Generally, you apply concealer after foundation to spot-correct areas needing extra coverage, as foundation evens out your base, allowing you to use less concealer and avoid cakiness; however, some prefer concealer first for a softer finish, especially with color correction or if using lighter foundation. The most common order is Primer > Foundation > Concealer > Powder, but it depends on your desired look.
To summarize, applying foundation before concealer has a few key benefits: 1. Builds a Base Layer: Foundation evens out your skin tone and provides initial coverage, which can reduce the amount of concealer you need. This way, you use less product overall and prevent a cakey look.
Step 1: Moisturizer. Step 2: Primer. Step 3: Liquid Foundation. Step 4: Concealer. Step 5: Foundation Powder.
Using the Wrong Shade
If your concealer looks too obvious or off in photos, your shade might not be quite right. Under-eye circles usually need something just a touch lighter than your skin tone, while blemishes or redness are better matched exactly.
How to layer foundation & concealer for a flawless finish
How To Apply Under-Eye Concealer Without Creasing
Foundation should be one of the first steps in your makeup routine order to give your makeup look a beautiful-looking canvas! Once you've applied your colour corrector, apply your foundation, concealer, powder, bronzer and highlighter. Then, you're ready to create your supermodel brows!
The "3-1-1 Rule" for makeup (and liquids) in carry-on bags means containers must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or smaller, all fitting into 1 clear, quart-sized, resealable bag, with 1 bag allowed per passenger, ensuring security can easily see and access it during screening. This applies to liquid makeup (foundation, mascara, lip gloss) and other gels, creams, and aerosols, while solid cosmetics like powders or lipsticks in stick form are generally exempt.
“If you're using a lightweight under-eye concealer, the warmth of your finger will help it sink into your skin really nicely,” explains Katie. “But if it is a heavier concealer, I would be worried that it would look cakey or you'd add too much by just using our fingers.
The 4-2-4 rule is a Korean skincare deep-cleansing method involving 4 minutes of oil cleansing, 2 minutes of foam cleansing, and 4 minutes of rinsing (2 warm, 2 cold), designed to thoroughly remove makeup, SPF, and impurities while boosting circulation, but it's often best suited for resilient skin types and not for daily use, especially if you have sensitive or dry skin.
To get flawless makeup, start with well-prepped, hydrated skin, use primer, then apply foundation in light, stippled layers with a damp sponge or brush, blending thoroughly, and spot-conceal before lightly setting with powder and finishing with setting spray for a seamless, natural finish. Patience is key, allowing products to set between steps to avoid cakiness and ensure longevity, focusing on blending edges outward.
Doing your eyebrows before foundation allows for better precision and control, as the skin is less slippery. It ensures your brows look clean and defined without smudging or disturbing your base makeup. Plus, starting with your brows helps create a balanced look, letting you adjust the rest of your makeup accordingly.
BB cream (Beauty Balm) offers light coverage, hydration, and skincare benefits for a natural glow, ideal for normal skin; CC cream (Color Correcting) focuses on evening skin tone by correcting redness or dullness with more targeted coverage, suiting those with discoloration concerns. Think BB for a sheer, healthy look and CC for specific color correction and a more polished, even complexion, though both provide lighter coverage than foundation and are skincare hybrids.
The rule of thumb for picking your concealer shade is based on your foundation shade. Beauty experts advise that everyone should have two shades of concealer in their arsenal, one lighter and one darker since daily sun exposure means your skin tone shifts slightly all the time.
To avoid drawing unwanted attention to the area, many makeup artists would recommend not applying too much, if any, foundation around the eye. Instead, they suggest using a hydrating, lightweight concealer that has been designed specifically for the under eye area.
Kendal, who is currently the creative director for Rabanne Beauty, had a surprising piece of advice: Put on your concealer as the first makeup step, before foundation. “You'll need less makeup in the long run by covering up everything you want to cover,” she says. “Skin looks much more natural.”
Makeup Hygiene Best Practices
Evens Out Skin Tone
Concealer is also used to even out skin tone and create a smooth, flawless canvas for makeup application. Whether you have uneven pigmentation, redness, or discoloration, concealer can help neutralize and balance out the skin tone, providing a more polished finish.
Tip 3: Pack Your Makeup
Some airports will require that all of your liquids fit in one clear plastic bag– TSA says that all of the liquids that you're traveling with in your carry-on must fit in 1 quart sized, clear, plastic, zipped bag– so it's smart to have that handled before departure.
We got you covered.
The Use and Misuse of Primer (check out this post on primer) Not Blending Your Makeup (I teach this inside of Learn Makeup in 5 Days) Heavy Handed Eyeliner (most people don't even look their best in eyeliner!) Using the Wrong Foundation Shade (check out this post here on how to help you find the right shade)
Most well-known cosmetics & make-up brands in the United States 2025. L'Oréal is the most well-known cosmetics and make-up brand in the U.S., followed by Revlon, COVERGIRL, and Avon. Other well-known cosmetics and make-up brands in the United States include Maybelline New York, Estée Lauder, and e.l.f., to name a few.
Don't Apply Makeup to a Dirty Face
Applying makeup to an unclean face invites skin problems. Breakouts and acne will not go away. Never put makeup on top of other cosmetics that have been sitting on your face for hours. Try to remove what you're wearing initially to allow your pores to breathe.