Tricks to Use Concealer to Camouflage Dark Circles, a Zit and More

Every woman knows that the foundation of any beauty look is impeccable skin, but often those annoying things of nature like ugly blemishes and dark circles can actually get in the way. We asked Katey Denno, a celebrity makeup professional, to give us some tips on how to put our best face forward. Here are her tricks on how to use concealer to camouflage almost anything.

Tricks to Use Concealer to Camouflage a Scar

Scars come in different colors so they can be tricky. Some scars are purple, some are red and some are brown. Denno explains that in most cases she uses a heavy concealer which is the same color as the skin tone, but if the scar is too dark she neutralizes it by using a color opposite the color wheel and then she uses the corresponding skin tone concealer shade to camouflage them.

She recommends Quick-Fix Concealer.

Tricks to Use Concealer to Camouflage a Pimple

One of the most difficult skin imperfections to hide is the pimple breakout. Denno recommends that you should apply a dab of natural treatment like apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil that can instantly shrink some types of breakouts. If you don’t have any of these treatments you can use any product that contains salicylic acid. You should apply the treatment about 20 minutes before starting to apply your makeup.

After that you should apply foundation to camouflage breakout. The foundation must be the exact match to your skin tone on the area surrounding the imperfection. Denno says that this step is decisive, because the texture of bare skin around the camouflaged spot will only serve to accentuate the imperfection. When you have applied your foundation you should apply a concealer on and around the spot using a fine point concealer brush. Blend concealer by gently tapping using your fingers.  The concealer should match your skin tone precisely. In the end, if your pimple is already flaring, apply some translucent powder to set the area to build up the skin around the imperfection.

Denno says that you can neutralize the redness of a blemish by applying concealers with a green tint to them. But, she explains that this will only work with photographs, but in natural light or outside, the green is always visible and only makes the imperfection look more apparent.

She recommends Benefit Fake Up Concealer, Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder and Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation.

Tricks to Camouflage Uneven Skin Tone and Redness

Denno explains that you should use a light foundation to camouflage redness. Apply it, use a brush to blend it and finish using a damp beauty blender. Also, you can try a CC Cream, some that are particularly designed to color correct for discolorations and redness.

She recommends Sephora The Sculptor Makeup Sponge and LORAC CC Color Correcting Cream.

Tricks to Use Concealer to Camouflage Dark under Eye Circles

Denno says that under eye circles are normally purple in nature. She explained that Latina, Caucasian and most Asian women can camouflage the dark circles the best by using a peach toned concealer. Begin with moisturized skin and then use a flat brush or your ring finger to apply concealer. You should start in the inner corner of your eye. You mustn’t take concealer too close to the outer corner of your eye because it will settle into fine lines.

Denno explains that women of deep skin tones with brown or purple circles under the eye should use top quality orange pigment to completely neutralize the dark circles. The area will look impeccable and bright when topped with a concealer the same color as your skin tone.

She recommends MAC Pigment in Acid Orange and Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Honey.