Makeup concealer is a must-have beauty product for anyone wanting to achieve a flawless complexion. In this blog, we’ll explore the various types of concealers available and how you can find the right one for your skin.
What is Concealer?
Concealer is a type of makeup that’s designed to cover skin imperfections. It’s typically more pigmented than foundation, providing higher-concentration coverage for spots, dark circles and stubborn redness. Concealer can be used to enhance the complexion either on its own or alongside foundation.
Common Concealer Formulations
Concealers come in various formulations, including:
- Liquid concealer
- Cream concealer
- Stick concealer
Different skin types benefit from different types of concealers. For example, the best concealer for mature skin is often a liquid or cream concealer, as these provide more hydration than stick concealers and won’t settle into fine lines as easily.
Liquid concealers are great for brightening the skin and disguising darkness in the undereye area. Stick concealers are generally thicker, making them a great option for blemishes and days when you need long-lasting coverage.
Identifying Your Skin Type
When choosing a concealer that works for your specific skin concerns, the first step is to identify your skin type.
Oily skin
Oily skin produces a lot of sebum, so it tends to become shinier throughout the day. It’s often accompanied by enlarged pores in the t-zone area and may be more prone to acne breakouts.
The best concealer for oily skin is one that will help control shine and not wear off as the day progresses. As they’re generally thicker and longer wearing than other types, stick concealers are the standard for oily skin. Opting for a formulation containing absorbent ingredients like silicone or clay can help mattify and keep oily skin under control.
Dry skin
Dry skin can be recognised by its tendency to feel rough, tight or flaky. This type of skin has less natural moisture, so concealer can be harder to blend and may cling to rough patches.
Because of this, the best concealer for dry skin will nearly always be a hydrating liquid concealer. Products containing moisture-boosting ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin can refresh dull-looking dry skin and prevent a cakey appearance.
Combination skin
Combination skin is, as the name suggests, skin that combines different qualities. It’s usually characterised by an oily T-zone, with other areas of the face (such as the cheeks) appearing drier.
Finding the right concealer for combination skin can be challenging, as it needs to stay put on oily areas while not clinging to dry patches. If you want to use a single product, cream concealers are often the most versatile choice. They have enough slip to blend into dry skin but are thicker than liquid concealers, so they can also hold their own against oiliness.
Sensitive skin
If your skin regularly feels irritated, itchy or sore, it’s likely that you have sensitive skin. Sensitive skin can be highly reactive to certain chemicals commonly used in makeup, so trial and error is often needed to find the right products.
When choosing a concealer for sensitive skin, look for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free formulas. These can help to minimise irritation while still covering redness and other skin concerns.
Choosing the Right Shade
Wearing the wrong concealer shade can result in highlighting imperfections rather than disguising them. It’s therefore crucial to find a shade that blends seamlessly with your natural skin tone.
How to Determine Your Undertone
Your undertone is identified by the level of warmth in your skin. It comes from subtle hues beneath the surface, so it isn’t affected by things like sun exposure. There’s a broad spectrum of undertones, with most people falling somewhere within the following categories:
- Warm – mostly yellow or peach hues
- Cool – mostly pink or red hues
- Neutral – a mix of cool and warm
- Olive – green or grey hues that can lean warm or cool
The most popular method to find your undertone is to look at the veins in your wrist. If you have more blue or purple veins, your undertone is likely cool. If your veins are green, then you probably have a warm undertone. Neutral undertones have a mix of blue, purple and green veins.
Olive undertones can be harder to recognise. If you don’t suit cool or warm tones, and even neutral shades don’t look quite right, it’s possible you have an olive undertone.
Matching Concealer to Your Skin Tone
As well as matching your undertone, your concealer needs to blend in with your skin’s overtone. This is the colour you see on the surface and is what tells you whether you are fair, light, medium or dark.
Testing concealers in natural light can help you see whether they blend seamlessly with your skin. It’s also a good idea to test on top of your foundation to check that the overall look is harmonious.
Application Techniques
The way that concealer is applied can make a big difference to the finished look. Here are some best practices for achieving a flawless complexion.
Tools for Application
Different tools have different advantages depending on what you want to achieve:
- Brushes – fluffy brushes are best for blending in delicate areas like under the eyes. Flat brushes offer more coverage, while thin pointed brushes are great for spot-concealing small imperfections.
- Sponges – makeup sponges let you blend concealer over a larger area and can help you achieve an airbrushed look.
- Fingers – some people prefer to apply concealer directly from their fingertips. The natural warmth in your skin helps to melt the product for a seamless natural finish.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
Mastering concealer application is easy with these straightforward steps:
- Ensure your skin is clean and moisturised
- Apply foundation if you want a full coverage look
- Dot a small amount of concealer under your eyes and blend in gently
- Apply concealer directly to blemishes with a small brush, patting out the edges to blend
- Add concealer anywhere else you want to cover or highlight, and blend out with a brush or sponge
Concealer for Specific Concerns
Here’s how to use concealer effectively to cover some of the most common skin concerns.
Covering Dark Circles
Dark undereye circles can be difficult to conceal for a few reasons. The thin skin under the eyes makes blood vessels more visible, and the area is prone to creasing when concealer is applied.
A multi-pronged approach is the best way to combat these issues. Start by making sure your undereye area is hydrated with a moisturising eye cream, before applying a long-wearing, brightening concealer like Clarins Instant Concealer and gently blending in.
For extra coverage, you can also use a peach or salmon colour corrector underneath your regular concealer to cancel out blue and purple tones.
Hiding Blemishes and Imperfections
Blemishes and imperfections can be covered using a mattifying stick concealer. We recommended Dr Hauschka Coverstick – it’s formulated with tea tree oil, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to treat and soothe the skin while effectively concealing spots.
To apply, use a pointed or flat brush to pat the concealer onto the area you want to cover. Gently blend out the edges to merge with your foundation, before applying powder to seal everything in.
Brightening the Complexion
Using a concealer that’s a couple of shades lighter than your natural skin tone can brighten the complexion when applied to the high points of your face. These include the cheekbones, chin, centre of the forehead and bridge of the nose.
We love Dr Hauschka’s Light Reflecting Concealer for adding an extra pop of brightness to specific areas. Use it in the inner corner of your eyes, above your lip and on your browbone to create a fresh and radiant look.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between concealer and foundation?
Concealer and foundation have slightly different purposes. While foundation evens out your complexion, concealer is more pigmented and provides concentrated coverage for things like dark circles, spots and redness.
How do I choose the right shade of concealer?
To choose the right shade of concealer, look for a shade that matches your skin’s natural undertone and blends seamlessly with your foundation.
Can I use concealer if I have oily skin?
Yes, you can absolutely use concealer if you have oily skin. Just look for non-comedogenic formulas that won’t clog your pores and opt for a concealer with a mattifying finish.
Is it okay to use concealer on dry skin?
You can use concealer on dry skin – but if you want to avoid exacerbating dry patches, look for formulas containing hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
Should I set my concealer with powder?
Setting your concealer with powder can help keep it in place all day, especially if you have oily skin. However, if your skin is dry, powder might not be necessary.
Can I use concealer to highlight my face?
Yes, a concealer that is two shades lighter than your natural skin tone can be used to highlight your face.
How often should I replace my concealer?
Your concealer should be replaced either when it runs out or when it expires – you can check this by looking at the packaging.
Explore NVS Pharmacy’s range of concealer products to find the ideal match for your skin type and tone.