10 Concealer Hacks The Experts Swear By

“I often see people use just one shade of concealer, but you need two in your make-up bag. A lighter one to brighten and lift the centre of your face – under eyes, brow bones and down the bridge of the nose, and chin – then a darker one similar to your natural tone. The latter is what you’d apply to conceal blemishes and redness. By using two concealers, you instantly add dimension to the face.” – Alex Reader, make-up artist 

“This is especially important for under the eyes. If your concealer becomes dry, it will just sit in fine lines and the areas of skin that are most prone to dryness. I also recommend applying a thin serum before concealer to help it last throughout the day. If you are worried about movement, swipe a tiny amount of face powder over the top. My go-to hydrating concealer is Victoria Beckham’s Concealer Pen. It’s full of skincare actives which keep your complexion moisturised throughout the day.” – Jessica Kell, make-up artist

“Concealer can be used to contour and carve out cheekbones if you opt for the right shade. A little trick is to use a darker one directly under the jaw to give the illusion of sharpness. Because concealer isn’t as dusty as some traditional contour shades, you’ll find it looks more seamless and natural. Concealing under the brow bone is underrated – this can lift the eye and give the impression of more eyelid space overall.” – Alex 

“Everyone knows concealer can be used directly under the eye to help with shadows but I like to take it from the outer corner of the eye, blending it in an upward direction towards the temples. You’ll see this gives immediate lift and complements any highlighter for a soft, sculpted look.” – Jessica 

“One of my top hacks is to use concealer as an eraser. It’s perfect for minimising eyeliner mishaps and sharpening up precision – especially if you use a fine, flat brush. Same goes for around your lip line as it can give a crisper finish and fix any bleeding of colour.” – Alex 

“If you’re applying concealer to cover blemishes or redness, my tip is to dab on a layer with your finger, or a brush, leave it to settle for a couple of minutes, then press it into the skin with your chosen applicator. I find it lasts a lot longer on the skin when you do this. It’s your choice as to which tool you use, but fingers are best for around the eye. It helps to warm up the product, making sure it melts into skin like butter.” – Alex 

“For a seamless base, make sure your foundation and concealer have a similar finish. I tend to pair mattes with mattes, otherwise the contrast would be flat against an illuminated base. Equally, if you have a very dewy foundation, try a lighter, liquid concealer. A great pairing is the By Terry Hydra-Concealer with Charlotte Tilbury’s Beautiful Skin Foundation. Concealers for extra coverage need to work in perfect harmony with your foundation, so try to get a perfect match when looking for one.” – Jessica 

“A top complaint I hear from clients is creasing of concealer under the eye. This tends to be because too much product has been applied. Naturally, this area is where we have fine lines and dehydration, so concealer will eventually – if not immediately – sit there and cake up. I recommend applying a couple of dots at the very bottom of the under-eye, as well as one by the outer lash, then use your finger or a sponge to push it in and up towards your lash line. This helps conceal the main areas of darkness while limiting build-up.” – Alex 

“Peach concealers are great for the eye area. This is because the tone counteracts blue and purple tones, neutralising them for a brighter, fresher appearance. One of my favourites for this is Rodial’s Peach Low Lighter. Go in light and not heavy-handed – you want to build up gradually. I also love Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Vanish Concealer to help with sallowness, though if you suffer with dryness, this may not be for you as it’s quite thick. Dior’s Forever Skin Correct is great as well – it really does melt into the skin and last for hours.” – Alex 

“I love to use a colour corrector prior to concealing. You want one that’s very light in texture, as its sole job is to adjust the colour – not do any covering up. If yours is a bit thicker, blend it out by mixing it with clear primer. This not only helps to sheer it out, but also guarantees better staying power. Apply it with either a fluffy brush or just by tapping it in with your ring finger. It’s key you keep colour correcting layers light – the NARS Radiant Creamy Colour Corrector is my top pick. You’ll then find concealer sits better, looks better and brightens better.” – Jessica 

“There are different ways to apply concealer depending on its texture and the result you want. Fingers are great if you have a very moisturised, dewy base and just want a little coverage. I recommend warming the concealer up on the back of your hand, then gently tapping it into place with your finger. This is a good way to ensure you get a smooth, blended finish. A sponge is great for those wanting fuller coverage. Opt for a small one with a slanted tip. Mix concealer with foundation first, then use the sponge to dab it onto your skin – go in with a second layer if needed. Lastly, brushes are great for a more precise blend. If you want to use concealer to lighten and lift, as we’ve mentioned, opt for a blending brush. Either a small face brush or larger eyeshadow brush is ideal.” –Jessica 

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