This Makeup Secret Will Help Hide Dark Circles and Blemishes

Ciao, discoloration!

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Concealer can be an essential makeup tool if you know the proper way to use it. Although its application may seem straightforward, there are some important things to know for achieving optimal results. For example: Should concealer be applied before or after foundation? Is it the same thing as color corrector? Should you choose a cream, liquid, or stick concealer?

We asked Gargi Patel, celebrity makeup artist for Vasanti Cosmetics, for the lowdown on using the beauty staple to its maximum potential.

What is the Difference Between Foundation, Color Corrector, and Concealer?

First things first: knowing how these three products differ is key to understanding how to make the best use of them.

Foundation is used to create a uniform base before applying the rest of your makeup. “It creates an even skin tone and comes in various formulas ranging from sheer to thicker and creamy,” says Patel.

As for color corrector, it “neutralizes the appearance of discoloration using color theory,” says Patel. You’ll want to consider the color you’re trying to correct and opt for a product that is the shade of the hue on the opposite side of the color wheel. “Some of the most common color correctors are purple, orange, green, and yellow,” says Patel. While color corrector is not the same thing as concealer, some products may offer the benefits of both.

The purpose of concealer is to “help hide dark circles, blemishes, and pigmentation—all the things your foundation can’t generally do,” says Patel. Concealer usually has a thicker texture than foundation and can also sometimes be used to highlight certain features.

Which Type of Concealer to Choose

Concealer comes in a variety of different textures and opacity levels. So, how do you pick the right one for you?

• Patel says that cream concealers tend to be thicker in texture and offer fuller coverage. “They are best for hard-to-conceal pigmentation like birthmarks or spots that are significantly deeper than your skin tone,” she says.
• Liquid concealer is generally more lightweight and easier to spread. “If you have a larger area to conceal and want a more natural result, opt for a liquid concealer,” says Patel.
• Stick concealer is perfect for travel. It is more compact, and therefore ideal for slipping into a cosmetics bag.

Finding the Right Shade

First, you’ll need to decide whether you need a color corrector as well as a concealer. “If you find yourself with a scar or pigmentation that is much deeper than your skin tone, it may be best to pair a concealer and color corrector together for optimal results,” says Patel.

While a purple color corrector can help neutralize dull yellow tones and give you a brighter-looking complexion, an orange corrector is best for medium to deep skin tones with various shades of discoloration, helping neutralize dark circles, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone.

Green helps even out redness (including from acne scarring), while yellow can soften purplish tones “such as bruises that can occur from things like cosmetic injections or simply bumping your knee,” says Patel.

As for your concealer, “pick a shade that is slightly lighter than your skin tone for a brightening effect under your eyes,” says Patel. If you’re using it on the rest of your face, you’ll want to opt for a hue that matches your skin tone.

How to Camouflage Dark Under-Eye Circles

Did you wake up looking like you could use a few more hours of sleep? Patel shares the steps for concealing those raccoon eyes.

Step 1. Use a color corrector to neutralize any discoloration.

Step 2. Grab your concealer and cover any discoloration still apparent after using the color corrector.

Step 3. Apply your foundation all over your face, including areas you’ve worked on with your color corrector and concealer combo.

Step 4. Set your makeup by lightly dusting a setting powder over it. You can also use powder under your eyes to “bake” your makeup, brightening up the area and making sure everything stays put.

How to Hide a Blemish

Covering a blemish is all about technique. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1. Pick up a bit of concealer using your finger or a concealer brush.

Step 2. Using a stippling motion, apply concealer on top of the blemish, gently tapping it into the skin.

Step 3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 as needed.

An important reminder: Patel says the most common mistake when it comes to concealer application—especially when you’re trying to hide a large or dark area—is applying too much product. “Putting on layers and layers of concealer can make your makeup appear cakey,” she warns.

She suggests using a color corrector to neutralize the area first and then applying concealer on top for a more natural finish. (I switched to this strategy a few years ago and can attest that it works much better than layering on the concealer!)

Camouflage Collaborators

Here, several of my favorite color correctors and concealers, as well as suggestions from our expert.

Mally The Plush Pen Brightening Concealer. From celebrity makeup artist, Mally Roncal, this buildable, multi-tasker is available in eight shades and instantly brightens eyes. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, turmeric and Vitamin E, it also helps spot correct and seamlessly evens out skin tone without caking or creasing. Quite a gem!

Laura Geller The Cold Concealer Cooling Coverage Stick. Available in seven shades and designed with a clever infusion of water + caffeine you’ll love the cooling sensation to help wake up tired eyes. And the natural matte finish delivers picture-perfect coverage. A slam dunk from this revered makeup artist!

Vasanti Cosmetics Liquid VO2 Dark Circle Eraser. Ideal for medium to dark skin tones, this color corrector and concealer uses orange to help make dark circles disappear and brighten the under-eye area in one easy step. Extremely promising!

Smashbox x Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector. This product was a game changer for me. I even stocked up on it when I heard Becca was halting their operations, but I’m happy to report it is now available from Smashbox in four different shades. Depending on how dark my circles are on any given day, I’m sometimes able to get away with just wearing this color corrector but adding a touch of concealer on top makes my dark circles completely disappear.

Benefit Cosmetics Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer. A little goes a long way with this full-coverage concealer, which I love so much I’ve repurchased it at least three times. Available in 30 shades, it’s longwearing and never cakey. If you’re a concealer skeptic, this one may make you a believer.

Shiseido Synchro Skin Correcting GelStick Concealer. Despite being in a stick format, this concealer is super lightweight when you apply it—which made it an instant favorite of mine. It doesn’t crease, is extremely comfortable to wear, and is nice and buildable. (And thank you, Shiseido, for making products that match my half-Asian, half-Caucasian skin tone perfectly!)

Vasanti Cosmetics Lotus Brightening Powder. Available in three shades, this loose powder helps blur the look of pores and fine lines and can be used to set your under-eye concealing job. I can vouch for the technique helping to make your makeup last much longer!

What is your favorite concealer ever? Is color corrector part of your makeup arsenal? Let us know in the comments below!