Types of Concealer: How to Use Them

A concealer or also known as colour corrector is a form of cosmetic product that is used to conceal dark circles, age spots, big pores, and other minor skin flaws. It's comparable to foundation, but thicker, and it's used to blend out different pigments by smoothing and evening out the skin tone's texture.

Concealer is available in a variety of colours to match different skin tones. Although each brand and type differs, some people have recommended  to using a shade lighter than foundation to better conceal blemishes. Some colours are supposed to mimic the colour of natural skin, while others are aimed to mask the appearance of specific types of blemishes. To conceal black circles, concealers with yellow undertones are used. Red areas on the skin, such as those caused by pimples, broken veins, and erases, can be counteracted with green and blue. Sallow complexions can be brightened with a purple-tinted concealer. Aside from colours, there are a variety of concealer types to choose from, including liquid, pencil, pen, cream, colour correcting, stick, and cream-to-powder concealer.

1. Liquid Concealer

Concealer in liquid form is the most adaptable type of concealer. Since they contain the most water, they provide the most hydration. Concealer of this type provides medium to full coverage. To apply liquid concealer, use a small amount and pat it onto the blemishes. Gently dab and integrate the liquid into the rest of the face with the applicator or a sponge, then set it with a transparent powder. To achieve a flawless finish, repeat this procedure for more coverage. This concealer is essential since it can also be used by acne; prone skin. It provides sufficient coverage to conceal imperfections while allowing the skin to breathe. The average price for liquid foundation will range from £6.82 GBP. This price is subject to change depending on the brand’s choice. Some brands of liquid concealer are IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer, NYX Professional Makeup HD Photogenic Concealer Wand, and Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer.

Liquid Concealer Advantages	Liquid Concealer Disadvantages
Buildable coverage	May not cover large acne
Less likely to crease into fine lines	Slip or rub off more easily
More hydrating formulas

2. Pencil Concealer

Pencil concealer is precise in targeting and covering flaws. It's simple to apply to the under-eye area to fix and improve skin flaws. To use the pencil concealer, start by lining over blemishes, spots, lids, and dark under-eye areas with the pencil concealer. Then, rub the lines with the finger to blend them without trying to erase the coverage. Pencil eyeliner is essential for a makeup enthusiast  as this will provide seamless, perfect concealment in an ultra-smooth finish that hides fine lines, scars, and evens out skin tone. The average price for pencil concealer will range from £5.58 GBP. This price is subject to change depending on the brand’s choice. Some brands of pencil concealer are NYX Professional Makeup Gotcha Covered Concealer Pen, Super Thinker 3 PCS Wonder Concealer Pencil, and Beauty Without Cruelty Natural Concealer Pencil.

Pencil Concealer Advantages	Pencil Concealer Disadvantages
Smooth and creamy in texture	Does not work well with mature skin
Blend easily with fingers	May not last long
Provides an excellent coverage

3. Pen Concealers

Pen concealer is a liquid concealer that comes in the form of a pen. It contributes to a glow and buildable coverage by covering defects such as dark circles and blemishes. To use the pen concealer, begin by pressing the button on the pen's end until the concealer appears. Apply the product to any parts of the face that have blemishes. Then, gently blend the product into the skin using the fingers or a sponger. Pen concealer is one of the most important makeup items in the industry since it not only conceals blemishes rapidly, but it is also portable and easy to use. The average price for pen concealer will range from £5.58 GBP. This price is subject to change depending on the brand’s choice. Some brands of pen concealer are Jouer Cosmetics Essential High Coverage Concealer Pen, RMK Luminous Pen Brush Concealer, and MEN’s Concealer Pen.

Pen Concealer Advantages	Pen Concealer Disadvantages
Lightweight	Some brands have limited range of shades
Easily fits in the pocket	Some brands may cake or settle into fine lines
Travel-friendly

4. Cream Concealer

Cream concealer has a high pigment content and provides a lot of coverage. Since it gives medium to full coverage, this concealer is ideal for concealing blemishes, scars, and other flaws. To use cream concealer, start by twirling the finger in the pan to warm the product, then apply with a brush or use the fingertips to the blemishes. When the heat of the skin warms up the natural oils and waxes in cream concealer, they become incredibly effective. This will make it easier to integrate into the skin and cover more seamlessly. Cream concealer is essential for cosmetics enthusiasts because it works well with foundation to provide more coverage and achieve the look of smooth, even skin tone. It also refreshes tired-looking eyes, conceals puffiness, and other facial imperfections. The average price for ream concealer will range form £5.88 GBP. This price is subject to change depending on the brand’s choice. Some brands of cream concealer are NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer, Lilah B. Virtous Veil Concealer & Eye Primer, and RMS Beauty “UN” Cover-Up Natural Finishes Concealer.

Cream Concealer Disadvantages	Cream Concealer Disadvantages
Popular choice for people that struggle with acne	Pore-clogging
Highly pigmented	Flaky for dry skin
Provides full coverage	Cream concealer tends to crease

5. Colour Correcting Concealer

Colour correcting concealer is a popular cosmetics product that can be used to mask flaws on the skin. It should only be applied on imperfections on the face that are visible. To begin using colour correcting concealer, choose the suitable colour to cover the flaws. Pat the colour correcting concealer into the blemishes with a small concealer brush or using hands. Then, apply foundation to mask the visible colour of the colour correcting concealer. This concealer's complete colour aids in the reduction of skin discolouration. It's quite light in weight and has a creamy concealer-like feel. The average price for colour correcting concealer is £5.88 GBP. This price is subject to change depending on the brand’s choice. Some brands of colour correcting concealer are NYX Cosmetics, Bobbi Under Eye Corrector, and L.A. Girl HD Pro Concealer.

