Are you fed up of the broken capillaries, dark circles, spider veins, pimples and blemishes, which are visible on your skin? Hide your facial imperfections with the use of concealer in order to acquire a beautiful look and flawless complexion. Concealer is one of the most valuable cosmetics that can fulfill your desire for beauty perfection by perfectly evening out the skin tone.
Like foundation, concealer can be applied to bring uniformity in the color of your skin. Concealer, which is denser than foundation, has a tendency to be more heavily pigmented.
Choosing the right concealer
Concealers are available in a variety of forms-sticks, pots, cremes, and pencils that can be applied to hide the ruddy areas and freckles on the face.
The liquid concealer: Those with dry skin will need to select the liquid concealer to disguise the larger areas such as the dark circles around eyes. Liquid concealer is considered as the best foundation. Liquid concealer can also be used for minimum coverage.
Solid Concealer: When it comes to hiding certain problem areas such as pimples, scars and bruises; solid concealer can be preferred to liquid concealer.
Stick Concealer: Stick concealers are very easy going and are readily available in shops. It provides direct on-the-spot application and is generally used for an all-round coverage. Creamy and liquid concealers generally have a tendency of sliding on and gliding and then creasing on the face, whereas stick formulas last longer.
How to choose a concealer type
Make sure that the color of concealer matches your skin tone otherwise any mismatch can result in over-emphasizing of a spot. Women mostly tend to choose concealer with one shade lighter than the skin tone to hide the darker spots on the face.
Sometimes concealers with one or two shades lighter than the skin tone are preferred. If you want to conceal or hide dark shadows, you will need to choose the darkest color. Make sure that it is as dark as your circles so that you can properly hide those circles.
Moreover the choice for a type of concealer mostly depends upon the area you want to cover. Dry concealer is generally preferred to cover up the face while the delicate areas like under-eye can be covered with cream concealer. You will also need to select a makeup concealer having lightweight and creamy nature. You should also make sure that concealer you are using is water-resistant and fragrance-free. By this way helps you to buy best concealer.
Color correctors
If you are using a color corrector, you will need to make sure that you are applying a very small amount of it before applying only foundation. When you notice that it has set, apply a very small amount of the color corrector for second time.
Here is list of the color correctors that can make you aware of all-important match:
Green - Used for cutting and toning down redness.
Apricot - It is used for making cooler skin tones brighter.
Peach - Used for making cooler skin tones brighter.
Rose - Lifting sallow complexions besides providing a glow.
Lilac - Excess yellow in the skin is cut with the use of lilac. It also helps to lift sallow complexions.
Blue - It is used for taking down orangey skin tones besides correcting bad self-tan applications.
Bronze - It helps to brighten and lift almost all skin tones besides giving a healthy sun-kissed look.
Gold - It is preferred to accentuate golden skin tones and suntans
Silver - It brightens cooler skins. It is used mostly in the evening only.
Yellow - It is used for brightening warmer skin tones and downplaying bluish discolorations.
Concealer tips and tricks
If you notice that concealer turns dry during the day, you will need to try dabbing on eye cream or gel for revival before setting it with powder. This is one of the best trick for applying under eye concealer.
Hold a small brush for application. You can also use your fingertip for application on the areas that need to be covered.
It is good to choose a concealer with one shade lighter than your natural skin tone so that the coverage on dark circles and blemishes appear natural.
You can hide dark circles by adding yellow eye shadow to concealer or foundation.
You can correct ruddy tones and broken capillaries by adding blue or green eye shadow to concealer or foundation.
The residue in the cap of your foundation can also be used as the perfect concealer. It remains little dehydrated making it the right thickness to conceal.
If your face looks heavy after concealer application, you would better apply a small amount of eye cream over it. Concealer can also be mixed with some eye cream for use as a 'treatment' concealer.
How to apply concealer?
You can get the desired look through concealer only with its perfect application. So follow the steps for application.
Step 1 - Put a little amount of concealer on your fingertip (especially that of the fourth finger) and then apply it on the area that needs to be covered. Apply by dotting it on and then blending gently with the use of a dry wedge sponge or clean finger.
Cover the inner corners of the nose near eyes and the dark areas under the eyes with concealer. To get a perfect look you will need to gently pat the concealer with the help of fingertips before covering the entire under-eye area and outside area of the eyes.
While applying concealer pay attention towards inner corner of your top lid which is easily overlooked. Make sure to apply a little bit on the area just below your dark circle so that it cannot give you the raccoon-like look.
Step 2 –Pick a triangular makeup sponge for blending. Start blending properly with a gentle back-and-forth dotting motion. Avoid pulling or rubbing as it may lead to stretching of your delicate thin skin.
Step 3 - See your face into the mirror after application to examine if it has been applied evenly without being crept into the little lines around your eyes. If it happens, you must use a tissue to blot gently.
Concealer or foundation-which one to use first?
When you use liquid or solid foundation, you will need to first apply the foundation before concealer. If you are using a cream-to-powder foundation, then you will need to use the concealer prior to application of foundation.
Ensure proper use of concealer
Use brush and fingers for application. Application through brush helps place the concealer exactly where it is required. In case you want to use your fingers, you would better opt for the ring finger to ensure less pressure on your delicate skin.
Concealer is generally meant for hiding small blemishes or unevenness in the skin and therefore you must avoid using it to cover up major skin flaws.
Make sure that this makeup is applied perfectly. Any flaw may give you a look of a cake.
In case you have a sensitive skin, you must select a concealer, which only contains pure mineral pigment and is free from dyes, oils, talc or starch.
