Have you ever noticed that concealer does anything but conceal? Incorrect application or using the wrong formula concealer can actually draw more attention to the area you’re trying to cover up. Here are some tips to help you make your concealer work for you!
Choose the best formula for your skin type
– Oily skin needs thicker formulas with more grip and staying power. If you have oily skin you need to opt for pot or stick concealers like Revlon PhotoReady Concealer (R160) and Catrice Camouflage Cream (R49.95). Dry skin needs more moisture, so you should look for more liquid ones or tube versions like LA Girl Pro Conceal (R45.95) and GOSH Click ‘n Conceal (R115). Our favourite all-rounder is the Perfect Concealer from Inglot (R99). It has a great formula for all skin types and has a huge range of shades to choose from.
Make sure the concealer you use matches the colour of the area you’re wanting to hide
– Not all concealers are skin coloured. There are a host of colours that cleverly hide a multitude of blemishes. Here are some handy rules to remember: Green will hide any red marks like spots, heat rash and even burns. Lilac cuts any yellow undertones like the pigmentation light-skinned girls are prone to on their top lips. Yellow will hide any blue marks like veins, very dark circles or bruises. Salmon or peach coloured concealers are used to highlight and illuminate areas you want to emphasise.
Physicians Formula has a great range of shades in their Gentle Cover Concealer Stick range for R139 each.
If this is a bit too complicated, then your best bet is to look for a concealer that’s one shade lighter than your skin tone to give you the best general concealer finish.
Use concealer only if you HAVE to
– If you’re going to use foundation, then always apply it before your concealer. This way, you’ll have a better idea of how much concealer to apply. Most foundation formulas these days do a pretty good job at concealing as well, so you might find that you won’t need to apply concealer at all. If you want your foundation and concealer to last, make sure your skin is well-moisturised and use a skin primer before applying any makeup. Our current favourite is Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer (R210).
Apply your concealer with a brush
– Using a brush will ensure that the concealer is applied the right way and will also stop cross-contamination if your are covering spots. Use the brush to dab the concealer on to the area, and once you’re happy with the coverage, use your ring finger to gently press and blend the concealer into the skin.
Two great concealer brushes are UBU Undercover Lover Concealer Brush (R45.95) and the nifty multitasking QVS Perfection Dual Ended Concealer and Foundation Brush (R130).
To keep your cover-up job in place all day, set it with a dab of translucent power like Yardley’s Absolute Translucent powder (R109.95).
Emmy is the daughter of a sailor, animal loving, coffee addicted, beauty product junkie editor of Rouge.
