Concealer: A second skin

Concealer is considered by many to be the most important item in your make-up kit and I couldn’t agree more. The right concealer can instantly disguise dark circles under the eyes, blemishes and almost any other flaws you may wish to hide.

These days the concealer you use to cover under your eyes can also cover certain birthmarks, sun or age spots but is not suitable for covering blemishes.

Concealer for under the eyes should be yellow based and roughly one shade lighter than your natural skin colour. on the other hand, the concealer you use for covering blemishes should be slightly thicker – maybe a stick formulation – and match perfectly to the colour of your skin.

When covering dark under-eye circles, ensure the area is nourished with a lightweight, fast-absorbing eye cream. Apply the concealer under the eye only, using a concealer brush or your ring finger (make sure you wash your hands first). I like to use a brush for initial application, then blend using a dabbing motion with my finger.

To cover a blemish, Bobbi Brown recommends you apply your foundation first and then take a concealer brush and dip it into a cream or stick formulation (liquid is too light) in a shade that matches your skin perfectly. Paint it on to the blemish and gently blend (don’t rub) with your finger. Follow through with a small amount of powder to lock it into place.