Concealer is one product we’re sure a lot of you couldn’t live without in your makeup bag. It has the power to instantly transform your look, brighten your complexion, hide evidence of the night before (we see you, eye bags!) and of course, conceal.
However, if used incorrectly, concealer can have the adverse effect causing dry skin, cakey makeup and even more accentuated lines, dark circles and pimples.
In this blog, we’ll dive into some of the concealer mistakes you may be making, and how you can fix them, for good!
You’re Using the Wrong Shade
First up, let's chat about skin undertones and choosing the right shade. Enough's enough of just picking up a ‘lighter than your skin’ shade and hoping it does the job. Makeup brands, including us, put thought into their concealer shades, to ensure you can find a concealer shade that suits your skin undertone.
To determine your skin undertone, the easiest thing to do is look at your veins.
(C) Cool tone: If your veins appear more blue, you’re cool-toned.
(W) Warm tone: if you see more green in your veins, you’re warm-toned.
(N) Neutral tone: If you see both green and blue hues, you have a neutral undertone.
Check out the infographic below too for more colour specific shades within those undertones.
When choosing from our Vitamin Babe Concealer range, make sure to look at the indicated undertone with C, W or N so you choose from the shades that will work best for you.
If you’re wanting to conceal blemishes or pigmentation, look for the closest shade match to your foundation; this means whatever you want to conceal will blend in easily with the rest of your complexion.
If you’re wanting to brighten under eyes or sculpt your features use a shade that’s one to two shades lighter than your foundation, which will create the illusion of fuller-looking skin and reduce shadows and pigmentation under the eyes.
Of course, we recommended keeping a concealing & brightening shade in your makeup bag so you’re always prepared!
You’re going too heavy with concealer
From creating triangles under the eyes, to only applying on the inner corner of your eyes, concealer techniques and application has changed so much over the years! Thankfully, we now know the best technique is figuring out what works for you and the look you want to create.
Over applying can cause your concealer to work against you and crease and cake (not a vibe). So try to apply a small, more precise amount and build up if you feel necessary.
You’re applying concealer with the wrong tools
With many makeup tools on the market it can be overwhelming and hard to know which are best to use. When it comes to concealer application we follow some simple rules to determine which tool we’ll use.
Full coverage: Use a concealer brush, like our F210 to gently tap the product into your skin. The dense brush helps create full coverage and precise application.
Spot concealing: Similar to full coverage look, we like to use a concealer brush to spot conceal. This gives very precise application without adding product to areas that don’t need it.
Sheer finish: A damp makeup sponge like our Glow Milk sponges are best for creating a sheer, very natural looking finish. Apply concealer to skin and gently press the damp sponge onto your skin to blend.
Natural finish (for under eyes): Using your fingers can create the most flawless skin-looking finish for concealers. Your skin will naturally heat the product, allowing it to blend more effortlessly. Just be sure not to drag your fingers, instead use a gentle dabbing motion. It’s also important to make sure your hands are clean beforehand.
You’re forgetting to set your concealer
Do you find your concealer looks gorgeous right after application, but a few hours later it’s creased or possibly looks like you never even applied it? We got you! The answer is in setting! Even if you just spot conceal, using a setting powder to set your concealer will keep your complexion looking flawless, for longer!
Setting powders come in pressed and loose forms (we’ve got a blog about that here), and if you’re wanting the most from your concealer, it’s best to include one in your makeup routine!
Use a sponge or puff to press powder (loose or pressed) into your skin for a more ‘baked’ look that’ll last hours. For a more natural look, you can dust over skin with a fluffy powder brush. Make sure to finish everything off with a setting spray.
Your skin isn’t prepped properly
One of the main reasons your concealer may feel dry and cakey is because you haven’t prepped the skin properly. Don’t be afraid of moisturiser - your skin will love the hydration! Another key step is to choose the right primer (check out our guide here) and try using a face mist before and after powder application to really hydrate skin and lock everything in place.
Ready to up your concealer game? We'd love to hear if you try any of these tips! Shop our range of Vitamin Babe Concealers here.