opt for a medium to full-coverage liquid foundation.

She said, "I use the Huda Beauty Faux Filter and the Dior Forever Skin Glow."

These are both pretty spendy options.

I decided to go with Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation - which you can grab from the chemist for like 20 bucks.

I've been using it recently, and it feels nice and hydrating on my skin. So, I figured if I'm going to put that much product on my face, I'm going to want to make sure it's not going to dry out my skin (or cost a fortune). ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯ 

How did you go with it?

After prepping my skin and applying moisturiser, I popped on my headband and got a few things ready to go: a damp beauty blender, concealer, bronzer and blush. (FYI: I chose all cream formulas).

I started with the 10 pumps of foundation.

And look, the amount of product on the back of my hand immediately made me feel uneasy. But we're here now and it's too late to pull out because I agreed to write this.

So, using the end of a brush, I slathered it all over my face and started rubbing it in with my hands. 

It felt weird. And unnatural. And like I had 10 pumps of foundation on my face.

Someone called mum, I'm scared.

It took ages to blend. And for a moment I thought it just wasn't going to happen because I really had so much on my face.

I'm not sure if it was the specific foundation, but it did not want to be treated like a moisturiser. Not even a tiny bit. 

Everything still looked pretty patchy and thick after all the rubbing (and my face started... stinging), so I decided it was time to break out the beauty sponge.

pls help me.

And friends, believe me when I say I went at it for about eleven years. It's a real 'trust the process' kind of technique. 

My arm literally hurt from all the blending.

It's not... working

Please note my eyes and lips.

After it was blended... enough... I applied cream bronzer, blush, highlighter and the rest of the crew.

Here's what the entire process looked like below. Strap in.

Told you the blending took ages!

The verdict.

My final look. Do we want to see it? Please say yes.

Here's what my face looked like before and after the foundation technique:

Before and after

A bit unexpected, right? It doesn't look bad?? Not compared to the mid-progress shots, anyway.

In fact, if you would've shown me this mid-application, I wouldn't have believed you.

Here's what it looks like with my hair down, standing in the 'good light'. 

Please note the pounds of foundation chilling around my hairline (the headband did the very least).

Please note the foundation around the hairline.

Okay.

So, here's the thing. From far away it looks really good and quite seamless, but up close it looks like I'm wearing a big ol' load of foundation. Which I... am.

It's just so thick. And patchy. Especially around my chin area.

I felt like as soon as I touched my face, it would just rub off in weird patches. Then, after sitting down to write this piece with a fully glammed-up face, it did! It really did.

My keyboard currently has smears of foundation on it at this very moment - because I touch my face constantly (a bad habit for a beauty editor, I'm aware). Meaning? The technique is not so great on the long-wearing front.

Which brings us to the verdict. The all-important verdict.

Would I try this hack again?

Honestly, probably not. 

Not only is it incredibly messy, but goodness, it took ages. And it's wasteful. 

Imagine doing this every single day. Your foundation would last for like three weeks. And with apples being about $5 each right now, I'm too poor for that.

Also, I like my freckles and those random 'imperfections' on my face that make me look like me. I feel like this technique is all about covering the stuff that makes you look unique, creating a completely new canvas and just re-sculpting your facial features. 

Which might work for some - but given I'm all about lightweight, sheer coverage and letting my freckles sing, I just don't feel like me.

Now, where's the micellar water...

Would you try this viral foundation hack? What are your thoughts? Share with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Supplied; Mamamia.