What is the difference between concealer and foundation

Is concealer the same foundation, only in a mini format? Not really. A similar creamy texture is not a reason to consider them interchangeable beauty products. They have different properties and functions. In this article, learn more about the differences between concealer and foundation.

Foundation is the main tool for correcting skin tone, with which any makeup begins. It is evenly distributed either over the entire face or targeted (for example, over the T-zone), paying attention to careful shading. The “second skin” effect, which makes the makeup invisible, is extremely important here.

Concealer was created for other purposes: this product is designed for local correction of imperfections. Due to its dense texture, it helps to hide skin imperfections such as pimples or dark circles under the eyes.

Application area

Foundations are designed to be applied to the entire surface of the facial skin. Their task is to hide minor imperfections and even out skin tone, preparing it for the application of other decorative cosmetics.

The word “concealer” can be translated as “hiding.” The name accurately reflects the purpose of such products, applied to small areas of the skin for the purpose of camouflage.

pronounced cosmetic defects:
local redness and spider veins;
age spots;
scars and scars;
dark circles under the eyes;
acne and marks from them.

How does concealer differ from foundation in terms of application method?

When comparing foundation and concealer, you can detect many differences already at the application stage.

The foundation is often worked with a duofiber brush (if a light, invisible coverage is required) or a kabuki brush (helps to get a denser result).
A damp sponge is also suitable for the same purposes. The cream is applied, moving from the center to the periphery - to the contours of the oval of the face and the hairline. Sometimes, in order for the tone to stick better, it is, as it were, driven into the skin with patting movements, using the stippling technique. All lines are carefully shaded until the product matches the skin tone as much as possible.

Three different ways to apply foundation are in the video tutorial.

Concealer is convenient to apply with a small flat brush with a rounded cut. It effectively masks small defects, but can, if necessary, cover larger areas of the skin. Sometimes concealer is applied with fingertips, blending the edges with light movements. You will find detailed instructions in our video.

The areas where concealer should be applied are shown in the photo.

What to apply first?

Is concealer applied before or after foundation? First the cream, and only then the concealer! Many people have been familiar with the technique of applying foundation for a long time.

But concealer is a relatively new cosmetic product on the Russian market, and not everyone knows how to use it.

Very often, when women buy concealer for the first time, they fail and throw this cosmetic product into the far corner. And all because they use it incorrectly !

Here are a few conditions to follow when applying concealer:

Warm hands . Concealer does not interact well with cold surfaces and can simply form clumps without giving the desired effect.
Moisturized skin . Before applying concealer, just lightly moisten your skin with water.
The right shade . The color of the pigment has already been mentioned above. When choosing a concealer, you need to remember that it should be lighter than your foundation, but not contrast with it too much.
And the most important rule: concealer is applied to the skin after foundation! Otherwise, it simply won’t have any effect!

The difference between the results of using concealer and foundation

Using foundation, you can get coverage of different density depending on the texture of the product: there are fluids that leave a translucent veil on the skin, there are thicker creams - both light and rich (these are especially useful in winter).

If the application is done efficiently, taking into account all the technical nuances, the coating will look natural, which means that the product will apply evenly, like a second skin. We provide more tips to help you achieve the perfect tone here.

Initially, concealer is a product with a more concentrated formula and rich texture, because it is necessary that it covers redness, “bruises” under the eyes, and acne marks from the first layer. If you apply concealer all over your face instead of foundation, the result will be comparable to the effect of applying a very dense tone. It is also worth considering that concealer is usually purchased a little lighter than foundation. So, replacing one remedy with another, you may not get such a harmonious result as you expected.

Making one from the other

How to make concealer from foundation? And can you use foundation instead of concealer?

If there is an urgent need to hide skin imperfections that foundation cannot cope with, you can prepare your own concealer.

To do this, you need to take a foundation slightly lighter than the one you use on your face, or add a little light powder , preferably with reflective particles.

