The 5 Hacks That Will Change The Way You Use Concealer Forever
Get your concealer right and you look fresh, bright-eyed and glowing; get it wrong, and lines are accentuated and skin seems mismatched. Here, NEWBY HANDS asks the experts to share their camouflage tips, from how to cover dark circles and blemishes to the best textures and tones to use
How to make concealer last
“I don’t like using a lot of powder, but I always set concealer with a loose powder. It has to be fine, though; so fine that if you blow the loose powder, it hangs in the air. If it drops immediately, that means it’s probably too heavy for your eye area. Never, ever use pressed powder to set your concealer; it’s too heavy and dry – and anything heavy and dry is going to be a recipe for disaster around the eye area, as the skin there is so thin, it’s almost transparent.” Sir John, makeup artist
How to cover a blemish
“When covering up a breakout, you want to treat it so that it doesn’t affect the rest of your makeup. I apply an anti-inflammation gel first, then allow it to settle for a minute or two. Then I apply an eyeshadow primer – so the gel protects the open spot and the primer seals it. After that, you can apply your concealer and foundation.” Daniel Martin, makeup artist
How to cover dark circles
“You want a shade that will neutralize the blue or gray shadows that can appear under the eyes. For pale skin, that means a concealer that is peachier than your natural complexion; for Black skin, choose a concealer with terracotta undertones to neutralize the gray that can appear under eyes. Choosing a shade that will neutralize shadows rather than match your skin tone is important if you want it to look as natural as possible. Apply a small amount with your ring finger (pressing, not patting) and concentrate the color at the inner corners of your eyes, where shadows are likely to be darkest. But avoid placing it too close to the lashes, which can make eyes appear puffy. Apply a small crescent shape inside the inner corners of the eyes – people often miss this area, which can look very blue and dark – and a larger crescent shape at the outer corners. For the rest of your face, choose a concealer that’s as close to your own natural skin coloring as possible, in terms of both shade and tone. You may need a couple of shades of concealer, depending on your skin tone, and if you have any pigmentation or sun damage, your skin may be darker in some places than others.” Kay Montano, makeup artist
How to stop concealer from ‘caking’
“Mixing a bit of eye product into your under-eye concealer is a great trick, as it not only keeps the skin plumped up, but, as the cream is absorbed, it gives the concealer a beautifully seamless, second-skin finish.” Georgia Louise, aesthetician
How to choose the right concealer texture
“There’s a big difference between the concealer I’d use under the eyes and the one I’d use on the rest of the face. The under-eye area is thin and dry, so the skin here needs a hydrating, creamy concealer that won’t look cakey, while the oilier T-zone needs a more powdery formula that stays put.” Kay Montano, makeup artist
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