Concealers have been an essential part of the beauty routine for years. They help brighten and redefine the eye area, not to mention that they hide all those little imperfections that bother us when we look in the mirror and they can even help against wrinkles. If you’re like most women, you probably have a love-hate relationship with concealer. It’s one of those products that looks amazing when it works. It can help brighten the delicate eye area and reduce signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles. But using concealer the wrong way can make things worse by highlighting these areas instead of concealing them. But concealer isn’t all that complicated once you know the basics. Read on to learn exactly how to use concealer for wrinkles and avoid the biggest mistakes.
Concealer can specifically target blemishes like acne, pimples, dark circles, and redness
Concealers are multifunctional and can help against wrinkles
The 7 biggest mistakes when using concealer for wrinkles
If you’re not happy with your concealer, don’t throw it away because chances are you’re making one of these 7 simple mistakes. But don’t panic: we’ve got the keys to help you become a true pro at using concealer for wrinkles.
Different shades and textures work best for different problems
#Mistake 1: You forget to prep your skin
We know you can’t wait to grab your brushes and start applying your makeup, but don’t be in a hurry. Don’t apply your concealer right away because it’s important to start your makeup with clean and moisturized skin. Wash your face every morning and start your beauty makeover with a blank canvas. The next step before applying makeup is to keep your skin well moisturized. This makes application smoother and prevents clumping. If you’re struggling with dry, scaly blemishes, the same goes. To take skin prep a step further, you need to incorporate exfoliation into your routine. Exfoliate your face with it once a week.
Concealer for the eye area should be light and fluid so that it doesn’t settle into the creases
#Mistake 2: Not using primers before makeup
You probably tend to rush into your makeup right away because you look forward to looking beautiful. But for that makeup to last all day and look flawless, you need to add one key ingredient to your recipe: a primer. A primer enhances the effect of the concealer as it smoothes the skin, makes it look flawless and allows the concealer to last longer. However, be careful not to apply the primer too early in your makeup routine. Use after preparing your skin with skin care products. Even though the primer contains nourishing and moisturizing ingredients, it is still a makeup product. It is therefore important to know that it does not replace day cream, preferably with an SPF factor.
A concealer for acne should match your skin tone and have a thicker consistency
#Mistake 3: You apply concealer before foundation
Wondering whether to apply concealer before or after foundation? When using a liquid or cream foundation, the general rule of thumb is to apply a light layer to even out your complexion, and then apply concealer to the areas that need a little more attention. That way you don’t rub off the concealer after application, use less product overall, and don’t look like you’re wearing a mask of makeup. The only exception: if you use a powder foundation. In this case, apply the concealer first to avoid clumping or pilling.
A thin layer of foundation takes care of all stains and covers most stains
#Error 4: You are using the wrong formula and color
While it’s tempting to use the same concealer all over your face, it’s actually best to choose one specifically for the eyes and one just for blemishes. This is an important step in using concealer for wrinkles. The rule of thumb is: liquid concealer works best for the eye area as creams tend to smear and settle into fine lines, while creams work better for blemishes as they are less likely to rub off.
Choosing the right formula will help you get a satisfactory result
Since you are buying two different formulas, you can also choose the right shades at once. So which one is the best for everyone? For dark circles you should be a shade lighter. If you apply a lighter shade under the eyes, your gaze will appear more open and bright and you will be able to eliminate all traces of tiredness. To cover blemishes, choose the same shade as your skin tone.
Liquid concealer is the most commonly used because it suits all skin types
#Mistake 5: You are using the wrong brush
You can blend larger areas with your fingers, but when it comes to blemishes, you need a concealer brush with a narrow tip. The narrower the brush, the more precisely you can apply the concealer. This means you can avoid drawing a light circle of concealer around the blemish that draws attention. For thicker, more targeted coverage, dab concealer directly onto the spot instead of sweeping it over the surrounding area.
There are many types of brushes and they all have their purpose
#Mistake 6: You put on too much concealer
Applying too much concealer to your under-eye circles and blemishes will look unnatural and draw attention to fine lines. Instead, start with a conservative amount (a few dabs at most) and focus on blending the color beyond the areas you’re trying to conceal so there aren’t obvious borders. If you need even more coverage, apply a little more by creating thin layers. If you’re tempted to apply one layer at a time, try a color corrector before your foundation – something salmon or peach to minimize blue tones.
When it comes to applying concealer, less is always more
#Mistake 7: You forget to fix the concealer
One mistake you’re likely to make is skipping that last simple yet crucial step in making your concealer last all day: setting. To mattify, smudge your eye area and start your day, powder is the one thing you shouldn’t skip after you’ve applied your concealer properly. After all, you don’t want to risk ruining that makeup you’ve been wearing for so long, do you? If your skin is very dry or you have scaly blemishes, skip this step as powder can draw attention to dryness and fine lines. Try a setting spray instead.
If you are satisfied with the result, you can set your concealer with powder to make it last longer
If you can remember these seven common makeup application mistakes, your love-hate relationship with concealer will be a thing of the past. From now on there will only be love – and the natural, flawless complexion you desire. Concealer will also be your best friend against wrinkles if you use it properly.
