Even if you’re a beginner, get most seamless blend with these simple steps and tips.
Acne, age spots and hyperpigmentation and dark circles are normal part of life and having skin, and they’re nothing to be ashamed of. But for when you’re looking for even-toned, flawless coverage, the right concealer can feel like a magic wand that can cancel out discoloration and glide over uneven texture.
Concealers come in a myriad of consistencies, forms and finishes, from liquid to cream to stick and beyond. The key is to find the right formula and tone for whatever issue you’re trying to hide. Here are all the makeup tips and tricks you need to know to make your concealer look flawless:
- First, pick the right color concealer
Finding the right tone and the right color for the task at hand is crucial. Here’s your cheat sheet:
Peach shades cancel out blueish undereye circles and dark spots from sun or aging.
Green tones hide red blemishes — follow up with a concealer that matches your skin tone exactly (or close to!).
Yellow-toned concealers help to correct uneven skin tone from redness or hyperpigmentation.
- Choose the right formula for the job
Not all forms of concealer are created equal. Pick from these options depending on what you’re trying to achieve:
Crayons, sticks, or pencils are ideal for “precise application like a blemish or age spot” or scar. They often offer heavy coverage and require minimal blending when applied precisely, and are best suited for dry or combination skin.
Pots and creams are great for oily skin or tasks that require higher coverage. “Cream concealers are thicker, therefore, they can be used to cover more [like] hyperpigmentation and other problem areas,” says Fennell. These also “tend to be the most versatile because you can always thin them down if need be with a little moisturizer,” she adds. Apply with a brush for maximum coverage or use your fingers for a more natural finish.
Liquids: Suitable for all skin types, but particularly great for dry skin, a “liquid formula adds a level of hydration without making the skin look even drier,” says Fennell. From the tube, “apply directly to the skin and blend with your finger, sponge, or fluffy eye shadow brush,” says Whelan.
- Apply your base products and foundation
Apply any moisturizer, primer and foundation before reaching for concealer. If you apply your foundation first, you’re blurring the look of imperfections and likely won’t need to use as much concealer. If you don’t use foundation at all and just spot-conceal, be sure to hydrate your skin first!
- Brighten dark circles and undereye discoloration
Undereye circles can be a telltale sign of a long night or lack of sleep, but discoloration under the eyes is also genetic. If you want to brighten your dark circles, here’s how:
Formula: “Look for concealers that have radiant or luminizing formulas. Our experts prefer liquid formulas for the thin skin around the eyes, since creams and thicker formulas can settle into fine lines and wrinkles.
Shade: You’ll want to opt for a color that’s a shade lighter than your natural skin tone. “This will brighten up the undereye area and disguise the dark circles,” Whelan says.
Application: Draw a triangle to cover undereye circles instead of sweeping over the discoloration in a semi-circle shape. Rather than simply coloring over the circles directly under your eyes, this triangle shape highlights the front area of your face, making your face look youthful by creating a lifted the illusion. For best results, “dot the concealer under the eye and tap the product into place with your ring finger or a small fluffy eye shadow brush,” says Whelan.
- Disguise puffy eyes
While makeup can’t change form, it can create illusions to distract from any features you want to hide (or accentuate — think contouring). Here’s exactly how to brighten puffy undereyes:
Formula: Liquids are “great to use if you need to brighten an area.
Shade: Choose a tone that’s 1-2 shades lighter than your foundation.
Application: “Add a highlighting concealer pen just above and below the area where the under eye is most puffy,” says Whelan. “By adding light to those areas, it makes those areas more noticeable and makes the puffiness look less noticeable.”
