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Are you wondering how to master the concealer game? Concealer is like magic in a jar and is thus the most important addition to your makeup bag, be it for any avid or occasional user. Concealer has been there since time immemorial, all through those pimple-hiding, tired-bag-masking, skin-tone evenings, and temporarily concealing moments of blemishes and spots. But more than the concealer, the way you apply this product is more important. Even if you have the best concealer, if you don't apply it right, things can go downhill really fast. Think: flakes showing up in the patches, fine lines, and those stupid little red pimples coming back at you after you spent ages covering them up. Trust us, we've been there too, and the amount of frustration is paralleled only by applying mismatched winged liner after trying 12 times! Thus, we have rounded up all of the expert tips for concealer that we've picked up over time. Keep these in mind, and say goodbye to concealer disasters for good.
What Is A Concealer & What Does It Do?
A concealer is the jack-of-all-trades in makeup products. Designed to mask all your dark circles, blemishes, and acne scars while leaving you with flawless skin, it could come in either liquid, cream, or stick forms, each differing in coverage and finish.
You can apply a concealer either directly to your primer-up face or can also be applied after the foundation to cover certain places you’d want to cover up. A lighter shade can, for instance, be used under the eyes to lighten dark circles; one that your skin tone can occlude—pimples, redness, or hyperpigmentation. Some concealers are colour-correcting, with shades such as green to help neutralize redness or peach to counteract blue undertones. But concealer does much more: it contours, highlights, and defines the face by bringing some of its best features to the fore. Whether you're going for super-subtle, natural everyday style or the sultriest of glam makeup looks, a great concealer is key to that velvety-smooth, even finish.
Advantages Of Using Concealer
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Reduces Fine Lines
No one can stop the fine lines and crow's feet from appearing but, a dry and poor skin condition may further deepen those lines and cause unevenness in makeup application. This is when a concealer will help in that matter. Choose a concealer that has good coverage to even out your skin so that your makeup base will look smoother.
Application is easy: just dot a few dots under the eyes and blend well with a beauty sponge or your finger. Here's a little tip—always start with a nourishing face cream before applying makeup for a dewy finish.
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Sculpts Cheekbones
Concealers aren't about covering flaws but can be used to define cheekbones, too. Once you are done with the base makeup, mix a tiny amount of highlighter with your concealer.
Apply this highlighter-concealer combo to your cheekbones, brow bones, cupid's bow, and the bridge of your nose; this gives the edges of your face a highlight. For this to show the best effect, apply a concealer one or two shades lighter than your skin tone.
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Defines & Contours
Concealer can help achieve that flawlessly chiselled look. For contouring, select a shade deeper than your skin tone. Pat along the sides of your nose, just below your cheekbones, and along your jawline. Press it in with a makeup puff to get that chiselled look. For it to last longer, you can blend your concealer with a few drops of setting spray.
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Smooth Base for Eyeshadow
Any look can be topped up with eye makeup, but dark circles and fine lines might complicate the blending of eyeshadows. That's why you need concealer with medium to high coverage to even out the base. Being a perfect base for eyeshadows and more versatile eye looks. Dab this on so that your eye makeup will stay in place and won't turn ashy.
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Brightens Under-Eye Area
Yes, makeup will give you that flawless, glass-like skin, but it really all comes down to covering dark circles and blemishes. Go for a brightening concealer that will give you a brighter, more awake look.
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Rectifies Makeup Blunders
We all have those moments—the mascara sometimes smudges, and the eyeliner is not perfect. Thankfully, a lot of these tiny mistakes could be rectified with the swipe of concealer. Be it uneven lipstick or brows, concealer comes to the rescue. It also is a great option for cleaning up sloppy eyeshadow or touch-ups when your eye makeup just isn't behaving.
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Prep Lips For Smooth Lipstick Application
Lipstick can be hard to apply over dry or pigmented lips. While pigmentation is common, dryness definitely will give a bumpy look. Prepping your lips with concealer helps create an even base for flawless application of lipstick.
3 Different Types Of Concealers
Liquid concealers: They're the number one choice for most people.
Best for: All skin types including dry, oily and combination skin.
