A beginner's guide to choosing and using a concealer

(3 ½ minute read)

Blemishes, dark circles, pigmentation - these are some of the totally normal skin conditions that many of us experience and some of us prefer to hide when it comes to our complexion, especially when we go out. One of the best ways to disguise these ‘imperfections’ is to apply a concealer.

Choosing the right type of concealer

When it comes to concealers, there are different types available, with different consistencies and levels of coverage. The right concealer for you will depend on your skin type and personal preference. In this article, we’ll provide some tips to help you choose the best concealer for your needs.

Features of Liquid Concealers

• 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, which is perfect for disguising dark and puffy eyes. It has a hydrating formula that includes skin nourishing ingredients like Jojoba Seed Oil, Aloe Vera, Shea Butter and Green Tea.

Features of Cream Concealers

• thicker texture makes it easier to obtain a heavier coverage, 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: MiessenceConcealer – available in Fair and Medium, this pot concealer contains certified organic ingredients like Jojoba Oil and UV protective zinc oxide.

Titanium Dioxide Free Concealers

• formulated with zinc oxide
• excludes titanium dioxide
• 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 organic and soothing Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea and comes in a handy tube with applicator.

Choose the right type and shade of concealer for your skin type (image credit: Canva)

Choosing the right concealer shade

When it comes to choosing your concealer shade, consider where you will be applying it as what works on one area of your face may not be the best choice on another area. It’s not uncommon for people to choose more than one colour of concealer for use on their face. This also allows them to blend shades to create custom a colour.

Applying concealer under the eyes

Try going one or two shades lighter than your skin tone if you want to lighten and brighten the eye area.

Applying concealer to other areas of the face

Choose a concealer that closely matches your skin tone if you're not wearing any other 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.

Tips for application of your concealer

Always start with clean skin and make sure it’s prepped by applying moisturiser or primer 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.

Applying Liquid Concealer

Dot on with a small brush and use your ring finger to blend.

Applying Cream Concealer

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 your concealer with a setting powder – the MG Naturals Mineral Veil is ideal and comes in 3 shades: translucent, sheer light and sheer glow.

Finally, over or under?

That is the question. Should you wear your concealer over or under your foundation?

If you're wearing a liquid or cream foundation, then whether you wear your concealer under or over your makeup is generally a personal choice. With both formulas being liquid, they should blend easily. 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 still require a little more coverage. If you use a powder foundation, it is not recommended to apply your concealer over the top of your foundation, as it has a tendency to cake up which is not a look any of us wants! Go with the concealer first and then your powder foundation.

There you have it. When you choose the right concealer for your skin – and apply it correctly – you can always put your best face forward!