All of your concealer FAQs, answered:

How to choose the right concealer shade

This really depends on where you’re applying it – and it can often be worth having a couple of different shades to tackle different concerns. For under-eyes, “choose a concealer shade that’s one shade brighter than your skin tone,” advises Bobbi Brown Senior Pro Artist Amy Conway. “If you go too light, it will appear grey and ashy, and if you use the same as your foundation, it won’t give enough brightness to lift the eye”. But if you’re covering puffiness or blemishes, the approach is different. “Opt for a concealer that is exactly the same colour as your skin,” she says. “This will ensure it will look smoother and seamless against the rest of the skin.”

What is the best way to apply concealer?

“It’s best to apply concealer only where you need it,” says Amy. Start with a dot in the inner corner of the under-eye, close to your nose where shadows often appear. “Then using your finger, blend that out to the outer corner of the eye for a sheerer finish. This will give the most lift without applying it too heavily where you don’t need it,” she explains. Elsewhere, it’s all about judgement. A touch around the nostrils – an often-overlooked area – can make a subtle difference, and dotting a small amount over blemishes and breakouts as they appear ensures coverage is targeted without ever looking heavy.

Should you apply concealer or foundation first?

“We often turn to foundation first to even out the skin, but in actual fact if you start with the concealer first you’ll find yourself using half as much foundation everywhere else,” says Amy. “For all skin tones, our main area of darkness and unevenness is the under eye, so when you brighten with a concealer it instantly evens out the rest of the skin before foundation.” Then, if you need a little extra coverage on top, you can always layer more later.

When it comes to blotchiness or blemishes, “layering is key,” adds Zara. “Especially if you don’t want to look cakey. The secret is to use a lightweight base and only add concealer in the areas that need some extra help. This will give you the look of all-over natural skin, but with the finish of full coverage just where you need it.”

Which concealer is best for blemishes?

A matte concealer offers the best camouflage (you don’t want to make them look shiny). Pots like NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer work particularly well versus tubes of liquid concealer. As for how to apply? “Don’t sweep over a blemish,” says Zara. Too much blending defeats the point. “Instead, press the concealer in using your fingers, it will mimic the skin and help build coverage vs sweeping it away”. Blend gently just around the edges to merge it with your skin while keeping the coverage in place over the spot itself.

What’s the best concealer for dark circles under eyes?

A hydrating concealer is always a good choice, particularly since the under-eye area is where fine lines tend to appear first. Keeping this skin plump and moisturised helps minimise creasing, so it’s best to avoid anything too thick that might settle into lines. There are plenty of formulas that combine hydration with impressive pigment pay-off, allowing you to disguise dark circles, bags and discolouration without weighing the skin down – the Victoria Beckham X Augustinus Bader Concealer Pen is a perfect example.

Can you wear concealer by itself?

Yes – you can use it a bit like a foundation stick for a fuller finish. For a lighter finish? “Concealer by itself is a great way to lighten the eye, and this is perfect for everyday natural makeup,” advises Amy. “For the ultimate brightness, opt for a corrector underneath to banish any darkness first, as this will give a flawless under-eye lift.”