How to pick a concealer shade?

Author: Helga Welch  |  Last update: Thursday, April 10, 2025

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.

How do I know my concealer shade?

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.

Should concealer be lighter or darker than foundation?

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.

What is the rule for concealer shade?

To hide imperfections and blemishes, concealer should match your skin tone and undertone, seamlessly blending into the skin. To reduce the appearance of dark circles, though, apply a concealer that is 1 shade lighter than your skin tone.

What color concealer for dark circles?

Dark circles tend to be blue or gray in color . To conceal them you need to apply a color that's opposite on the color wheel, which would be peach or orange. If you have fair skin, choose a light to medium peach color. For medium to dark skin, pick a dark peach or orange color.

HOW TO STOP CONCEALER FROM CREASING UNDER YOUR EYES | NINA UBHI

How do you match under eye concealer color?

When it comes to choosing the best colour of concealer, you should look for one that is “the same shade as your skin tone to cover anything on the face, and then go one or two shades lighter on the under-eye area,” says Urichuk.

Which concealer is best to hide dark circles?

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.

Do you put concealer on before or after foundation?

It's often referred to as base because it's just that—a base for the rest of your makeup. It's hard to judge how much concealer you actually need to use until you've applied your foundation, so it's for this reason that makeup artists often suggest you should apply concealer after foundation, not before.

How to choose concealer for mature skin?

What to look for in a concealer for mature skin. "I look for concealers that have moisturizing ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, as well as a natural finish because mature skin is often dry with surfaced texture," says Robin Black, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist.

Should foundation be lighter or darker than your skin?

A: Generally, it's not recommended to buy a foundation shade that is either one shade lighter or one shade darker than your natural skin tone.

Which drugstore concealer is the best?

Our top picks for drugstore concealers in 2024:
  • Best Drugstore Concealer Overall. Maybelline New York Maybelline Fit Me Liquid Concealer. ...
  • Best Long-Wear Drugstore Concealer. L'Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Waterproof Matte Concealer. ...
  • Best Drugstore Concealer for Acne.

How do I know my skin tone?

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.

What is the best under-eye concealer?

Our Top Undereye Concealers
  • Best Light Coverage: Iris & Romeo Best Skin Days Concealer, $32.
  • Best Full Coverage: Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Luminous Matte Concealer, $31.
  • Best for Dry Skin: Armani Luminous Silk Concealer, $42.
  • Best for Mature Skin: Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer, $40.

What is the best drugstore foundation?

Top Drugstore Foundations of 2025
  • Editor's Choice: E.l.f. Flawless Satin Foundation.
  • Editor's Choice: L'Oréal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR Foundation.
  • Editor's Choice: Maybelline New York Fit Me Dewy + Smooth Foundation.
  • Wet n Wild Bare Focus Tinted Hydrator.
  • Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Foundation.

Should you buy concealer a shade lighter or darker?

Ultimately, concealers are personalised products, so you have to think about your goals and needs. While under-eye concealer should be lighter than your natural skin tone (or red-orange if you're colour-correcting), you want your all-over concealer to match your skin colour as closely as possible.

How can I find my perfect concealer shade?

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.

What concealer doesn't settle into wrinkles?

Armani Luminous Silk Face and Under-Eye Concealer

The concealer has a mature-skin-friendly light/medium coverage level but is buildable enough to cover dark spots without the addition of foundation. It didn't crease or settle into lines either and created a blurring effect that seemed to smooth wrinkles.

How do I choose a concealer for beginners?

Consider your skin's undertones

Similar to foundation, finding the ideal concealer shade ultimately depends on your skin tone and undertone. Your skin tone refers to how much melanin you have on the surface of your skin, and it can fluctuate depending on how much sun exposure you get.

How to blend concealer with fingers?

Tip #3: How To Blend Concealer

Instead, it helps to tap gently with a soft stippling motion. And this goes for whether you use a brush, a sponge, or even your finger– a gentle dabbing motion will allow your concealer to blend into your skin seamlessly. Then, for even more staying power, dab a powder over top.

What is the best foundation for mature skin?

Our Top Picks
  • Best Foundation for Mature Skin Overall: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation, $69.
  • Best Light-Coverage Foundation: Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint, $49.
  • Best Medium-Coverage Foundation: Nars Light Reflecting Foundation, $54.
  • Best Full-Coverage Foundation: Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Foundation, $42.

What is the rule for concealer and foundation?

Does Concealer Go Under or Over Your Foundation? We talk a lot about how there are no rules in makeup and this is another case where that rings true. With that being said, there is a preferred method for makeup order to get a crease-free and smooth texture. For a more natural finish, apply foundation before concealer.

What color concealer cancels out Eyebags?

When it comes to correcting pesky under-eye circles, think sunny colors. 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.

How to use concealer for beginners?

How to Apply Concealer in 6 Simple Steps
  1. Step 1: Cleanse the skin. For a smooth and even application of concealer, a cleansed and toned face is essential. ...
  2. Step 2: Hydrate the face and undereye area. ...
  3. Step 3: Prime the skin. ...
  4. Step 4: Assess where to put concealer. ...
  5. Step 5: Apply concealer. ...
  6. Step 6: Set with powder.

Why won't my concealer cover my dark circles?

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.

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