1. Understanding Concealer Basics
When it comes to perfecting your makeup look, concealer is one of the most powerful tools in your beauty kit. Whether youre covering dark circles, blemishes, or brightening up certain areas of your face, the right concealer can make a big difference. But before diving into shades and undertones, its important to understand what concealer is and how it works.
What Is Concealer?
Concealer is a type of cosmetic that’s similar to foundation but thicker and more pigmented. It’s specifically designed to cover imperfections like dark spots, under-eye circles, redness, acne scars, and more. It helps create a smooth, even-toned complexion when used correctly with your other makeup products.
Different Types of Concealers
Not all concealers are created equal. The type you choose depends on your skin type, the area you’re targeting, and the finish you prefer. Heres a quick breakdown of the most common types:
| Type | Texture | Best For | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid | Lightweight to medium coverage | All skin types; especially oily or acne-prone skin | Matte, satin, or radiant |
| Cream | Thick and creamy | Dry or normal skin; good for covering blemishes and discoloration | Satin or natural finish |
| Stick | Solid and dense | Quick touch-ups; great for precise application on blemishes | Natural to matte finish |
How Concealer Fits Into Your Makeup Routine
You might be wondering when exactly to apply concealer during your routine. Typically, youll apply foundation first to create an even base. Then use concealer to spot-treat areas that still need extra coverage. For brightening under the eyes or highlighting certain features like the center of the forehead or chin, concealer can also be applied after foundation in those specific areas.
Pro Tip:
If youre using color-correcting concealers (like green for redness or peach for dark circles), apply them before foundation so they blend seamlessly into your skin.
The Bottom Line for Beginners:
Getting familiar with different types of concealers is a great first step toward finding the right one for your skin tone and needs. In the next section, we’ll explore how to pick the perfect shade and undertone match for flawless results.
2. Identifying Your Skin Tone and Undertone
Before picking the perfect concealer, it’s important to understand your skin tone and undertone. These two factors play a huge role in choosing a shade that blends seamlessly with your natural complexion. Let’s break it down in a simple way.
What Is Skin Tone?
Your skin tone is the surface color of your skin, which can range from fair to deep. It’s usually categorized into four main groups:
| Skin Tone | Description |
|---|---|
| Fair | Very light skin that may burn easily; often has freckles. |
| Light | Still light but slightly more beige than fair. |
| Medium | Tans more easily; often has an olive or golden hue. |
| Deep | Rich brown or dark skin tones with warm or cool undertones. |
What Are Undertones?
Undertones are the subtle hues beneath your skins surface. While your skin tone can change due to sun exposure, your undertone stays the same. There are three main types:
| Undertone | Description | Common Signs |
|---|---|---|
| Cool | Pink, red, or bluish hues under the skin. | You burn easily, veins appear blue, silver jewelry looks best on you. |
| Warm | Yellow, peachy, or golden hues. | You tan easily, veins look greenish, gold jewelry flatters your skin. |
| Neutral | A mix of both cool and warm tones. | Your veins are hard to define as blue or green, both silver and gold jewelry suit you. |
How to Find Your Undertone at Home
The Vein Test
Look at the veins on your wrist under natural light. If they appear blue or purple, you likely have cool undertones. If they look greenish, you’re probably warm-toned. Can’t tell? You might be neutral.
The Jewelry Test
If silver jewelry brightens up your face more than gold, youre cool-toned. If gold looks better, youre warm-toned. If both work well for you—congrats! Youre neutral-toned.
The White Paper Test
Hold a plain white sheet of paper next to your face in natural light. If your skin appears rosy or bluish by comparison, youre cool-toned. If it looks yellowish or golden, youre warm-toned. Neutral tones may appear grayish or balanced between the two.
Why This Matters for Concealer Shopping
Selecting a concealer that matches both your skin tone and undertone ensures a natural look without any ashy or orange results. Most makeup brands label their products with hints about undertones—look for terms like “cool,” “warm,” or “neutral” on packaging or in shade names to guide your pick.
