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.
Go One Shade Lighter: Choose a concealer that is one shade lighter than your skin tone. This helps in brightening the under-eye area and counteracting dark circles effectively. Test in Natural Light: Always test the concealer on your skin in natural light to ensure a perfect match and seamless blend.
Swatch on your jawline: Apply a small amount of foundation on your jawline and blend it towards your neck. The right shade should seamlessly blend into your skin. Consider your skin type: Different formulas work better for different skin types (e.g., matte for oily skin, dewy for dry skin).
According to Quinn Murphy, a celebrity makeup artist and host of In My Chair podcast, the best way to counter dark circles is to apply some variation of orange. "The key is to apply it only where there is darkness, so that you don't see the orange hue," he says.
Picking a concealer with coordinating undertones usually yields the most harmonious match. For example, if you have warm skin, you'll want to pick a warmer-toned concealer; those with cool skin should opt for a cooler concealer shade.
Here is our color corrector guide to help you determine what shade to use: To find your shade, take a look at the discoloration under the eye. If it's bluish-purple, choose a bisque shade. If it's greenish-brown, choose a peach shade. If it's a mix of both, choose the peach bisque shade.
White Cloth Test: Put a white cloth next to your bare face and observe how your skin appears under that lighting. Skin with warm undertones will look yellowish, while skin with cool undertones will seem blueish or pinkish.
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.
Selecting the correct shade ensures your contour looks natural rather than overly dramatic. Those with fair to light skin should stick to soft, cool-toned browns to prevent an orange effect, while deeper complexions benefit from rich, warm brown hues that add depth without appearing grey.
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.
NARS Cosmetics Soft Matte Complete Concealer
Don't be put off by the 'matte' name, it isn't the slightest bit cakey. Staying power: It's super long-lasting, this one will stay put all day. Shade range: 16 shades that cover most skin tones.
Your concealer and foundation should both match your skin tone. But this doesn't mean they always need to be the same shade. In fact, for concealers,it's best to pick a shade lighter than your foundation if you're applying it under your eyes.
L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD is the best pick for both beginners and experts, with a crease-resistant, opaque coverage in a creamy yet lightweight texture, it camouflages darkness under the eyes, redness and skin imperfections. Maybelline New York Fit Me Concealer is perfect for flawless, natural coverage.
If your skin burns easily and doesn't tan, you have a fair skin tone. If your skin burns as well as tans a little, you have a light tone. If your skin tans easily but rarely burns, you have a medium tone. Finally, if your skin never burns but tans during prolonged exposure, you have a dark skin tone.
The reason concealer alone cannot address dark circles is that it often creases and makes the issue much worse. Moisturizing and applying color corrector can help minimize the look of dark circles.