Sophia Bush - when you think of her, you think 'even coverage'. Photo: Getty
I’ve spent enough time backstage at fashion shows and on-set at beauty shoots to know that when it comes to creating even, glowy-looking skin, concealer beats foundation to the post ever time. Here’s how to make your skin look flawless –even when its not.
Battle of the textures
Just like foundation, it pays to have a wardrobe of concealers that you can mix and match to suit your changing skin needs. As a general guide, solid concealers tend to have a thicker consistency which makes them ideal for tackling small imperfections, such as the odd breakout or dark circles with a concentrated hit of coverage. On the flipside, liquid concealers tend to contain less pigment making them brilliantly buildable and perfect for covering up larger areas, such as bruises or spider veins.
Bye Bye Blemishes
It seems wacky, but nothing combats unsightly spots like a solid green concealer. Unlike a regular eggshell shade, green sits directly opposite red on the colour wheel making it perfect for counteracting blotchiness in the skin. For lasting coverage, start by dabbing a green concealer directly onto problem zones and leave it to settle for a minute or two before laying a regular concealer over the top. Perfect for using on the go, try Physicians Formula Gentle Cover Stick, (below) $14.95.
Hot tip: to minimise future breakouts, always opt for an oil-free concealer and use a fresh cotton tip to apply the product.
Tackling age spots and pigmentation
Enter brightening concealers. The ultimate two-in-one, radiance-boosting concealers contain light-reflecting particles that work to bounce light off the skin to soften the appearance of dullness and pigmentation. We love Estee Lauder Ideal Light Brush-On-Illuminator, (below) $50, which is perfect for layering over regular concealer for extra coverage.
Deleting dark circles
Although a cream-based product is a must, using the right shade of concealer is half the battle when it comes to masking dark circles. If the circles take on blue or purple undertones, using a peach or yellow-based concealer will instantly warm up the skin. Try: Napoleon Perdis The One Concealer, $36.
Alternatively, if yellow or brown undertones are a concern, you can’t go wrong with a lilac-based product, such as Shu Uemura Base Control in Purple, $48, which works a treat blended with your every-day face cream or layered under foundation for effortless coverage.
Hot tip: for budge-proof coverage, always build the concealer starting from the inner corner of the eye, down to the cheekbone and across the eye lid before setting with a mattifying powder.
The cult concealer you need to know about…
Open any makeup artist’s kit and nine out of ten times you’ll find multiples of this stuff - Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage. Super pigmented, it means a little product goes a long way, plus the two-toned system is designed to allow you to customise the depth of coverage to suit a range of imperfections from blemishes, to redness and age spots. Word to the wise: it’s super thick, so try warming the product on the top of your hand before blending using a brush. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, $49, from Adore Beauty, adorebeauty.com.au.
