Concealer masterclass

Have you got one trusty concealer you use to save the day when redness, spots or irritation rear their ugly head?

According to the beauty experts, this is a big no no. Concealing like a pro involves investing in several products, each designed to tackle a specific skin problem.

The end result is better coverage, no more blemishes and effective highlighting to distract attention from problem areas.

Here’s our handy guide to help you conceal correctly:

Dark circles

Choosing a concealer a bit lighter than your skin tone may seem the obvious choice for disguising under eye circles, but actually you’re better off using a salmon, pink shade. The orange pigments will help to balance out the blue and purple tones under your eyes, while the pinks will brighten the area. This type of concealer also works well when covering dark spots.

We recommend: Bobbi Brown Corrector (£19).

Redness

It may sound a bit daft, but green toned concealers are your best bet if you’re trying to cover facial redness such as broken blood vessels, rosacea and spots. These products work wonders to neutralise the redness, and you will only need to use a tiny bit to conceal effectively.

We recommend: Maybelline Cover Stick Corrector – Green (£9.99).

How to apply

To keep your concealer coverage light and looking as natural as possible, gently dot the product onto skin problem areas and blend with your fingertips. For under the eye application, dot the concealer on in a triangle shape and pat into the skin until blended evenly.

Finishing touches

Some people like to apply concealer on top of their foundation, but it’s best to apply coloured formulas first. Covering with a flesh-tone liquid foundation or sheer concealer will help to keep the corrector in place and even out your skin tone. Keep foundation coverage light and finish with a dusting of face powder to set.

Highlight

The final stage of concealing involves highlighter. This will enhance your complexion and draw attention away from problem areas. Highlighters can be used to give skin a natural glow or give extra definition to facial features. Choose a light shade that is close to your skin tone and apply to the high points of your face – cheekbones, brow bones and down the bridge of your nose.