I tried the viral ‘53 method’ to banish my ‘chins’ without going under the knife and the results were astonishing

SITTING in a crowded pub with a group of my journalism colleagues, I could feel my eyes starting to well up.

“Did you hear me?” a booming voice demanded. “I said, take it on the chins.”

A sozzled male colleague of mine who I barely knew had made a joke about my biggest insecurity in front of a group of ten people.

I instinctively raised my hand to my jaw to cover my jowls. I felt embarrassed and annoyed that tears started to fall, but I couldn’t stop them.

I’d been ridiculed for the thing I hated most about my appearance.

Fast forward several years and I’ve never forgotten that comment.

I’m now a 42-year-old mum, with a toddler and a new born and arguably, bigger things to worry about.

But, despite many fad diets such as the ‘no sugar’ diet and the 5:2, personal trainers and expensive gym classes that have seen me slim down to a size 8 at my smallest, those ‘chins’ have remained – as have my deep insecurities.

So, imagine my delight when I heard about the ‘53’ method, a supposedly easy way to get a snatched jawline , using nothing but makeup.

It’s already gone viral on TikTok , with almost 30m videos uploaded to the site with the hashtag #53method featuring people trying it out and offering tips on how to do it.

In theory it seems easy enough – in order to ‘sculpt’ the face, you apply concealer in the shape of a ‘5’ to each cheek, and contour in the shape of a ‘3’ next to it. Blend, pout and enjoy a chiselled jawline.

Sounds simple, but full disclosure: I’ve never, ever contoured before.

Up until about three years ago I didn’t even use a brush to apply my foundation, I’d slather it onto my face with my fingers before puffing some loose powder on top and hoping for the best.

It was only when Instagram started sneaking makeup tips into my feed that I was finally ‘influenced’ into buying a brush.

Clearly my algorithm was trying to tell me something.

And now, as I continue to age like a corked wine, social media is at it again.

With statistics indicating that 56 per cent of women with a double chin would contemplate surgery, and a whopping 36 per cent of people would avoid being photographed because of it, it seems like as good a time as any to log into TikTok and learn the art of contouring.

It’s long overdue. For years I’d be terrified of someone snapping a candid photo when I wasn’t looking, as I would never look nice unless I was front facing, chin tilted to a perfect angle.

Frankly, it’s exhausting.

I thought about a thread lift , an invasive surgical method that would involve using threads to pull back the skin and create a mini face lift, but figured I’d prioritise having kids before I did anything too drastic.

I even contemplated Kim Kardashian’s recently launched SKIMS ‘shapewear for the face’ – a mask that retails at £52 and promises you a ‘sculpted jawline’.

However, I was slightly put off when Dr Rosh, a respected aesthetics practitioner, called the product “an utter load of rubbish”, which would have “zero benefit.”

Since having my children, Sophie, three, and Marnie, four months, I’ve been surviving on Diet Coke and air as I juggle night feeds and toddler classes with my job as a writer.

I don’t think the fizz has helped my face. It means the spare ‘gullet’ beneath my pointy chin is hanging lower and seems saggier than ever.

Without ditching my fave drink, how on earth could a simple makeup hack change that? Was the 53 method the answer to my prayers? Or was it really too good to be true?

The main draw of the method is its simplicity. I’ve watched various contouring videos and aside from the fact it appears to use up a hell of a lot of product, at no doubt huge expense, the whole operation looks complicated and time consuming. Some videos show the entire process done and dusted in under a minute. Which, as someone who likes to be ready in five, is very appealing.

I give it a go using two products: Mac’s full coverage foundation and Anastasia Beverly Hills contour palette.

I’ve now watched many 53 videos for research, to try and perfect the technique but on my first try with actual makeup I find it quite difficult. I have to keep practicing the shape with a clean brush and then I have to ensure I use enough product. It turns out you need a fair bit of it to make it work.

Luckily, I have makeup artist Lisa Sloneem on hand to help me and with some gentle guidance from her, I’m finally done. My face feels heavy and I worry that in daylight I’m going to look like a clown. I’m not used to wearing so much product. But that’s beside the point, I want to see if this really will give me the ‘snatched’ jawline it promised.

And the answer is… it really does. There’s no doubt that when done right, the 53 method can give you the illusion of a firmer jaw. The trusty jowls are still there, but I must confess they aren’t as noticeable.

The colour on my cheekbones seems to make my whole face more angular, the contouring has worked as a mini facelift, it makes it look like everything is pulled up towards my eyes. It’s incredibly clever. I look like I’ve been airbrushed.

That said, I’m not sure I’d be inclined to do this daily.

Yes, once you get the hang of it it’s not that difficult to master. But you use a lot of product and it takes a lot longer than the speedily edited TikTok vids would have you believe.

Lisa agrees. “It’s not as straightforward as you’d think, it takes a lot more blending and a lot more time,” she says. “In terms of the positioning of the 5 and the 3, it’s a good hack. The numbers highlight the face in the perfect way to lift the face, so it’s great for beginners but you need to take time to blend properly.”

I get home to show my partner Jamie, who seems fascinated by the artistry. “Your face is a different colour,” he muses, helpfully. However, he doesn’t mention my chins – or lack of – which was my main aim for trying this.

As one of three people, along with our daughters, who look at my face the most, he is used to me, and it’s clear that the method hasn’t made a big enough difference for him to comment.

Maybe if there was a big night out or a family photoshoot or something similar, I’d dig out the foundation and contour again. But as a regular solution for the jowls, it’s not worth the effort to do daily.

I’d better start saving for that thread lift.