Choosing the best type of concealer for you and skin type and also your skin concerns. If you suffer with more of a dry skin type then don’t go for a liquid concealer that has a matte finish otherwise it will pull focus to the dryness. If you suffer more with oily skin and larger pores then don’t go for the creamy textured concealers and these will just clog up those pores and add extra shine to the skin. Suffering more from the dark circles or brown spots then you want to found a concealer that will provide you with a medium to full coverage also the same goes for redness and breakouts.
For under the eye, you will want to select a shade that is one or two shades lighter than your natural skin tone, and for other areas on the face you will want to select a shade that matches your foundation.
Now let’s go over the different types of concealers that you can consider before you start buying.
Liquid Concealer
Liquid concealer is one of the most used concealers because it offers a great coverage that is buildable and works for most skin types apart from very dry types. Liquid concealers are usually used for covering blemishes as it is least likely to cake up and doesn’t pose to cause more breakouts, which a creamier concealer may do.
This type of concealer is easily applied and is a quick application. You can use a small flat concealer brush for precision or you can use a clean finger.
Liquid concealers with a matte finish have a tendency to last longer than those with a satin finish. They are also less likely to vacate south throughout the day. Satin finish liquid concealers have much more movements but provide a more of a natural look especially in areas that are drier.
Stick Concealer
The stick concealer has it’s name because it is a semi solid texture, like a lipstick. Rich in pigment and the texture is thick and creamy. This type of concealer can be used by dotting on the face or swiped in a line and then blending out. Without blending this concealer will build up too much product and will result in creasing up through the day. To blend this concealer out it is best to use a stippling motion and to make sure you feather out the edges so they are no harsh lines.
As Stick concealer provides a medium to full coverage, it works great to cover up signs of severe under eye circles and for hiding the red spots around the mouth and nose area.
A Lot of people can be drawn to the stick concealer as it provides such a good coverage but the ingredients that are in the concealer that help keep it’s form, do pose a risk to clogging up pores, which will cause future breakouts.
Cream Concealer
Cream concealers will usually provide you with a medium to full coverage and have a tendency to come in a pot, compact or a palette. The cream concealer works well for covering severe discolourations, like melasma.
You get an intense coverage from a cream concealer due to it having a thicker texture and more of an opaque pigment. This means it’s easier to build up the coverage than the liquid concealers. The only downside that this can cause, is that it can look a bit heavy on the skin. So make sure you blends this out correctly to avoid this from happening.
Cream concealers can be applied in a stippling motion with a small concealer brush. However, as the texture is more creamy, it is prone to settle into creases and fine lines. To avoid this from happening, simply set with a loose powder.
Colour Correcting Concealer
Colour correcting concealers have a tendency to be used as a last resort when fleshy toned concealers aren’t working, to cover up discolourations. The colour correcting concealers usually come in the form of a stick or in a cream. The liquid version have a tendency to go quite sheer.
When using a colour correcting concealer, apply and blend before you use your foundation. Doin this well help neutralize the un-natural colours of the concealers. You can stop this happening by using a normal flesh tone concealers, with the same finish as the colour corrector, so that when you applying th foundation over the top, there isn’t going to be any indication of the concealer underneath.
Just remember, color correctors have their place and getting them right can be quite tricky. As for what shade you use depends on the problem you are covering up.
Yellow: This counteracts purple/blue tones such as the dark circles. Pale yellows also work for highlighting the brows and cheekbones.
Lavender: This will help with any yellowness in the skin.
Green: Neutralizes any redness.
Pink: Neutralizes the blue cast you get on pale skin tones.
Orange: This neutralizes blue/purple tones that can be seen on the darker skin types.
Feature Credit Image: Karen Marie Via Flickr
