How To Apply Concealer

Photographed by Sunny Shokrae.

This post was originally published on September 12, 2013.

When most people think of camouflage, they probably picture a splotchy, green, traditional army uniform (it also tends to make a fashion comeback every few years). But camouflage can come in many different forms. You can camouflage a scuff on your favorite pair of black heels using a black permanent marker. And, when it comes to beauty, you can camouflage just about any blemish or imperfection that comes your way. All you need is the right kind of concealer, and a few tips for how to apply it. And that’s where I come in!

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I will be teaching you about five different zones that require concealing, along with the steps you’ll need to follow to make your face look flawless. Here is my guide to “camouflaging” like a beauty guru!

Photographed by Amelia Alpaugh.

How To Cover Up Scars Or Dark Spots

If you experience discoloration or uneven skin tone, these concealer tips will come in handy. You can also use this method for covering up scars on your face. You will want to invest in a heavier concealer for these areas because the thicker texture contains less oil and lasts longer. You will also need lifting concealer, a beauty blender or sponge, and translucent powder. Here’s how to do it:

1. Apply your heavier concealer with a brush, covering the problem area entirely.
2. Dab a coat of lifting concealer over the area to make the dark spot brighter. If you’re dealing with a scar, you might not need this step.
3. Dampen your beauty blender or sponge and dip it into loose powder. Blend the area in evenly.
4. Finish with a translucent mineral powder to set the area.

Products I recommend: Dior DiorSkin Sculpt Lifting Smoothing Concealer, $36, available at Saks Fifth Avenue; Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder, $35, available at Sephora.

Photographed by Nina Westervelt.

How To Hide Blemishes

When you want to cover up a blemish that is red (and probably pesky, too), using a green concealer will help to neutralize the color and hide the inflammation. To do this, you will need a green concealer (I recommend using one in a jar or tube), a concealer brush, a concealer stick, a blending brush, and loose powder. Here’s how it works:

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1. Take a concealer brush and load it up with the green concealer. Start applying it on the pimple, starting in the middle and making light brush strokes outward. You want it to fade into your skin, with the most concentrated area being the middle of the blemish.
2. Making sure your index finger is completely clean, dab it on the concealer stick and apply to the blemish. Apply in a patting motion, until the area is completely covered and skin tone looks even.
3. Dip your blending brush in loose powder, then lightly dust the powder onto your skin, blending all three products together.

Products I recommend: NYX Concealer Jar in Green, $5, available at NYX; Stila CC Color Correcting Stick Broad Spectrum, $38, available at Nordstrom;
The Balm Concealer Brush, $8, available at Beauty.com.

Photographed by Sunny Shokrae.

How to Conceal Under-Eye Circles:

The most important thing to remember here is that your goal is to make your eyes look brighter. That said, I recommend using a brightening concealer, a beauty blender or sponge, and loose highlighting powder. I also recommend that you use a concealer that’s oil-based for under your eyes because you want to keep the delicate skin in this area hydrated and moisturized. You will also want to use a peach- or pink-based concealer to counteract the blue tones of your dark eye circles. Here's how to do it:

1. Apply your brightening concealer by dotting it in a line under your eye, starting at the inner corner (the inside of the bridge of your nose) and working to the outer edge of your eye.
2. Get your sponge or blender a little bit damp, then dip it into your loose highlighting powder. Dab it over the concealer, blending it evenly into your skin.

3. Brush a tiny bit of the highlighting powder under your eye to make sure it sets and doesn’t crease.

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Expert Tip: If you prefer to use your finger to apply concealer under your eyes, use your non-dominant ring finger. Since it’s weaker than your pointer finger, this will keep you from tugging too hard on the delicate skin under your eyes.

Products I recommend: bareMinerals Stroke of Light Eye Brightener, $22, available at bareMinerals; Beauty Blender, $28.95, available at Sephora; Too Faced Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder Duo, $30, available at Sephora.

Photographed by Raven Ishak.

How To Conceal Puffiness

For those days when your skin just doesn’t feel as smooth and supple as you’d like, you will want to use this method to conceal puffiness. If I notice puffiness, it’s around the outer corners of my eyes, on my eyelids, or on my brow bones (it’s usually my skin telling me to get more sleep). Before applying any makeup, drink up — two glasses of water will help your skin more than any concealer. Then, use a yellow-toned or brightening concealer to highlight these areas and keep your skin looking fresh. You will need a hydrating moisturizer, liquid concealer, and a bit of highlighter. Here’s how to de-puff:

1. Create a mixture using your moisturizer, your liquid concealer, and a bit of highlighter. 2. Using a concealer brush, dab the mixture on the puffy areas of your face. 3. Wipe your concealer brush clean of the mixture, then use it to blend the concealer in evenly.

Well, I think that about covers it (pun intended). I hope you found this guide to concealer useful. Make sure to bookmark it or pin the image above so that you can come back and read these facts whenever you need them!

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What would you like me to cover in my next Beauty Guru Guide? Leave your requests below!

XO Lauren

Products I recommend: Neutrogena Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 15, $10, available at Drugstore.com Stila Perfecting Concealer, $23, available at Sephora; Estée Lauder Concealer Brush, $22, available at Nordstrom; Benefit High Beam Liquid Highlighter, $26, available at Sephora.