Your Top Concealer Questions, Answered By The Experts

“This is a problem I hear about all the time. My answer is always the same – use eye cream both morning and night, apply your concealer very sparingly and set it with a light dusting of Laura Mercier’s Secret Brightening Powder.” – Julia Wren, make-up artist 

“Rather than applying concealer directly under your eye, draw a triangle from the inner corner down to the top of your cheek and back up to the outer corner of the eye. Blend this in and upwards towards the eye. Then use a touch of concealer on the eyelids too, blending up towards the brow. Dark circles are called that because they can appear all the way from your eyebrows down to the cheeks, so brightening that entire area will give you the best results.” – Lisa Potter-Dixon, make-up artist 

“If you’re applying concealer to cover blemishes, 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 helpful for warming up the product and allowing it to melt into your skin like butter.” – Alex Reader, make-up artist 

“Different people – including make-up artists – have their own preference but there really is no right or wrong. It all depends on the final look you’re going for. For a more natural, fresh-faced finish, I prefer applying concealer first. Once you neutralise any discolouration, you’ll find you really don’t need as much coverage as you think elsewhere – often, a sheer veil of foundation or tinted moisturiser is all you need. For more glam, full-coverage make-up, I apply foundation first, then concealer afterwards to brighten up the inner part of the face and balance a smokier eye.” – Jennifer Oliver, make-up artist  

“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 Kell, make-up artist 

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