Mix all this thoroughly and hold it in the air for a while to allow the cream to oxidize slightly - then the pigment will appear brighter .

After this, homemade concealer should be applied pointwise to problem areas on top of foundation.

Remember that this is an emergency option, and it is better to still keep a factory-made concealer in your cosmetic bag.

Concept of foundation

Foundation is a cosmetic product that serves as a base for makeup . It evens out the complexion, hides minor imperfections, and modern foundation creams protect and nourish the skin.

On store shelves there are foundations for every taste and budget: from budget Rimmel and Vivienne Sabo to luxurious Christian Dior and Guerlain .

Foundation is in almost every cosmetic bag.

It is a rare girl over 20 who can boast of a perfect, even complexion .

Foundations come in different densities; there are also very light ones, which only slightly smooth out skin imperfections and are quite suitable even for the youngest ladies. Well, in adulthood you can’t do without a thick foundation.

What is it made of and how is it used?

There are hundreds of varieties of foundation. Water and fat based , with vitamins and antioxidants, natural oils and mineral particles.

But the main component of foundation was and remains pigment, in other words, a coloring matter, a color base.

Typically, foundation is used on top of a special makeup base . It is applied pointwise to the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin, and then distributed over the entire face with a brush or sponge with soft “driving” movements.

Which is better to choose?

Imagine that you overslept and are late for work or an important meeting. You only have five minutes to get your face in order. What to use: concealer or foundation?

Concealer of course! It will refresh your look, remove traces of long sleep, you will look natural, as if you just washed your face with cold water! But foundation will only do harm in this case.

However, it cannot be said unequivocally that concealer is always better than foundation, or vice versa, that foundation is preferable. These products give maximum effect only in combination with each other !

How to apply concealer. How to apply concealer: rules and diagram

When applying a concealing cosmetic product to the skin of the face, you must adhere to the following rules:

Before applying concealer, moisturize and cleanse your face.
The concealer can be applied with a brush or fingers. If you need to hide a pimple or other small defect, use a brush. With its help, you can better shade the boundaries without wiping off the product from the problem area. It is much more convenient to apply the product to the side areas of the nose with a brush.
The eye corrector is applied pointwise: to the inner corner, then to the middle of the eyelid and to the outer corner. After this, the product is carefully shaded towards the temples and powdered a little.

Remember, thick concealer should not be applied to areas of skin with wrinkles, it will make them more expressive. For wrinkled skin, a light, almost airy corrector that matches your skin tone is suitable. Apply concealer to the edge of the brush and gently brush over the wrinkle. The concealer should dry for a few seconds.
“Depressed” irregularities are filled with liquid corrector using a thin brush. You cannot rub the product; foundation is applied on top of it.
Apply green or yellow concealer before foundation.
If the shade of the concealer matches the color of the foundation, the order of application is not important.
Highlighters and correctors containing reflective particles are applied over the foundation.
The product will most effectively hide skin imperfections if applied over a makeup base.

Which concealer or foundation is better: we analyze the top products

If you are wondering which is better - concealer or foundation - do not limit yourself to the choice. The products work great in tandem if you choose products from trusted brands. We offer you a selection of concealers and foundations from leading brands of decorative cosmetics.

Foundation ALL HOURS FOUNDATION

This long-lasting foundation is what oily and combination skin needs. The product does not contain oils that clog pores, but boasts ultrafine pigments that absorb excess sebum, prevent the appearance of oily sheen and extend the durability of the makeup for up to 24 hours. The product can be applied either with a sponge or with a brush, and SPF 20/PA+++ will protect your skin from ultraviolet rays.

Read more about the composition, shades, and method of applying foundation on the official YSL Beauty website https://yslbeauty.com.ru/maquillage/face/fonds-de-teint.