Superpower: It’s lighter in consistency making it an extremely versatile choice. It can either take on a sheer appearance or be built up to deliver a high-coverage finish.
Perfect for: Under eye circles, acne scars and blemishes
Stick concealers: They’re the perfect travel and touch-up companion
Best for: Oily, acne-prone skin
Superpower: They are highly pigmented, making them a great choice for covering up blemishes and imperfections.
Perfect for: Acne spots, discolouration and dark circles
Cream concealers: They fall in between liquid and stick concealers.
Best for: Dry skin
Superpower: Since they have a thicker consistency they are a good choice for hiding discolouration and spot concealing
Perfect for: Acne spots and scars
How To Apply Concealer
Step 1: Find The Perfect Concealer Shade
Before you do anything, of course, you need to find a concealer that suits your skin tone and meets your need for perfection. Do you like things lightweight and creamy? Or maybe full coverage with a side of long wear? There are so many options out there—luckily, the majority of formulas are so high-quality, it's not like you can really go wrong.
Step 2: Prep Your Skin Before Applying Concealer
This step can be up for argument, but if you aren't going for very minimal makeup, apply your concealer after your foundation. If you apply it first, most of it gets wiped away by your foundation or powder.
Step 3: Apply Concealer To Fill the Triangulated Area Under the Eyes
Instead of swiping concealer directly onto your under-eye circles or bags, try drawing it in an upside-down triangle shape. This brightens your face and downplays any puffiness or discolouration. Gently dab it in with your ring finger, as it's the softest finger and will apply just the right amount of pressure without tugging on the delicate skin around your eyes. If you prefer, a concealer brush or damp beauty sponge works great too.
Step 4: Neutralise Redness With Green-Tinted Concealer
If you find that blemish or red spot is just not getting covered up by your everyday concealer, use a green-tinted concealer to even the tone out. Gently pat it onto the pimple, making sure not to spread it around outside the redness. On top, finish it off with a tiny bit of your skin-tone-match high-coverage concealer using a Q-tip for an ultra-flawless finish.
Step 5: Set Your Concealer With Powder
Honestly, this might be the most crucial step. What's the point of perfecting your concealer application if you aren't going to set it with powder? Lightly dusting setting powder over your entire face will help it stay in place and keep away from creasing.
Best Concealers For Every Budget
Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Concealer
On Nykaa, this concealer has garnered over 30,000 reviews with an average of 4.3 stars. It’s loved by Bollywood’s top makeup artists and is made with a blend of skin-loving ingredients like Goji Berry and Haloxyl that work to brighten and erase under-eye circles with ease. Pick from the 13 shades that blend easily and play well with foundation.
What we love: It’s multi-functional, pocket-friendly and easy to use
Price point: INR 729
California-based brand LA Girl became popular because of this holy grail concealer. Beloved by bloggers and Youtubers, this creamy, ultra-buildable and lightweight formula works like a dream to even out your skin tone, cover imperfections and hide redness. Plus, its crease-resistant formula will leave you with a natural-looking finish for over 10 hours. Not to mention it won’t break the bank.
What we love: It’s can be used to highlight and contour
Price point: INR 695
e.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer
Can’t get your hands on the Tarte Shape Tape concealer? The e.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer is the straight-up dupe. Available in 15 shades, this internet-wining concealer is extremely lightweight and leaves behind a matte finish that won’t budge or smudge for over 16 hours. It’s designed with a unique doe-foot applicator that allows for easy and precise application, with no skill needed.
What we love: Its dark circle banishing prowess and long-lasting effects
Price point: INR 600
M.A.C Studio Fix 24-Hour Smooth Wear Concealer
Made by one of the most popular makeup brands in the world, this non-drying, crease-proof formula will keep you looking flawless for 24 hours. It comes in a whopping 33+ shades to suit just about any skin tone. Suitable for all skin types especially oily, it reduces the appearance of pores, evens out your skin tone and is easy to build, so that you can add as much as you please.
