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Concealers Tips

Read these 24 Concealers Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Make-Up tips and hundreds of other topics.

Concealers Tips has been rated 3.8 out of 5 based on 1969 ratings and 18 user reviews.
How do I hide a blemish?

Cover Up That Blemish

If you're prone to acne, make sure you prep your skin with a daily oil-free moisturizer. This will ensure your makeup goes on smoothly and evens out your skin. Use an oil free concealer that is exactly the same shade as your skin. If you go any lighter, or too dark, the concealer will draw attention to the blemish.

Apply the concealer with a concealer brush, which has smooth, synthetic bristles that are made for cream (not powder) formulas. Dab the concealer directly onto the spot and then wait at least 15 seconds before you blend so that it has time to set on the pimple. Don't brush the middle of the spot; fan out the edges of the concealer to make it blend seamlessly. You can gently pat the middle with the brush, but don't rub because you will brush too much concealer away, revealing the redness again. Tap a thin layer of translucent powder over the entire area. This will help to set your makeup, so that by mid-day the spot doesn't make an unwelcome appearance again.

   
Does the green conceler actually work for most people because I don't want to waste my money on something that dosent really work?

Concealer Colors

Green concealer is supposed to help minimize the redness in your skin. If you tend to have a lot of redness from skin irritations or you have red circles under your eyes then green concealer should work for you. If you have dark circles under your eyes or you are trying to cover a bruise then you want to use a concealer with yellow undertones. Green or blue concealers work best on ruddy skin.

   
How do I cover up dark spots and bruises?

How to Conceal Dark Spots

Everyone has been there at some time or another, you have your face under control and your skin looks great save for one dark spot. There are plenty of ways that you can cover up dark spots quickly and easily without caking on the foundation. The first and most common is to spot conceal, this is optimal in the summer months when a full face of foundation just does not fit the bill. Spot concealing is a great way to get your face looking great without spending loads of time or product on it. The first thing you need to do when covering any dark spot or bruise is to clean the area well and moisturize. Irregularities in the skin are often different in texture as well which means that foundation or concealer may not go on smoothly. After moisturizing the area you need to study it to figure out what colors are most predominant. If you have a dark spot that has purple in it you want to find a concealer that has yellow in it to cancel out the purple. If your dark spots are greener in color you want something with some red or coral to cancel out the color. For the run of the mill dark spot you can just use your regular concealer in stages. It is important to build up color rather than slathering on foundation thick to start off. Try adding a thin layer of concealer or foundation then let it dry completely before adding more. After you have reached your desired amount of coverage you need to make sure that the area matches the rest of the face and be sure to powder well. Powdering is the best way to keep the makeup in place all day. You can also spot conceal with your regular foundation routine just conceal then use your foundation as usual to blend the two seamlessly together.

   
How do I apply concealer?

Concealer Application

After applying eye cream, apply a concealer with a synthetic makeup brush just under the eyes and along inner bone of eye. This area is often dark. By using the brush, you will achieve a smooth finish. You can then apply some foundation over this to achieve a blended makeup look. Concealer can also be applied to blemishes or dark spots.

   
How can I apply concealer without it looking cakey?

How to Apply Concealer

Concealer is a dense form of regular foundation that is used to cover blemishes, dark spots, under eye circles and other imperfections. Concealers are available as creams, or in sticks, tubes and pots.

  • When selecting a concealer, choose a color that is one shade lighter than your regular foundation.
  • Using a fine concealer brush, dot a small amount of the concealer onto the area you are trying to cover.
  • Do not use too much or your concealer will end up looking cakey.
  • You can choose to apply concealer over or under foundation, but many women find it easier to blend under foundation.
  • Using a small triangular makeup sponge or your (just washed) finger, gently blend the concealer by dabbing the area until it blends seamlessly with your skin.
  • Avoid getting concealer into the small wrinkles around your eyes, as it will make them look more noticeable. Instead, try a creamier formula for that area to better camouflage imperfections.
  • Set your concealer with a dusting of translucent facial powder to prevent creasing.
In addition to standard facial concealers, you can also find concealers formulated for the legs and other parts of the body. These are especially useful for covering varicose veins, birthmarks, scars and tattoos. At Makeup.com, you can find a wide variety of concealers in shades for every skin tone.

