Top 10 Mistakes When Using Concealer Every Woman Should Know

Using Too Much Concealer

Concealer can help you hide facial imperfections, but if you apply too much in one area, it can accentuate dark circles or acne. Even if you apply too much concealer under the eyes, it can settle into your under-eye wrinkles, making them more visible and aging you prematurely. To avoid a thick layer of concealer, you should only apply a light, thin layer and blend it evenly. For larger imperfections, you can layer on a thin coat of concealer for better coverage. To prevent a heavy foundation layer, you should only apply a thin layer and gently dab if necessary to ensure a smooth, even foundation on the skin.

Using Concealer Before Foundation

A layer of foundation can already cover most minor skin imperfections such as acne scars, uneven skin tone. Therefore, you should only use concealer after foundation to cover those remaining acne spots, dark circles, or large imperfections that foundation cannot fully cover. Intentionally applying two layers of makeup on the face will make the skin heavy, and the makeup layer will not be perfect.

After evenly blending a thin layer of foundation, use small brushes or fingertips to dab concealer onto the areas needing coverage. This will make your foundation layer thinner, lighter, more natural while still covering all imperfections, making your skin smoother.

Choosing the Wrong Type of Concealer

All girls should know that specific types of concealers, and cosmetics in general, no matter how highly rated by others, may not be suitable for your skin when applied. The main reason is that your skin type is different from others.

If you have dry skin, you should use concealers that moisturize, avoid using oily concealers as they can settle into your under-eye wrinkles and make your face drier, causing discomfort. Or if your skin is acne-prone and sensitive, you need a product that keeps your face breathable, does not clog pores, has a light moisturizing effect, and does not cause acne. But if you have oily skin, then oil-control concealers will be suitable for you. No one wants their concealer to wear off after a few hours, right?

Not Using Setting Powder after Applying Concealer

After using concealer, don't forget to use setting powder on the skin surface to make it smoother, neutralize the color of the concealer and foundation, and also help keep the concealer layer on the skin throughout the day.

There are many ways to apply powder to the skin. You can use a blush brush, lightly dab powder and evenly apply it to the entire face. You can also use the 'Baking' method - applying a thick layer of powder on the face - a popular powder application method. It may sound complicated, but in reality, you just need to take a thick amount of powder, apply it to the desired areas, let the powder sit on the face for 5-10 minutes, then use a brush to brush off the excess powder. Thanks to this method, your foundation will stay intact on your face all day.

The Purpose of Concealer Is Only... Concealing Imperfections

While the main purpose of concealer is indeed to conceal imperfections, using them solely for that purpose would be a waste. You can fully exploit the various features and functions of concealer for additional necessary applications.

In addition to its primary function, concealer can also be used as a highlighter, helping to define and brighten the face. Moreover, after a long day, your eyeliner may become smudged or blurred. Instead of removing and redoing it, you can simply use a flat-tipped brush to outline around the eyeliner area, and you'll have sharp eyeliner lines as good as new!

Many believe that the under-eye area or dark spots are darker than other areas on the face, so they need to choose a very light concealer to cover them up. However, you should only use a concealer shade 1-2 tones lighter than your skin. Using a concealer that is too light can make your face look patchy, uneven, and aesthetically unpleasing.

Here's a little guideline for choosing the right concealer shade for your skin tone:

• Choose green for redness and blemishes caused by acne or allergies, which often require concealer to neutralize. ...
• Choose orange or yellow for dark circles and uneven skin tone. ...
• Choose pink for swollen or puffy skin.

Most people only use concealer to cover dark circles under their eyes but neglect to use it on their upper eyelids. That's actually a mistake. Using concealer on the eyelids helps prevent eyeshadow from smudging, and the skin around the eyes appears more even-toned. Applying it on the lips helps conceal dark lips and makes lipstick colors appear more accurate and vibrant.

So, make the most of concealer to conceal dark spots, redness, etc., on the face wherever needed. When using concealer on the lips, the lipstick color lasts longer and appears more true to color. You can also reduce dark circles and puffiness with brightening or color-correcting concealers for better light reflection.

Concealers come in various shades with different purposes. Unlike concealers that are lighter than your skin tone by 1-2 shades used after foundation, these 'unusual' tone concealers are recommended to be used before your foundation to neutralize your skin tone.

Green concealers neutralize redness, making them perfect for skin with acne scars or redness... Meanwhile, purple concealers are great for dark spots, helping to eliminate brown spots on the skin and leaving it bright and even-toned.

Additionally, pink-toned concealers like peach or salmon have the effect of brightening the under-eye area and covering signs of fatigue. As for yellow concealers, they are suitable for neutralizing purple hues, concealing bruises, or bluish skin revealing nerves and veins, including dark circles. If you have a fair complexion, you might not be compatible with orange concealers. However, there is still an exception; if you want to contour your face and need a cream bronzer, an orange concealer can perform this role effectively.

10. Direct Gaze Technique with Concealer Application

When applying makeup, you often look directly into the mirror for good lighting, but looking straight into the mirror when concealing dark circles is a mistake to avoid. Because in doing so, the skin reflected in the mirror will not be accurate, and dark circles, dark spots will appear blurred.

Instead, take a small handheld mirror and tilt your head down slightly to get better lighting so you can clearly see the shadows of your dark circles right under your eyes and when applying the concealer, it will be more even and accurate. This is also a small tip for you when using concealer!