The next best thing to perfect skin: perfect concealer. Here’s what you need to know:
Before & After: If you wear a matt, powder-finish or mineral foundation, you should apply your concealer first. If, however, your base preference is for a more dewy, moisturising mix, leave concealer until afterwards - you may well find that your foundation has covered up any flaws on its own. Whether you apply concealer straight after moisturiser or foundation, always wait a minute or two for the previous layer to set.
For General Use: For any redness or to subtly even out skintone, choose a yellow-based concealer, as exact a skin-match as possible. If you find your skintone changes throughout the year, buy a custom-blend palette, or two tones of your favourite concealer - this way you can mix to match each day. Makeup artists generally advise fingertips as the best application tool in this instance - the warmth helps concealer melt and blend in, making it look like skin rather than what it actually is. Try: Becca Compact Concealer ($52 from Myer stores or Adore Beauty).
To Strike out Spots: Use your regular face concealer (as long as it’s not too oily or creamy) and apply with a concealer brush, which allows you to precisely place pigment on the very tip of the actual spot, and pat it in until it blends and blurs into your skin. A cheaper option: use a cotton bud to gently tap concealer onto spots - its texture has a similarly natural-finish effect.
To Cover Circles: You need a creamy formulation in a peachy tone - which is best for countering dark shadows. Many makeup artists also then add a regular, yellow-toned concealer on top, so as to match the skintone under the eyes to that on the rest of the face - this concealer also works well above the eyes, as a base for eye shadow, and to hide any redness. Still a bit shadowy? Dab on a light-reflecting concealer. Make sure to also conceal at the inner corners and side of nose, which can also get quite dark, and the outer corners, which often appear red and tired. If dark shadows are only a minor concern, use fingers to apply concealer; if your shadows are more of the thunderstorm variety, try patting on concealer with a synthetic-bristled brush, which will allow you to apply a greater amount of concealer moreeasily and in a natural-look way. Try: Laura Mercier Secret Concealer ($40 from Myer stores or Adore Beauty) and Clarins Instant Light Perfecting Touch ($56 from department stores and also from Adore Beauty).
One More Top Tip: Always apply concealer in natural light - this way you can ensure it blends in perfectly, and also that you have the correct shade for your skin at any moment in time.
