How To Apply & Where to Put Concealer On Your Face The Right Way? Concealers are one of the women’s best friends. Therefore, in this article, we are going to teach you how to use concealer on your face correctly – step by step.
How to use it? Which one to use? What is it for? Check out all the answers below. Hope you like it!
What Is Concealer Used For?
The function of the concealer is to correct imperfections, such as pimples, blackheads, redness, blemishes, and dark circles. But with time new functions were found, such as highlighting and even contouring.
Nowadays there are also color correcting concealers, if your skin has blemishes with different pigmentations. For example, for red pimples, you can apply a green concealer.
Here’s a quick list of what you can use concealers for:
- Highlight your face features
- Define your eyebrows
- Prime your eyelids and lips
- As a tinted moisturizer when mixed with make primer, serums or moisturizers
- Accentuating your lips and make lipstick colors more defined
- To hide acne and blemishes
- Covering up undereye circles
- Conceal acne scars
Where To Apply Concealer?
There are many ways to apply concealer. In the next section we will cover some areas you can apply concealer with some examples that you can follow:
- On your Entire face
- Under the eyes to conceal dark circles
- On High points of the face as a substitute to a highlighter
- Around the brows
- Around your mouth
- Back towards cheekbones
- On pimples and dark spots
Down below let’s talk about each one of these points in more detail, including some tips and steps on how to apply concealer for each one of these situations.
How To Apply Concealer On Your Face
On Your Entire Face
As a foundation
Some people need more coverage than usual and in these situations it is totally possible to use a concealer as a foundation. In this case, I suggest you use a sponge because it will be much easier to blend.
As a tinted moisturizer
Another way to use foundation all over your face is by mixing a bit of it on a moisturizer and serum or even a lightweight sunscreen, and apply it gently in circular motion.
Under The Eyes
You can apply concealer under the eyes with your pink fingers because it will add less pressure to the area. You can also use a sponge and a brush.
In my opinion, when I want to conceal dark circles, I prefer using a sponge because it is more gentle than any other method.
To conceal Dark Circles
There are quite a few ways to apply concealer under the eyes. If you just want to conceal the dark circles, then you can apply a tree or four dots on the area and blend it. This works for me and this is the way I do for a more natural makeup.
To conceal Baggy Under Eyes
Another method is to trace an upside down triangle, which is more adequate for special occasions where you need more coverage, or for everyday situations if you feel like your dark circles are big or if you have baggy under eyes.
How To Apply Concealer as a highlighter
If you want to apply concealer as a highlighter, you need to pick a shade that is lighter than your skin tone.
On the T zone
For a professional polished makeup finish, trace a line on the center of your nose from the top all the way down to the tip. Also, you can trace three lines on the button of your forehead.
On the eyebrows area
This technique will highlight the eyebrow area as well as give definition to your brows. To do so, trace the concealer on the upper and lower area of your brows, as you can see on the image below.
Back Towards Cheekbones For A Lifting
Use a concealer with a shade that is lighter back toward cheekbones, all the way to your hair line, and you will notice an instantaneous lifting on your face.
Around Your Mouth
If you wax your face and don’t properly remove the residuals you may get darker skin around the mouth. In this case, you get your concealer for the rescue. Just apply some dots around the mouth and blend it with your fingers.
Concealer As Contour
In addition to all the functions mentioned above, concealer can be a great substitute for contouring.
For you to be able to contour, the concealer needs to be darker than your skin. 1 to 2 shades darker is already great.
How To Choose The Right Concealer?
Not so long ago, concealers were products to cover and conceal imperfections. Nowadays, we have a variety of concealers that can also serve as a treatment.
When choosing your concealer, there are two things we can immediately have in mind, which is your skin type and if the product contains hydrating and nourishing ingredients.
Facial correctors have several textures, including liquid and creamy textures. Concealers can be liquid, creamy, stick, or pencil.
Your skin type will define the texture you should use, as for example, dry skin will get along well with liquid and creamy products while oily skin can perfectly use a stick version of the product.
The liquid concealer is suitable for the eye area and mature skin. After all, it is more fluid and has less chance of marks in expression lines.
Depending on the degree of dark circles and spots, you can find concealers in low and medium and high coverage.
Cream concealers for example, usually have high coverage. Thus, it can be used in heavy makeup. However, this texture is more likely to mark expression lines.
In addition to the textures, we also have the effect, which can be moisturizing or matte.
In terms of ingredients a good tip is to use concealers that state on the emballage that are hydrating, or anti-aging. This way you can treat your skin while wearing your makeup.
Liquid Concealers
Because of its light texture, the liquid concealer is the best option for a natural and more hydrating effect.
The makeup won’t crackle and is perfect to conceal fine lines and wrinkles.
They are perfect for the eye area and to cover blackheads, and are suitable for all skin types.
You can apply it with the help of a brush, sponge, or with your fingers, but the brush and the sponge give a more polished application.
Stick Concealers
Stick concealer usually provides medium or full coverage for dark circles.
It has a solid texture and provides higher coverage because it is more concentrated.
With a drier finish, it’s ideal for those with oily skin or in the T region.
However, it should be avoided by those with dry skin or have many expression lines, as it makes the marks more evident.
If they contain oils as a substance, it can make makeup come off more easily on a hot day, for example.
If you often sweat through the pores of your face, watch out! It can melt the make up.
Creamy Concealers
Because it has greater coverage power, the creamy concealer is ideal for those who have very marked blemishes and dark circles.
It is a great option for those with combination skin.
To spread better and achieve impeccable coverage, the ideal is to prefer application with a brush.
Pencil Concealers
Pencil concealers are great to cover pimples or small imperfections.
We can’t deny they are practical to apply and can be considered as a multipurpose product:
You can use them on the eyes, as a base for shadows and, as an illuminator for the inner corners (in a lighter tone).
That pencil concealer is drier and not indicated to cover dark circles.
However, they can be a good option to correct an imperfection or another.
Brushes For Applying Concealer
The concealer can be applied with your finger, gently tapping the chosen area.
For those who prefer the brush, there are a few options:
- Cat’s tongue brush, can also be used for bases;
- Fiber duo brush, ideal for liquid products;
- Chamfered brush fits right in the eye area.
Why Does Concealer Crack?
This usually happens for two reasons. First, due to lack of hydration.
The skin needs to be moisturized daily to stay healthy. Hydration is water for the skin. Therefore, if the skin is not hydrated, it sucks the water from the concealer, and this causes cracking.
Secondly is product accumulation. Using too much product, foundation or concealer can also cause cracking.
Common Mistakes While Applying Concealer
- Too Much Product: concealers need to have a minimal dose and eliminate imperfections by building light layers.
- Apply concealer over foundation or concealer: you’ll have a green face if you reverse the order.
- Mistake in color matching: concealers of all kinds can be mixed with concealer and/or foundation. However, if you don’t have the skill and put the corrector in greater quantity, it will be all stained.
Final Thoughts
To correct or camouflage stains, concealer is essential. However, in addition to choosing the ideal texture, it is also important to pay attention to the finishes.
For natural make-up, liquid concealers and low coverage can be a good option.