Concealers come in six different forms: stick concealers, creamy liquid concealers, cream concealers, matte-finish liquid, matte-finish cream-to-powder, and finally the ultra-matte liquid concealers, which blend on smoothly and creamily and dry quickly into an unmovable layer.
Stick concealers: Stick concealers come in swivel-up tubes similar to lipstick.
Examples: L’Oreal Infallible 16-Hour Concealer, Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer
Application: Stick concealers are applied to the under-eye area much the way a lipstick is applied to the mouth. They can be applied over or under your foundation, depending on how much coverage you want—under the foundation provides less coverage and over the foundation provides more. Dab the stick over the area in dots and then blend with clean fingers or a concealer brush. Avoid wiping it on from the stick in an opaque streak of color. That tends to build up too much makeup and it also pulls the eye area, causing sagging. If the skin under the eye area is dry or wrinkled, it does help to first apply a lightweight moisturizer and then apply the concealer. Be careful the moisturizer isn’t too greasy and that you don’t put it on too heavily to ensure that the concealer doesn’t slip into facial lines. If you have applied too much moisturizer, use a tissue to dab off any excess before you apply the concealer.
Pros: Depending on their consistency, stick concealers can provide more complete coverage and control for very dark circles under the eye. They tend to go on thickly and don’t spread easily, which means you can better control the application.
Cons: The texture of many stick concealers is rather dry and thick, which makes them difficult to blend without pulling the skin under the eye. They also go on too heavily, which can create an obviously made-up look. Other stick concealers are quite greasy; they can look less obvious because they blend so easily, but the texture often causes slippage into the lines around the eyes. For these reasons, this is the least common type of concealer you will encounter.
Creamy liquid concealers: Creamy liquid concealers generally come in small, squeeze – tube containers or long, thin tubes with wand applicators.
Examples: Prescriptives Camouflage Cream, Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector
Application: Use your finger or the wand applicator to transfer the liquid concealer in small dots or to place a light coat of color under the eye area. Blend gently along the undereye with either your finger or the sponge applicator, concentrating the largest amount of concealer over the darkest areas. If the skin under the eye area is dry or wrinkled, it helps to first apply a lightweight moisturizer and then apply the concealer. Be careful the moisturizer isn’t too greasy and that you don’t put it on too heavily or it will ensure that the concealer slips into facial lines.
Pros: Depending on their consistency, creamy liquid concealers provide very light, even coverage and have the least tendency to settle into creases in the eye area. They can also be easily layered if more coverage is needed, and they tend to not cake up on the skin.
Cons: Depending on their consistency, creamy liquid concealers can have too much movement and be hard to control. When applying an under-eye concealer, it is important to keep the color and coverage just where you want it. If the concealer is too greasy or slippery, it can spread too easily, highlighting parts of the face you don’t want highlighted. Some liquid concealers go on too thinly, offering very little coverage.
Cream concealers: Cream concealers usually come in small pots and typically have a smooth and creamy texture. Occasionally these may have a dry, thick texture.
Examples: M. A.C. Studio Sculpt Concealer, Revlon Age-Defying Concealer SPF 20
Application: Depending on their consistency, cream concealers can go on easily with your fingertips, a concealer brush, or a sponge, placing the color in dots under the eye area. Blend the concealer out under the eye area, concentrating the application over the darkest areas. If the cream concealer has a dry, thick texture, it can be very difficult to blend and can look heavy and obvious on the skin. If the skin under the eye area is dry or wrinkled, it does help to first apply a lightweight moisturizer and then the concealer. If the cream concealer is very emollient, use minimal moisturizer under the eye area and dab off the excess. Most moisturizers can make cream-type concealers slip even more easily into facial lines. The emollient cream concealers should be set with loose powder immediately after blending to help promote crease-free wear.
Pros: Cream concealers can have a pleasing, creamy-moist consistency, but they can also be rather thick and heavy. Depending on the consistency, they can go on well and provide even, often opaque, coverage. They are especially good for someone with very dry skin who wants more coverage. In a pinch, cream concealers can also be used as foundations.
Cons: If the cream concealer is too thick or greasy it will crease into the lines on your face. If it is dry and thick it can be difficult to blend, and can also easily crease into facial lines. This is never the type of concealer to use over breakouts.
Matte-finish liquid concealers: Matte-finish liquid concealers typically come in a squeeze tube or a tube with a wand applicator.
Examples: Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Concealer, Benefit Lyin’ Eyes
Application: Use your finger or the wand applicator to transfer the liquid concealer in small dots to the under-eye area, then quickly blend using a soft patting motion. If the skin under the eye area is dry or wrinkled, it helps to first apply a minimal amount of lightweight moisturizer and then apply the concealer. Although these are not as tricky to apply as ultramatte concealers, they still demand adept blending for the best results.
Pros: Depending on their consistency, matte concealers can provide light to full coverage. They typically do not crease or migrate, and they tend to outlast cream and cream-to – powder concealers. They also work well as a base for eyeshadow if you have trouble with your eyeshadows fading or creasing. Matte-finish concealers work well over blemishes.
Cons: If you have prominent lines around and under the eyes, matte-finish concealers can make them look more pronounced. Some matte concealers go on quite thick and dry, and are difficult to blend easily or dry too quickly.
Matte-finish cream-to-powder: Matte-finish cream-to-powder concealers usually come in compact form and often look like small versions of cream-to-powder foundation.
Example: Lancome Photogenic Concealer SPF 15
Application: Use your finger, a concealer brush, or a sponge to dab the concealer onto the under-eye area or over other discolorations.
Pros: This type of concealer is very easy to apply. It provides the glide and blendability of a cream concealer with the long wear of a matte concealer. Concealers like this work well anywhere on the face, especially if more extensive coverage is needed.
Cons: Despite the initial matte finish, the ingredients that create the creamy texture tend to cause it to eventually crease—and to keep on creasing. The powder finish can make wrinkles look more pronounced, and this type of concealer is not the best to use over blemishes or dry, flaky skin.