How to Use Concealer

Choose the Right Shade. Concealers come in various forms and colors, so it's important to consider your skin before selecting the product. Are you trying to conceal blemishes, dark circles, scars, or birthmarks? Once you identify the imperfection, you can easily choose a concealer that matches your skin tone. Use a color wheel to determine which shade of concealer you need. Opt for a color that contrasts with the imperfection for optimal coverage.

• Green-toned concealers help neutralize redness in the skin.
• Yellow-toned concealers brighten the skin.
• Purple-toned concealers even out yellow undertones in the skin.
• Orange or red concealers are great for covering bruises or dark spots.
• For scars or dark circles, use a concealer that's 1-2 shades lighter than your natural skin tone. Make sure to determine whether your skin tone is warm or cool before choosing the concealer color. However, avoid going too light as it could make your skin look pale.
• Test the concealer on your face instead of your hand to ensure the best match. It's also best to try the concealer on bare skin.

Select the concealer product you want to use. There are many types of concealers available, including stick, cream, and pencil forms. Each type offers different levels of coverage and works differently on various skin types.

• If you have large pores or oily skin, avoid using cream or stick concealers, as they can make your pores appear larger. Instead, opt for a liquid concealer.
• For acne-prone skin, use a pencil concealer, as the sharp tip allows for precise application on blemishes. A thick cream concealer can also work well, as it can be applied evenly to cover acne.

Cleanse your skin. Before applying concealer, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and apply moisturizer. Use a cotton swab with makeup remover to clean any leftover mascara around your eyes. Concealer is the first makeup product you apply, and clean skin will help achieve a smooth application.

Cover dark circles under the eyes. Use a concealer brush or your fingertip (using a brush is cleaner) to apply concealer to the area under your eyes. Apply the concealer in an inverted triangle shape. First, draw a triangle from the inner and outer corners of your eye, extending the sides down to the crease of your nose. Blend the concealer around the edges of the triangle to avoid a noticeable color difference between your skin and the concealer.

• Do not rub the concealer too hard around your eyes as the skin in this area is delicate. Gently dab with your fingertip to blend the concealer for better coverage than rubbing.
• If you have deep-set eyes, apply concealer to the inner corners next to your nose. This area is often missed, which can make your face appear tired.
• Be sure to apply concealer all the way up to your lower lash line, right below the eye contour.
• Applying concealer in a U-shape under the eyes can look unnatural and be more noticeable in photos.

Apply concealer to blemishes and dark spots. If your skin has pimples, dark spots, sunburn, scars, or birthmarks, cover these imperfections with concealer. Dab the product onto each blemish and gently blend it into the skin. Apply a thin layer of concealer for a natural look, and add more if necessary.

• If you have acne, avoid using your fingers to blend the concealer. Using your fingers can spread bacteria, worsening the acne and causing the concealer to wear off. Instead, use a clean makeup brush.
• If you're covering a large area (like redness), apply a thin layer and blend it evenly. The thicker the concealer layer, the less natural it will look. You can set the concealer with powder for a long-lasting natural finish.

Set the concealer in place. Once you’ve covered dark spots and under-eye circles, apply a foundation layer over the concealer. For convenience, use a powder foundation or pressed powder. You can also use liquid or cream foundation, but be sure to follow with a layer of setting powder.

• Apply foundation to your entire face. Then, use a large brush to dust translucent powder over the foundation to lock in your makeup for up to 12 hours.
• Use a brush to easily apply foundation into the inner corners of the eyes and under the lower lashes. Be sure to apply foundation to all areas where concealer was used.
• Finish by pressing a small amount of powder onto areas with concealer to ensure long-lasting coverage throughout the day.

Apply Foundation. After you’re happy with your concealer, the next step is to apply foundation. Create a smooth base for the rest of your makeup using liquid, cream, powder, or spray foundation products.

Contour. Using concealer and foundation gives you flawless skin but may also hide your natural facial contours. To add depth to your makeup, apply contour powder along your cheekbones, nose bridge, and jawline to define the face shape.

Apply Blush. Not everyone naturally has rosy cheeks, so you may need to use a bit of blush. Apply blush on your smooth foundation layer to create a natural flush on your cheeks.

• To apply, smile and use a brush to sweep the blush onto your cheekbones, blending it upwards towards your temples.

Highlight. To enhance your makeup, use highlighter cream or powder along the tops of your cheekbones, under your eyebrows, and in the inner corners of your eyes. This will add dimension and complete your makeup look.

Shape your Eyebrows. Makeup layers may have softened the definition of your eyebrows. To bring out their natural depth and attract attention to both your eyes and face shape, it's essential to define your eyebrows.

• Make sure the concealer matches your skin tone; if you pick a shade too dark, the concealer will stand out with orange spots.
• If you have dark circles under your eyes, try to get enough sleep.
• Many beauty stores offer makeup consultations and free product trials. Take advantage of this service to achieve your best makeup look.
• Carefully select a concealer when your skin tone is uneven.
• Remove your makeup before bedtime. Sleeping with makeup can dry out your skin, clog pores, and increase the likelihood of breakouts or irritation.