Choosing the right concealer can be a daunting task, but with the right guidance, you can find the perfect match to enhance your natural beauty and cover up imperfections. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to select and apply the best concealer for your skin tone, type, and specific needs.
Determining Your Skin Tone and Undertone
Before selecting a concealer, it’s crucial to understand your skin tone and undertone. Here are a few methods to help you determine these:
Vein Test: Look at the color of your wrist veins under natural light. Greenish-looking veins suggest a warm undertone, blue or purplish-looking veins indicate a cool undertone, and if your veins match your skin color, you most likely have a neutral undertone[1].
White T-Shirt Test: Hold a white shirt or piece of paper up to your face. If your skin looks yellow, you have a warm undertone; if it looks pink or rosy, you have a cool undertone; and if the white complements your face without looking washed out, you have a neutral undertone[1].
Jewelry Test: If gold jewelry looks better against your skin, you have a warm undertone. If silver jewelry is more flattering, you have a cool undertone. If both look great, you have a neutral undertone[1].
Choosing the Right Concealer Shade
To find the perfect concealer shade, follow these steps:
Match Your Foundation Shade: The concealer for covering blemishes and other facial imperfections should be the same shade as your foundation. For under-eye concealer, go one or two shades lighter to brighten the area[2][3].
Test on Your Jawline: Swipe different shades along your jawline and observe which one blends seamlessly into your skin under natural light[2].
Consider Multiple Shades: Have two shades of concealer: one lighter and one darker. This helps adjust for daily sun exposure and allows for different makeup effects[1].
Application Techniques
Here are some tips for applying concealer effectively:
Under-Eye Concealer
Choose a Lighter Shade: Use a shade one or two tones lighter than your foundation to brighten the under-eye area[2][3].
Apply Strategically: Apply the concealer in a triangular shape starting from the inner corner of the eye and tapering down toward your cheek. This technique lifts and brightens the face[3].
Blend Gently: Use a damp makeup sponge or a soft brush to blend the concealer outward for a seamless finish[3].
Blemishes and Dark Spots
Use a Colour Corrector: Neutralize redness with a green corrector or dark spots with an orange corrector before applying concealer[4].
Targeted Coverage: Dab the concealer on the blemish using a small brush. Blend the edges gently and set with a translucent powder for all-day coverage[3].
Highlighting and Contouring
Brighten High Points: Use a lighter concealer on the high points of your face, such as the forehead, nose bridge, and chin, to create dimension[3].
Contour: Use a concealer two shades darker than your skin tone to contour cheekbones, jawline, and the sides of the nose[3].
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using Too Much Product: Less is more. Overloading concealer can make it look cakey and unnatural. Apply thin layers and build up as needed[3].
Not Prepping Your Skin: Ensure your skin is clean, moisturized, and primed before applying concealer to prevent it from settling into fine lines and pores[3].
Color Correction
Color correction is a powerful tool in concealer application:
Redness: Use a green color corrector to neutralize redness[4].
Dark Circles: Use peach or orange shades to counteract the bluish tint of dark circles[4].
Discoloration: Use yellow to balance out purple discoloration[4].
Dullness: Use lavender to brighten and fight dullness[4].
Recommended Concealers
Here are some highly-recommended concealers based on various skin types and needs:
Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech Concealer: Offers medium coverage, available in 31 shades, and has minimal fading and creasing[5].
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer: Provides full coverage, available in 22 shades, and is long-wearing and crease-resistant[5].
Kosas Revealer Concealer: Has a creamy consistency, available in 38 shades, and offers a dewy finish[5].
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer: Offers full coverage, available in 36 shades, and has a smooth, even finish[5].
Most Important Facts About Choosing the Best Concealer
Determine Your Skin Tone and Undertone: Use the vein test, white t-shirt test, or jewelry test to identify your undertone[1].
Match Your Foundation Shade: Choose a concealer that matches your foundation shade for facial imperfections and one or two shades lighter for under-eye areas[2][3].
Test Shades on Your Jawline: Ensure the concealer blends seamlessly into your skin under natural light[2].
Use Multiple Shades: Have lighter and darker shades to adjust for sun exposure and different makeup effects[1].
Apply Concealer Strategically: Use specific techniques for under-eye, blemishes, and contouring to achieve the best results[3].
Avoid Common Mistakes: Use less product, prep your skin, and blend gently to avoid a cakey or unnatural look[3].
Consider Color Correction: Use color correctors to neutralize specific skin issues like redness, dark circles, and discoloration[4].
By following these guidelines, you can find and apply the best concealer to enhance your natural beauty and effectively cover up imperfections.
