5 Game-Changing Concealer Hacks Celebrity Makeup Artists Swear By
Whether it’s dark circles, blemishes, or tired eyes, we all know how useful a concealer can be in our makeup routine. The beauty staple can pretty much “erase” all those imperfections in no time, leaving our complexion looking fresh and glowy. No one knows this more than the celebrity makeup artists who primp the gorgeous women of the red carpet. They’ve seen it all and concealed it all with a few of their secret pro tips.
Naturally, we’ve tapped them to get the lowdown on the little-known tricks to maximize the effectiveness of our favorite concealer. Ahead, their easy hacks for all things concealer along with product recommendations.
A concealer and a highlighting pen are the ultimate power couple
Naomie Harris‘s makeup artist, Alex Babsky, suggests using two concealers when camouflaging darkness around the eyes. Depending on your skin tone, he says to use a creamy formula — lighter complexions should look for a peach tone, while darker tones will benefit from orange tones — and set it with powder.
“After I’ve finished the rest of the makeup, and the powder has set, I return to the under-eye area with a reflective highlighting pen,” he says. “The highlighting pen is light enough that it won’t mess up your concealer, and you’ll find the fine layer of powder gives it the right amount of ‘grip’ to stay just in the targeted areas where you’ve applied it, bouncing light off the most stubborn areas of darkness.”
Pro picks: “I like Lanc?me Le Corrector Pro ($38), which contains a couple of different tones so you can tailor the amount of color correction and concealing to your needs. For a quick, light finish, By Terry Touch-Expert Advanced ($47) has a surprising amount of coverage in a fluid texture.”
Make your concealer do more than one task
Makeup artist Carissa Ferreri has worked with everyone from Annette Bening to Gina Rodriguez and knows the importance of picking the right under-eye concealer — and making it work overtime. When you choose the right formula with undertones that suit your complexion, it becomes a multitasker. “Use that same concealer as an eyelid primer. It makes for a smooth canvas, giving eyeshadow a base to adhere to, or a brightening effect if you go sans eyeshadow,” says Ferreri. Either way, you can’t go wrong.
Pro pick: “One of my favorite concealers is Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in Sx09 ($48). A little goes a long way, and this color is the perfect peach tone, making it work with a variety of skin complexions.”
Keep two different concealer formulas handy
While many of us are all about simplifying our makeup routine, sometimes you just have to go the extra step in the name of beauty. Case in point: Gisele Bündchen‘s go-to makeup artist, Jenna Anton, maintains that keeping an oil-free and a moisturizing concealer will help deliver flawless results.
“Keep an oil-free formula for blemishes and a moisturizing formula for under the eyes and other areas that need a little extra coverage,” she says. “Always apply it over your foundation or tinted moisturizer. This allows you to use a sheer layer of base, since you know your concealer will provide that extra coverage if needed.”
Use the back of your hand and a fluffy brush
Avoid a cakey look by warming up your concealer before application and using a brush to blend seamlessly. Makeup artist Lisa Aharon says, “Scrape a bit of concealer onto the back of your hand before applying it. This warms up the product a bit and helps to disperse it before applying.”
Once the texture feels right, Aharon suggests using a small but fluffy eyeshadow brush to apply the concealer. “It allows you to achieve a smooth finish and diffuses the product as you’re applying it. If you need extra coverage, you can use the same brush to pat on a little more without depositing too much, which can make it look cakey,” she says.
Pro picks: “I love Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage‘s ($35) dry texture, which can be wonderful for oilier skin and fresh blemishes. You can mask anything from a little spot or imperfection to a tattoo with it. Chanel Correcteur Perfection Long Lasting Concealer ($42) is a lighter fluid formulation and works great under the eye and for areas of the face that need brightening and fuller coverage.”
Use your concealer to fake good brows
If you’re pressed for time or simply forgot to groom your brows, concealer can save the day. Makeup artist Michael Anthony says an angled brush, your makeup sponge, and a light touch will do the trick.
“I love using concealer very lightly to underscore the eyebrow. Use a sharp angled brush and apply a line of concealer under the brow. Be sure only to do this under the arch of the brow,” he says. “Once you’ve drawn the line, diffuse the concealer in a downward motion using a wedge sponge. This gives your eyes a lift and makes brows look exceptionally groomed.”
Pro pick: “Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer ($70) is great for under the eyes, since it has a soft, powderlike finish. It is also very comfortable to wear and looks like you don’t have any makeup.”
Related:
The Concealer Every Woman of Color Needs in Her Makeup Bag
This AMAZING $9 Under-Eye Concealer Is Selling Out
Let’s keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
