Most of us include concealers in our daily makeup routine. They are so essential in helping us cover up dark circles, acne scars, emerging pimples etc. (any imperfections, indeed) we just can’t live without them! However, using your concealer wrongly may attract even more attention to the area you’re trying to cover up. Find out the 10 most common ways you might be using your concealer wrongly:
- 1. You're using the wrong shade
- 2. You don't prime your skin before applying concealer
- 3. You're applying concealer to almost the whole face
- 4. You're slabbing on concealer
- 5. You're using your index finger to apply concealer
- 6. You do not fix a 'concealer-caking-up' look
- 7. You're not using any application technique for your under-eye area
- 8. You're not using the right consistency of concealer
- 9. You're unsure about the order of your concealer and foundation
- 10. You don't use a beauty blender
1. You’re using the wrong shade
This is the all-time big mistake – you might be making this mistake if you’re using the same concealer for different parts of your face. Using the same shade of concealer to cover up dark circles and red spots is not the best way to do it. It is recommended to have at least three basic shades of concealer:
- Peach-toned concealer: to cover up black/blue dark circles under your eyes
- Green-tinted concealer: to cover up red spots (follow this with skin-coloured concealer)
- Yellow-based concealer (a shade or two lighter than your skin tone): for the other parts
You may also consider under-eye concealers that are specially formulated and targeted to be used around the eye area.
2. You don’t prime your skin before applying concealer
To make sure your concealer maximises its potential, you should start your makeup routine with a primer to cover up the pores on your face. This will allow concealer application to be more flawless. The primer will also ensure your concealer doesn’t budge.
3. You’re applying concealer to almost the whole face
If you are guilty of this, how about applying foundation before your concealer? A thin layer of foundation will even out the skin tone; you can then apply concealer to areas that still require coverage.
4. You’re slabbing on concealer
Concealers are meant to conceal imperfections, not to emphasise them. However if you slab on concealer on the problem areas, you might just attract more attention to them. If there is a spot that’s hard to conceal, do it in thin layers and build it up gradually. This will look much more natural than if you slab on concealer.
5. You’re using your index finger to apply concealer
You should be using the tip of your ring finger, the weakest finger on your hand, to pat concealer onto your face. This gentler application will allow concealer application to look more natural. Also, your under-eye area is especially delicate so using your ring finger is a wiser choice.
6. You do not fix a ‘concealer-caking-up’ look
If you have dehydrated skin, concealer may “cake up” on your skin, causing it to look unnatural. You may apply more moisturiser to your face before concealer application, and/or blend your concealer with foundation before applying it. This method breaks down the thick consistency of your concealer for a more flawless application.
7. You’re not using any application technique for your under-eye area
If you’re someone who needs greater coverage for the under eye area, try drawing an upside-down triangle shape (with the point towards your cheek) under the eye and then blend accordingly. This is a popular technique to brighten the under eye area.
See the tutorial at point 4 for more details!
8. You’re not using the right consistency of concealer
For under the eye, opt for a liquid-based concealer so that it does not look too heavy on the eye. For dark/red blemishes on the face, use a concealer with thicker and creamier consistency for better coverage. Such concealers also set better on the face.
9. You’re unsure about the order of your concealer and foundation
General rule of thumb: For dark circles, concealer, then foundation. For blemishes/scars/pockmarks, foundation, then concealer.
10. You don’t use a beauty blender
Well, this is not a must, but beauty blenders are good to use with concealer application in two main ways.
Firstly, beauty blenders can help in applying concealer to a raised blemish. After applying concealer on the blemish with your ring finger, use a beauty blender sponge to press it gently onto the blemish. The raised blemish will not look as obvious.
Beauty blenders should also be used to blend makeup after all your concealer and foundation application is done, so that your face does not look like a mosaic of different shades of colour.
In other words, if you’re already a pro with your application method, stick to it. But if you’re hoping for an easier way to get a flawless finish, consider a tool like this.