Understanding this foundation will make finding the right concealer much easier—and help you avoid mismatched makeup moments!
3. Choosing the Right Shade for Your Needs
Picking the perfect concealer shade isnt just about matching your skin tone — its also about what you want your concealer to do. Whether youre covering blemishes, brightening dark under-eye circles, or sculpting your face with contouring, different goals call for different shades and undertones. Heres how to choose the right one for each purpose.
Covering Blemishes and Redness
When you want to hide pimples, acne scars, or redness, go for a concealer that matches your exact skin tone. This helps it blend seamlessly without drawing attention to the area.
Tips:
- Choose a matte finish to avoid highlighting texture.
- Creamy or full-coverage formulas work best for spot concealing.
Brightening Under-Eyes
The under-eye area tends to be darker and may need a brighter touch. For this, select a concealer thats 1 to 2 shades lighter than your natural skin tone with a peach or yellow undertone to neutralize dark circles.
Tips:
- If you have fair skin, look for pink or peach-toned correctors.
- If you have medium to deep skin, go for orange or red-toned correctors before applying concealer.
- A hydrating formula works best for the delicate under-eye area.
Contouring and Highlighting
You can also use concealers to sculpt your face. Use darker shades to contour and lighter ones to highlight high points like the bridge of the nose and tops of the cheeks.
Tips:
- Select a concealer 1–2 shades darker than your skin tone for contouring.
- Select a concealer 1–2 shades lighter than your skin tone for highlighting.
- Cream formulas are easier to blend for this technique.
Quick Shade Guide by Purpose
| Purpose | Recommended Shade | Best Formula Type |
|---|---|---|
| Blemish Coverage | Exact match to skin tone | Creamy or full coverage, matte finish |
| Under-Eye Brightening | 1–2 shades lighter with peach/yellow undertone | Hydrating or lightweight formula |
| Contouring | 1–2 shades darker than skin tone | Creamy or stick formula |
| Highlighting | 1–2 shades lighter than skin tone | Creamy or liquid formula |
No matter what youre trying to achieve with your concealer, always test the product in natural light and allow it to set before making a final decision on shade. This ensures it truly blends into your skin and looks great throughout the day.
4. Concealer Formulas and Coverage Levels
When it comes to finding the perfect concealer, understanding the formula and coverage level is just as important as matching your skin tone. Different formulas work better for different skin types and concerns, while coverage levels help you achieve your desired finish—whether that’s a natural glow or a flawless full-face look.
Types of Concealer Formulas
Concealers come in various formulations, each offering unique benefits. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Formula Type | Best For | Texture | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid | All skin types, especially oily or combination skin | Lightweight, buildable | Under-eye circles, light blemishes |
| Cream | Normal to dry skin | Thicker, more hydrating | Blemishes, discoloration, under-eyes |
| Stick | Normal to oily skin | Dense and highly pigmented | Spot-concealing blemishes or redness |
| Pencil | All skin types | Creamy but precise | Delineating brows, highlighting, small blemishes |
| Pot or Jar | Dry to normal skin needing high coverage | Creamy and thick | Heavy-duty concealment like scars or dark spots |
Cream vs. Liquid vs. Stick: Which One Should You Choose?
If you have oily skin or want something lightweight for everyday wear, go with a liquid concealer—it offers versatility and blends easily. Cream concealers are great for those with drier skin because they tend to be more moisturizing. Stick concealers are perfect if youre on-the-go and need quick touch-ups with solid coverage.
