Concealer 101

Carrying on from my new-ish 'Makeup 101' Series that I've started round these parts last month -  we come to the Concealer Edition! The whole premise of this series is basically exactly as it says on the tin - I dedicate a whole post to each step in my makeup routine, giving you lovely lot all of the tips and tricks that I've learnt about it along the way! And I seeing as I'm choosing to go through each makeup step chronologically (providing you do your Face/Base first) - it's about time we talked all things Concealer...

• What are you covering? I think this is the most important thing you really nail first things first. Cause, what you want or need to cover will likely determine what type of concealer will be good for you! Want to illuminate the under eyes? A light-reflecting concealer may be your guy. Need more coverage under there or on specific areas such as blemishes and scars? A more matte, full-coverage type of situation will probably be your best bet. And then of course you've got everything in-between those types of formulas too. Basically, you'll want to determine what type of finish (glowy, natural and 'skin-like', matte, etc.) and what coverage you want (light, medium, full). Then, you can go from there...
• Find your shade/s. Like foundation, finding the right concealer shade (or shades) for you can be a bit of a minefield - though thankfully, things seem to be getting better as time goes on when it comes to shade ranges - yay! Especially with brands like Revolution and NYX - hopefully you should be able to find a good shade match for you. As for a starting point, as I said for foundations, I'd recommend breaking things down. Determine your skin-tone - fair, light, medium, deep, deep-dark etc. - and then from that, you should (providing the brand has a good shade range, which they should by this point - it's 2019!) be able to find a group of shades that could be a match for you. Then, you'll want to determine your undertone - cool, warm, neutral, olive - and that should help your narrow down to a shade or shade/s that are best for you! So, for example, in the Revolution Conceal and Define Concealer I typically wear 'C1' as I'm fair/light and have a more neutral undertone.
• ...And the best application method for you! Another key aspect of nailing the concealer step in your makeup routine is to determine the best method of application for you! Personally, ever since trying it out, I'm all about a good ol' beauty sponge (always the RT Miracle Complexion Sponge, FYI) but that's not the only technique. You can go old-school and make use of what you were born with (your fingers) or you can even employ a brush too! Basically, try 'em all out and decide what's the best one for you. It also kind of depends on the finish and effect you're after too. Typically, a sponge will give a really nice, 'skin-like' finish, but may dial down the coverage a little (hence why I'm always about that full coverage concealer + sponge combination); whilst a brush or fingers may keep the coverage a little better, but may not mesh it into the skin as effectively...
• Make sure you set it. I know a lot of people believe in a no-powder life, but personally, I have to set at least some of my face - my concealer especially. Particularly under my eyes where I find things crease/move around/fade the easiest and quickest! Sometimes I'll simply pat some pressed powder under there, but most of the time I'll 'bake'! A.K.A. apply some loose powder using a damp beauty sponge, leave for a while to 'bake', before brushing off any excess. It keeps my concealer (plus any other general areas I 'bake') in place, crease-free all day or night long and I love it. But, of course, if you're more of a pressed powder gal or guy - go ahead and use that instead! Either way will definitely help to make your concealer in some way last longer and keep looking good...
• Don't forget colour correction. A kind of 'separate' aspect of concealer is Colour Correcting.You know, that step that everyone tries to incorporate into their routine, but sort of fails at doing so on an everyday basis? Well, that's definitely me anyway! Oops. However, I really should give it a go more often as I know that it can really help in making your concealer routine even more effortless. Maybe it's cause I love a full coverage deal when it comes to my concealer and hence, it tends to negate the need for colour correcting? But, maybe if you're using something lighter, cancelling out any unwanted undertones beforehand could help you out. So, in essence - for under your eyes where things may be a little blue/purple, you'll want a yellow corrector; whilst for around the face if there's any redness, a green-toned corrector will be your best bet!
• It's not just for concealing either! Finally, why not throw in some other ways of multi-tasking your concealer and getting the most out of it? Cause, it's not just great for concealing yanno! You can use it to prime your eyes as an eye base (set or un-set), use it in the very centre of your lips to lighten a colour or add the illusion of extra fullness or simply just to erase and correct any mistakes you've made. Uneven brows or lip shape, who?