   
What is the difference between a concealer and correction?

Concealer vs. Corrective

A concealer hides a blemish, dark spots, darkness around the eyes. A corrective product comes in either green or yellow and is used to hide redness on the face or very dark circles. You can mix a concealer and a corrective cream or apply the corrective product, then the concealer and follow with foundation.

   

Best concealer makeup

The best concealer makeup for a person is very individual to each person. If you are only balancing skin tone and you do not have a lot of blemishes, scars or major discoloration in your skin, you are going to want a thin water based or liquid concealer make up. If you have one or more scars which you would like to banish from sight you are going to want a scar concealer. Scar concealers are usually not real heavy but may be of a “cake” consistency if this is the type of concealer you would prefer or need you will want to use the feather technique to apply and cover your scar. When applying concealer to a scared area you will look at tone, texture and size of the scar. For a scared area which has a bit of a raised area you may want a couple different concealer shades. You would apply the lighter shade concealer to the darker area of the scar and blend until the darker area is now the lighter area. Next you will want to your “normal” concealer shade on the scared area and feather to blend it into your other facial skin tones. You will need to practice this technique until you get the proper depth perception, contrast and concealed appearance you are looking for. Each scar is different and may need to be worked with until you have a less apparent appearance of the scared area.

   
How can I cover up blemishes quickly without looking "fake"? I want it to look very natural. I broke out and it seems that nothing will cover it up. What can I do?

Effectively Covering Blemishes

Covering blemishes can be somewhat challenging. Applying foundation over your entire face should help even out your skin tone but foundation alone doesn't always effectively "cover up" those unwanted blemishes.

Before applying your foundation cover the problem spots with concealer. Just dab some concealer over the problem spot and hold it for a minute with your finger. Don't rub the concealer all the way into the blemish; instead the heat of your finger will help blend the concealer into your skin. Make sure you are using a small amount of concealer or you will have a big spot on the blemish. After you have taken care of your problem areas with the concealer then proceed to apply foundation over you entire face and follow with a loose powder. Your concealer and your foundation should match your skin tone exactly so they will blend easily and look natural on your skin.

If you are having problems with breakouts then you should definitely be using water-based make up (foundation and concealer); otherwise you might add to the problem.

   
How can I conceal acne?

Applying Concealer: Covering up Acne

Breakouts are embarrassing, but fortunately, concealing problem areas can make imperfections disappear. Many products are even designed with medicating ingredients that treat and prevent breakouts. Read on to learn simple tricks for concealing acne.

The first step in concealing acne is creating a flawless canvas on the face. Apply an oil-free moisturizer that doesn't clog pores to get rid of dryness and flaking. After allowing the face to dry for a few minutes, apply a skin-clearing concealer. Concealer reviews consistently rank Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Concealer as a great acne-fighting concealer. It covers up blemishes while treating the problem area with salicylic acid.

After you've concealed the problem area, apply foundation to the face using a foundation brush. Using a brush can prevent future breakouts that are caused by oils from the fingers. Check out Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Makeup, which also contains salicylic acid, to treat and prevent future breakouts.

   
How can I conceal stretch marks?

How to conceal stretch marks.

The Dermablend product called "Leg & Body Cover Cream" conceals varicose veins, age spots, birthmarks, burns, scars, bruises, stretch marks, and tattoos and comes in 15 different shades. It is fragrance-free, waterproof, smudge-resistant and long-lasting - up to eight hours.

   
How can I conceal a scar with makeup?

What Scar?

If you are seeking makeup advice on concealing scars, look no further. The first thing you should know is that you shouldn't, under any circumstances, attempt to cover scars with a light concealer. If you do so you will only draw more attention to the area. Scar tissue has a shiny appearance and the key to concealing a scar is to eliminate or reduce the shine. It is not possible to fill in a scar with makeup; doing this will cause the area to look packed and is likely to make them more obvious. The most successful method of scar masking is to conceal the area with good foundation followed by a thin layer of matte powder. Keep powder with you to touch up during the day.

