15 Best Concealer Tips for Beginners (Easy guide!)

 Best Concealer Tips for Beginners

There is no debate about whether concealer is an essential part of the makeup routine, however, there is a lot of information on the internet about concealer that makes it hard to know exactly how to use it, and which concealer is best for you. 

If you are a concealer or makeup beginner, this is the article for you.

Today I am sharing with you some of my best concealer tips, as well as answering some of the most common concealer questions.
Whether you have already experimented with concealer and are hoping to learn something new, or you’ve never touched a bottle in your life, this is the place to be.

To start, I’ll be teaching you the best way to apply concealer. Let’s get into it!

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What is the best way to apply concealer? 

When it comes to applying concealer, there is a right and wrong way. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and said “my concealer is already creasing” you are not alone! This is a common struggle when it comes to applying concealer. So, here are a few tips to avoid creasing and apply concealer in the best way!

Use Eye Cream

If you have been using moisturizer for your under eyes, you are doing it wrong. We want to avoid regular moisturizer for your under eyes because this is a different type of skin.

If you were to think of the rest of your face like paper, you’re under eyes are like tissue paper. They are much more delicate, and as such, need specialty products.

That is why I recommend purchasing an eye cream specifically designed to be gentle on your eyes and give them an added boost of hydration! You don’t have to go with an expensive one, a cheap one like this one from Cetaphil does the job.

What can happen if you use regular face moisturizer in your under-eye area? There are some super hydrating thick moisturizers that can clog the pores of this delicate part of the skin. So that’s why it is highly recommended to use a specialized cream there.

I hate adding “unnecessary” steps to my routine.

I always prefer the simplified way of things and I was hesitant to wear an extra cream, but adding this step to my skin-prep routine before makeup really helped me to prevent creased concealer under my eyes and made my under eyes look silkier and smoother.

To apply, take a small amount of eye cream and place it right under your under-eye area, without getting it to your cheeks.

Don’t also forget to hydrate your eyelids and all-around your eyes.

This is super important to prevent early wrinkles.

Use a Matte Concealer

If you really want to avoid creasing, I recommend matte concealer.

They are great at setting and staying in place all day without creasing!

Blend Your Concealer Immediately

Blend your concealer right after the application, so you prevent the concealer from drying, but blend it while it is still moist, and you can place it in the right spot and with the desired coverage.

Let your Concealer Sit

A common makeup mistake is to apply setting spray right after you’ve applied concealer. However, that will create creasing. Instead, let your concealer sit for about 10 minutes and set it in place on its own.

That way you can remove any excess concealer that has started to crease. Once you’ve removed any excess and blended your concealer, then you can apply your setting spray of choice. 

best Concealer tips for dark circles

If you have dark circles and are looking for some tips on how to reduce the look of dark circles, check out a few of my favorite tips below! 

Apply an eye cream

As I mentioned above, this is crucial to using concealer, but is even more important if you have dark circles, so don’t forget to apply that eye cream!

Use a Cream Concealer

I don’t typically recommend cream concealers, but these are especially helpful if you have dark circles, so finding the best cream concealer is the way to go!

Use Color Correcting

When you color correct, it warms and brightens your under-eyes, which brings out the warmth in your concealer after.

Peach and pink are great colors to apply under your eyes to correct the darkness of your dark circles. However, I recommend using a very small amount.

IMPORTANT: No full coverage concealer will cover deep dark under the eyes without a previous color-correcting step. If you have been struggling with covering your dark circles, you need to try a peach/orange concealer like this one for sure.

Once you apply the concealer, apply a full coverage concealer on top. That will magically make your dark circles dissapear.

Layer After Setting

If you need another layer of concealer, let your first layer set for a few minutes. This will allow your first layer of concealer to settle properly into your skin without your skin looking cakey.

Use an Under Eye Powder

After you’ve finished your concealer, try using an under-eye brightening powder which will set your under-eye, and add a little bit of extra coverage!

Should concealer be lighter than foundation? 

Now that you know a bit more about applying concealer, let’s dive into answering a few questions about concealer.

One of the most common questions I’ve heard is: should concealer be lighter than foundation.

If you want to read in-depth about this topic, check my article in all about if concealer should be lighter than foundation and more questions about the topic.

But here is the most important information to know. 

Concealer should be lighter than your foundation only if you are applying it to bring light to certain areas like under the eyes, chin, middle of your forehead, etc. If you are trying to cover imperfections on the rest of the face, opt for a concealer in a similar shade as your foundation instead.

If we follow the rule of “concealer lighter than foundation” every time we try to conceal pimples or any other imperfection on the face, we could actually be getting the opposite result, by enhancing even more what we are trying to cover. 

So, most of the time, opt for a concealer and foundation that are very similar in shade. The easiest way to do this is by purchasing both your concealer and foundation from the same brand, but it is not impossible to mix and match different brands. 

Foundation or concealer first? 

Another popular beauty question I hear all too often is: should I apply foundation or concealer first? Most of the time the answer will always be foundation first, concealer second. 

However, there are a few aspects to consider such as: what type of products are being used, is any color correcting needed, and when do you add in contour?! 

