The rule of thumb for picking your concealer shade is based on your foundation shade. Beauty experts advise that everyone should have two shades of concealer in their arsenal, one lighter and one darker since daily sun exposure means your skin tone shifts slightly all the time.
A foolproof way to pick a highlight concealer shade is to choose something w/ the same undertone as ur foundation match and simply go 2 shades lighter. If that pushes u into another undertone choose something lighter but neutral or cooler since a warmer shade could read as too light or ashy.
Concealer should usually be a shade lighter than your foundation to effectively cover imperfections and brighten your complexion. Choose a concealer that is close to your skin tone or slightly lighter so it blends better with your makeup and creates a natural glow.
Often, people will swatch makeup on their hands, but this doesn't provide as accurate of an idea of what it will look like on your face. Your jawline is the perfect spot to ensure you find a shade that suits both your face and neck, so you can get a seamless blend when you apply the foundation all over.
To find the perfect concealer, identify your undertone first--whether it's warm, cool, or neutral. Choose a concealer one or two shades lighter than your foundation for brightening under the eyes, and one that matches exactly for covering blemishes. Test it on your jawline or the side of your face in natural light.
It may seem complicated but it's actually quite simple. “For lighter skin tones, a warm peach will cancel out the blueish purple in under-eye darkness, and a true orange/red will work best for darker complexions,” says celebrity makeup artist Nick Lennon who counts Charli XCX as a client.
Cream Test: Grab two articles of clothing, one pure white and the other off-white or cream-colored. While wearing no makeup, decide which color flatters your skin tone best. If it's the white shade, your undertones are warm. If the cream color flatters you more, your undertones are likely cool.
Normally, you'll want your foundation and concealer to be the same shade. However, there are definite exceptions to the rule. If your job involves a lot of photography (say you're an influencer in front of a light ring all day) you'll want a concealer that's a bit lighter than your foundation.
The Takeaway. While the majority of experts recommend applying a light layer of foundation before concealer, we admit there are instances where you benefit from a concealer first, like: If you're getting photographed. If your concealer shade isn't the same as your foundation.
Bringing light to areas only draws more attention to that area. Meaning, if you're trying to conceal darkness and go too light with your concealer, it's going to bring more attention to that area. It could also have a graying effect, which is definitely not what we want to cover any sort of darkness or discoloration.
For redness: Neutralize red and pink tones with a green color corrector. For dark circles and dark spots: Use a peach color corrector if you have fair skin, or a deeper orange shade if you have medium to dark skin. For sallowness: Balance out unwanted warmth with a lavender color corrector.
According to a study called “Shades of beauty,” light brown skin tones are often the most physically attractive skin color (Frisby et al., 2006). They used four models for that study. They did not change the skin tone, but they imaged each model to three different skin tones: light, medium, and dark.
One of the quickest and the most common ways to determine your undertone is to check the insides of your wrist. If your veins appear blue or purple, you have a cool undertone. If they look green, you're warm. If you're having a hard time narrowing down between blue or green, you most likely have a neutral undertone.
Begin Swatching on Your Lower Cheek
Through systematic elimination, you'll pinpoint the concealer shade that seamlessly compliments your complexion. If you're looking for the perfect brightening shade, simply go one or two shades lighter than your perfect match within the same undertone family.
Consider your undertone: Choose a concealer with the same undertone as your skin to avoid a mismatched or ashy appearance. Test in natural light: Always test concealer shades in natural light to ensure an accurate color match.
Many people wonder whether their concealer should be a lighter shade than their foundation. The answer ultimately depends on where you're applying the product. You can opt for a concealer shade lighter than your skin tone to help brighten the area under your eyes; about one to two shades lighter is ideal.
How to apply foundation, before you apply concealer. As above, we recommend applying foundation before your concealer so you have a nice base to work from. The best way to apply foundation is to apply one thin, even layer over your entire face.
“If you're using a lightweight under-eye concealer, the warmth of your finger will help it sink into your skin really nicely,” explains Katie. “But if it is a heavier concealer, I would be worried that it would look cakey or you'd add too much by just using our fingers.
As a rule of thumb, opt for a sponge when you want to achieve a flawless finish and when using liquid formulas. Alternatively, reach for a brush when you want a precise application and are working with powder or cream-based products.