How to choose and use concealer

When choosing your concealer you have to keep these two basic rules in mind:

1. Concealers with a thicker texture are good for covering up red splotches and dark circles.
2. Concealers with a lighter texture are better for covering up small irregularities in the complexion and matting shiny skin in the area of the nose, chin and forehead.

Here is what else you have to remember:

• In order to keep your concealer from being visible, it has to be 1 or 2 tones lighter than the tone of your foundation, but still close to the tone of your skin.
• Smooth textures are easier to apply.
• Do not use the concealer past its expiration date.
• In order to ensure that there will be no color discrepancies it is better to use concealer and foundation from the same brand and line.

Now that you have selected your concealer, here is how to apply it to achieve best results.

Before you begin concealing, it is recommended that you treat your face with moisturizer first. This will make any corrections less visible. If your skin is dry and flaky and you skip this hydration step, the concealer will not only fail to cover up your blemishes, but will highlight them instead.

There are two different opinions on when concealer should be applied. Some say it is best applied before the foundation, some say after. If you choose to apply your concealer before the foundation, you are risking to mix the two products up. Yet applied on top of the foundation, the concealer may not blend as well and remain noticeable. Whichever way you prefer, practice makes perfect. You will eventually learn how to apply your concealer without smudging or caking it.

For dark circles

Put some concealer at the base of the eye close to the inner corner and draw the line outward as far as the cheekbone if needed. Do not rub. Use patting motions instead. This will help for a better coverage while protecting your sensitive skin from bruising. Rubbing the skin in this area can also cause occasional swelling.

You can use concealer to cover up spots all over your face – around the eyes, at the base of the nose, along the sides, etc.

If you have fine wrinkles around your eyes you have to be extra careful. Use light-textured concealer because any other kinds will only emphasize the fine creases.

Concealer can also be used to cover up inconsistencies in the complexion, such as reddening of the nose or along the laugh lines, under the eyes, over the cheekbones or in the middle of the chin or forehead. This however requires the use of a special application technique, which requires practice. The purpose of the concealer is to conceal, so if you cover up all your flaws, but the concealer remains visible, you need more practice.

Concealer is most suitable for when you are not wearing heavy makeup.