Concealers

Concealers are the saviors of the makeup world. They can work like magic and make you look flawless in no time. But, concealers can also cause havoc if you use the wrong type, shade, or finish. Just like every other makeup product, choosing the right concealer also takes time, effort, and a ton of trial and error.

However, your job is half done once you understand the purpose of different types of concealers, what skin type they work for, and how to apply them. Once you have the basics sorted out, you can try out a few brands and look for the one that works best for you.

Types of Concealers:

1. Liquid Concealers:

These are the most popular types of concealers. They suit most skin types (especially normal to oily) and offer light to full coverage, depending on your requirement. Liquid concealers blend well, don't crease easily, last long, and don't look cakey. They also do not highlight dry patches, unless you have extremely dry or dehydrated skin. They usually come with a wand for precise application. Concealers are available in a range of finishes:

• Matte: Not suitable for dry skin. This finish reduces shine and lasts long. Don?t set it with loose powder.
• Satin: Offers natural coverage and is great for the 'no-makeup' makeup look.
• Shimmer: Great for covering dark circles as it not only conceals dark circles but also highlights the under-eye area with a soft glow. Try not to go overboard with shimmer concealer. Use small quantities and build up as required.

2. Cream Concealers:

These concealers are thick in consistency, highly pigmented, and provide fuller coverage. They are an excellent option for normal to dry skin as they hydrate the skin and do not highlight dry patches or settle in fine lines. However, cream concealers crease over time and require setting with loose powder. Make sure to blend the concealer well with your fingers, sponge, or brush to avoid an unnatural, cakey appearance. For oily skin, look for cream concealers that are oil-free and non-comedogenic.

3. Balm Concealers:

As the name suggests, these concealers have a balm-like texture. Ther are usually colored concealers that are used for color-correcting blemishes and imperfections and neutralizing the skin tone before foundation. These thick concealers stay put for long and are perfect for normal to oily skin types. Understanding what color covers what kind of blemish makes it easy to use a balm concealer.

• Lavender/Purple: Cancels or neutralizes orange and yellow hues on the skin. It is great for correcting hyperpigmentation and dark spots, and perfect for people with cool tones.
• Peach: This color neutralizes the blue and purple in pale/medium skin tones.
• Green: Green concealers cancel redness and cover blemishes, pimples, and rosacea.
• Yellow: This concealer corrects purple or darker shadows on tanned, olive skin tones.
• Orange: Ideal for darker skin tones to cover dark circles, imperfections, and discolorations

4. Stick Concealers:

These concealers get their name from their packaging, have the thickest consistency, and offer the highest coverage. Stick concealers are best suited for dry, normal, and combination skin types. As they are thick, these concealers need to be blended a lot or else they end up looking cakey. They are best for covering dark circles and blemishes, and for touch-ups. These concealers are not the best choice for people with oily and acne-prone skin as it might melt and shift due to excessive oiliness and cause clogged pores.

How To Use Concealers:

Besides understanding the different types of concealers and what skin types they work best for, it is equally important to know how to apply a concealer. Here are some useful tips:

• No matter what your skin type, make sure you apply moisturizer before going in with concealer.
• Just dab the concealer when blending it. Avoid dragging or rubbing as it can damage the delicate skin around eyes, nose, and lips.
• Always use a foundation or concealer that matches your skin tone on top of a color corrector to neutralize the color.
• Set concealer with loose powder to keep it from creasing. Skip this step if you are using a matte concealer. Loose translucent powder will prevent your concealer from creasing and fading away.
• For a 'no-makeup' makeup look, add a tad bit of concealer to your moisturizer for a tinted look.
• It is rare to find a concealer that covers up both your dark circles and pimples. Use different types of concealers to create a flawless, even-toned base.
• Try applying foundation before you go in with your concealer. Foundation covers blemishes and marks to a large extent, so you won't have to use as much concealer.
• Keep an eye on the expiration date of your concealer. It will likely expire way before you finish all the product. Once expired, there are chances that it might not give you the desired results any more or oxidize to a darker shade.