Now that you've used your under eye moisturizer, you may still be anxious about that under eye darkness. The right concealor will cover them as well as other small discolorations. To see and feel the different consistencies, go to your favorite beauty counter and ask to see what's available; first find the right color, then concentrate on the thickness.
Most companies offer more than one type of concealor; their consistency can be thick or thin, water proof or not. They can also be found in a variety of skin tones, as well as several different methods of application. The most commonly used is the concealor stick, which is in a tube like a lipstick. The other types are: creams in little pots; a thinner type which comes in a squeeze tube or with a sponge or brush tipped applicator wand, or the fat, soft, creamy little pencil. If you have slight under eye discoloration, a thin concealor will do.
For deeper more intense under eye color, a more intense concealor (a high pigment content that is usually waterproof) will be best. In an effort to cover dark circles, most women make the mistake of using an under eye concealor whose color is too light for them. Then they look like they have light purple-ish blue under eye circles. If you can see the under eye discoloration or the concealor, then either its not the right color or thickness or it was not applied properly.
What do they do?
Concealors are used to do just that; conceal or cover up. They are like foundations but a concealor has more pigment (intense color); and is often thicker than a foundation, and a camouflager has more pigment and is thicker than a concealor. The extra pigment is why the product is thicker.
How do I use concealors?
Use a small brush to gather a small dot of concealor, lightly brush and tap the product under and (about an inch) beyond the eye area. Tap to cover the darkness and to blend and thin out the concealor moving toward your cheekbone, hairline and nose. To complete, lightly tap a thin application of powder or liquid foundation to blend.
The stick or tube type of concealor is best applied from the tube onto a finger or brush, then tapped onto the skin. The types that come with their own applicator will dictate how it's applied, otherwise a small brush or your pinky works fine. I wait to apply concealor after any eye and facial makeup, then if there are any mishaps, I don't have to remove and reapply the concealor, foundation and powder.
What is a camouflager?
A camouflager is a thicker version of a concealor. The general use is to cover large area like varicose veins, birthmarks, tan lines and facial or body discolorations that may be lighter or darker than usual. When applied properly, with the right texture and color, almost any discoloration can be covered with a camouflager.
How do I use a camouflager?
Camouflagers can be used under the eye area in two ways, it can be used alone the same way you use your concealor or you can mix a little with either your foundation or moisturizer to thin or dilute its consistency. Make sure to finger tap and blend thoroughly to diminish any lines or streak marks in your application. It's always best to dust over the area with a tiny amount of loose, skin colored or translucent powder to set.
Often cosmetic companies refer to their concealor as a camouflager, it's not done to confuse you, but because their concealor has more pigment than the average product. Ask for samples to see which covers your concerns. After you've tried different types, if you're still not happy with the coverage, then the next alternative is a color corrector. Visit www.andibradshaw.com and look for additional information in an age specific book titled "Foundations, Powders & Blushes". - 16083
Most companies offer more than one type of concealor; their consistency can be thick or thin, water proof or not. They can also be found in a variety of skin tones, as well as several different methods of application. The most commonly used is the concealor stick, which is in a tube like a lipstick. The other types are: creams in little pots; a thinner type which comes in a squeeze tube or with a sponge or brush tipped applicator wand, or the fat, soft, creamy little pencil. If you have slight under eye discoloration, a thin concealor will do.
For deeper more intense under eye color, a more intense concealor (a high pigment content that is usually waterproof) will be best. In an effort to cover dark circles, most women make the mistake of using an under eye concealor whose color is too light for them. Then they look like they have light purple-ish blue under eye circles. If you can see the under eye discoloration or the concealor, then either its not the right color or thickness or it was not applied properly.
What do they do?
Concealors are used to do just that; conceal or cover up. They are like foundations but a concealor has more pigment (intense color); and is often thicker than a foundation, and a camouflager has more pigment and is thicker than a concealor. The extra pigment is why the product is thicker.
How do I use concealors?
Use a small brush to gather a small dot of concealor, lightly brush and tap the product under and (about an inch) beyond the eye area. Tap to cover the darkness and to blend and thin out the concealor moving toward your cheekbone, hairline and nose. To complete, lightly tap a thin application of powder or liquid foundation to blend.
The stick or tube type of concealor is best applied from the tube onto a finger or brush, then tapped onto the skin. The types that come with their own applicator will dictate how it's applied, otherwise a small brush or your pinky works fine. I wait to apply concealor after any eye and facial makeup, then if there are any mishaps, I don't have to remove and reapply the concealor, foundation and powder.
What is a camouflager?
A camouflager is a thicker version of a concealor. The general use is to cover large area like varicose veins, birthmarks, tan lines and facial or body discolorations that may be lighter or darker than usual. When applied properly, with the right texture and color, almost any discoloration can be covered with a camouflager.
How do I use a camouflager?
Camouflagers can be used under the eye area in two ways, it can be used alone the same way you use your concealor or you can mix a little with either your foundation or moisturizer to thin or dilute its consistency. Make sure to finger tap and blend thoroughly to diminish any lines or streak marks in your application. It's always best to dust over the area with a tiny amount of loose, skin colored or translucent powder to set.
Often cosmetic companies refer to their concealor as a camouflager, it's not done to confuse you, but because their concealor has more pigment than the average product. Ask for samples to see which covers your concerns. After you've tried different types, if you're still not happy with the coverage, then the next alternative is a color corrector. Visit www.andibradshaw.com and look for additional information in an age specific book titled "Foundations, Powders & Blushes". - 16083
About the Author:
Andi Bradshaw is licensed as an esthetician and as a makeup artist in the state of Maryland. She has worked to beautify more than 15,000 women. If you want the latest in skin care or makeup, then these are the books for you. They explain "what does it do and how do I use it" of every subject in each of her 17 books. Get a FREE recipe booklet for Lip Glosses, Balms & Butters when you purchase any 2 books. Affordable Skin Care Books