Understanding Coverage Levels: Sheer, Medium, Full
The amount of coverage you need depends on what you’re trying to hide and how natural or polished you want your makeup to look.
| Coverage Level | Description | Best For | Finish Look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheer Coverage | A light tint that evens out minor discoloration without looking heavy. | No-makeup makeup looks, brightening under-eyes slightly. | Naturally radiant and subtle. |
| Medium Coverage | Covers moderate imperfections like redness or light acne scars. | Everyday wear with a bit more polish. | Smooth and balanced appearance. |
| Full Coverage | Covers dark circles, deep blemishes, hyperpigmentation. | Special occasions or when you want a flawless base. | Matte or satin finish; airbrushed effect. |
Quick Tip:
If your goal is a natural glow for daily wear, try a sheer-to-medium liquid concealer. For big events or long days, reach for a cream-based full-coverage option that stays put.
Your Skin Type Matters Too!
If you have dry skin, opt for hydrating formulas like cream or pot concealers with moisturizing ingredients. Oily or acne-prone? Choose oil-free liquid concealers with a matte finish to avoid shine throughout the day.
Selecting the right formula and coverage level will help your concealer blend seamlessly into your routine—and your skin! Remember to test shades in natural lighting and always prep your skin with moisturizer before applying any product.
5. Pro Tips for Application and Blending
Applying concealer the right way can make all the difference between a flawless finish and a cakey mess. Here are some top tips from professional makeup artists to help you apply and blend your concealer like a pro.
Start with Prepped Skin
Always begin with clean, moisturized skin. If your under-eye area or blemishes are dry, concealer will cling to dry patches and look uneven. Apply an eye cream or lightweight moisturizer and let it absorb before applying any product.
Choose the Right Tool
The tool you use can affect how your concealer blends into your skin. Heres a quick guide:
| Tool | Best For | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Fingertips | Quick touch-ups, under eyes | Natural, skin-like finish (warmth helps blend) |
| Damp Beauty Sponge | Larger areas, full-face blending | Seamless, airbrushed effect |
| Synthetic Brush | Blemish coverage, precise application | Controlled coverage, buildable layers |
Tapping Over Rubbing
Avoid rubbing concealer into your skin. Use tapping or patting motions instead—this helps maintain coverage while blending edges for a natural look.
The Right Order Matters
If youre using both foundation and concealer, apply foundation first. This allows you to use less concealer since foundation will already provide some coverage. Then go in with concealer only where its truly needed.
Foundation Before Concealer?
This is especially important when covering dark spots or redness. Applying foundation first prevents over-layering and keeps your makeup from looking heavy.
Tone-Specific Application Tips
Your skin tone affects not just the shade of concealer you choose but also how you apply it. Check out these tips based on your undertones:
| Skin Tone Type | Application Tip |
|---|---|
| Fair to Light Skin | Avoid overly bright under-eye concealers; go just one shade lighter than your foundation for a natural highlight. |
| Medium to Tan Skin | Creamy formulas work best; use a peach or orange-toned corrector underneath if dark circles are prominent. |
| Deep to Rich Skin | Avoid gray-looking finishes by choosing warm or red-based undertones; layering with a color corrector helps maintain vibrancy. |
Set It Right—But Lightly
If you’re prone to creasing or oily skin, setting your concealer with powder is key. Use a small fluffy brush and translucent setting powder to lightly tap over the concealed area—dont bake unless necessary, as this can dry out the skin and emphasize texture.
MUA Tip:
“Less is more when it comes to powder under the eyes,” says L.A.-based makeup artist Jenna Kaye. “Use just enough to lock in moisture without losing that natural glow.”
Lifestyle-Approved Longevity Tricks
If youre wearing makeup all day, keep blotting papers or a travel-size setting spray in your bag. A quick spritz mid-day helps refresh your look without moving the concealer underneath.
A Few Extra Must-Knows:
- Avoid layering too many products—this causes creasing.
- If covering acne, dab gently and avoid blending too far outside the blemish area.
- Cream formulas tend to blend better than matte ones on mature or dry skin types.
- Add brightness by placing a tiny amount of light-reflecting concealer at the inner corners of the eyes and blending outward.
Nailing your application technique is just as important as picking the right shade. With these pro tips, youll be well on your way to seamless coverage that looks fresh all day long.