Colour Correcting Concealer Advantages	Colour Correcting Concealer Disadvantages
Neutralizes skin imperfections	Some brands are expensive
Has a variety of colour for different types of blemishes

6. Stick Concealer

Stick concealer comes in lipstick-like tubes and is used to provide full to medium coverage for dark under eye circles. To use stick concealer, first apply a primer to the area to assist the concealer adhere to the skin and stay in place all day, especially for oily skin. Then, starting at the inner corner, apply the concealer in a triangle form under the eyes. Stick concealer is a must-have beauty item for makeup enthusiasts because it delivers the ideal balance of coverage and convenience; it is simple to apply and provides thickness for a flawless finish. The average price for stick concealer will range from £6.82 GBP. This price is subject to change depending on the brand’s choice. Some brands of stick concealer are Revlon PhotoReady Concealer Stick, Covergirl Smoothers Moisturizing Concealer Stick, and Maybelline New York Cover Stick Concealer. 

Stick Concealer Advantages	Stick Concealer Disadvantages
Ideal for normal, dry, or sensitive skin	Tends to cake or flake
Spread and blends easily on other makeup product	May settle on fine line

7. Cream-to-Powder Concealer

Cream-to-powder concealer is a unique cosmetic texture that begins as a cream and then transforms into a powder finish that effectively conceals under eye circles and other blemishes. To use cream-to-powder concealer, begin by spreading it evenly to the under eye circles and imperfections with the ring finger. Then, for a matte and powdery look, allow the concealer to remain on the face for a few seconds. This cream-to-powder concealer is ideal for oily or acne-prone skin. It rapidly colour-corrects and conceals blemishes and dark under-eye circles while easing irritation, absorbing dirt, and nourishing the skin. The average price for cream-to-powder concealer will range from £6.63 GBP. This price is subject to change depending on the brand’s choice. Some brands of cream-to-powder concealer are Ysabelle Cream to Powder Concealer, Ellana Cream to Powder Concealer, and Milani Conceal+Perfcet Cream-to-Powder.

Cream-to-Powder Concealer Advantages	Cream-to-Powder Concealer Disadvantages
Buildable	May give whitest
Lighter-coverage	Tends to crease

How to Choose a Concealer

The effectiveness of makeup is highly dependent on how well it matches the skin tone. This applies to all aspects of makeup, from foundation to lipstick to concealer. Concealer is one of the most important items in a beauty bag. However, if the user selects the incorrect shade, things can go horribly wrong. The steps and recommendations for choosing a concealer are listed below.

• Identify the area to conceal with: The first step in selecting the right concealer is determining what area needs to be neutralized. Then, choose a concealer with a foundation that is complementary or opposite to the colour of the target area on the colour wheel.
• Know the skin tone and under tone: In general, a user should choose a concealer that is half a shade lighter than their foundation, especially for the under-eye area; to appear brighter and more awake. A yellow-based concealer, for example, would be ideal for people with light to medium skin. Meanwhile, for medium to dark skin tones, a concealer with a red or orange undertone would suffice. Concealer in chocolate, rose, porcelain, and sable colours blend best with a cool undertone. A warm undertone, on the other hand, looks best with concealers that have a beige, chestnut, golden, caramel, or tan basis.
• Make sure to colour correct: A pink or peach corrector is perfect for covering up purple, blue, or red marks, whilst a golden or yellow corrector is ideal for covering up olive, sallow, and brown spots on the face.

Which Concealer Type is the Best for Dry Skin?

Cream concealer is one of the best concealer for dry skin. It is the most popular type of concealer for dry skin since it contains a water-based and moisturizing formula that makes it lightweight, moisturizes the face, and blends easily. This concealer is multi-purpose and has a bright finish, making it ideal for concealing blemishes on dry skin. Some application tips for this type of concealer include using a thinner consistency concealer and dabbing it onto the skin with a fingertip, then blending it with a Beautyblender.

Which Concealer Type is the Best for Oily Skin?

Liquid concealer is the best type of concealer for oily skin. Since it prevents and conceals acne and clogged pores, liquid concealer is thought to be the best concealer for oily face. It worked well as a concealer for oily skin because it provided buildable coverage without seeming cakey or uneven. This will conceal the flaws without irritating the skin. Some application tips for liquid concealer include cleansing the face with lukewarm water to prepare the skin, then using a beautyblender, gently apply the concealer to the blemishes areas and setting it with translucent powder.

Which Concealer Type is the Best for Mature Skin?

The liquid and cream concealers are the best type of concealer for mature skin. This concealer combines moisturizing ingredients that help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. The moisturizing formula will help with application on aged skin, resulting in a more natural finish. Some application tips for liquid or cream concealer include using a dab and pat method and setting the concealer with finely milled loose powder.

Which Concealer Type is the Best for Dark Spots?

Colour correcting concealer is the best concealer for dark spots. If a user is having trouble concealing dark patches, a colour corrector can assist in evening out the skin tone. There are several colours to pick from for colour correction, but yellow is the most appropriate for dark patches. Yellow corrector can help to offset the purple colours and brighten the damaged areas. This type of colour corrector is especially excellent for reducing redness around the nose and lips. Apply only a tiny amount on the fingertips and gently dab onto the affected skin area for the best results.

Which Concealer Type is the Best for Acne?

Correcting concealer is the best concealer for acne. Colour correcting concealer is excellent for concealing pimples and inflammatory acne. There are other colour correction concealers to pick from, but the colour green correcting concealer is the most appropriate for acne skin. Green can help to correct red spots and is one of the greatest colour correctors for acne. When using green corrector, it's preferable to apply it on fair and medium skin tones where the colour may still be mixed to look natural on the skin.