Different formulas for different fixes

Women typically need concealer to cover up and tone down three things: under-eye circles, blemishes and red or discolored patches around the nose, mouth and cheeks. But, what many women don’t realize is that one concealer can’t do it all.

Here’s what to do for each problem area.

Under-eye circles

• Choose a creamy concealer, which is available in a liquid or balm-like formula. The product should feel very emollient and melt into your skin.
• The reason for a creamy formula? The skin around your eyes is very thin, so plumping it up with a cream or liquid concealer will make your under-eye area look refreshed.
• If your under-eye concealer is dry or heavy, it will look cakey on the skin.

Blemishes, redness and discoloration

• In contrast to concealers that mask under-eye circles, choose a drier, more solid concealer to hide blemishes. You can use this same formula to cover up redness and discoloration.
• This type of concealer comes in a convenient stick formula, which makes it great for touch-ups on the go.
• Why this kind of formula? A drier, more concentrated concealer ensures even coverage and long wear, even on an oily-prone T-zone.
• You can also treat blemishes while concealing them. To do so, choose a concealer that contains benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or sulfur. Avoid formulas with mineral oil or petrolatum.

Choosing the right color

Just as you need different formulas for different areas of your face, the shade of concealer you choose will depend on what you’re concealing.

Dark under-eye circles

• You might need two shades of concealer.
• Apply a peach shade to neutralize the blue and purple undertones that make you look tired.
• Next, over the peach concealer, layer a yellow-based concealer one shade lighter than your natural skin color to brighten the under-eye area. You’ll look fresh and alert.

Blemishes and discoloration

• Choose a concealer that matches your skin tone exactly.
• If the color is too light or too dark, you’ll draw attention right to the area you’re attempting to conceal.

Product picks

• For perfect color matching, pick up a concealer palette with several shades, which you can blend together.Philosophy Supernatural Airbrushed Color Concealer contains three creamy shades, perfect for under-eye circles.
• Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer is highly pigmented and comes in a wide range of colors to blend seamlessly into your skin.

Applying your concealer

Now that you know how to choose the right formula and shade to cover your imperfections, you’re ready to apply the concealer.

These are the tools you’ll need:

• Small bristle brush
• Sponge
• Translucent powder

Step 1:

• Hydrate the skin with a moisturizer.
• Let the moisturizer sink into your skin for five minutes.
• If you wear foundation, apply it next.
• If you don’t wear foundation, spread a clear primer over your entire face. Primer will give the concealer something to stick to and make it last longer.

Step 2:

• Using the small bristle brush, carefully apply concealer to your skin.
• This brush lets you control precisely where you place the product. Apply concealer only to those areas that really need it.

Step 3:

• Use the sponge to gently pat — not rub — the concealer into your skin.
• Patting the product into your skin helps it blend without rubbing off.

Step 4:

• The final step is to set the concealer with translucent powder.
• A light dusting of colorless powder keeps your concealer from caking, creasing or wearing off.

Shelf life

Like most non-powder forms of makeup, the shelf life of concealer is about six months. However, if you choose a liquid formula, you might need to replace it sooner.

Check your concealer to make sure it hasn’t separated or developed a strange smell. If it has, toss it and get a replacement.

See also:

Stop the Makeup Madness: Solutions for 7 Common Slip-Ups

Personalize Your Palette: Makeup for Warm Skin Tones

Personalize Your Palette: Makeup for Cool Tones

Brighten Your Complexion with Blush

Preventing Plugged-Up Pores