   
Is Babor Coverderm Cream good for hiding imperfections?

Cover It Up!

If you want to hide any type of skin imperfection, Babor Coverderm Cream is just what you need. Whether you want to hide that unsightly birthmark on your cheek or cover up that tattoo on your arm before you go to dinner at Grandma's, an application of this product will do the trick. And, in addition to amazing coverage this product is also both waterproof and smudge-proof. So, no matter what the duration of wear, it will not need to be touched up—imagine the convenience. In addition, it has the capability to cover the following skin conditions:

  • Age spots
  • Scars
  • Dark circles
  • Bruises
  • Freckles

*Aside from serving as an excellent corrective application, this stuff is also great makeup. It's the ideal base for makeup application and it can be used to highlight areas of the face.

   
How to I cover acne scars? I want a heavy product like the stars wear.

Concealing Acne Scars

Foundation is usually not enough to cover Acne Scars. You will also need a concealer. Try the products offered by Dermablend, such as their Cover Cream. Remember to blend well with a concealer brush.

   
How can I conceal fine lines?

Conceal Fine Lines

To conceal fine lines on the face (around the eyes and mouth), use a concealer in pencil form or use a synthetic cosmetic brush with your concealer. The reason the line is very visible is because with the loss of elasticity in the skin, a shadow appears. By applying the concealer to both sides of the line, the shadowing will diminish and the line will appear to be not as deep. Always apply the concealer after makeup so it stays on the surface of the skin. Blending is very important.

   
What can I use to cover skin imperfections and discolorations?

Babor Coverderm: The Perfect Concealer

We'd all like to be perfect. But face it, we're not. Skin discolorations can be as benign as freckles or escalate to more serious imperfections like bruises, scars and birthmarks. Those need serious camouflage. Babor Coverderm serves as a base for evening makeup, which tends to be applied heavier for a more dramatic effect. And if you're tired of your tatoo, Coverderm will conceal it without smudging. A fine, translucent fixing powder over Coverderm makes the cream sweat proof, waterproof and smudgeproof. Coverderm comes in six shades but contains preservatives and a fragrance, so if you're normally allergic to these you'll want to opt for a concealer that's fragrance-free. Always read the list of ingredients before purchasing a product to protect yourself from allergic reactions.

   
How can make-up help minimize lines?

Minimize Lines

To minimize lines, apply a concealer directly on the line. This is best done using a synthetic makeup brush or better yet, a concealer in pencil form. This is great to use on lines around the mouth, eyes, and forehead.

   
How can I conceal a port wine birthmark on my face?

How to conceal a port wine birthmark

Dermablend Corrective Cosmetics is the market leader in corrective make-up. It provides the most complete, natural looking coverage for face and body imperfections. It conceals minor to major skin imperfections: post surgical redness, scarring, bruising, Vitiligo, Port Wine birthmark, Rosacea etc. There is a lot of information on Corrective Cosmetics on www.makeupmyway.com - select articles then Corrective Cosmetics.

   

Hiding Blemishes with Concealer Make up is a Must

The use of concealer make up has been around since the late 1930’s. In fact, it was created by the make up company Max Factor. This type of facial make up in the 1930’s and even today is a blessing for women, and men, who are trying to hide imperfections such as blemishes, moles, dark circles under the eyes, uneven skin tones and even unattractive veins. Even blotches all over or on parts of facial skin can now be hidden in seconds. The first thing friends, family or strangers usually see, while up close are wrinkles or dark circles around the eyes. Instead of keeping these signs of aging in plain sight, it is time to hide them.

Now, let’s say someone is trying to hide a scar on their face. In this instance, a scar concealer is a must to purchase. When applying this to the face, it is always recommended to follow the directions for best results. Having an imperfection of the face can be unwelcoming to anyone with a scar and to those who see it. Finding the right shade that matches your facial skin tone is just as important. Along with finding the right shade, one has to consider what medium they want to use. There is a solid or liquid product to choose from.

