Reasons You’re Using Your Concealer All Wrong

When you think of a flawless complexion, if the first thing that comes to mind isn’t your concealer, you might be using it all wrong. If hiding dark circles, erasing breakouts and covering up redness always turns cakey, flakey or all around unnatural looking, we have the tips for you. Get our secrets for faking perfect skin the right way.

The Mistakes You Might Be Guilty Of

Mistake: Choosing Only 1 Shade

Dark Circles: Choose a concealer 1 shade lighter than your skin to cover and brighten up dark circles and compensate for shadows. Going too light makes you look like you got sunburn with sunglasses on.

Breakouts: Concealer should be the same color as your foundation. It's meant to disappear not be highlighted.

Mistake: Applying It Solo

Applying concealer on unprimed or dry skin allows the concealer to settle into fine lines and creases. Instead, layer your concealer over a creamy moisturizer or a primer.

Mistake: Covering Only The Problem Area

If you are tying to cover a patch of redness or hide dark circles, make sure you are applying concealer beyond that affected area. Cover the blemish and the area around it before blending outward creates an even canvas, rather than drawing attention directly to that spot.

Mistake: Not Using Colored Concealers

Green: Neutralizes red areas such as rosacea, acne or pigmentation.

Yellow: Instantly brightens dark areas around your nostrils, lips or on eyelids.

Pink: Tones down blue or purple areas like under eye circles.

Purple: Covers up yellow spots like bruises or discoloration.

Mistake: Not Setting Your Concealer

Set your concealer (especially under eyes) with a loose powder otherwise it ends up smearing and rubbing off too soon–it also prevents it from settling into creases.