Concealer ALL HOURS CONCEALER

This concealer cannot be replaced with a foundation one, because it has a very rich and dense texture that can cope with any local imperfections in no time. The composition with ultrafine pigments will prevent excess sebum from forming an oily sheen on the skin, and the improved formula will prevent fingerprints of the product on your hands, clothes or smartphone screen, even in conditions of high humidity.

Foundation face cream Superstay24

The tone will provide maximum density, which is suitable for formal, evening and everyday makeup. Apply all over face and blend thoroughly with a brush, beauty blender or fingers for a flawless matte finish that lasts up to 24 hours.

Maybelline INSTANT ERASER facial concealer

This product is considered one of the best among concealers, and many beauty experts even put it on a par with luxury products. This universal concealer is suitable for any skin type, thoroughly hides imperfections and does not make wrinkles noticeable - so you can safely apply it first around the eyes and then on other delicate areas.

Maestro foundation veil

The award-winning, revolutionary texture contains water-free oils and conditioning ingredients. This is not just a tone, but complete care for normal, oily and combination skin. If you are looking for a product with the most light and weightless coverage, you will like Maestro.

Long-wearing Power Fabric concealer

Need to hide dark circles, capillaries or blemishes? With Power Fabric, your skin will have an even tone across all areas of your face. Three types of oils in the formula provide thin coverage and maximum durability. The product is easy to blend and provides the effect of a healthy, rested face for the whole day.

Differences in release form and composition

As for the formula, the main difference between concealers and foundations is that concealers contain more pigments - this is necessary for a high-quality camouflage of imperfections. Plus, their texture is often complemented by shimmering particles, which enhance the brightening effect due to their reflective properties. Taking into account the fact that concealer is often applied to delicate areas (the skin under the eyes, which is very thin and delicate), moisturizing components are often added to the formula. They are also present in foundation, but more attention is paid to protective ingredients and SPF. In addition, foundations are less pigmented. To make the coverage light, they are often diluted with moisturizer.

As for the form of foundation packaging, most often it is a fairly large bottle or tube.

And the concealer is produced in a compact package, similar to a tube of lip gloss, or in a small jar if the product has the texture of a thick and dense cream.

Corrector concealer, how to use. How to use a concealer palette?

Thus, every woman should have at least a couple of concealers in her everyday makeup bag. And on store shelves you can often find entire palettes of concealers - a set of products in several colors. There is an opinion that such color extensions can only be useful to professional makeup artists. However, this is not quite true. We often don’t notice, but our skin tone changes throughout our lives - tanning, general well-being, stress, sleep - all this affects our complexion. We habitually use the same cosmetic products, but at some wonderful moment our reflection in the mirror is no longer pleasing. It is likely that you just need to adjust the color of the products used. And this is where you can “experience for yourself” all the joy of using a concealer palette.

Not only does the palette always contain the lightest color, which is probably suitable for use under the eyes, and a slightly darker color to cover imperfections on the face. So there are also intermediate shades that are useful if you are tanned. Darker colors can be used on their own or mixed with familiar shades, darkening them as much as you need.

If you have a palette of concealers in your arsenal, then you can say that you have an endless number of shades of concealer in your hands.

In addition, makeup artists recommend applying the lightest shades of concealers under the eyebrow, making the overall appearance more well-groomed. And the darkest shade in the stretch is perfect for cheekbone correction.

Correct sequence

The right solution is to apply foundation first and then concealer. This order is determined by their consistency. If both products are applied correctly, they will have a positive effect on the skin of the face.

Face corrector, what color for what. Colored concealers: it's simple if you know!

Many people use nude shade concealers. But they don’t always know what to do with people of color. But in vain. After all, they can correct many skin imperfections: from dark circles under the eyes and age spots to protruding veins (and not only on the face). Let's figure out why color is needed in concealers. The skin defects that we most often lament have their own color: reddish pimples, gray-blue circles under the eyes, yellow age spots, red freckles, brown moles, etc. In order to neutralize these color stains, another color is needed. If you do everything according to science, then you need the so-called “opposite color”. This refers to a color wheel that represents pairs of colors. The shades located opposite each other in this circle are called opposite. For example, the opposite of red is green, and the opposite of purple is yellow, and so on. Look at the picture.

