5 Concealer Mistakes You May Be Making

Concealer is such a fantastic multi-tasking product. However, with so many uses and so many types how is anyone supposed to know what to choose? This is where concealer mistakes can be made. When it comes to camouflaging any imperfections, it's all about being prepared. Get to know your skin! Do you want to cover up under-eye circles? Want to hide any hyper-pigmentation? For me, it's all of that, and then some. As a lover of concealing and concealer, I know just how tricky the process can be. However, it's all about getting to know the basics.

When it comes to your skin, it's important to take your time to perfect your base. Proper concealing techniques can do wonders for your overall look. Remember that concealing isn't just about hiding your imperfections. It's really about putting the focus on the features that you want to be noticed. Think of concealer as your magic wand. If used correctly, it can be a dream come true. Concealing doesn't have to be a nightmare. Just get yourself aquatinted with your products and your skin. By understanding the basics, you can conquer any skin imperfection. Here are a few concealer mistakes that you could be making, and how to fix them.

1. You highlight, but don't correct

When concealing stubborn under-eye circles, it's better to reach for an orange or peach-based concealer before you begin to highlight. The blue and purple tones under your eyes are complementary to orange-based concealers. This means that orange concealers kick butt at covering stubborn circles. If you highlight before correcting, you could actually be emphasizing your dark circles. Now that's problem that no one has time for.

Try: LA Girl Pro Concealer in Orange Corrector, $5.99, Amazon

2. Using a heavy hand

Concealer contains more pigment than your average foundation product. This means that you should use a light hand when applying concealer. Apply thick layers of concealer will lead to major cake-face problems. Too avoid heavy looking makeup, apply your concealer in thin layers on your problem areas, and blend accordingly.

3. Thinking concealer is one-size fits all

Not all concealers are created to cover the same problem. Whether it's using a cream to cover a pimple or a liquid formula under your eyes, not all concealers are one-size fits all. For instance, avoid using a dryer formula such as a stick concealer under your eyes. This might emphasize any fine lines. However, a stick concealer works perfectly for covering up hyper-pigmentation. Here is a handy guide on how to choose the perfect concealer for your skin's needs.

Try: NYX Above and Beyond Full Coverage Concealer, $4.99, Amazon

4. Applying concealer before foundation

This is a tricky situation. Some people swear by applying concealer before their foundation, however, this might not work for those who want fuller coverage. When you buff foundation into the skin, any concealer under that product will move with your buffing motions. Basically, you're removing all the work that you have already done.

5. Using a shade too light for your skin color

Nothing like reverse panda eyes to realize that you have made a horrible mistake. As a rule of thumb, always choose a concealer that is the same shade as your skin tone when covering up anything on the face. For under the eyes, stick with a shade one to shades lighter than your natural skin tone. Anything else will just look silly.

Images: mahmoudelkhatibb, ausbeautyblo, beautycrowd, jj_romania, imperative_uk/Instagram