Where to apply concealer
Where to apply concealer
Where to Apply Concealer on the Skin
A shade matching your skin tone exactly: Used to hide spots, pimples, or any localized imperfections without drawing attention to them. A shade one or two degrees lighter than your skin tone with a suitable undertone (pink, peach, or yellow depending on the color of the dark circles): Used to brighten specific areas and neutralize the color of dark circles.
Under-Eye Area (To Combat Dark Circles and Fatigue): Common Mistake: Applying concealer in a semi-circle shape following only the curve of the dark circles. Professional Method: Draw an inverted triangle under the eye. The base of the triangle should start from the inner corner of the eye and extend to the outer corner, while the apex points downwards towards the middle of the cheek. Reason: This method not only conceals dark circles but also brightens the entire mid-face area and visually lifts the cheekbones, giving the face radiance and youthfulness, counteracting a tired look. Use the lighter shade here. Additional Tip: Concentrate the lighter color slightly more on the inner corner of the eye where the shadow is usually deepest. Avoid applying a large amount directly on puffiness (if present); instead, apply it in the hollow just below it.
Around the Nostrils and Sides of the Nose (To Neutralize Redness and Shadows): Problem: This area is prone to redness and shadows (especially in the nasolabial folds/smile lines). Professional Method: Apply small dots of concealer (the shade matching your skin tone, or slightly lighter to neutralize redness) at the corners of the nose and at the base of the nostrils where redness concentrates. A very thin line can be extended into the beginning of the smile line if it's deep and dark. Reason: Evening out the tone in this area makes the skin look cleaner and more uniform, reducing the appearance of deep smile lines.
On Blemishes, Pimples, and Scars (For Targeted Concealment): Problem: Localized imperfections disrupting skin clarity. Professional Method: Use the shade that perfectly matches your skin tone. With a small, precise concealer brush or your clean fingertip, place a tiny dot directly on top of the spot or pimple. Don't apply too much! Then, gently pat around the edges of the dot only to blend it with the surrounding skin without wiping the product off the center of the blemish. Reason: The goal is precise camouflage without creating a light halo around the spot that makes it more noticeable.
Center of the Chin (For Subtle Brightening and Evening Tone): Problem: The chin area might have some redness or uneven tone. Professional Method: Apply a small touch of the lighter concealer to the center of the chin (below the lower lip). Reason: It subtly brightens this area and draws attention away from any shadows around the mouth or on the jawline.
Center of the Forehead and Between the Eyebrows (To Add Dimension and Brightness): Problem: The forehead can look flat or have some shadows. Professional Method: Apply a very small amount of the lighter concealer in a small triangle shape or scattered dots between the eyebrows and slightly above them towards the center of the forehead. Reason: It brightens the upper center of the face and gives the forehead added dimension, contributing to a more awake look.
Around the Lips (To Define and Prevent Lipstick Feathering): Problem: The lip line might be undefined, or lipstick might bleed. Professional Method: Using a very thin brush or the concealer tip directly (if precise), apply a very fine line of concealer matching your skin tone around the outer lip line and blend it outwards. A small touch can be placed at the corners of the mouth if they droop or have shadows. Reason: It creates a barrier preventing lipstick from bleeding and makes the lip line look cleaner and more defined.
Under and Above the Brow Bone (To Define Brows and Lift the Eye): Problem: The brow shape can look messy or undefined. Professional Method: Apply a thin line of the lighter concealer directly under the brow, especially at the arch and outer tail, and blend downwards. A thin line can also be placed above the outer tail of the brow and blended upwards. Reason: It instantly cleans up the brow shape, emphasizes the arch, and visually lifts the eye.
Order: Concealer is usually applied after foundation (as foundation might cover some imperfections already), but it can be applied before if you are using a color corrector. Blending: This is key to a natural look. Use your ring fingertip (as it has the lightest pressure), a damp makeup sponge (Beauty Blender), or a clean concealer brush to blend the product with light tapping motions. Ensure the edges are well-blended to fade into the skin. Amount: Always start with a very small amount; you can add more if needed. Too much concealer can crease and emphasize fine lines instead of hiding them. Setting: After blending the concealer (especially under the eyes and in the T-zone), set it with a very light dusting of translucent loose powder to prevent it from creasing or sliding throughout the day.