This diagram is a kind of hint as to which concealer you should choose. Thus, those who believe that colored concealers should only be chosen to match the color of their skin are wrong. No. They should be selected to match the color of the skin defect that needs to be disguised. For example, if you have bluish veins, then an orange concealer can neutralize them; if you have orange freckles, then you need a purple shade of concealer. In addition, it is worth considering your own skin tone, and this only comes with experience. So it turns out that each of us should have several colored concealers, not the same shade, but different ones. That is why manufacturers have recently been releasing entire palettes of concealers, so that several shades can be combined in one product, for all occasions.

But as before, there are also concealers in separate bottles and tubes. Let's figure out what shades of corrective products exist and why.

Lavender, purple concealer Used to neutralize yellow skin imperfections such as yellow complexion, yellow bruises, age spots. It also helps conceal very dark circles under the eyes and dark brownish spots on bronzed skin tones. Shades close to blue will add radiance to the skin, so they can be added to foundations and applied as shimmer to the inner corner of the eyes, under the eyebrow.

Green concealer Neutralizes red defects: spots, irritations, allergic reactions, pimples, blackheads, rosacea, alcohol stains, any redness. Use green concealer only on red areas. If it gets on the natural skin color, it can highlight the face green, this is of no use.

Yellow corrector Used to disguise blue-violet imperfections: dark circles, dark circles, veins. Makes skin tone warmer, softer. Even tattoos can be treated with yellow concealer. Yellow concealer can be used on your eyelids and makes a great eyeshadow primer.

Orange, apricot, salmon concealer They mask blue skin defects: as a rule, these are circles under the eyes. To cover up tattoos, mix orange concealer with regular nude concealer and cover the tattoo. Makeup artists warn to buy a color that is too carroty; it does not “work” on all skin tones.

Pink concealer Hides greenish spots (for example, from bruises, or dark circles under the eyes), sometimes veins are greenish. But be careful with pink concealer. The fact is that when it gets on bluish areas of the skin, the effect may be unexpected. After all, pink + blue = purple. Therefore, use pink concealer with caution, and only on greenish areas. It remains to be reminded how to use this life-saving product - color concealer: - Always mask imperfections before applying foundation and powder. — Use a brush to apply, apply a thin layer. If you use your fingers, tap the product in, but do not rub it in; it should remain on the skin as a thin coating layer. - Apply from top to bottom so that the hairs on the skin do not rise and draw attention to your imperfections. — It happens that the color of the defect is not clear, then mix several concealers at once. If you want a more sheer shade of concealer, then mix a colored concealer with foundation or nude concealer. — If you don’t have a colored concealer, but want to try how color masks skin imperfections, add a little eyeshadow of the desired shade (light green, lavender, apricot, etc.) to your nude concealer, this will clearly show you how important a colored concealer is makeup product.

What to apply first, foundation or concealer?

Concealer

Remember: Before using cosmetics, the skin must be cleansed using any cleansing gel. Then moisturizer is applied and only then decorative cosmetics can be applied.

First, foundation is applied in a thin layer over the entire face . Distribute the cream well in areas near the hair - on the forehead and near the ears, so that there is not too clear a border. Then apply concealer to the blemishes and the area under or around the eyes. Also blend it well.

Important: The foundation is chosen to match the color of the skin on your neck. The concealer should be a tone lighter than the foundation. This will help make your face fresh and your skin beautiful.

If you are just starting to get acquainted with makeup techniques, then do not use too bright shades when creating your make-up. At the first stages of getting acquainted with the world of cosmetics, use only smooth, natural tones of eye shadow, concealer and lipstick. Then you can learn to create brighter makeup, with rich tones of eye shadow and lipstick.