Get flawless skin with these fixes

How to use colour-correcting concealers

Beauty Crew Beauty Editor / May 25 2017

So you’ve got the art of applying foundation down pat… what’s next?

Take your complexion to the next level with colour-correcting. Different to regular concealing, this technique is used to combat specific issues by neutralising the area with coloured tones like purple, green and yellow. And as a general makeup rule of thumb, colour-correctors should be used before foundation and concealer, so the area can be addressed first before being layered with more products.

I always use colour correctors under foundation so I can sort out the colour issue in specific areas first and then go in and even out skintone all over the face with my foundation second.
Hayley Dutton
/
Sydney-based makeup artist

 

Want to know more? Read on to find out how to use these colours…

If you’ve got dark circles

Try: Orange or red

Why: “The warmth of these colours can help to lift and cancel out the depth of darker tones,” says Dutton.

How: Pat the colour-corrector right under your eyes, and stop where your cheekbones start.

Toolkit:

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Deep Peach is great for removing dark colours on medium skintones.

YSL Touche Eclat Neutral Correct in Abricot Bisque can blitz dark circles with the click of a button – great for touch-ups on the go.

Australis Colour Correcting Base in Gold provides a smooth base to work with for those with fair skintones.

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Deep Peach

YSL Touche Eclat Neutral Correct in Abricot Bisque

Australis Colour Correcting Base in Gold

If you’ve got redness

Try: Green

Why: “Green can help to balance out redness in cheeks, pimples or acne scarring.”

How: Apply this colour-corrector all over your face if you’re prone to rosacea or universal redness, or just over certain spots to mask a zit.

Toolkit:

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Adjust works to fill in lines and wrinkles as well as counteract the appearance of pinkish skin.

Physician’s Formula Concealer Twin Correct & Cover in Green/Light is a great two-in-one tool that can cover up spots while correcting redness.

Dermalogica Redness Relief Primer SPF15 has a pale green tinge and is rich in botanical extracts that will care for the skin. An ideal choice for those with sensitivity.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Adjust

Physician’s Formula Concealer Twin Correct & Cover in Green/Light

Dermalogica Redness Relief Primer SPF15

Try a colour correcting primer that can be used under foundation to even out skintone as well prep the base [for foundation].”
Hayley Dutton
/
Makeup artist

If you’ve got sallow skin

Try: Purple

Why: “Lilac-toned correctors can help to combat yellow tones, which is great for when you need to brighten up your complexion.”

How: Press this colour-corrector all over your face to bring your complexion to life.

Toolkit:

Becca Backlight Targeted Colour Corrector in Violet may be bright in colour, but this hue is great at neutralising dullness.

Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Brightening Skin Primer features algae extract to invigorate and hydrate deep within.

NYX Studio Perfect Primer in Lavender is a top pick for darker skintones to remove any hints of yellow.

Becca Backlight Targeted Colour Corrector

Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Brightening Skin Primer

NYX Studio Perfect Primer in Lavender

Iantha is BEAUTYcrew's Beauty Editor, and has been part of the team since the site launched in 2016. Besides pinky-nude nail polish and wispy false lashes, she has a healthy obsession with face masks and skin care ingredients. Her previous work can be found in Virgin Australia Voyeur, Women's Health, and SHOP Til You Drop.