You are not the only one who has dark circles under the eyes, age spots, pimples and enlarged pores and this is not something to be ashamed of. Believe me, every “perfect” Instagram star faces all these problems - be it Kylie Jenner or Hailey Bieber. You just don't see these imperfections on their faces because they know how to use concealer correctly. Haven’t heard about this beauty product yet and don’t even know where to apply it? Especially for you, professional makeup artist of the UniLook brand Vasilina Tkachenko has compiled a step-by-step guide on how to apply concealer perfectly. Even if you're a beginner and this is your first time holding a concealer in your hands, with these simple tips you can achieve impressive results.
What is concealer for?
A concealing beauty product is designed to hide minor imperfections on the face: dark circles under the eyes, expression lines, age spots, redness, pimples and spider veins. Why use concealer if you have foundation? The foundation evens out the relief and tone of the skin. Of course, it can disguise all the flaws on the face, but you will need a thick coating that will look like theatrical makeup. If you need to make a fashionable “makeup without makeup” makeover in 2022, concealer is best suited. It perfectly masks, but does not cover the texture of the skin, and therefore your face looks as natural as possible - as if there is not an ounce of makeup on it.
What is the difference between foundation, concealer and corrector?
If you can’t figure out these three beauty products, check out this cheat sheet from Vasilina Tkachenko: the main difference between concealer and foundation is its high pigmentation, thanks to which it manages to hide minor imperfections on the face well. It should always be a tone or half a tone lighter than the foundation. It is applied only to problem areas of the face, while its beauty partner “foundation” is applied to the entire face. The concealer has a denser texture, and therefore can do more.
The corrector is applied before the foundation, and its competitor after. The latter makes light camouflage not only under the eyes, but throughout the entire T-zone. The corrector precisely masks serious problems: acne, pigmentation or bruises. Concealer is a light veil on your face, and corrector is small and dense flies for spot concealment. To get the perfect makeup, apply concealer under your eyes, foundation all over your face, and corrector precisely on problem areas (for example, acne marks).
The most popular brands and manufacturers
Many large and not very large cosmetic companies offer good facial concealers. At the same time, you can choose products from both luxury and well-advertised brands, as well as products from the mass market.
Professional concealers from:
- Shiseido;
- Bobbi Brown;
- Clinique;
- NARS;
- BECCA;
- Estee Lauder;
- Chanel;
- MAC;
- Yves Saint Laurent, etc.
These products have a pleasant texture, good masking and toning qualities and super durability.
If you are confused by the price of luxury drugs (and it really is), then you can turn to mass-market products. Some of these products are practically not inferior in quality to cosmetics from world brands.
Pay attention to the products of the following companies:
- Max Factor;
- L'Oreal;
- Rimmel;
- Holika Holika;
- The Saem;
- Vprove;
- Catrice;
- Vivienne Sabo;
- Maybelline;
- Art-Visage;
- Eva Mosaic, etc.
Among the products of these brands you can find real “diamonds”. They mask skin imperfections well, moisturize the skin, do not emphasize wrinkles and do not clog pores.
How to choose the right concealer color
Concealing beauty products come in different shapes, colors and textures - from liquid and cream to thick sticks. The key is to find the right formula and tone for the problem you are trying to hide. First of all, choose the right color:
- Green - neutralizes birthmarks, redness, irritation, rashes. Conceals fresh scars and red inflammation.
- Yellow - masks cyanosis under the eyes and purple wreaths that show through thin skin, hides age spots and freckles.
- Pink (salmon) - neutralizes sallow complexion with a yellow-greenish tint, erases signs of fatigue, making a fair complexion glow.
- Peach - hides bluish circles under the eyes and dark spots from the sun or aging. This is the best choice to hide dark circles under the eyes and brighten the skin.
- Purple - masks yellow complexion, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, carrot tone after prolonged exposure to a solarium or sun.
- Orange is the choice of dark-skinned girls to disguise dark circles under the eyes and age spots. Replaces liquid bronzer in the contouring technique.
- White - used during contouring to highlight desired areas.
- Beige is an ideal option for skin without pronounced problems. It will hide light bruises under the eyes after a sleepless night, small redness and pimples.
How to choose the right concealer color? Just look at the color wheel: opposite tones cancel each other out. Here's how it works: green neutralizes red, and blue neutralizes yellow. Translated into make-up language, this means that green shades of concealers ideally hide any redness on the skin, and purple shades cover up a yellow complexion. Blue and purple circles under the eyes are removed with yellow-orange beauty products.
Features of makeup for acne
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If you suffer from acne, makeup can really help. Some beauty products can even help get rid of acne, while some simply cover it up.
The right makeup will allow you to:
- tone the skin, reduce redness and improve appearance;
- mask acne partially or even completely;
- improve your overall emotional mood.
How to apply concealer perfectly
No. 1. Choose the right color.
Remember: only nude beauty products can be applied everywhere. But the green tone on dark circles under the eyes can really surprise you with the result. If green shades are too radical for you, use salmon. They perform the same functions, only in light mode.
No. 2. Choose the right texture.
Sticks are ideal for precise application - for example, on an age spot or scar, says makeup artist Vasilina Tkachenko. They provide full coverage and are best for combination to dry skin as they have a creamy texture. Apply to the pimple, wait 30 seconds, and then carefully blend the edges of the spot.
Cream is the choice of girls with oily skin. They have a thick consistency that hides hyperpigmentation and other problem areas well. The cream formula is a universal beauty option, since you can always dilute it with moisturizer to get a thick, even coverage.
Liquid concealers are suitable for all skin types, but are especially good for dry skin. The liquid formula provides hydration without drying out already dry skin. Blend with fingers, brush or sponge.
