The right concealer will help you instantly transform your face, refresh your skin and hide the consequences of sleepless nights. High-quality corrective products with a matte finish and reflective particles are presented in the line of many beauty brands. We'll tell you how to choose the right concealer to disguise skin imperfections and create flawless makeup.
- Texture
- Color
- Skin type
- Purpose
- Form
- Compound
- Additional features
- It is important to know
- Price
- Beauty brand
What is facial concealer?
Over the past few years, this product has been a frequent guest in women's cosmetics bags. Concealer (from the English word conceal - hide, mask) is a cosmetic product designed to hide skin imperfections.
What is it for?
This cosmetic product is used to disguise problem areas on the face. It covers dark circles from fatigue under the eyes, acne and pimples, spider veins, birthmarks. It is either used spot-on to cover individual imperfections, or it is used to cover larger areas to give the face freshness.
Form
Palettes or “single concealers”?
Along with “single concealers,” the lines of many beauty brands offer entire palettes of products for correcting skin imperfections. They include several popular shades: flesh, purple, green, yellow, pink, orange.
Concealer palettes are usually preferred by professional makeup artists, who are daily faced with the need to disguise various skin imperfections. These palettes are perfect for you if you plan to do makeup with contouring.
Concealer palettes are also used for modern beauty techniques: symmetrical color patterns are drawn on the face, which are shaded with a brush and sponge to achieve a flawless skin tone. With their help, you can create new facial features every day by experimenting with application.
How to choose the right shade?
If you use foundation, you can safely choose a concealer of the same shade, or one or two shades lighter. It is worth considering that after applying the powder the color may darken slightly.
The correct tone is selected in natural light. It is not recommended to try cosmetics on the skin of your hands, as the shade may differ. To choose the most suitable shade, apply a small amount to your face; the desired shade will blend into your skin as closely as possible. There should be no visible traces of the use of cosmetics.
It is important to know
What should you consider when choosing a concealer?
The right concealer is an opportunity to rid your skin of imperfections and make it truly perfect.
When buying a concealer, you must:
- Test shades only in natural lighting conditions, so we recommend going to the store in the morning or afternoon;
- Take your foundation with you or use a similar tester to avoid making mistakes when purchasing;
- Decide right away what is more convenient for you to apply and shade the concealer: with a sponge, a brush (only suitable with synthetic bristles!) or your fingers.
Correction zones
Typically, facial concealer is universal. It is distributed over any areas that need to mask imperfections. However, there are products for certain parts of the face, such as the lips (needed to tone down the natural color). Most often this type of cosmetics is used in the following cases:
- camouflage of dark circles under the eyes;
- elimination of popped pimples, spider veins, age spots, even scars and bruises;
- adding volume to lips;
- facial contouring;
- highlighting the area under the eyebrow;
- masking facial wrinkles.
What to shade with?
Many people wonder what is the best way to apply concealer to their face. This, like shading, can be done in several ways.
- Some people find it more convenient to use their fingertips without purchasing additional tools.
- Using a brush is a more hygienic method. It can be used to work in more detail on some hard-to-reach areas such as the wings of the nose, or it can be used specifically on problem areas.
- For this procedure, you can use the pointed tip of a sponge . It is recommended to take a damp cosmetic sponge to make the coating more natural. Apply cosmetics using blotting rather than rubbing movements.
- Some products have a special applicator for easy application.
Masking acne
The appearance of skin rashes is always inappropriate. It’s also easy to tidy yourself up and hide imperfections with the help of concealer. Concealer is an excellent camouflage for any redness.
In order to forget about a small trouble, you need to take the following steps:
- We mask the active red tint with a green concealer. In order not to further irritate the skin, the application area is carefully treated with a small brush.
- An old rash with a gray undertone can be easily masked with a pink or warm peach concealer.
- Next, the skin tone is evened out using foundation or BB cream.
- The result is set with colorless powder. To distract attention from the problem area, the cheekbones can be additionally treated with highlighter.
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.
Price
How much does facial concealer cost?
One of the key factors when choosing a concealer is price. Liquid or cream products from little-known brands will cost you 80–170 rubles, from professional ones 2,500–3,500 rubles. The cost of concealers with the same structure, but designed specifically for the eye area, will be higher and range from 120 to 2,500 rubles.
The price of paste-like corrective products, presented in the form of sticks or pencils, starts from 120 rubles. and reaches 1,500–2,000 rubles. Special correctors with this texture for the skin around the eyes are rare, and those that are on sale will cost you 500–2,000 rubles. The price of cream palettes, consisting of 8-15 shades, ranges from 150 to 2,500 rubles.
