Concealers for Every Skin

Very few women are blessed with perfect skin. In our youth we're subject to acne; as we grow older, sun and age take their toll. Some of us have skin conditions like eczema or rosacia. What can we do? We can turn to make-up, and find a good concealer! If possible, choose a concealer that's one shade lighter than your skin, and apply it before you apply foundation. Should you prefer not to wear foundation, then choose a shade that matches your skin and apply it over moisturizer and primer.

Like foundations, concealers come in three basic types: cream, liquid, and powder (see photos). The best type for you depends on your skin type. Mineral powder concealers work well for every skin type. Other powder concealers work best on oily skin, helping to control the oil and give skin a matte finish. Powder concealers aren't the best choice for older skin or dry skin, as they can emphasize fine lines and wrinkles. You should apply powder concealers with a flat brush, after applying moisturizer and primer. Pick up a small amount of the powder, tap off any excess, then pat the powder over the area you want to conceal, and brush until it's blended in.

Liquid concealers, like powdered mineral concealers, work well for almost every skin type. They're the "middle of the road" of concealers. Put a very small amount on the back of your hand at the base of your thumb (see photo 2), and use a concealer brush to apply it to your face where you need it. Like a foundation brush, a concealer brush is flat. However, it's much smaller than a foundation brush, because in general you're concealing a small area and you want to confine the concealer to that area, then blend it in to cover the flaw without leaving an obvious border where concealer stops and skin starts. Once you're covered, apply foundation over the top of it.

Cream concealer generally provides the most coverage, and is best used on normal to dry skin. Again, choose a shade that's one shade lighter than your foundation, if you use foundation, or the same color as your skin, if you don't use foundation. Cream concealer can come in a pot, like the Prescriptives concealer shown, or in a stick, like the Smashbox Camera-Ready Concealer stick shown. Again, put a small amount at the base of your thumb on the back of your hand (pictured); this will soften and warm up the product, and allow you to put the cap on the package so it doesn't dry out. Use a concealer brush to put the concealer precisely where you want it. Don't use too much; it should look even, and when you apply foundation, you shouldn't be able to see the concealer.

One other type of product is often used in place of a concealer. Under-eye brighteners like Smashbox's Photo-Op or YSL's Touche Éclat are intended to partially conceal under-eye circles and generally brighten the eye area, making you look more awake. Applying these products to the inner corner of your eye also helps create that "awake" look. While they don't completely conceal the darkest circles, they work well for younger skin with less dark under-eye areas. Benefit Cosmetics company makes a pink under-eye powder called "PowderFlage", sold with a little brush and complete instructions for use under eyes and elsewhere too. None of these products will conceal serious flaws, but they do help brighten your look and may be all you need for a bright, wide-awake look on your worst mornings!

With all the concealers on the market, from drugstores to department stores, there is at least one for every skin tone and every skin flaw. You just need to get out there and find it!