Which Color Correctors Should You Be Using?

Of course it's always important to embrace natural beauty. But sometimes we just want a flawless, made-up look — and that includes learning how to use color correctors. And when it comes to nit-picking and covering imperfections, layering on the foundation and concealer is not the way to go. Because let's be honest: while it happens to the best of us from time to time, cake face is never the goal.

The first step to avoid having to cake on the makeup is a great skincare regimen. That means keeping up with cleansing, treating, and moisturizing. The second step is knowing how to use color correctors. Knowing what types and colors of products to use to counteract your personal concerns will help you use less makeup than you might have otherwise. (And knowing how this works can even help make your teeth appear whiter.)

Generally speaking, colors that are opposite from one another on the color wheel will help cancel the other out. These pairs are: red and green, orange and blue, and yellow and purple. So once you know what you want to correct, you're ready to step up your makeup game and play with even more colors. Here are the ones you might want to try:

Orange

Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Radiant Primer in Caramel, $37, Sephora

Orange correctors are best for darker skin tones. These help to both camouflage scarring due to acne or sun spots while also making skin appear more even and radiant. Because these benefit the whole face rather than just targeted areas, look for an orange corrector in the form of a primer or powder.

Peach/Salmon

Pixi Correction Concentrate in Brightening Peach , $12, Pixi Beauty

Peach or salmon toned correctors work best for lighter skin tones prone to visible veins and/or dark under-eye circles. This is because these shades best counteract blue tones. These shades generally perform best as a concealer or powder as blue tones tend to appear in smaller areas.

Yellow

Clinique Superprimer Face Primer , $36, Amazon

Yellow correctors are best for those with lighter complexions prone to vein exposure, dark under-eye circles, or slight redness. However, this will not correct either problem as well as peach and green concealers, respectively. This type can work well as a primer, concealer, or powder depending on the type of coverage desired.

Green

NYX Cosmetics Hi Definition Photo Concealer Wand in Green, $5, Amazon

Green correctors are best for light to medium skin tones prone to rosacea or acne. This type of corrector will perform best as a primer or concealer as a powder will generally not provide enough coverage.

Lavender

Besame Cosmetics Brightening Violet Powder, $22, Sephora

Lavender correctors are best for those with more yellow skin tones, as it helps remove some of the sallowness and brightens the complexion. These work best in the form of a primer or powder as a concealer will generally be too heavy for the type of correction this color provides.

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