Have you ever bought a concealer and then regretted it because you didn’t like the texture or the color was wrong?
The latter always happens to me. Concealer is supposed to be one shade lighter than foundation, but I already have a hard time finding a foundation that matches my pale skin and often have to get one that’s slightly darker, so the search for the perfect concealer is almost a mission impossible for me.
And even if I find a pale enough shade, the texture could be too thick or too dry and hard to work with. What to do then? Not everyone lives in a country where returning cosmetics is allowed, or maybe you do but just can’t be bothered to go back to the shop. In any case, before thinking about throwing it away or swapping it, why don’t you try these tips that will help make the concealer work for you?
Wrong color
Sometimes when you buy a concealer at a counter, you’re sure you got the right shade, but once home you realise that it’s completely the wrong one for you. What to do then? Well, you could try mixing it with a foundation or concealer you already have in your stash to get a shade that’s right for you.
If that doesn’t work, you can use the concealer underneath the foundation, instead on top of like you’re supposed to do. This is a method I had to use every time I bought a drugstore concealer and it has always worked very well for me. And once your foundation is on top, no one will notice the concealer is the wrong shade.
Wrong consistency
Some concealers have a very thick consistency, so before applying them, it’s best to warm them up. Simply put the amount of concealer you need for your application on the back of your hand and, with your finger, rub it. This will make your concealer thinner so that it’s easier to apply and won’t look cakey.
If instead, you have the opposite problem and your concealer is too thin, you can make it thicker by mixing it with a tiny amount of loose powder. This will also improve the coverage you get from your concealer. And if the consistency’s too dry, just add a drop of moisturizer or foundation. This will add some moisture to it.
What do you do when you buy a concealer that doesn’t work for you?
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I always wear my concealer under my foundation now. I don’t know why, it’s just something I started doing and it stuck. My concealer is definitely way too light, anyway.
.-= Simone´s last blog ..My new make-up drawers arrived! =-.
I melt it with some brown and red lipstick to make a perfect nude shade. Concealer can make the most drying lipsticks so smooth and creamy!
.-= shasta´s last blog ..The End to Hair Gripes! =-.
Simone, that’s what I do often as my concealers are usually a bit too dark for me. I know that makeup artists always recommend to apply concealer after foundation, but I find that inverting the order works well too.
I give them to my friends or some, I use them for my lips if the texture ain’t that bad to conceal my natural lip color prior to lipstick application!
.-= Nikki´s last blog ..AMW Reviews: Coffret D’Or Fluffy Shine Eyes =-.
Shasta, ohhh that sounds so nice! I never thought of using concealer to make lipsticks but now I’m intrigued. I have a few concealers that are too dark for me so I’ll try that soon, thanks for the tip.
Nikki, it’s nice of you to give them to your friends. And thanks for the tip. Using concealer has a base is a clver idea. It will make lip products more true to color and last longer, I have to try that, thanks.
Not so much a concealer tip but related; you can take foundation that doesn’t work for your coloring and mix it with any lotion to give your arms and legs that perect “airbrushed” look.
Rachael, thanks for the tip. It sounds lovely and it’ll be very handy when spring arrives and we can finally wear lighter clothes
I use it as an eyeshadow base…Works wonders for me!!
if it’s liquid/ cream, i’d use it for my lips as a concealer. but if it’s a stick or pencil type, either i throw it or give it to my sisters.
still can’t understand why the right foundation n concealer shades are so hard to buy!
.-= plue´s last blog ..Neutrogena Hydro Boost Mousse Cleanser =-.
Ohh, nice tips! Its always hard to find concealers that work for me, which is why I rarely ever use it, lol. I have a concealer that is dry, and I’ve tried your tip with the moisturizer. Works nicely, thanks!
.-= Dee´s last blog ..Show & Tell – New Goodies! =-.
Hi Gio! Really nice advices here. I don’t have so much experience with concealers because I didn’t used any until La Mer sent me their concealer.
Vanessa, thanks for the tip. Concealers (and foundations) have never worked too well on my slightly-oily lids but I’m glad they do work great on you!
Plue, that’s nice of you to give them to your sisters and thanks for the tip about using concealer for lips. I agree with you, buying foundations and concealers shouldn’t be so hard! And some companies don’t even have testers or only keep a limited range of shades. How are you supposed to find a good match then?!
Dee, thanks and I feel your pain. I didn’t wear a concealer for years cos I coudln’t find one that worked for me either. I still haven’t found a concealer I’m 100% happy with. They either are too dark or too thick and even though I find ways to make them work, I can’t be bothered to repurchase them lol. But if you don’t need them, there’s no reason to use them.
And you’re welcome, I’m glad it worked well for you. That’s a really handy tip, isn’t it?
Tavia, thanks and I’m so jealous La Mer sent you their concealer, lucky you! But you deserve it, esp after all the nice posts you wrote about them.
You really made me want to try their products, but they’re out of my budget at the moment.