Follow This Concealer Tutorial and Enjoy a Flawless Complexion
Puffy eyes, painful pimples, and scarring are nothing to be ashamed of — our faces have texture. But a flawless complexion provides a valuable confidence boost. From first dates to holiday parties to taking selfies at home, concealer is your saving grace when dealing with unwanted blemishes.
Concealer was designed to cover unwelcome spots — it’s like a magic wand for blemish covering. If you’re new to this versatile product, don’t fret. This step-by-step tutorial outlines how to apply concealer for a flawless makeup look.
Finding the right concealer
Here are a few tips for finding your perfect shade.
- Identify your purpose. For brightening and concealing dark under-eye circles, use a product that’s 1–2 shades lighter than your skin tone. If you’re covering breakouts, start with a darker shade to hide the color, then apply a lighter shade to brighten the area.
- Find your undertone. Look at the color of the veins on your inner wrist. Blue or purple veins signify a cool undertone. Green veins indicate a warm undertone. Olive, beige, or vermillion-tinted veins mean you have a neutral undertone. Choose a concealer with a base undertone that matches this.
- Do a swatch test. An easy way to find the right concealer for your skin tone is by doing a swatch test on the inside of your wrist. Simply dab on and blend a small amount of product to see if it matches.
Here are a few of our favorite products worth trying out. Check out video reviews to learn more about what each product looks like on folks with similar skin tones.
- Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer. This full-coverage liquid concealer is perfect for tough pimples and blemishes.
- Saie Hydrabeam Sheer Brightening Concealer. This product is super hydrating, perfect for disguising dry areas.
- e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer. This product is affordable, moisturizing, and offers easy application.
How to apply concealer for beginners
Use proper technique when applying concealer to avoid caking, creasing, and uneven application.
- Cleanse your skin. Always start a makeup routine with a washed and moisturized face.
- Use a primer. Primer provides the perfect base for smooth, even, poreless, and long-lasting makeup application.
- Choose your base. Before applying concealer, apply your base cover-up — this is typically either foundation, tinted moisturizer, or CC or BB cream. Concealer looks better when used with an overall coverage product. Check out our list of the top 15 foundations to find yours. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should apply foundation or concealer first for dark circles, remember to always use your base first.
- Apply concealer under your eyes. Blend a couple dots of concealer under your eyes, gently dabbing with a makeup brush or sponge.
- Apply to redness and discoloration. Apply small dabs to any scarring, redness, or discoloration.
- Contour your face. Use concealer to add shape to your face by applying it to the corners of your lips for a more defined pout, under your eyebrow arch, and around the edges of your nose.
- Apply setting powder. Enjoy long-lasting makeup by finishing with a setting powder or spray.
Handling stubborn spots
Not all spots are created equal — dramatic scars and red, puffy pimples require some heavy lifting. While most of the steps are the same, here are three recommendations when covering a more stubborn blemish.
- Apply a color corrector. If you’ve got a particularly pigmented spot, use a color corrector after primer, before foundation. A green corrector neutralizes redness; a yellow corrector neutralizes purple.
- Use a full-coverage foundation. Instead of using something light like a tinted moisturizer, opt for a fuller-coverage product to disguise stubborn blemishes.
- Build the concealer as necessary. Blend in enough concealer so that the blemish is no longer visible. Use a beautyblender to avoid a cakey look.
People also ask
What do you use to apply concealer?
Concealer application is easier when using the right tools. While you can use clean fingers, this often results in a streakier, less natural finish. We recommend a sponge blender or a foundation brush. Some concealers come with an application wand. Use this to dab the product onto your face, blending it with your chosen makeup tool.
How do I pick a concealer for my skin type?
It’s important to choose a concealer that complements your skin type to avoid breakouts and irregular oil production. Use a matte powder if you have oily skin, as this helps absorb excess moisture. For dry skin, look for liquid products containing hydrating ingredients like shea butter and avocado oil. If you're prone to breakouts, look for a non-comedogenic (lacking ingredients that clog pores) product.
How much concealer should you use?
Concealer is designed to disguise hard-to-cover blemishes — not as a daily, full-face makeup product. Use it when required to avoid clogging your pores, and start with a small amount, building as necessary.
Say goodbye to blemishes
Concealer is your secret weapon for covering dark circles, stubborn blemishes, and redness. Thankfully, it’s versatile and easy to use.
To learn more cover-up tips and tricks, check out product reviews on Flip. Chances are a community member with similar skincare concerns is raving about their favorite products, so you can feel well-informed about your next purchase.