What we love: It is lightweight yet powerful
Price point: INR 2700
Kay Beauty HD Liquid Concealer
Conceal, contour, and highlight, all with one product. This makeup range by Bollywood queen Katrina Kaif offers formulas that are lightweight, long-lasting and nourishing. Whether you’re covering dark circles or blemishes, this blendable and buildable concealer will get the job done with its seamless, creaseless matte finish. What’s more? It is available in 13 different shades, each of which is created to specially match the Indian skin tone.
What we love: It’s vegan and cruelty-free
Price point: INR 825
Lakme 9to5 Primer + Matte Liquid Concealer
Dark circles, blemishes, and fine lines are gone! This mattifying concealer does more than just give you a seamless finish. Infused with the smoothing properties of a primer, this concealer blends like a dream offering crease-free coverage. Easy to apply and blend, use a darker shade of concealer as contour and blend it into your skin with your fingertips or using a damp beauty blender.
What we love: Seamless matte finish
Price point: INR 425
Daily Life Forever52 Complete Coverage Concealer
Trusted by professionals, this lightweight creamy liquid concealer offers unmatched coverage for dark circles, acne spots and blemishes. Rated 4.4 stars with over 200 reviews, this concealer has a lightweight formula that is easy on the skin and offers a natural finish. So no more cakey-looking makeup! The doe foot applicator adds to its ease of use.
What we love: The formula helps keep skin healthy, avoiding premature ageing
Price point: INR 599
Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi Use Sculpting Concealer
Known to last through the sweatiest of gym sessions, this full-coverage concealer is known for its high-impact output. It is clinically tested to boost hydration by a whopping 52%, and its jumbo doe-foot application not only allows for easy application but aids in effective contouring for the most chiselled cheekbones in the biz. Word has it, it yields an almosFaceTune-esque finish, minus a million edits.
What we love: Premium results, contouring abilities and quantity for days!
Price point: INR 2350
Made with a butter-like consistency, The Swiss Beauty Liquid Concealer is touted as an all-time favourite concealer by YouTubers like Shreya Jain. Its high-coverage formula blends into the skin for a seamless finish and adds a touch of radiance to your base. Not to mention, it doesn't cake up for up to 7 hours on application - all this in under INR 250!
What we love: Under-eye brightening, longevity and easy on the pockets
Price point: INR 229
Tips & Tricks To Use Concealer
- Always prep your skin before using a concealer
- Pick a shade that’s lighter than your foundation if you want to brighten up your under eyes
- Pick a shade that exactly matches your skin tone if you want to hide a blemish or acne
- Use a concealer to prime your lids before you apply an eyeshadow
Conclusion:
In short, concealer is the small but mighty tool that one seriously gets more from, when compared to its small size. Extremely concentrated pigment—literally, like a magic wand—sweeps over dark circles and hides blemishes, evening out your skin tone with just a few sweeps. But it doesn't end there. Whether one is combating discolouration, brightening complexion, or improving other skin-related issues, there are now uniquely formulated concealers for them all. It may sound too good to be true, but trust us, it's the real deal.
FAQs
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Can you apply a concealer using your fingers?
Some consider using their fingers as the ideal way to apply cream or liquid products like concealers and foundations. The warmth of your fingers can help blend your concealer easily and give you a more seamless finish. Also, using fingers under the delicate eye area makes it easier to be able to reach the corners.
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Can you use concealer as a contour?
Yes! Your concealer can double up as an easy-to-blend cream contour formulation too. All you have to do is, choose a shade that is darker than your skin tone to contour your face and get a more chiselled look.
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Can concealer be used on the eyelids?
Save yourself the extra cost of buying an eyeshadow primer by using your concealer for the same. A light, liquid formulation will work best for this. Make sure the concealer you use for this isn’t a heavy or extremely creamy one, or else it could cause creases over time.
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Should I apply concealer before or after foundation?
When it comes to tackling skin imperfections, both foundation and concealer are essential tools in your makeup routine. Start with a foundation to create a smooth, even base for your skin tone. Then, use concealer to target any remaining blemishes or spots that need extra coverage.
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Is it okay to use concealer without foundation?
Absolutely, you can use concealer without foundation—many people do! Just ensure the concealer closely matches your skin tone and don't forget to set it with a bit of powder for a smooth finish.
