Pigmentation, blemishes, dark circles – nearly all of us experience them to a certain extent, some more than others. And even those who are blessed with clear skin can have the occasional breakout (diet related?) or wake up with dark circles (late night?). That’s why a good quality mineral concealer is a must-have makeup item in every woman’s cosmetic bag, even if you don’t generally wear makeup.
Tips for choosing the right type of concealer for your skin
When it comes to concealers, there are different types available, each with a different consistency and level of coverage. Some are also better suited to certain skin types than others.
Points to consider when choosing the best concealer for you:
Liquid Concealer
- light-weight texture
- buildable coverage ranging from light to full
- well suited to those with normal to oily skin
- great for camouflaging dark circles, their thinner consistency usually means they’re less likely to creep into any fine lines around the eye area
- also good for covering broken capillaries and mild redness
Our pick: INIKA Organic Sheer Coverage Concealer. Available in Porcelain (very light), Vanilla (light) and Sand (medium), this beautiful concealer is OFC Certified Organic and includes pigments that offer light reflective properties – perfect for disguising dark and puffy eyes.
Cream Concealer
- thicker texture offers heavier coverage than a liquid, from medium to full
- typically housed in a compact, pot or palette
- suited to normal to dry skin
- great for covering minor blemishes, imperfections, pigmentation and discolouration
Our pick: Miessence Concealer. Available in Fair and Medium, this compact concealer contains certified organic ingredients and protective zinc oxide.
Titanium Dioxide Free
- formulated with zinc oxide
- naturally coloured with iron oxides
- suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
Our pick: MG Naturals Organic Concealer. Available in Light, Medium and Warm, this light-weight concealer contains soothing Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea and comes in a handy tube with applicator.
Choosing your concealer shade
Under the eyes - try going one or two shades lighter than your skin tone if you want to lighten and brighten the eye area.
Other areas of the face – choose a concealer that closely matches your skin tone if you're not wearing makeup, otherwise if it's too light or too dark, the spots covered in concealer will stand out. If you're wearing foundation, choose a shade that matches your foundation as the wrong shade of concealer may be visible through your foundation, highlighting the spot or area you’re trying to cover up.
Concealer helps to disguise blemishes, imperfections and uneven skin tone (Image credit: Canva)
Using a concealer
Always start with clean skin and make sure it’s prepped by applying moisturiser after cleansing. For the eye area, in particular, it is important to ensure it is adequately hydrated, otherwise it may end up looking dry and cracked.
Tips for application of your concealer:
- Liquid – dot on with a small brush and use your ring finger to blend.
- Cream – use a fine tip concealer brush to dot concealer onto blemishes then blend outwards with your ring finger or a makeup sponge in a stippling motion until the concealer has been worked completely into the surrounding skin. Cream concealers are more prone to creasing so you might want to consider setting with a powder.
Should you wear your concealer under or over your foundation?
If you're wearing a liquid or cream foundation, then this is generally a personal choice. If your skin only requires minimal concealer, then you might find a light dab before applying your foundation is sufficient. Otherwise, applying your foundation first allows you to see which areas require a little more coverage. For powder foundation, it is not recommended to apply your concealer over the top of powder foundation as it has a tendency to cake up which is not a look any of us wants.
There you have it - Naturally Safe Cosmetics' tips on choosing and using a concealer that’s right for you and allows you to put your best face forward.