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Hey Sis!
I know, I know... concealer can be your best friend or your worst enemy. It comes in a plethora of formulations and textures. Different textures of concealers are used on different problem areas, so it’s important to match the texture with the problem area. For example, a concealer used to cover under- eye areas should always be moist and creamy, whereas a concealer designed to cover breakouts or broken capillaries should be much drier in texture so it will adhere better and last longer. If you use the wrong formula, it could draw more attention to what you are trying to conceal.
Stick Concealers
These full-coverage concealers can vary in dryness and texture; some are creamier and some are much less moist. They conceal everything from dark circles to more prominent blemishes and almost every skin discoloration. When using this formula to minimize under-eye circles, make sure the texture and consistency are creamy enough to blend well and keep the area hydrated so as not to accentuate fine lines. Because your most delicate skin is under your eyes, using a creamier texture will help keep this area looking its most flawless. If you are covering other types of spots on you face, such as blemishes, dark spots, or veins, choose a stick that is a little drier in texture so it will stay put and last longer.
Pot Concealer
This concealer provides similar full coverage to stick, but it is usually formulated with more moisturizing ingredients and is not quite as thick. It conceals any flaws you might want to hide. This is the concealer most commonly used by professionals because of its great coverage and versatility. There are many formulas out there, some drier and some with more moisture, so find the one that best fits your needs. Although usually creamy, it is also available in drier, oil-free formulas that are used to cover discoloration on the rest of the face (because the drier it is, the better it will adhere and longer it wears).
Tube Concealer
This has creamier texture than some other formulas. Tube concealer covers dark under-eye circles because it’s so moist, and it’s one of the easiest to blend. It will probably not have quite the staying power of some other (drier) formulas, so it may not be the best choice for other spots and discoloration. It provides terrific coverage and can be mixed with moisturizer or foundation to create a much sheerer product.
Wand Concealer
This option offers you one of the lightest and sheerest textures of all concealer formulas. These concealers give you the least coverage, but they blend in most easily and look very natural. They will sometimes settle into fine lines if not completely blended (due to the nature of the texture). If the proper shade is used, you may apply it without a foundation because it will blend so easily into bare skin. A lot of these formulas now contain light-reflecting particles to help disguise imperfections, making up for their lesser coverage with just as much camouflage. Wand concealers provide a quicker, slightly denser coverage than liquid foundation, but less than most other concealer formulas, and they are perfect for a fast repair because they’re convenient to carry. Some dry to a powder finish that is great for covering facial blemishes because the powder clings, making it longer wearing.
Pencil Concealer
These concealers effectively cover tiny imperfections such as broken capillaries, blemishes, veins, and any other tiny flaws. You simply draw it on—draw it all along a vein or draw it right on a blemish or any other spots. With an exact color match, flaws can be pinpointed without a lot of blending. Their dry texture helps their long wearability, as well as giving them great staying power. Pencil concealers are also terrific for fixing lip lines. Use it around the outer edge of your lips to erase your natural lip line (so that you can draw on your new one) or prevent lip color from bleeding. No other formula compares to the convenience in carrying this product with you.
Oil-free Compact
These concealer formulations are best used on the face to hide pimples and spots. They are usually of a longer wearing, drier texture that will not irritate breakouts and will stay right where you put them. Because of their long wearability, they effectively cover age spots and hyperpigmentation (any type of spot on the face). But keep in mind that because of their dry texture, they are the wrong choice for covering under-eye dark circles; they will make the area appear dry and cakey.
Highlighting Pen
This amazing product contains light-refracting particles, which reflect light to bring forward recessed areas of the face and hide minor flaws. This is not a concealer; it’s a highlighter (I stress this because many people are confused about the pen’s usage). Everywhere you use it will come forward visually, making it appear even with the rest of the face. In other words, it highlights (brings out) recessed areas, such as the dark shadows created by bags, wrinkles, deep creases, and the inside corners of your eyes. You simply apply it to the shadowed area and it brightens it, making it appear less distinct.
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