What Concealer Shades are the Most Useful?
Finding the perfect shade of concealer can be tricky. What's your shade? How many shades do you need? What shades are the best to have? If you've ever asked these questions, you're in the right place to finally get the answers you need.
You can do so many different things and achieve numerous different looks with concealer. From covering to contouring, concealer is one of those products that does it all. If you want airbrushed-looking makeup, concealers are definitely a must.
Concealer comes in many different consistencies and formulations. Some are better than others, and we'll get into which one we think is best.
You've also probably noticed the many different shades and undertones of face products, like concealer, come in. This can feel overwhelming if you're trying a new brand or just unsure what shade you should get.
With a bit of knowledge and practice, you'll be able to choose and apply concealer for any makeup look. We are going to go over everything you need to know to be successful. You'll be a makeup pro in no time!
Different Types Of Concealer
There are many different types of concealer on the market. Some people prefer to use multiple concealers, while others stick to one.
If you choose a versatile concealer, like HIDE Premium Concealer, you can get away with just using one.
Let's go over some of the most common types of concealers out there.
Cream
Cream concealer is exactly what it sounds like; it has a creamy formulation.
Cream foundations are very pigmented, and people with dry skin often go for cream concealers for the added moisture. A cream concealer is also very high coverage, which can be ideal if you are trying to cover a pesky blemish.
While cream concealers are great at hiding imperfections, they can be hard to blend out and aren't ideal for areas like under your eyes.
Stick
Stick concealer is similar to cream concealer but is more compact. It is also very pigmented and offers high coverage.
Stick concealers are excellent for when you need to have precise control over where you are applying them. You can cover specific areas by placing the concealer in the exact location you want it.
Similar to cream concealers, this makeup can crease in certain areas like under your eyes. If you're looking for something that looks good all day, you might want to pass on using a stick concealer under your eyes.
Liquid
Liquid concealers are the loosest in consistency but are also the most versatile. You can achieve medium to full coverage with a liquid concealer because they are easily buildable.
Unlike cream and stick concealers, liquid concealers are ideal for using under your eyes. A high coverage liquid concealer can easily hide dark circles and brighten the face.
You can also lightly layer it over a blemish to diminish the red pigmentation.
Unfortunately, cream and stick foundations can clog your pores. In comparison, a liquid concealer still allows your skin to breathe a little.
HIDE Premium Concealer is a good option for all skin types. People with normal, dry, oily, or combination skin have had success with our concealer.
Picking The Right Shade & Undertone
Now that you know what kind of concealer you want, let's go over how you pick the right shade and undertone.
Finding the right match in your face products is crucial. It would be best if you had a foundation and concealer that suits your skin perfectly.
No one wants their face to look too light or too dark or have the dreaded orange tint to it. Using products that match will significantly help you when you go to blend them into your skin.
Undertone
Before you can pick a shade, it is essential to know what undertone your skin has.
Making sure you have the right foundation shade is of the utmost importance. However, it can be hard to tell what shade you need. To pick correctly, you need to understand your skin's undertones.
Undertones are the natural colors beneath the surface of your skin. The three main undertones are cool, warm, and neutral. Whether your skin hasn't seen the sun in months, or you're rocking a tan, your skins' undertone will never change.
You can pick the right shade, but it will always look slightly off on your skin if you're using the wrong undertone.
Shade
Once you determine your undertone, you can focus on the shade that will work best for you.
The right shade will depend on what you will be using your concealer for, which we will dive further into in a moment.
If you are only going to use one shade, go for one that matches your foundation perfectly.
HIDE makes it easy to match your foundation and concealer with our shade matcher. Simply enter your foundation in, and we will tell you what shade will work best for you.
HIDE also has light, medium, and dark shades, to go along with each of the three traditional undertones making it that much easier to find the perfect shade.
Useful Shades To Own
You probably couldn't imagine having one shade of lipstick or one shade of eyeshadow, and you should think of concealer the same way. There are many different uses for concealer, and the shade you need will change depending on what you're using it for.
If you want to be prepared and always have what you need, having three different shades is optimal.
Let's go over what shades will be most useful and what you can do with them.
Light
A shade or two lighter than your skin color is great for highlighting your face.
When applied under your eyes and in the t-zone, it brightens your makeup look. Try not to go too light because you can end up washing yourself out instead of brightening.
Exact Match
If you have blemishes or discoloration, like redness, you will also want a shade that is an exact match to your foundation.
You want to be able to blend your concealer out effortlessly. If it is too light or too dark, you will end up drawing attention to the spot you are trying to conceal.
Dark
A darker shade is essential for sculpting your face. You will want to pick a shade one or two shades darker from your skin tone to contour.
You can use one darker shade for basic contouring, but you should try two if you want to elevate your look even more.
The darkest shade can be used to define your bone structure, and the lighter one can be used to create the shadow.
How to Apply Your Concealer
So you have all the shades you could possibly need, but how do you apply them all?
It may take you some trial and error, but practice makes perfect. A wet makeup sponge is often the best option to accomplish a smooth immaculate finish. However, you can also use a brush or even your fingers.
HIDE Premium Concealer has a custom diamond-shaped foot for precise application. The unique wand allows you to place the product exactly where you want it.
Hiding Imperfections
When hiding imperfections, take a look at where they are on your face and choose the best shade accordingly.
If the blemish or hyperpigmentation is in an area you are going to brighten, like under-eye circles or the chin, then use your lighter shade.
If you have a blemish somewhere like your cheek, use the shade that is an exact match.
Start with the foundation, and then apply a thin layer of concealer over the imperfection. If you can still see it, add another thin layer until it is no longer noticeable.
Highlighting
For highlighting and brightening your face, try using your lighter shade in your t-zone.
When applying the product under your eyes, take it down the side of your nose and then up to the corner of your outer eye. It will make an upside-down triangle. Then add a few dots of concealer to your chin, the bridge of your nose, and the lower part of your forehead.
Once the concealer is in place, use your damp makeup sponge and start gently dabbing the area until it is blended out.
Contouring
If you want to achieve that chiseled look without doing crazy face workouts, try contouring.
Apply your darker shade around your hairline, under your cheekbones, and under your jawline. If you want to go all out, you can also draw lines down the sides of your nose and under the tip of your nose.
You can use a damp sponge to buff it out or a small flat-top makeup brush.
The Perfect Match
Concealer is a product that can be used in many different ways if you have the right shades. Ideally, you will have a lighter shade, exact match, and darker concealer shade in your makeup bag.
HIDE offers a variety of shades for all your highlighting, covering, and contouring needs.
Sources:
How To Determine Your Skin Tone | Empire Beauty Schools
Hyperpigmentation and Hypopigmentation: Albinism, Vitiligo, and More | Web MD