Different Types of Concealers And Their Uses

On the cosmetic aisle of your beauty store, you see so many concealers and in different shades, that you end up being confused. For some people, the first that pops into their mind is – concealers in different shades? Errr…..aren’t the colours supposed to be for lipsticks? Well. Yes. Concealers do come in different shades with each colour having a purpose and for this reason, they are known as colour correctors.

The concealers should match your skin colour, but there is a different shade for dark brown pigmentation, for under-eye dark circles. Concealers are available in a host of colours like orange, green, purple and yellow to name a few. Confused? Here we break down the concept for you and explain how to use them so that you don’t walk around looking like a spotty queen.

1. Green Concealer

For Rosacea, Acne, Scars and Redness

Kate O’ Brien, Founder, Alima Pure Cosmetics, says that green colour correctors are for concealing redness. Those familiar with the colour wheel would know that green is placed opposite to red on the colour wheel. Therefore, it can help disguise the redness on the skin. It also works best for acne scars, pimples and rosacea. In fact, for rosacea, use a green primer that works as a colour corrector to help cover the redness and then tap and blend it down with a beauty blender.

2. Orange Concealer

For Dark Skin Tones and People with Dark Under Eye Circles

Orange lies opposite to blue on the colour wheel and hence, people with dark skin with blue under-eye circles or blemishes should use the orange concealer to conceal their uneven blue skin tone. If your skin tone is lighter then use a peach colour corrector. Orange will not work for you.

3. Pink Concealer

For Light Skin Tones with Dark Blemishes and Under Eye Circles

Pink concealers are available in peach or salmon colour. This colour is a mix of orange, red and yellow hues and is opposite to green, blue and purple on the colour wheel. Salmon helps nix those dark circles – those blue and grey tones. However, applying them elsewhere could give you orange splotches. So, be careful!

4. Yellow Concealer

For Purple Veins and Bruises, and Under Eye Circles

What is the use of a yellow concealer? It masks the purple bluish discolourations in the under-eye area, forehead, cheeks, chin and any other spot needing concealing. Use sparingly because a little will do a lot.

5. Purple Concealer

To Brighten Up Dull Complexion, and Yellow Skin Tone

Purple concealer brightens up a dull complexion and yellow skin tone. A purple concealer will hide those yellow spots while a purple primer will completely mask the yellow tones on the face. As Kate O’Brien says, it “enlivens your complexion”.

When Should You Apply the Concealer?

Now that you have chosen your concealer, the next step is to apply it. So, should you apply it before or after your foundation?

When you apply it depends on where you are using it. If you are using a concealer to mask dark under-eye circles, then apply it before the foundation. For masking pimples and blemishes, apply the foundation first.

How to Apply the Concealer?

To ensure that your concealer does not look like a big patch on the skin, follow the steps given below:

Place dots of the concealer with your finger or a concealer brush near the lashes in the under-eye area and the inside corner of your eyes.
Tap the concealer and blend it well. Never ever rub it on the skin. Use the brush or the pad of your index or middle finger, whatever you find to be gentle.
Apply concealer on all the uneven spots on your face, such as the chin, around the mouth and nose. Then blend it in with gentle taps.
If you feel that the spots are still visible, apply another layer.
Set it up with loose powder, applied with a large fluffy brush.

Masking Dark Circles

Lisa Eldridge, the celebrated make-up artist says, “When dealing with under-eye circles, it’s important to treat your skin first”. Use a caffeine gel to treat puffy eyes and to tighten the delicate under-eye skin. She says that applying a peach-coloured brightening concealer with high coverage helps mask bluish skin under the eyes. If the dark colour is because of puffiness, then it is best to add “a light-reflecting concealer” over the regular concealer, below the swelling and use a loose matte powder to set it. This will mask the puffiness and make it look flat.

Masking a Pimple

A liquid bandage before applying the concealer works wonder. It protects the pimple. After the bandage apply the concealer in layers and use a loose translucent powder to set it.

Masking Deep Scars

  • To mask deep scar concave pits:
  • Use a concealer that is one shade lighter than your skin tone.
  • Dip an angled brush into the concealer and fill the pit with it, avoiding the edges.
  • Set it with a loose translucent powder.

In case of a raised scar, use a concealer that is the same shade as your skin tone and set it with a loose powder.

Concealers on Dehydrated Skin

Concealers cake up on mature dehydrated skin. To fix this, use a moisturizer before applying the concealer and then blend it using a minuscule quantity of foundation. This breaks the thickness of the concealer.

Things to Remember When Applying Concealer

  • Choose the right shade of concealer that will match your blemish and cover it. Orange is for darker skin tones and peach is for lighter tones.
  • Apply thin layers of the concealer. Build up layers only if you need to.
  • Colour concealers are meant to be used only on blemishes and scars. For small blemishes, a regular concealer will work.
  • Use a beauty blender or a make-up sponge to pat down the concealer. Don’t rub or brush it into the skin or all over the face.
  • Use sparingly because a little goes a long way!

Conclusion

Remember, keep your skin hydrated, especially the skin around your eyes. Otherwise, the dehydrated skin will absorb the moisture in the concealer and leave a cakey residue behind. Now check the blemishes and scars you have and use the concealer that suits your skin the best.

Author’s Bio
Nidhi Khurana is a happy-go-lucky girl who loves to write. Started as a pastime, writing became her passion and now she dabbles between lifestyle and travel writing. She is a blogger at 365 Gorgeous, a blog dedicated to keeping you gorgeous, always. It is a one-stop solution for all your beauty, skincare, and hair care needs.

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