“For a natural look,I recommend matching the concealer with your foundation,” says make-up artist Ash K. Holmsnapperimages.com
“If you want your concealer to blend in with your foundation for a natural look,I recommend matching the concealer with your foundation,” says celebrity make-up artist Ash K. Holm. However,when using a concealer to achieve a brightening effect,Holm likes to go “one to two shades lighter than your foundation shade … this highlighting will lift the face and reflect light”.
Concealers come as creams and liquids:creamy is going to give you more coverage,while liquids act more like a tint. For longevity,and to avoid your base creasing into lines around your mouth and eyes,set your liquid products with a translucent powder,like HourglassSetting Powder ($79).
For application,the warmth of fingertips helps to blend the concealer to create a natural-looking finish. If you want a lighter finish,use a damp beauty sponge such as ($30),which will soften and absorb excess product. For heavier coverage,use a concealer brush to dab and press product into the skin.
Concealer is also great for sculpting the natural contours of the face. Start by highlighting the under-eye area,let it sit for a couple of minutes,then blend,blend,blend. Next,apply concealer to the outer corners of your nose,mouth,and beneath your cheekbones. Blend it in an upwards motion and then set with a translucent powder.
For pimples,blend your foundation over the spot and then apply a dot of full-coverage concealer to the pimple itself in a shade that matches your foundation. Let it sit for two minutes,then lightly tap with a concealer brush or the tip of a damp make-up sponge to blend out.
For some nose definition,apply a concealer that’s two shades lighter than your natural shade down the centre of your nose and blend.
As the day wears on,your concealer might start to cake. For a quick fix,use Urban Decay ($110) spritzed on a sponge,then pressed into the concealer to smooth it out. If you’re on the move,mix concealer with a little moisturiser for a glowing,tinted base.
Ask Steph
What is the quickest way to freshen my mouth?
Chewing sugarless gum is a great palate cleanser as it stimulates saliva production and helps to neutralise acids and avoid bacterial build-up while minimising dental damage. Try Pur Coolmint Gum (healthylife.com.au,$8).
Send questions via Instagram,@mrssdarling.
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