Concealers

Concealer is a similar makeup item to a foundation, as it is trying to disguise imperfections for an airbrushed effect, except it's generally thicker and should be used in a targetted manner to hide dark circles, age spots, blemishes and red or brown pigments by blending these imperfections into the skin. Generally, you should always apply concealer on top of your foundation so it doesn't smudge. This is especially true if it has light particles, like Jane Iredale Active Light and Guerlain Parure Gold Light Concealer, as the effect will not be blocked by your foundation.

There are instances where you benefit from a concealer first, especially if you are getting photographed as if your concealer shade isn't the same as your foundation it will show as a discolouration.

When choosing a Concealer the best strategy is to pick a brighter shade for under the eyes, and for blemishes to opt for a foundation-matching shade. When concealing spots, pinpoint concealing works best, by sparingly applying the product in a crosshatch pattern, with light layers of product from the top to bottom of the blemish and then from left to right, building up to your desired level of coverage, patting around the edges to melt the concealer onto the surrounding skin. For concealing under eyes, it's all about applying a small amount of concealer towards the inner corner of the eye and a small amount on the outer corner, pulling upwards in the direction of the temple and then blending out with a concealer brush for a bright, wide-awake under eye.

Liquid Concealers are usually heavier and dry thicker on the skin, more suitable to disguising areas other than the thinner under eye area, whereas Cream Concealers are better for under the eye and drier skin types.