Depending on what the scar concealer is for, read all the information on each product type before purchase. When using the solid product, it is good to know this a heavier product. Most people with facial scarring will purchase the solid because it, more likely than not, will come with a healing ingredient. On the other hand, the liquid scarring product is lighter and is used more for those who are showing signs of aging. Whatever product is chosen, it is always important to read the label first before deciding on when one is best suited for your needs.

   
What can I do for rosacea?

Rosacea

Rosacea is a medical skin condition and should be seen by a dermatologist. Prescription cream or ointment is usually recommended to use topically . An oral antibiotic may be prescribed, depending on the condition's severity. There are calming emulsions on the market that may help a mild case of rosacea. Corrective concealers (green or yellow) are helpful in covering up the redness. Be sure to apply foundation and powder over the concealer.

   
How do I cover a dark birthmark on my leg when my skin is quite pale? Is there something that would permanently fade it? A bleach maybe, I've heard lemon juice is a natural bleach? I'm going on vacation this year and need a cheap remedy that will last.

Camouflaging Birthmarks

Wanting to cover unwanted birthmarks and blemishes is a common reflex. There are products on the market like camouflage make up that are designed to cover dark areas. Bleaching creams will work sometimes, but you have to be extremely careful when using them and should probably consult a dermatologist before attempting to bleach the area. Lemon juice may help but probably won't do much to correct the problem.

   
I am African American with scars on my legs. Will tanning hide them?

Hiding Mosquito Bite Scars on Legs

Tanning will not equalize the skintone on your legs. You can either try to hide the scars with concealer products such as Dermablend leg and body cover cream or Sally Hanson Instant Tan Spray. There is laser surgery available if you want to go that route. A dermatologist might recommend microdermabrasion. If you are at all prone to keloids surgery is not recommended.

   
What color concealer should I use?

Color Concealer

A concealer should match your skin tone or be one shade lighter. Use it to cover dark circles around the eyes, and any discoloration on the face. Apply over foundation so it will cover and not be rubbed off.

   

Cover up make up

Cover up make up can one of a girls best friends if used properly. No two people have the same skin type, tone or texture so your concealing makeup should be very unique and individual to you. When choosing a concealing makeup you will want to take into account first and foremost your skin tone. You will want to try and match the color to your wrist, for most people their true facial tone is reflected in the tone of the skin on the underside of their wrist. If you can place a small amount of concealer on your wrist and it blends in very nicely with little effort, then this should be a good shade for you. It some times takes some trial and error to get the perfect concealing makeup, but it will be well worth the effort when you finally get it right. The next thing you will want to look for will be the consistency of the product, if you are in need of makeup for acne scars you will most likely want a product that is a little “heavier” than some. Most concealing makeup which comes in a tube or “cake” will usually give you the coverage you are looking for. If “scars” are not your concern and you are just looking to blend your facial tones, you may want a “lighter” concealing makeup which will blend smoothly cover the “blotchy” areas to give you a cleaner more vibrant appearance.

   

Scar concealer makeup

Scar concealer makeup can be a difficult product to find depending on the size, shape and color of your scar. If your scar is rather large or wide on the surface but has little discoloration, you may be able to use a thinner concealing makeup. If your scar is very dark or has a hue which is not of a natural color concealing makeup’s applied in a layer and feather effect may work best for your situation. Here is a techniques you may want to try. Before applying any makeup ensure your facial skin in clean, dry and is not irritated. Lightly moisturize you skin with a product that is best for your skin type. Before applying any concealing makeup, make certain that there is no residual surface moisturizer pooling on the skin. It’s time to apply. If you have a scar or discoloration which is of a deep or “not normal” color on your skin you will want to apply a thin layer of a “cake” type concealing makeup which is one to two tones lighter than your skin tone. Once the first concealing makeup has “set” (this usually take just a minute or so, or you could try applying a little base powder to help it along) then you will want to apply a “light” concealing makeup over this area along with other areas of the face to blend in all the tone and give you a fresh and ready skin tone appearance.

   
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Lynne Christen