Concealer 101: The ultimate guide to using concealers correctly

Concealer - our makeup superhero

1/10

Photo: Shutterstock

Concealers are staples in makeup pouches because they are the product you reach for to do the heavy lifting when it comes to covering up occasional flaws such as pimple scars and dark circles. Some people swear by them, even forgoing foundation to get that no-makeup makeup look. Some people just hastily dab it on and have trouble blending them out, and end up looking like they have a weird patch on their skin.

Read on for our compilation of the essential basics you need to know about using concealers.

ALSO READ: THESE CONCEALERS ARE WHAT YOU NEED TO HIDE DARK CIRCLES

One concealer is all you need

2/10

The primary purpose of concealers is to conceal skin flaws such as dark circles, blemishes in the form of acne and freckles, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from recovering pimples. IT Cosmetics’ vice-president for global education, Shannon Pirie, says that you should be able to use your concealer everywhere, on your face or body, and it should have high-enough coverage so you don’t need to layer it on. “Make sure it’s hydrating because if you’re using it on the under-eye area where the skin is more delicate, a hydrating concealer will help keep fine lines at bay,” she adds.

If you have other concerns such breakouts or puffy eyes, Shannon recommends that it’s best to use a different targeted skincare product such as an eye cream to reduce puffiness, or a spot treatment to soothe and heal pimples.

ALSO READ: CONCEALER MISTAKES YOU NEED TO STOP MAKING RIGHT NOW

Using less product is key to applying concealer properly

3/10

Photo: Shutterstock

It could be the concealer’s formula, but you might be using too much product if you find that your concealer’s settling into your fine lines by mid-day.

Shannon’s tip is to apply the concealer further away from the lower lashline and blend it upwards with a makeup brush so you can better control the amount of concealer you are getting on your undereye.

One other tip we’ve gleaned from watching Korean celebrity makeup artist Jung Saem Mool’s makeup demonstration at the launch of her brand in Singapore recently is to pick up the concealer using a concealer brush, then gently dab it on the spot that you want to conceal. But doing so, you won’t run the risk of overdosing on concealer and looking patchy.

ALSO READ: PRIMED TO THE NINES - BASE PRIMERS FOR EVERY SKIN TYPE

Should you apply concealer before or after foundation?

4/10

This is the million-dollar question that even makeup artists cannot agree on. There seems to be a general consensus that concealers go on after foundation, so the concealer doesn’t “shift” but Shannon says that there is no “right” way of doing it, because makeup should be fun.

“I prefer to use concealer over the foundation because I like to look at it as a ‘magic eraser’ to take away any flaws that can still be seen after I use the IT Cosmetics CC cream.”

ALSO READ: WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN PICKING FOUNDATION FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE

Get your shade right

5/10

Photo: Shutterstock

“If you don’t get your shade right, everything’s just going to look wrong,” says Shannon. Her personal preference is to get a concealer that’s one shade brighter so it brightens up the overall under-eye area. And it’s the “rule” that many Youtubers keep to, using a concealer to double as a highlighter.

But if you’re using the concealer on other parts of your face too, this might not work, so it’s always best to get a professional opinion by approaching the sales staff to get your shade matched.

 

Up next are five brands with concealers that come in more shades, so it’s easier to find one that fits you.

ALSO READ: MAKEUP BRANDS TO LOVE IF YOU HAVE DEEPER SKIN TONES

1. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer, $42, in 24 shades

6/10

This concealer that IT Cosmetics spent five years perfecting has skin-loving ingredients such as hydrolysed collagen, peptides and antioxidants that help stave off premature ageing in the under-eye area. The formula is creamy and extremely full coverage, and can even hide tattoos.

From Sephora

ALSO READ: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS ANTI-AGEING CREAM THAT COSTS $1,650

2. Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer, $42, in 28 shades

7/10

This full-coverage, vegan-friendly and gluten-free concealer from Tarte has mango seed and shea butter to prevent it from caking easily while helping to keep skin nourished.

From Sephora

ALSO READ: THIS SKINCARE BOOSTER RESCUED MY TROUBLED COMPLEXION OVERNIGHT

3. Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, $46, in 22 shades

8/10

This has medium-to-high buildable coverage that imparts a luminosity to skin. The formula is also infused with skin-loving plant extracts to help hydrate your skin.

From Sephora

ALSO READ: ADD THESE NEWLY LAUNCHED MOISTURISERS TO YOUR CHECKOUT CART

 

4. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer, $38, in 50 shades

9/10

It’s easy to find your shade match if you use the brand’s Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation because the concealer comes in as many shades as the foundation. The formula gives medium-to-full coverage, and is sweat-resistant too.

From Sephora

ALSO READ: 18 HIGHLIGHTERS AND BLUSHERS FOR 3 ASIAN SKIN TONES

5. Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Light Capturing Self-Setting Concealer, $50, in 20 shades

10/10

This give medium-to-full coverage and has ingredients that help hydrate skin and smooth out fine lines. The pigments are also specially coated to give that Ultra-HD finish.

From Sephora

ALSO READ: MAKEUP PRODUCTS AND TIPS TO EFFECTIVELY HIDE ALL ACNE SCARS