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Monday, January 13, 2014

Makeup Monday: All About Concealer



How to Conceal Under-Eye Circles:
The most important thing to remember when attempting to hide those under-eye bags is that your goal is to make your eyes look brighter. That said, I recommend using a brightening concealer, a beauty blender or sponge, and loose highlighting powder. I also recommend that you use a concealer that’s oil-based for under your eyes because you want to keep the delicate skin in this area hydrated and moisturized. You will also want to use a peach or pink-based concealer to counteract the blue tones of your dark eye circles. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Apply your brightening concealer by dotting it in a line under your eye, starting at the inner corner (the inside of the bridge of your nose) and working to the outer edge of your eye.
  2. Get your sponge or blender a little bit damp, then dip it into your loose highlighting powder. Dab it over the concealer, blending it evenly into your skin.
  3. Brush a tiny bit of the highlighting powder under your eye to make sure it sets and doesn’t crease.

Expert Tip:
 If prefer to use your finger to apply concealer under your eyes, use your non-dominant ring finger. Since it’s weaker than your pointer finger, this will keep you from tugging too hard on the delicate skin under your eyes.

How to Cover Up Scars or Dark Spots
If you experience discoloration or uneven skin tone, these concealer tips will come in handy. You can also use this method for covering up scars on your face. You will want to invest in a heavier concealer for these areas because the thicker texture contains less oil and lasts longer. You will also need lifting concealer, a beauty blender or sponge, and translucent powder. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Apply your heavier concealer with a brush, covering the problem area entirely.
  2. Dab a coat of lifting concealer over the area to make the dark spot brighter. If you’re dealing with a scar, you might not need this step.
  3. Dampen your beauty blender or sponge and dip it into loose powder. Blend the area in evenly.
  4. Finish with a translucent mineral powder to set the area.

How to Hide Blemishes
When you want to cover up a blemish that is red (and probably pesky too), using a green concealer will help to neutralize the color and hide the inflammation. To do this, you will need a green concealer (I recommend using one in a jar or tube), a concealer brush, a concealer stick, a blending brush, and loose powder. Here’s how it works:
  1. Take a concealer brush and load it up with the green concealer. Start applying it on the pimple, starting in the middle and making light brush strokes outward. You want it to fade into your skin, with the most concentrated area being the middle of the blemish.
  2. Making sure your index finger is completely clean, dab it on the concealer stick and apply to the blemish. Apply in a patting motion, until the area is completely covered and skin tone looks even.
  3. Dip your blending brush in loose powder, then lightly dust the powder onto your skin, blending all three products together.

How to Apply Concealer Around the Nose
It’s very common to have redness or small broken veins in the area around your nose. This is also generally a much oiler area on your face, so it requires a concealer method that’s simple but a little bit different than the rest of your face. All you will need is a cream concealer (the less oily, the better), a beauty blender or sponge, and loose powder. And remember, a green concealer will neutralize any redness in this area—but only use it if you really feel you need it. Here are the three easy steps:
  1. Using your finger, dip it into your cream concealer. Pat it on the skin around your nose, covering it completely and fading outward to your cheeks.
  2. Take a damp beauty blender or sponge and blend the concealer into your skin.
  3. Dust loose powder over the area to set it.

How to Conceal Puffiness
For those days when your skin just doesn’t feel as smooth and supple as you’d like, you will want to use this method to conceal puffiness. If I notice puffiness, it’s around the outer corners of my eyes, on my eyelids, or on my brow bones (it’s usually my skin telling me to get more sleep). Before applying any makeup, drink up—two glasses of water will help your skin more than any concealer. Then, use a yellow-toned or brightening concealer to highlight these areas and keep your skin looking fresh. You will need a hydrating moisturizer, liquid concealer, and a bit of highlighter. Here’s how to de-puff:

  1. Create a mixture using your moisturizer, your liquid concealer, and a bit of highlighter.
  2. Using a concealer brush, dab the mixture on the puffy areas of your face.
  3. Wipe your concealer brush clean of the mixture, then use it to blend the concealer in evenly.

Now that you have all the steps for covering every imperfection you might encounter, here’s a short guide that might come in handy when color correcting with concealers…

Color Correction Guide

Green concealer is a great color corrector for neutralizing blemishes, covering up redness, and canceling out any rosy area on your face (rosacea, scars, etc.)
Pink concealer will help to brighten any dull areas of your skin and hide signs of fatigue. Use this color corrector to hide dark circles, bruises, or to give your entire face a little boost.
Yellow concealer is great for evening out your skin tone and making it look fresh with minimal effort. This is also a great color to use for a base on your eyelids, brow bone, or cheekbones before you apply the rest of your makeup.
Well, I think that about covers it (pun intended). I hope you found this guide to concealer useful. Make sure to bookmark it or pin the image above so that you can come back and read these facts whenever you need them.

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