Iknow you woke up like this, and so did I, but the truth is we all have imperfections, including on our skins. So, rather than feel embarrassed by them and consequently permit it to affect your esteem, why not pull out your magic wand (your fingers and/or brush) and apply every girl’s favorite potion: a concealer. But there is a catch, this magic only works when you choose the right concealer.
Like a spell gone bad, not owning and not using a suitable concealer is a recipe for catastrophe. Imagine walking around with 3 shades of skin, or worse still, looking like Mmanwu (masquerade). Yup, the wrong concealer can do all these and more.
The importance of concealer in any makeover can’t be over-emphasized. It blots out imperfections and makes your skin glow. The major thing you need to get right is knowing how to choose the right shade of concealer for your complexion. If not, that would further draw attention to the problem areas you’re trying to hide. The main thing to know is what concealer is best suited for you and how to apply it. Don’t fret. We’re always here to help you make the right life choices, concealers included.
The different concealer types
Liquid concealer: This type works for most skin types excluding dry skin, especially if it has a matte finish.
Stick concealer: This type of concealer offers the fullest coverage out of all the other concealers, but seeing it has a thick consistency, it requires a lot of blending. Hence, it’s a no-no for oily skins, particularly in hot weather.
Cream concealer: This type covers under-eye circles and discoloration, but may not be great on faces with wrinkles and fine lines because they tend to crease.
Balm concealer: This type stays put all day, and it’s the best bet for oily skin.
Each concealer works differently on different skin types, so it’s expedient to know your skin type before choosing any concealer.
How to choose concealers based on your complexion
Your skin type plays an essential role in determining the concealer right for you. For example, if you have dry skin, pick a creamy or stick type and totally avoid concealers with a matte finish as they would only make your skin appear drier than it already is.
On the other hand, if you have oily skin, avoid cream concealers because you don’t need the oily shine that comes with them and they may also cause breakouts. This may seem obvious, but you would be shocked how many of us make this mistake.
Choosing concealer for under eye
One major error we tend to make when choosing under-eye concealers is choosing concealers three shades lighter than our complexion. It’s better to choose one that’s a shade lighter, rather than three shades as the latter tends to look unnatural. Also, it’s not recommended to choose one that matches your complexion because the main objective is to lighten the under-eye dark circles and not to match it.
Choosing concealer for skin issues
To cover spots and blemishes on the face, the shade of concealer has to match the exact shade of your foundation to ensure that it’s duly covered up and blends perfectly with your skin to create the idea of an even skin tone. This emphasizes that you can’t use the same concealers for your under eyes and spots/blemishes if the goal is to achieve that natural finish look.
Choosing concealer according to the changing weather
It’s a great idea to have at least two different types of concealer handy. When the weather gets hot, many of us get a shade or two darker, and during the colder season, we get a little brighter and/or paler. Adjust your concealer shade to match the season. A right shade for your darker skin and a lighter shade for your pale complexion. It could be fun sometimes to mix both concealers to get an in-between shade, especially for neutral weather.
Tips on how to choose the right concealer
- Before purchasing an under-eye concealer, apply a little on your wrist. If it hides your vein naturally, it will most likely cover up the discoloration under your eyes and brighten the area.
- A lot of stores have fancy lights; while this is good for business, it’s not helpful when selecting a concealer. Your best bet is to test the samples under natural lighting.
- Subsequently, when applying concealer at home or anywhere else, desperately seek a window and let the sun rays expose the blending in performance. This is better than being at an event and noticing that your face has dry patches.
- While there’s nothing wrong with using a brush, a good number of makeup artists swear by using their bare fingers to lightly dab. In addition, it’s smoother to apply this way.
Remember this: “When your concealer is on point, your life is on point.” Ok, maybe we exaggerated a bit, but you can never go wrong with the right concealer.
Featured image: Ryan Stokes | Instagram
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