Everyone’s unique beauty needs will require different products and application techniques to result in their desired look, but general beauty guidance will apply to all. However, if you are just starting off in the concealer world, I recommend applying foundation first and then applying concealer. 

How to apply cream concealer

Cream concealer can be a tricky one to learn how to apply. It is a bit tackier, so here are a few tips to make applying this concealer even easier!

Our #1 best recommendation for cream concealer is this one here, which comes with a peach color correction concealer to conceal dark circles under the eyes.

1. Warm the Concealer

One helpful tip with cream concealer is to warm the bottle in your hands or the cream in your fingers. This makes the natural oils and waxes even more effective. 

2. Use Triangle Shapes

The best way to apply cream concealer is by creating a triangle shape. Start with applying a line on your orbital bone, then move the concealer along the side of your nose and connect to create a triangle. 

3. Light Coverage

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, light layers are better, especially when it comes to cream concealer. Start with a light layer, let that concealer set for a few minutes, and then revisit your concealer to assess if you need more. If you add a thick layer, it will make your face look cakey and heavy, which we want to avoid when using concealer. 

Concealer tips for mature skin 

If you have mature skin, there are a few concealer tips that you will want to follow. Check them out below!

Dab, don’t pull

When it comes to blending your concealer, make sure to use the dabbing technique, instead of pulling on your skin. 

Don’t forget moisturizer

Moisturizing mature skin is crucial. Not only should you use moisturizer, but I recommend using a serum as well to lock in hydration. 

Use a Primer

Make sure to prime your skin with a primer. One that is specifically designed for mature skin is even better. 

Try a soft matte concealer

Soft matte concealers are amazing for mature skin! They make your skin look smoother, and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. I highly recommend both a matte concealer and a foundation for mature skin!

How to apply concealer for Mature skin

The best way to apply concealer for mature skin is by applying a small amount in the outer corner of the under eyes towards the hairline, some in the inner corners to brighten the area, and some in the corners of the lips towards the ears. After that, blend with a makeup sponge.

If you want to read more tips about makeup for mature skin check out our guide!

What shade of concealer should I use?

As I mentioned earlier, you don’t want a concealer that looks too different than your foundation.

But, if you haven’t found the perfect foundation shade for you, or you just plan on using concealer, there are a few tricks to make sure you find the most accurate concealer.

Know your Undertones: It is just as important to know your undertones as it is to know your skin tone when it comes to buying makeup.

If you aren’t sure, there is an easy way to find out your undertones, just look at the veins on the inside of your wrist!

If you find your veins greenish, that means that your skin’s undertone will be yellow.

Otherwise, if you find your veins between purple and blue, you have a cool pink undertone.

If you are not sure if you have green or purple veins, you probably are neutral. 

Use a Shade Finder: Try the free Ulta shade finder online here to help you find your perfect shade. However, it helps to be familiar with the brand if you are going to use this tool.

Read Reviews: Reading reviews of a specific concealer will often inform you about the shades as well. If shades are not picture accurate, or if they look lighter/darker in person, the reviews will tell you!

Buying concealer tips

When it comes to buying concealer, many of the tips above apply.

Make sure to read those reviews for the best and most accurate idea of the concealer.

But, if you want to take the hassle out of reading the reviews, check out my list of concealer favorites:

• 10 Best Drugstore Under eye Concealers (Full guide)
• Best Concealer for Styling your Eyebrows (Guide + Reviews)
• The Best Concealer for Cut Crease (Reviewed + tips)

Concealer brush tips

Tools are an important part of the application process; beauty sponges absorb liquid products which provides buildable coverage, while dense brushes offer more full coverage by not thinning out the product, and a fluffier brush will spread the product over the skin for medium coverage. 

Any of these tools can be used together or separately with both products, and when used in the order listed above will guarantee a flawless application.

When it comes to finding the best concealer brush, I recommend the Tarte Quickie Double-Ended Concealer brush.

This brush allows you to cover, correct, and contour, so it has many functions!

If you aren’t a fan of this brush, in particular, check out a few tips for finding the best brush below.

Choose According to Need: When it comes to concealer brushes, it is important to decide what you want concealer for.

If you are looking to conceal big areas, a bigger concealer brush like this one is better.

However, if you want to focus on your under eyes, a flat brush that is no bigger than the width of your finger is best like this one. If you want to cover acne, a skinny brush with a pointed tip is best!

Get Synthetic Bristles: Synthetic brushes are better for many reasons, including the fact that they are cruelty-free and easier to clean, so choose a synthetic brush instead of natural bristles. 

Final thoughts on the best concealer Hacks

Do you feel like a concealer expert yet? Now that you know all of my best tips and tricks, I can’t wait to see your concealer looks! Let me know your favorite tip in the comments below and don’t forget to share this post with all of your makeup-loving friends!

What’s Next? More Concealer Posts for you:

• Why your concealer creased under eyes and the exact secret to finally fix it!
• Flaky, patchy, dry foundation? Here’s why and how to get Flawless foundation every time your apply makeup!
• Concealer vs Foundation: Complete Guide (Differences, when to use each, and pro tips!)

Best Concealer Tips for Beginners