Beauty 101: How To Find The Right Concealer

I think it’s fair to say that we have all woken up with an angry blemish or crazy dark circles under our eyes and struggled to hide them with a dab of concealer (usually while half asleep). There are so many concealer options and formulas to choose from and it can be tricky to find the right one for you, so here are some tips & tricks to help you find the right concealer:

Concealer Options

When it comes to concealer, there are different coverage options, so listed below is a description of each coverage option:

Full Coverage: - Generally these are quite thick formulas packaged in sticks and pots that provide a more matte finish in a cream texture. Ideal for concealing acne & hard to cover pigmentation.

Medium Coverage: - Typically packaged in tubes & wands, medium coverage concealers offer a more buildable formula with a liquid texture. Ideal for concealing minor blemishes and discoloration around the nose, chin, and under eyes.

Sheer Coverage: - Often these are brightening formulas that work to conceal & brighten the under eye area. Sheer concealers are usually packaged in a pen or wand. Ideal for those who don’t need much coverage or color correction.

Concealer Application Tips

You found the concealer that’s right for you, but have no idea how to apply it? Listed below are some tips on how to apply concealer:

Concealer Tip 1: - Apply foundation first, concealer second. If you conceal first, you will wind up concealing everything and using a lot more product. Let your foundation work for you! Applying your foundation first allows you to go back in with your concealer only where you really need additional coverage.

Concealer Tip 2: - Use a concealer brush or dampened makeup sponge with a gentle patting or tapping motion to conceal imperfections. Rubbing will only remove the product you are trying to blend.

Concealer Tip 3: - Avoid using a concealer that is more than 1 shade lighter than your skin tone. While it’s nice to have a little extra brightness under the eye, using a concealer that’s too light will give you a reverse-raccoon effect.

Concealer Tip 4: - Avoid heavy, dry concealers for the under eye area. They will always look cakey and crease in fine lines. Instead choose a more hydrating formula for the fragile skin under your eyes.

Concealer Tip 5: - If your concealer always creases or fades, try setting it with a finely milled setting powder.

Color Correcting Concealers

If you are having a hard time covering up discolorations, under eye darkness or blemishes, you may need to color correct first. Listed below are the correcting colors you will want to remember for mastering the art of concealing hard to cover imperfections:

PURPLE - corrects yellow-toned discoloration & sallowness

PEACH - corrects blue or purple under eye darkness, bruises, and dark spots

GREEN - corrects redness (perfect for rosacea, acne, broken capillaries red and pink-toned scarring and redness around the eyes & nose).

YELLOW: Corrects under eye darkness or brownish discolorations

SALMON: Corrects under eye darkness or discoloration

Color correcting products may seem intimidating, but the technique is simple. Pat the color corrector directly over the discoloration or blemish first then apply foundation and then top with concealer if you need additional coverage (the foundation before concealer rule is reversed here and you will find that color correcting before foundation allows you use less concealer).

I hope this week’s installment of Beauty 101: How to Find the Right Concealer helpful and informative. Next week’s installment of Beauty 101 will be on setting powders and until next time, stay happy, healthy and beautiful!