Though the concealer formulas have taken quantum leaps, concealers should still be used judiciously; features like freckles, moles, and laugh lines shouldn’t be covered—they’re beautiful and make you you. What should you hide and how do you conceal it like a pro? Read on for concealer makeup tips to become a master of disguise. (Get A Free Trial of Prevention + 12 Free Gifts.) Undereye CirclesWhat to use:How-to:10 best anti-aging eye creams for every budget To counteract the blue, choose a yellow-based concealer. For darkness with a green or purple tinge, opt for a pink- or peach-toned concealer. Look for creamy, not stick, formulas; they’ll glide on easily and help fill in lines. Use an applicator with small, firm bristles that narrow at the tip for precise application in hard-to-reach areas. To prevent caking or crinkling, dab on eye cream. (Check out these .) Then, beginning under your tear duct and working to the outer corner of your eye, brush on concealer from the bottom of your eye socket up to the lash line. Gently blend with the pad of your index finger; excessive tugging can remove concealer and cause this delicate skin to wrinkle. Once concealer is blended, apply foundation and lock in place with loose face powder. MORE: 10 Amazing Beauty Tricks With Coconut Oil AcneWhat to use: Blemishes are tough to hide, so you’ll want the extra coverage provided by the thick consistency of stick and cream formulas. Choose a yellow-based concealer that—like your foundation—matches your skin tone.How-to: To provide a base for concealer to adhere to, apply foundation first. Next, dab a light layer of concealer over the blemish, blending it just beyond its edges. Try Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick ($30, bobbibrowncosmetics.com), which contains licorice root, an herb that tames redness. Then set with loose powder. RosaceaWhat to use: A yellow-toned concealer formula neutralizes redness best and looks the most natural. (Avoid shades with a green, mauve, or orange tinge, which all look unnatural on skin.) Try Neutrogena Healthy Skin Smoothing Stick with vitamin E, which helps calm inflammation ($7, neutrogena.com).How-to: Start by applying an oil-free tinted moisturizer one shade darker than your skin tone. This helps create a smooth canvas, reduces redness, and often eliminates the need for foundation. Use a makeup sponge or your fingertip to spot-treat red areas. Finish with a light dusting of loose yellow-toned powder to set concealer and counteract ruddiness. MORE: Why The Heck Is My Hair Falling Out? ScarsWhat to use:covermark.comdermablend.comHow-to: A corrective concealer has a thick, slightly tacky consistency that adheres to the smooth surface of scar tissue and provides long-lasting coverage. Try Covermark () or Dermablend (). Choose a concealer shade that is slightly darker than your complexion to hide raised scars or a lighter shade if scars are depressed. To help these heavy-duty formulas glide on smoothly, warm them in your palm before applying. Dot thin coats of concealer directly onto the scar with your fingers, feathering out to just beyond its parameters. Don’t overapply; too many layers will make scars more noticeable. Gently, so as not to disturb concealer, apply foundation and loose powder to keep everything in place. Quick tip: The biggest mistake women make with concealer is using a shade that’s too light—it accentuates what you’re trying to hide.
