Concealer? Yes, Please!

Just as I was putting my brushes away for the day, my dear friend came busting through the door. Venti coffee in hand, she delivered a shot of caffeine and a story of her long-lasting date held the previous night. Despite the caffeine, just hearing about her late night out make me tired! While an amazing evening might make for a great story, it may not be so good for the complexion. A little darkness under the eyes can reveal secrets, and I am all about keeping a secret. 

Let's face it, dolls, we all have something to hide. Perfection is impossible to achieve and even on our best days a blemish is sure to pop up and burst our beauty bubble. Tragic under-eye circles reveal more than just shadows, and unsightly redness around the nose is certainly a sin, as broken capillaries not only make us look older but even more tired. 

But don't fret, my dear, this is what concealer is for! I have known about this marvelous little trick for some time. Concealer and I have not only been introduced to one another a time or two, we have become best friends. The trick is to know when, where, and how to apply it.

THE WHEN: The most common mistake is that women apply concealer before foundation. If this is what you have been doing in the past, it's time for a change. Foundation should always be applied first. This eliminates the majority of those pesky imperfections we see looking in the mirror, and therefore, less concealer is needed, my friend. Applying foundation after your concealer is a waste because one liquid (foundation) will remove the other (concealer). And this is neither the time nor the economy for wasted products, my beauties. 

THE WHERE: Where to apply concealer is a question I get as an artist over and over, so I will make it very simple. Using a synthetic brush, apply the product under the eye, starting at the inner corner and taking it to the end of the lash line. No one is ever so dark that the concealer needs to go further. I also always conceal around the nose, as this will hide a multitude of sins and make us look younger and fresher. The area to focus on is what I like to call the "Triangle of Light." This is the area from the outer corner of the nose to the outer corner of the eye, as pictured below.

THE HOW: When choosing a concealer, always go a shade or two lighter than your foundation. I prefer a creamier concealer for under the eyes and a drier consistency for blemishes. A brush is very important in applying concealer as it allows you to gently smooth the product onto your delicate skin. It also helps with precision. A good brush will last a lifetime, so don't be afraid to splurge here. I blend the product out with the brush then gently pat it with my ring finger. After you have applied the concealer to the desired areas, I suggest that you dust a little loose powder over it to set the product to make sure that it stays put. And remember—less is always more. 

And there it is, my loves! We all look a little better with just a dab of concealer here and there. With each stroke of the brush we look fresher, brighter, and more alive. A late night out stays a secret; a blemish, a hidden burden.

As for my friend’s night out—I will always keep those details a secret. As for making her look like she had gotten eight hours of sleep with a little help from concealer—I have just spilled everything!!!!

Until next time, my loves.

XOXO
 

Andrew