Mineral loose concealers, including reflective particles, cost from 150 to 2,500 rubles. Corrective lip products that have recently appeared on sale can be found at prices ranging from 300 to 1,000 rubles.
Types of concealers and features of their use
There are several types of facial concealers. They are used for different purposes and differ in the method of application.
Pencil
Concealer pencil is used on the face in spots to disguise minor problems, such as pimples or freckles. Quite dry in texture, it is perfect for skin with excessive sebaceous gland activity. These pencils often contain antibacterial additives that relieve symptoms of inflammation.
Palette
A set of concealers of different shades is convenient to use when you need to cover up several different problem areas or do contouring. It presents several desired shades at once. Step-by-step photos will show you how to use the palette for one purpose or another.
Creamy texture
The creamy product has a medium density and is great for covering dark spots in the under-eye area. It is easier to use to correct a large surface of the skin. An applicator or sponge is used for distribution. However, this option is not very suitable for those with oily skin, because the makeup may run.
STICK
Concealer sticks have a thicker texture and are perfect for skin with acne, red spots and other imperfections. They will help where products with a lighter structure fail. They apply well, but do not blend well and are not very suitable for spot application.
Liquid
The lightweight liquid concealer absorbs well and blends evenly. It is best used in the eye area or for age spots. It will give your face a healthy and fresh look. But it is better to apply a thin layer and remove excess with a napkin.
Dry
The crumbly structure of the dry concealer allows you to remove oily shine and disguise small spots and pimples. But if the skin is peeling, it will clearly emphasize this flaw. Therefore, it should be used only after pre-moistening. Indispensable for those with oily skin.
Check out a selection of the best products costing up to 500 rubles.
Skin type
Choosing a concealer for your skin type
To choose the right concealer, you need to consider the type and characteristics of your face. If you have dry and sensitive skin, choose only liquid and cream textures containing moisturizing and nourishing ingredients.
For those with oily or combination skin, dry concealers with a matte finish are perfect. They not only hide many dermatological defects, but also ensure the durability of such correction and all makeup.
If you have normal skin, then there are no restrictions in choosing concealers: any cosmetic product will suit you. However, do not forget to focus on the tasks they solve, ease of use and durability.
When the first signs of skin aging and photoaging of the epidermis appear, choose concealers with caution. Low-quality products will roll up and then settle into wrinkles, making them more pronounced and noticeable.
How to apply concealer on your face: step-by-step instructions
In order for the makeup to look flawless, you need to shade the foundation correctly. Don't worry if something doesn't work out the first time. We have prepared for you step-by-step instructions for applying concealer to your face.
1 - Skin preparation
Wash and wipe your face with a cotton swab moistened with micellar water. Then apply makeup base to clean skin and wait until it is absorbed.
2 — Applying foundation
The next step is to apply foundation.
3 – Concealing skin imperfections and contouring
Then use concealer. First, dark areas under the eyes are masked, followed by acne.
It must be carefully distributed in the area of application so as not to attract unnecessary attention to the problem area. You can also slightly adjust the shape of your face: make your nose smaller, highlight your eyes and cheekbones. How to apply concealer on your face step by step, you can see in the photo.
4 - Applying powder
To make the skin matte and consolidate the result, use powder. Before doing this, it is better to blot off excess concealer and foundation with a napkin.
Watch the tutorial video.
Advice from professionals
Most girls make typical mistakes when applying concealer to their face. As a result, instead of ideal-looking skin, they get spoiled makeup, on which the outlines of skin defects are clearly visible. To avoid this result, listen to the advice of specialists on the correct application of concealer:
- Don't try to use foundation instead of concealer. It is possible to cover up dark circles under the eyes with foundation, but in this case the shade should be lighter than the complexion. But many people forget about this, covering their entire face with the same shade. The big advantage of concealer over foundation is that the latter settles into small wrinkles around the eyes, making the skin look unnatural.
- Few representatives of the fair sex have the technique of spot-applying concealer. If you need to disguise a pimple, girls often make the mistake of squeezing the corrector on top of it and trying to blend it out. In this case, there will be no result even after several layers applied. To apply the corrector correctly, use a thin brush to apply the product around the pimple, gradually approaching the center.
- It is difficult to blend concealer on dry skin. Therefore, makeup artists recommend slightly moistening your face with plain water before applying concealer.
- Experts do not recommend shading the concealer with cold hands. First you need to warm them up. An important point: those with oily skin should not apply the concealer with their hands; they should use a special brush.
