How To Choose The Right Concealer As You Age
Most things that worked for you in your 20s usually don’t work for you in your 40s–especially when it comes to applying your makeup. Your old tried and true make-up tips just don’t seem to do the trick anymore. As you age, your skin is constantly changing, so it is important to allow your makeup products to change as well. If one of your must-have makeup products has been a concealer, don’t stop now! Keep reading for tips on how to choose the right concealer.
There’s nothing like concealer to dramatically transform your skin tone. There are so many benefits to keeping or adding this cosmetic to your beauty routine as you age. Concealer is great for covering-up under eye circles that tend to appear when tired. For women with fair skin, it also works as an eraser on red spots and discoloration–it seemingly wipes them away. For women of color, concealer covers dark spots and discoloration and promotes even skin-tone. But how to pick the right shade of concealer?
Go A Shade or Two Lighter Than Your Skin—Not for Everyone
While your foundation should match your skin tone perfectly, for women with fair skin color, concealer should be just a shade or two lighter. These women benefit from a yellow-based (not pink-based) concealer. It’s the opposite for women of color. Choose a concealer that complements the undertones of your skin. These women benefit from an orange-based or yellow-based concealer.
The Different Types of Concealers
Typically, concealer is used to lighten the areas under the eyes. Concealers can also be used to cover scars or even spider veins. Concealers are not a one-size-fits-all formula. Different types of concealers work for different problem areas. As you age, you may want to vary the type of concealer that you use.
Under eye concealer is best for camouflaging circles under the eyes. This concealer won’t work well on redness or blemishes.
Correctors work to cover up extremely dark under eye circles. Peach tones and pink tones work best on fair skin; yellow or orange (depending again, on undertones) works well on women of color.
Yellow-toned concealers that match fair skin tone exactly are perfect for covering up blemishes.
Orange-toned or yellow-toned concealers that match skin-of-color are perfect for evening-out skin tones.
Body concealer is great for covering up veins on the legs.
Heavy duty concealer works to cover up birthmarks and disfiguring scars.
How To Test Concealers
Concealer is a “try before you buy” product, so be sure to test out different shades at department store make-up counters and cosmetic boutiques.
Test the concealer shade either on an area of your neck (fair skin) or on your inner wrist (women of color). Remember you may need a lighter concealer shade in winter than you would in the summer. If you are covering up blue veins or under eye circles, test the consistency of a concealer by dabbing it on the blue veins on the inside of your wrist. If it covers it up, you’ve found a winner. If you are covering puffy under eyes, try a quarter shade darker to “minimize” the puffiness.
How To Apply Concealer
For under eye circles, moisturize, then apply concealer first, then foundation. For blemishes apply foundation first or the concealer could be rubbed away in the foundation application.
Concealer looks most natural when you work in layers and build it up gradually. Here are some tips to get the best results:
1. Apply several dots of concealer under the eyes close to the lashes. You can use your fingers or a concealer brush.
2. Using your middle finger (or a brush) to brush/tap in the concealer. Make sure to blend well.
3. Apply concealer on other uneven spots on the face, including the chin and around the nose and mouth.
4. Apply another layer if you need more coverage.
5. Dust fine loose powder over your face to set your concealer.
How To Fix Cake-y Concealer
As skin ages, it often becomes drier. Dehydrated skin can cause concealer to “cake up.” This can be easily fixed by applying moisturizer to your face first, before applying the concealer. Then, blend your concealer with a bit of foundation in the palm of your hand. This helps break-up the thickness of the concealer, which can sit heavily on your face.
If you have any tips on how to choose the right concealer, let us know in the comments.
By: Chantel Alford
Photo Source: Fabulous And 40
