What
is concealer?
Your complexion makeup (including foundations, BB
creams and the like) are incomplete without concealer. This hard-working
product can make all the difference when it comes to brightening and evening
out your complexion and, you guessed it, concealing imperfections. Concealers
are pigmented formulas most often a little lighter than your skin tone,
designed for use as an addition to your base makeup.
What
does concealer do?
Concealer
formulas are thicker than foundation and packed with highly concentrated
pigments. These characteristics give concealers fuller coverage than your foundation
or BB cream. By brightening darker areas or blemishes, concealer can change
the look of your whole face to help you look healthy, fresh and alert.
Different types of concealers
Concealer comes in several different forms and
textures ranging from lightweight to heaviler and full coverage. Concealer
can take the form of a balm, stick, liquid or cream, although the popularity
of the search query ‘how to make stick concealer creamy’ shows that cream
formulas tend to be the winners.
There are also two main types of concealer colours.
These are traditional concealer shades that are yellow toned and slightly
lighter than your skin tone, as well as colour correcting concealer shades
like peach, lilac and pale green. This second type of shades uses colour
theory to help counteract unwanted colouration in your complexion.
What is concealer used for?
If you know all the different ways to use it,
concealer can be a surprisingly versatile makeup item. The most well-known
way to use concealer is to banish dark circles and disguise puffiness in the under eye area, but that’s not all
concealer can do. Concealer also works wonders in defining your brows. Simply
apply beneath your brows after you’ve filled them, to help define and tidy.
If you have blemish-prone skin, concealer can help minimise the appearance of
pimples and you can even use it to contour your face or help your lips look fuller.
Where do you put concealer?
Where
you should apply your concealer depends on your desired outcome. Here are
some tips:
How do you apply under eye concealer? If
you’re looking to disguise dark circles, apply a peachy concealer followed by
one matching your skin tone in an upside-down triangle shape under your eyes.
If blemishes are your issue, use a thin layer
of green concealer to colour correct redness, followed by skin tone concealer
dabbed gently directly onto the blemish.
If contouring is your goal, use a lighter
shade to highlight where the light hits your face and a darker shade to
define your checks, forehead, nose and chin.
How to apply concealer
No
matter where you’re applying concealer, there are some best practice steps
you should follow to help you achieve the best possible coverage and longest
wear. Use these simple tips to apply your concealer correctly.
Prime the area
Before
you even think about applying your concealer, smoothing on a primer should be the first thing on your
mind. Primers give your concealer formula something to latch onto, helping
them stay in place for longer. They also help even out your skin texture for
a smoother looking finish and minimised creasing.
Choose
a concealer that suits you
Choosing
the right concealer for your needs is just as important as knowing where to
apply concealer. If you’re looking to blur fine lines, our Age Perfect Concealer is designed specifically for mature
skin. This concealer won’t settle into fine lines or wrinkles.
If
a natural makeup look is more your style, our True Match Concealer has a very thin an luminous texture
combined with high levels of pigment. This brightening formula looks just as
good as a full night’s sleep!
For a full
coverage look, our Infallible More Than Concealer is highly pigmented and
long wearing, with an undetectable finish. This concealer comes in 20 shades
to help you find your perfect match.
Apply
in thin layers
Applying
your concealer in layers that are too thick can lead to creasing, texture and
a more obvious look. Instead of going thick straight away, it’s best to apply
multiple thin layers until you reach your desired level of coverage.
To
get the most out of your concealer it’s best to use your fingers. This helps
heat and melt the concealer into your skin for a more blended and flawless
finish. If fingers aren’t you style, apply a small amount of concealer onto
the back of your hands, and rub with your small makeup brush or blender to
create some warmth before applying.
Set
with a powder
Your
concealer application is not complete without a face powder to set everything in place. Following
up with a powder will help keep your concealer looking better for longer –
just a light dusting is enough.
Now
you know how to use concealer correctly, read our guide to The Best Eye Makeup for your Eye
Shape