- When applying concealer, you do not need to use a magnifying mirror.
- If necessary, you can apply the massage product in several layers.
- Avoid using concealer to cover open wounds or abrasions, as this may cause inflammation.
1— Face sculpting
For contouring you will need at least 2 shades. To highlight - one shade lighter than you usually use, to darken - two shades darker. Highlighting gives additional volume, and darkening is done to visually reduce the desired areas. In order to make the nose more graceful, you should apply a light shade in the center and two dark stripes on the sides of it. To raise your eyebrow, you need to highlight the area underneath it. And applying a dark shade to the border of the moving and fixed eyelids will help make the look deeper. See the step-by-step photo below for how to use concealer on different face types.
2 – Concealing bruises and dark areas under the eyes
Under the eyes, concealer is applied in the shape of a triangle with the apex on the cheek. Remember to apply the product to the inner corner and try to stay as close to your lower lash line as possible to make your makeup less noticeable. Afterwards you need to shade it using a method convenient for you. Gently tap it into the skin; rubbing may damage the skin.
3 — Correcting mistakes in makeup
Concealer will also help you easily correct some makeup mistakes. For example, reduce the length or width of the arrow, remove lipstick that extends beyond the contour of the lips, or correct drawn-in eyebrows.
4 - Emphasizing the contour of the eyebrows
To give the eyebrows a clearer shape, a thin strip is drawn under the lower border of the eyebrows, which is then shaded. All this should be done with a thin brush.
5 – Giving extra volume to the lips
If you apply concealer to the middle of your lips and press in with your fingertips, and then apply gloss, your lips will look plumper.
6 — Giving the face a lifting effect by lightening wrinkles
Masking under-eye circles and lightening wrinkles will help refresh your face and achieve a lifting effect. To do this, preference should be given to products with a light texture and the presence of reflective particles. Before using cosmetics, be sure to use a moisturizer. Apply the product along the nasolabial folds and in the corners of the lips in the area of marionette lines.
7 – Concealing acne and other imperfections
To disguise spots and pimples, the main condition is to apply the product to the edges and blend towards the center. Starting from the center of the pimple will only accentuate it.
Learning to distinguish from brothers
Have you ever watched video tutorials on makeup techniques? First, she takes a jar of base (before that there was a foam cleanser to cleanse the pores, then a gentle gommage to even out the texture).
So, let's go back to the base. After that it’s the turn of the proofreader. Then, it seems, foundation: a couple of tubes. Next it is powdered. Concealer. Powder again for a radiant effect. Then again a substance that makes certain areas flicker mysteriously. And this is all before, in fact, decorative cosmetics.
Secret! Before purchasing, you should know that long-lasting specimens have a matte texture. But if you have a problem with dark circles under the lower eyelids, choose formulations with a radiant formula.
Everything together looks confusing and complicated. Jars and tubes seem the same. Understanding the science of choosing the right palette seems unrealistic. But first of all, it is important to learn how to determine how all masking components differ. And what functions are assigned specifically to the concealer?
So, what is it for:
- Hide dark circles under the eyes;
- Emphasize the contours of the oval;
- Mask light redness, pigmentation spots, freckles, moles;
- Smooth out large pores;
- Visually distract from small wrinkles;
- Tint the capillary mesh on the thin dermis.
Concealer is needed to disguise light redness, pigmentation spots, freckles, moles
How to use colored concealers?
Color correction also helps hide imperfections. This way you can give your face freshness, disguise redness, circles under the eyes and solve other problems with your facial skin. How to choose a color is described below, and see the diagrams for the basic rules of application.
Green
Green covers up redness. It is ideal for covering acne, irritation, allergies and even small scars. Often substances that have an anti-inflammatory effect are added to green pencils, so this product will not only mask the deficiency, but also help eliminate the problem.
Yellow
Yellow color is used against blue-violet shades. It is most often used in the eye area, but can also hide bruises and prominent veins.
Violet
A product of lilac or violet color copes well with yellowed hematomas and age spots. It is also suitable for girls with a yellowish or dull complexion.
Apricot
Shades like apricot or peach help fade dark spots and are most often used to conceal under-eye circles. Unlike yellow, it masks blue rather than purple undertones. So you should choose the right color based on your own skin type.
White
White is needed to completely even out the complexion and hide traces of color correction.
Pink
Pink will refresh your complexion. This shade is suitable for pale or sallow skin and is used to cover under-eye circles that have a greenish tint. However, it is not suitable for everyone, so use pink with caution.
