How to Apply Concealer Correctly
Are You Making These Mistakes?
The biggest mistake people make is not prepping their eyes before applying concealer. If you apply moisturizer, primer and think you’re all set, think again. You must apply a hydrating eye cream before using concealer. This is the reason you end up with the pathcy eye look because the concealer isn’t blending with your skin.
Many people choose a light shade of concealer, thinking it will make their eyes look brighter. You need to find a color that similar to your skin tone and apply a brightener after. It’s also important to conceal the inner corner of your eye, which is where most of the darkness appears. If you’ve made these mistakes, you’re not alone. There’s a way to apply concealer correctly.
Choosing the Right Shade
While online shopping is great for buying a lot of makeup products, you need to visit a store to purchase concealer. Use the opportunity to test different shades and choose one that is bright, but also matches your skin tone. If you’re not sure, then ask a staff member to help you. Your brow bone should be lighter than your concealer, so use it as a reference.
People with dry skin are more likely to suffer from patchy skin tone, so instead of choosing a powder concealer, it’s useful to find a cream or liquid form. A cream to powder should be used for oily skin.
When Should it be Applied?
The big question: Should concealer be applied before or after foundation? It’s completely up to you. There’s no wrong or right answer so it depends on your personal preferences. Applying concealer first means you’ll probably need less foundation after as it covers a lot of darkness. Once the darkness is taken away, you’ll be able to decide how much foundation you need. The center of the face often needs more foundation than other areas. It’s usually where redness and discolouration is.
Some people apply concealer after foundation because they don’t have a lot of darkness, or they don’t wear foundation. It’s really down to preference but if you need a lot of coverage, then before is best.
How Should Concealer be Applied?
Concealer can transform your face if it’s applied correctly. Always use your fingers, or a brush. Never rub concealer on your skin, tap it on using the brush and cover other uneven patches on the skin. If you need more coverage, then tap on another layer but make sure you don’t go crazy. It’s easy to make concealer look cakey, so remember that less is more.
We mentioned that dry skin can make your concealer stand out. For some people, moisturizing isn’t enough. We recommend you mix your concealer with a liquid foundation to make the application easier. It also makes the concealer thinner, so it doesn’t set too heavily on your skin.
Follow These Essential Rules
Now you know how to apply concealer, follow these rules to get the best results possible:
Always maintain a good exfoliation routine. Dry skin will always make it hard to apply concealer but with exfoliation you can give yourself a much needed moisture boost.
Choose two shades of concealer for your makeup bag. One should match your natural skin tone and the other should be a shade or two brighter for under the eyes.
Look for color correcting concealers if you have severe darkness or red circles. Use them lightly and make sure you choose the right color for your needs.
Apply your concealer in natural light instead of in the bathroom.
Don’t use concealer to give you a radiant glow, use a highlighter.
Always set your concealer with powder afterwards. It locks it in place to make it last all day.
If you know which concealer to use and how to apply it correctly, then you can achieve the look you want. Following the concealer tips will give you a fresh faced look all day.