So, do you use concealer before or after foundation? The proper way to apply the two products is to first smooth on a foundation and then apply your concealer. Foundation will create that even canvas we talked about earlier, and then concealer can be used to spot correct any outstanding areas that need extra coverage.
WHERE TO APPLY CONCEALER PLACEMENT #1: ALL OVER FACE. Take a concealer shade that matches your skin tone and draw vertical lines down your face as you would a normal foundation. Blend it all out with a sponge, then layer on more concealer in any areas that need more coverage.
As Reiss-Andersen points out, concealer is designed to color-correct dark circles and spots, as well as blemishes, while foundation works to enhance the overall skin tone. “It's great to combine both concealer and foundation to make the skin look as radiant as possible,” she concurs.
The general rule of thumb is that you should always opt for a shade lighter than foundation when choosing your concealer colour. Doing so helps to mask darker discolouration, but be careful not to over-correct! Knowing how to pick the right concealer is essential to ensuring that your look does not appear ghostly.
TIP #1: MOISTURIZE
Before you apply concealer, make sure skin is clean and moisturized. "Taking the time to massage skin with moisturizer will help the makeup look and wear better, especially when it comes to concealer," says Lee. "When moisturized properly, concealer will adhere to the skin much better."
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.
When it comes to choosing the best colour of concealer, you should look for one that is “the same shade as your skin tone to cover anything on the face, and then go one or two shades lighter on the under-eye area,” says Urichuk.
Always use foundation before applying concealer. Apply it with a beauty sponge from the center of the face to the outwards. You can also use it as a base to make your lips stand out. Set the concealer with powder to prevent creasing and do not over-apply as it may look cakey.
Don't rub the concealer into your skin; doing so could cause smearing or produce a cakey effect. Hack: Wait 5 minutes for your concealer to set before blending it with the rest of your makeup. This helps achieve smooth, even coverage.
Foundation is meant to be used as a base for your makeup, while concealer is meant to cover up blemishes or dark circles. You can use a bit of concealer on top of your foundation to help with any problem areas.
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.
To “bake your makeup” means to let your concealer sit on your face for 10 to 20 minutes before blending it, so that your own body heat enables the makeup to melt into your skin and cause it to change color and texture. This allows for the concealer to be blended more easily for a flawless coverage.
Concealer is typically thicker in consistency and meant to provide additional coverage to specific areas versus being applied to the entire face.
If you're looking for a lighter-weight alternative to foundation but don't want to rely on a tinted moisturizer or CC cream, we recommend using concealer alone. It's true, with the right long-wearing or hydrating concealer formula, you'll be able to cover imperfections, even out and keep your complexion looking fresh.
Go one shade lighter for an under-eye concealer.
While concealer for the general areas of your face should match your skin tone, under-eye concealer should be one or two shades lighter than your natural coloring.
If you're specifically looking to cover dark circles, you should instead choose color correctors in shades of red, pink, orange, or yellow, as these will help balance out the blue hue of under-eye circles. “Yellow is a super versatile concealer color that brightens sallowness.
Under eye cream is also a top product to include prior to applying concealer under eyes. Applying an eye cream under the eyes before applying concealer can help hydrate the skin so product applies smoother and you may also not need to apply as much concealer under the eyes.
You'll use the lighter shade around the areas of your face that naturally catch light (like your cheekbones and T-zone) and the darker shade in softer areas (like your forehead and jawline). Blend it all out with a buffing brush for a smooth, natural finish.