When it comes to covering skin concerns with makeup, concealer can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. When applied correctly, concealer can hide dark spots, under eye circles, blemishes, and discolouration. But if you haven't quite mastered the art of applying concealer just yet, it can slide around on your face after application, revealing the blemishes you just put all that effort into covering. This guide will show you exactly how and where to put concealer for any skin concern, as well as how to apply concealer to highlight your face structure.

What is difference between foundation and concealer?

While they mean seem like a similar product in different packaging, foundation and concealer serve very different purposes and are formulated with different textures, finishes and ingredients. So, what are the key differences between the two?

• Foundation evens out your skin tone, creating a blank canvas to build your makeup look on. Many foundations have buildable coverage, but they’re usually less pigmented than concealer.
• Concealer on the other hand, is designed to do just as the name suggests: minimise and conceal any skin concerns. They’re usually highly pigmented - making them perfect to combat skin discolouration.

How to Apply Concealer

With so much information available, you may be stuck on what's the best way to apply concealer for long-lasting, flawless coverage. Not only do the steps before and after applying concealer matter, but the products you use can also make a significant difference in the final makeup look. Below, we provide a step-by-step guide on how to apply concealer like a professional and what you should consider when selecting a concealer product to help you take your application to the next level.

Pick the Right Concealer Shade

Alongside selecting the right formula for you, choosing the right shade can also make or break your makeup look. Although it may seem like a no-brainer, picking a shade too light, too dark or too warm or cool can make your concealer stand out rather than blend into your foundation. Use the IT Cosmetics Virtual Makeup Try On Tool or speak to one of our experts to find your perfect shade match.

Apply Concealer

When applying concealer, less is more. Using too much product can contribute to the dreaded ""cakey"" concealer look - and you can always add more to build your desired coverage level. Start with a small amount of product and add layers gradually. Concealer can be applied to the under eye area to brighten dark circles, to blemishes and spots for coverage, and below the cheekbones and the bridge of the nose to highlight and shape the face.

Where to Put Concealer on Your Face

Concealer is a versatile makeup product that can highlight areas of your face and cover blemishes, dark circles and dark spots. Knowing where to put concealer will help you maximise its benefits and help you achieve a natural, radiant finish. IT Cosmetics has developed high-coverage, skin-loving concealer formulas designed for a variety of colour-correcting purposes like covering dark spots or under-eye circles. See below for your go-to guide on where to put concealer, and what product is best suited for each application use.

How to cover blemishes with concealer

Skin blemishes such as acne and breakouts create a pigmented area of the skin - so the key to covering them effectively is to use a highly pigmented product. The Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer is perfect for tackling acne, dark spots and discolouration. The pigmented formula is packed with skin-loving ingredients like collagen, cucumber and hyaluronic acid, so rest assured you'll be caring for your skin while banishing your blemishes. Let's unpack how to conceal blemishes:

Pick a concealer that matches your foundation shade and dispense a small amount onto the back of your hand. Using your concealer brush, pick up a little bit product and dab onto any blemishes you want to cover, building coverage with more product as necessary. Don't blend yet! Apply your foundation by buffing (not rubbing) the product into the skin with your brush, blending the concealer underneath as you do so. Follow up with a light layer of your favourite setting powder and lock in your makeup look with a setting spray.

Applying concealer for dark spots

When dark spots and hyperpigmentation are of concern, using a colour-correcting concealer can help minimise their appearance and create an even skin tone. The Bye Bye Dark Spots Concealer is infused with niacinamide to help visibly reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, making it a suitable choice for this task. Here's how to apply concealer for dark spots and hyperpigmentation.

1. Pick a concealer that matches the shade of your foundation.
2. Dab a small amount of the product over any dark spots or hyperpigmentation.
3. Using your finger or concealer brush, buff the concealer into your foundation.
4. Set with face powder.

Concealer for highlighting areas of the face

Think of using concealer to highlight as creating the illusion of light reflecting off the highest points of your face. You don’t have to pair highlighting with contouring - shaping the face with concealer alone is perfect for minimal makeup looks. So, let’s take a closer look at how to apply concealer on the face to achieve a highlighting effect:

1. Choose a concealer one or two shades lighter than your foundation.
2. Prep the skin and apply your chosen foundation.
3. Apply a small amount of concealer to the highest points of your face; this will be different for everyone but common areas to highlight are the brow bone, top of the cheekbones, tip of the nose and cupid's bow.
4. Blend it all out with the small end of the Heavenly Luxe Foundation & Concealer Perfection Brush 7 to achieve the look of soft, diffused light bouncing off your face.
5. Dust your face with setting powder and lock your products in place with your favourite setting spray.

How to apply concealer for dark circles

Figuring out a concealer routine that actually hides under eye circles can feel like a never-ending cycle of trial and error. Instead of building coverage, the trick here is to use less product and apply it strategically. Reach for a peach toned, brightening concealer to combat the blue undertones of dark circles. For this, the Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer ticks all the boxes. Here’s how to apply under eye concealer:

1. After prepping the skin and applying your foundation, place two dots of concealer at the inner corner of your eye and one more at the outer corner of your eye.
2. Use your concealer brush to lightly tap the product at the inner corner of your eye into the skin. Avoid dragging product across the skin.
3. Blend the concealer at the outer corner of your eye using the same technique, focusing on blending upwards for a lifted effect.
4. Set your liquid makeup with a light dusting of your favourite setting powder before applying the rest of your makeup, locking it all in with setting spray.

Now you’re the master of all things concealer, next learn everything you need to know about how to deal with hyperpigmentation.