Dry formulas are a must have for girls with oily skin. It hides imperfections well and solves the problem of oily shine. The main thing is not to apply them to the area around the eyes, so as not to emphasize fine wrinkles.
No. 3. Correct application order
Apply moisturizer to your face first, then primer and foundation. And only then concealer. The foundation will perform its concealing function and you will need less beauty product. If you don't use foundation, be sure to moisturize your skin first and only then start masking.
Acne
The sebaceous glands located in the skin produce sebum. Sometimes dead cells and oil can block the hair follicle, causing inflammation and a pimple.
If a person suffers from acne, it means that his sebaceous glands produce excessive amounts of sebum. Acne usually appears on the face, neck, back, chest and shoulders.
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How to Apply Concealer to Cover Dark Circles Under Eyes
Blue under the eyes can be a sign of a sleepless night or a genetic problem. In any case, it can ruin the most beautiful makeup. Here are simple tips on how to disguise dark circles under the eyes using UniLook concealer:
- Use liquid formulas for thin skin around the eyes, as sticks and creams accentuate fine lines and wrinkles.
- Choose a shade that is lighter than your natural skin tone. “It will brighten the area under the eyes and hide dark circles,” says Vasilina Tkachenko.
- Instead of a semicircle, draw a triangle to hide the circles under your eyes. The main camouflage mistake is to draw semicircles and randomly smear the product under the eyes. Draw inverted triangles to make your face look younger and fresher. Semicircles create the effect of bags under the eyes, and therefore forget about them forever.
- Excess of product will only highlight the problem. If a nude tone doesn't do the job, use a colored product.
- Proper shading is the key to a flawless result. Apply concealer and leave on for a couple of minutes. Then just blend out the borders. Otherwise, all the cosmetic product will remain on your fingers or sponge.
What are its differences from corrector and highlighter?
The corrector has a denser structure than concealer and is able to disguise more obvious defects. But since the corrector dries out the skin, it is better to use it spot on. Facial concealers can have reflective particles added to them, so some people use it instead of highlighter. However, these two products are used for different purposes. While one hides imperfections, the other highlights individual areas, making them more voluminous and giving the face a rested look.
How to Apply Concealer to Cover Dark Spots
Choose a thick, creamy texture. The formula should be thick enough to cover dark spots. Choose a product that matches the color of your foundation. If you are faced with strong pigmentation, you will need a peach tone that will cover the dark brown color. Learn the application secret from Vasilina Tkachenko: first apply foundation to even out the tone, and then concealer. If you have dry skin, use a hydrating formula instead of a matte one.
Life hack from Vasilina Tkachenko: correct makeup mistakes with a concealer. Apply it on a cotton swab to gently remove any crumbled shadows or mascara spots.
How to cover up scars with concealer
You will need a stick or cream with a thick texture. The liquid formula is useless in this case. Look for a shade that matches your skin color for the most natural effect. If you use a stick, just cover the scar. For large or dark scars, apply the creamy product with a brush or fingers.
What requires camouflage
Symptoms of rashes that require camouflage:
- redness;
- painful sensations;
- formation of a purulent head.
Red, inflamed and large white pimples are the first candidates for careful camouflage. Small pimples and blackheads are not so noticeable. Large and painful ones spoil the appearance and attract attention. In some cases, they can be hidden under hair. But, as luck would have it, they appear in the most visible place - on the cheeks, forehead, chin.
You can disguise pimples using decorative cosmetics. It will hide the redness, although it will not be able to smooth out the tubercle that appears. Also, if you have extra time, you can resort to home cosmetology recipes that help quickly relieve the inflammatory process. This will make it easier to disguise with foundation or correctors.
How to properly apply concealer to mature skin
When it comes to applying concealer to dry skin over wrinkles, the rules for creating flawless makeup change. Here are important tips from makeup artist UniLook:
- Say a firm “No” to thick textures and choose liquid concealers with medium coverage that lie on the skin like a light veil and do not emphasize wrinkles.
- Choose shades depending on the problem you want to solve. Beauty products with a radiance effect are good. They reflect light and distract attention from visible signs of aging.
- Apply concealer with a small fluffy eyeshadow brush for a natural, fresh look.
A life hack on how to extend the durability of your concealer: to prevent the concealer from rolling off and settling in the folds around the eyes, blot off any excess with a single-layer napkin after application. If you have oily skin, use a dry formula or layer a translucent powder over your concealer. This will help it stay in place throughout the day.
Contraindications
Both decorative and medicinal cosmetics are not suitable for everyone. Therefore, before choosing an acne corrector, you should familiarize yourself with a number of restrictions on its use:
- allergic reaction to cosmetics;
- strong foci of inflammation;
- skin diseases for which the application of makeup is strictly prohibited;
- open wounds.
Despite the fact that this product usually does not pose a health risk, if any negative manifestations on the skin are detected, you should stop using it further and consult a dermatologist.
Corrective agents with therapeutic effect
Despite the rather high cost, medicinal camouflage cosmetics have a complex effect. It may contain:
- substances aimed at regulating sebum production, such as extracts of green tea, seaweed, burdock, yeast, zinc compounds, and so on;
- whitening components that have a preventive effect against pigmentation - mulberry and licorice extracts;
- compounds with a matting effect - silicones, starch;
- anti-inflammatory ingredients such as salicylic acid;
- sun filters that eliminate the negative effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin.
Almost all leading cosmetics brands began to produce masking correctors containing sebum-regulating and lightening substances, as well as vitamins, antioxidants and UV filters.
After applying colored concealers, apply a nude concealer