Let’s Talk Concealer: Different Textures for Different Problem Areas

One of the most important aspects of having a great makeup look begins with coverage! There are two products that help to provide the coverage you need: foundation and concealer. (If you haven’t read my posts on foundation, click here: *foundation* and *choosing a foundation shade* before reading on.) Today, I am focusing on the wonders of  the concealer!

Concealer is a miracle product that hides everything that your foundation doesn’t.  It makes broken capillaries, undereye circles, age spots and any skin discolorations disappear. You don’t always have to use a concealer but if you’re trying to create a flawless look, then you definitely need to use it.

Concealers come in various formulations and textures.  Different textures of concealers are used on different problem areas, so it’s important to match the texture with the problem area. For example, a concealer used to cover under-eye areas should always be moist and creamy, whereas a concealer designed to cover breakouts or broken capillaries should be much drier in texture so it will adhere better and last longer.

Solid Cream Stick concealer provides full coverage but are not the easiest to blend. They are primarily for hiding some of the more prominent blemishes and skin discoloration.  They can also be used to minimize under-eye circles, but if you’re going to use this texture, make sure the consistency is creamy enough to blend well so as not to accentuate fine lines. Since the most delicate skin is under the eyes, using a hard-to-blend stick concealer can actually make the circles look far worse by drawing attention to them.

Pot concealers provide similar coverage to stick, but it is usually formulated with more moisturizing ingredients and is not quite as thick – much better for underneath the eyes. This is the concealer that’s probably the most commonly used by professionals because of the great coverage it gives. Although usually creamy, it is also available in drier, oil-free formulas that are used to cover discoloration on the rest of the face.

The Tube concealer has a creamier texture that is lighter and less likely to collect in fine lines, making it great for mature skin. It’s also one of the most versatile forms of concealer. It provides terrific coverage and can be mixed with moisturizer or foundation to create a much sheerer product. It’s also perfect to use under the eyes because it’s one of the easiest to blend.

Pencil concealers cover up tiny imperfections such as broken capillaries, blemishes and other tiny flaws. You simply draw it on. With an exact color match, they can be pinpointed without blending. Pencil concealers are also terrific for fixing lip lines.

In part 2 of this post, I’ll talk about the other three types of concealers: the wand, the oil-free compact, and the highlighter.

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Filed under: acne • beauty tips • cosmetics • dark circles under eyes • Eye care • Eye products • foundation • makeover • makeup • pimples

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