Should My Concealer Be a Lighter Shade Than My Foundation?
I am a fully qualified freelance Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist. I have been working in the beauty industry for just over three years now.
Key Takeaways
- Concealer should be lighter than foundation to effectively mask discolouration without appearing ghostly.
- One shade lighter than your foundation is recommended, as going too light can create an ashen appearance.
- Multiple concealers may be necessary since different areas of your face require different coverage and tones.
- Choosing the right concealer formula, like liquid or stick, depends on the area you wish to cover and your skin type.
- Seasonal adjustments to your concealer colours and formulas are essential for maintaining a perfect match with your skin tone.
- Individual needs matter when selecting concealers, as under-eye coverage differs from all-over facial coverage.
This guide contains Global Shades products! These are available in a wide range of inclusive shades and undertones. Look out for the Global Shades icon or visit globalshades.org to find out more.
Is concealer lighter than foundation? It’s a common question that creates many different opinions among makeup enthusiasts. The general rule of thumb is that you should always opt for a shade lighter than foundation when choosing your concealer colour. Doing so helps to mask darker discolouration, but be careful not to over-correct! Knowing how to pick the right concealer is essential to ensuring that your look does not appear ghostly.
With this in mind, you will likely wonder how light concealer should be? And what colour should it be to achieve the best results? We answer these questions and more below to guide you in how to pick the right concealer product for your needs.
How Light Should Concealer Be?
We have already mentioned that concealer should be lighter than foundation, but what does this mean in terms of choosing the concealer colour and shade for you?
Some people believe that the sky's the limit when it comes to how light concealer should be. Others find that a natural blend of colours and tones will provide a perfectly balanced look.
When you are first exploring products and choosing a concealer colour, we recommend going at least one shade lighter than the colour of your foundation. Using a two or three shades lighter product may create a grey, ashen look that you will definitely want to avoid.
How to Pick the Right Concealer & Choosing Your Colour
This guide contains Global Shades products! These are available in a wide range of inclusive shades and undertones. What better way to determine whether your concealer should be lighter than your foundation than by testing all these colours and tones? Look out for the Global Shades icon or visit globalshades.org to find out more.
Here is a question that has always haunted me: Am I potentially using the wrong concealer? Should it be lighter? Does it match my foundation?
With so many textures, types and finishes, it can be hard to know if you've been nailing it or accidentally drawing more attention to the spots you’re trying to conceal.
Concealers should be there to help, not hinder. Fortunately, we're here to find you the perfect concealer, so you can make annoying skin issues a thing of the past.
Once you have the right concealer shades and some simple techniques, nailing your favourite makeup looks will become easy, and you can put those haunting questions to rest.
How to find the right concealer formula
Liquid concealer: Covering a large area? Do you need a variety of colours to find one darker or lighter than your foundation? Liquid concealer is probably the best pick for you. It’s great for around your eyes and for covering other large areas.
A hydrating, long-wear formula
A wonderful 2-in-1 foundation and concealer, this will provide amazing coverage while still letting your skin breathe. 100% fragrance and allergy free, this is also an ideal formula for sensitive skin types. Available in a range of colours, this is a well loved go-to for many, and we think you'll love it too!
Go for a natural, luminous finish
The MAKE UP FOR EVER ULTRA HD CONCEALER is a cult favourtie for a reason. Providing an incredible natural finish, this concealer works well with foundation to mask under-eye circles and blemishes. With an extensive shade range, including lighter or darker options, this concealer is perfect for a wide range of purposes. Its self setting and light capturing formula is incredibly unique, which is why it's such a staff-favourite.
- Stick concealer and compacts: Thicker concealer formulas are perfect for small spots. These spill-proof products are also easy to tote around for quick coverage.
Try this sheer, lightweight concealer
With a sheer coverage and lightweight feel on the skin, this hydrating concealer contains a rich formula of antioxidants to minimise dark circles and imperfections. Perfect for the gal on the go, the petite tube packaging is ideal for travelling and makes touch-ups so easy!
How to find the right shade of concealer
First things first: it’s important to know that you might need more than one concealer. These definitely aren't 'one-size-fits-all' makeup products.
The area under your eyes is different to the rest of your face. Dark spots need different coverage than red spots. 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.
Ready to start shopping? Here are a few of our favourite concealers:
For covering hyper-pigmentation
This powerful, full coverage concealer banishes shadows by masking darker tones for a smooth, even complexion. It's completely matte, so it won't interfere with the texture of your complexion. Plus, it's thin and easily blendable formula is long wearing, so you won't experience cracking or creasing.
For covering dark circles
The IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer transforms tired eyes with its medium-full coverage formula. Experience hydrating and brightening benefits with skin loving ingredients that diminish lines and wrinkles. We love this thick, but lightweight formula that lasts all day—the perfect undereye concealer for those trying to smooth out that area.
For covering blemishes
To clear and prevent blemishes, you'll love the oil-free formula of the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout Full Coverage Concealer. This gentle and soothing formula covers even the reddest spots, with an AHA/BHA formula to treat them too. It won't crease or crack, and can be worn alone or with other makeup.
For all-over, waterproof coverage
The Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer is one of our most versatile concealer picks. If you're going to be working up a sweat or getting your face wet, you'll be blown away by how powerful this stuff is. This flawless, medium coverage formula is oil-free and provides a natural-matte finish that lasts over 15 hours.
PRO TIP: Your skin changes all the time! Winter skin is paler and drier. And in the summer, even if you don’t go tanning (and you shouldn’t!), your skin will naturally get darker. It’s a good idea to adjust your concealer colours and formulas seasonally for the best results.
Want more of the best concealer recommendations? Check out the guides below...
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