Concealer

What it is

Concealer is a thicker, more pigmented cousin of foundation used to cover specific areas rather than the whole face - under-eye circles, blemishes, redness, and discoloration. Because it's applied in smaller amounts and often layered over foundation, it can carry more pigment without looking heavy overall.

How it works

Standard concealers work the same way as foundation, with a higher pigment-to-base ratio for stronger coverage in a small area. Color correctors are a separate category: they use color theory rather than skin-matched pigment, applying an opposing hue (orange/peach to cancel blue-purple under-eye shadows, green to cancel redness) underneath a skin-matched concealer to neutralize discoloration before covering it.

How to choose one

• Under-eye vs. blemish concealer aren't always the same product. Under-eye formulas are usually creamier and lighter-reflecting to brighten; blemish concealers are often matte and thicker to stay put over texture without sliding.
• Go one shade lighter for under-eye brightening, and true-to-skin-tone (not lighter) for spot concealing elsewhere - a too-light concealer on a blemish just draws more attention to it.
• Check the undertone of a corrector against what it's correcting, not against your skin - a corrector's job is to be the opposite of the discoloration, not to match you.

How to apply it

1. Apply it after foundation. Foundation evens out most of the face first, so concealer only has to cover what's left - which usually means using much less of it.
2. Under the eyes, place it where the shadow is darkest - usually the inner corner and just below the lash line. A larger inverted triangle reaching down the cheek brightens more, but the extra product also makes creasing more likely.
3. On blemishes, dab a small amount directly on the spot with a small, firm brush or fingertip, using a matte, skin-matched shade.
4. Blend by tapping, not rubbing. Tap only the edges into the surrounding foundation with a fingertip, damp sponge, or small brush; rubbing lifts the foundation underneath and leaves a patchy edge. On a blemish, leave the center untouched so the coverage stays where it's needed.
5. Let it sit for a minute, then set lightly. Once it has warmed into the skin, press a small amount of powder over the under-eye area to stop it moving into fine lines - see Why does concealer crease under the eyes?.

Common mistakes

• Applying concealer before foundation and building up an obvious separate layer instead of concealing after, where less product is usually needed.
• Setting with too much powder, which can settle into fine lines under the eyes and emphasize rather than hide them.
• Using a corrector shade so strong it shows through the final concealer layer - a little goes further than it looks like it will.