Because girls want to look stunning every day and they start doing this from an early age. But since there are enough tricks and subtleties in applying makeup, girls who are just starting to do their own makeup often have the question: “what comes first: concealer or foundation?”
Let's first figure out what it is, and then how it's applied.
The difference between concealer and foundation is their density. Concealer is used to retouch areas around the eyes, eyelids (to hide bruises), and foundation can hide skin irregularities (wrinkles, pimples)
You should use both concealer and foundation in your makeup carefully so as not to overdo it with the thickness of the layers and not make the skin color unnatural and dark.
Most experienced makeup artists recommend applying foundation first and then concealer.
Rule 1. Before or after?
Since concealer is a creamy product, it is applied after the base. It remains to determine - before foundation or after it: Colored concealers - applied under nude concealer, before foundation.
Body concealers - applied pointwise to the necessary areas of highlighting, on top of foundation or to a clean, moisturized area around the eyes, after applying foundation to the entire face, but without mixing with it.
IMPORTANT! Try not to overly cover the nude concealer with powder, otherwise it will stop reflecting light and highlighting the desired area.
Expert opinion: how to use concealer correctly
If you've ever wondered whether it's better to apply foundation or concealer first, you're not alone.
Many makeup lovers (including beauty editors) still don’t know the right answer. SPLETNIK.RU decided to delve into the history of concealers, focusing in detail on the methods of their selection and textures, and collected tips and beauty hacks from professionals that will probably be useful to you. How to apply
Hollywood makeup artist and stylist Allan Avendaño says that if you have really dark circles or bags under your eyes, it's best to apply concealer first, then foundation, and then another layer of concealer in a different shade. This layering will allow you to reliably hide traces of lack of sleep. Just remember to moisturize your skin first, this will prevent the concealer from getting into fine lines.
Makeup artist Robin Black has a different opinion. He is sure that you need to apply foundation first, and only then correct imperfections. The first product is designed specifically to even out skin tone, dense products mask redness, so until you apply it, it is difficult to judge whether you still need to use concealer or one layer is enough. The expert compares this to building a house: the very first step in its creation is laying the foundation.
Most often, girls apply concealer directly under their eyes, chaotically rubbing it with a finger or brush over the entire dark area. This is one of the most common mistakes! First, you need to apply concealer to the center of the inner corner of the eye (traditionally this is the darkest place in the area) and gradually blend it out with the sun. Don’t forget to gently blot the concealer application area with a damp beauty blender - it will remove excess product and “glue” the concealer to the skin,” advises Elena Krygina.
New York-based makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes recommends that those with dry or combination skin choose medium-weight, creamy textures. To prevent such products from floating during the day, powder the area around the eyes. Concealer sticks are good for dry and sensitive skin. Liquid concealer is the most versatile. It is suitable for normal, oily and combination skin. It's easy to use and easy to layer. In addition, liquid concealers come in a variety of finishes: matte, pearl, and satin. This concealer will not clog pores, so it will be useful for those with problem skin.
Lori Leib, makeup artist and creative director of Bodyography Cosmetics, recommends applying concealer using your ring fingers rather than a brush. To make the transition as smooth as possible, apply a little softening lip balm along the edges. It will slightly “blur” the pores and keep the delicate skin around the eyes moisturized.
Beauty hacks
Bobbi Brown is sure that every girl should have three products in her arsenal: concealer, mascara and blush. A light layer of concealer under the eyes helps hide dark circles and brightens up the complexion. When choosing a concealer, the star expert advises paying attention to products with a creamy structure and a yellow undertone. It should be one tone lighter than your skin. Also remember, the thicker you apply the concealer, the more noticeable it will be on your skin. Any concealer should be applied in a thin layer and delicately blended with a brush, sponge or patted into the skin with your fingertips.
Not everyone can draw a perfect arrow the first time. To make the line on your eyelid clearer and more contrasting (and also to correct the situation if your hand is shaking), apply a little concealer to an angled brush and draw a line in the outer corner of the eye. It’s much easier and faster than starting all over again,” says Michael Ashton.
You should not apply correctors under your eyes (this product is often confused with concealers, since both of them are concealers and in some cases are interchangeable). If you want a fuller coverage, first apply peach or orange lipstick, then concealer, then blend thoroughly so that no traces of bright lipstick remain. And voila - there is no trace of dark circles! A similar trick can be done with lipstick,
says BeGlammed founder Mile Pacheco.
You've probably already heard about color correction. The green concealer neutralizes redness, while the peach and yellow shades cover dark circles and pigmentation. But many people forget that the product needs to be allowed to dry a little before proceeding to the next step. It's best to layer your concealer rather than apply the lion's share of the product at once in hopes of covering up a flaw. Since the eye area is very sensitive, it is important to choose a brush with soft bristles. It is better to apply concealer with a flat brush and blend it with a round one.
Many people believe that using a contour pencil is the best way to visually enlarge your lips, but concealer can also help you in this matter. Ariana Grande's makeup artist advises applying a little concealer along the contour of the lips and blending with your fingers so that there is no obvious transition of shades. Then just add a drop of your favorite gloss and that's it - the effect of full lips, almost like Kylie Jenner's, is achieved in a minute.
If you're out of your favorite concealer, don't worry. Unscrew the cap of your foundation and use a brush to pick up the thickened product, a great replacement for concealer!
— the star makeup artist gave another piece of advice.
Face shape correction
Concealer is used as a product that not only helps to mask imperfections on the skin, but also corrects the shape of the face.
How to apply concealer to your face based on its color
Application areas will vary based on face shape:
- A square face is distinguished by a wide forehead, jaw, and massive cheekbones. These areas need to be darkened so that they are in shadow and less noticeable. You need to lighten the central part of the forehead, the back of the nose, the area under the eyes, the center of the chin. This technique will visually make the face more elongated.
- A round face is too wide, so the temples, cheeks, and sides of the chin are darkened to make the face appear narrower. Use a light shade to highlight the middle of the forehead, under the eyes.
- A triangular face is characterized by a wide forehead and a narrow chin, so a dark concealer should be applied to the sides of the forehead and temples, and a light concealer should be applied to the chin and infraorbital area, thereby visually expanding the lower part of the face.
- A diamond-shaped face is especially marked by prominent cheekbones - they need to be darkened, the remaining areas are lightened.
- An elongated face needs to be visually reduced in length. For this purpose, a dark concealer is applied along the hairline on the forehead and chin, and a light concealer is applied to the cheekbones and cheeks.
Why is this so important?
"Applying concealer and foundation in the right order really gives balanced coverage that looks natural and sheer," says Dowdall. "If you apply concealer before foundation, it tends to rub off when foundation goes on top, so it can defeat the purpose and give extra work later."
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MAC Cosmetics senior artist Debbie Finnegan agrees, emphasizing that creamy textures need to be applied in the right order. "Apply skincare first, then foundation, concealer, cream blush, and then when you're happy, finish with powder and set everything in place," she says.
Skin care before applying foundation
Remember the axiom: foundation should always be applied to previously prepared skin. Skin cleansing, toning and moisturizing are daily rituals that should not be ignored. Makeup will always look more flattering on sleek skin.
If you have an active day ahead, during a hot or very cold season, you should not neglect the primer (base, base for foundation/eyeshadow/lipstick). It creates a protective barrier between the processes occurring on the skin and decorative cosmetics. In addition, the primer prevents the premature disappearance of foundation from the face and enhances the durability of makeup. Also, using a base, you can enhance the desired effect on the skin - add radiance or, conversely, give it even more matte.
