How do you use makeup corrector?

Truth: putting green concealer on your zits can do wonders.

If you follow makeup artists on Instagram or turn the pages of any beauty magazine, chances are you’ll find a tutorial on color correcting, a much buzzed about new trend that involves wearing concealer in every shade of the rainbow. Turns out putting purple concealer on your face isn’t an act of madness but rather an ingenious way to hide blemishes. Here’s how to apply color correcting concealer to hide your perfectly cute imperfections.

What is color correcting?

Color correcting is a concealer technique that professional makeup artists have used for years and that went mainstream after social media got wind of the trend. Here, the color wheel determines which color of concealer will work best on your blemish.

Colors that are opposite of one another on the color wheel cancel each other out. Green concealer cancels out red zits, purple concealer minimizes yellow spots, and orange concealer takes care of blue dark circles. If you apply this theory, then you can make your concealer work better for you.

The Basic Rules

Use the appropriate hue to cover blemishes, then lightly pat your foundation on over the color. When covering dark eye circles with orange or pink, apply your regular concealer over the bright pigments, then tap the makeup down with a beauty blender.

Take a peek at makeup guru Carli Bybel’s stunning tutorial , which begins at the 9:45 mark. Watch how she turns her rainbow look into a flawless finish.

Green Concealer

For redness, acne and rosacea

Green is opposite the color wheel from red, so it’s perfect for hiding any redness on your face, like pimples and acne scars. If you have rosacea, a color correcting green primer will help hide unwanted redness and give you an even base for applying foundation.

Orange Concealer

For people with darker skin tones who have dark circles under their eyes

Orange is opposite from blue. If you have darker skin with blue dark circles, orange will work to help conceal the uneven undertones. People with lighter skin should avoid orange and instead use a peach color corrector.

Pink Concealer

For people with lighter skin tones who have dark circles under their eyes

Pink concealer is usually salmon or peach in tone and is created from a mix of red, orange, and yellow hues. Since these colors are opposite from blue, green, and purple on the wheel, this corrector is best for hiding dark eye circles on lighter skin tones.

Yellow Concealer

For dark purple bruises, veins, and under eye circles

Yellow color correcting concealer can be used to cover up any blemish that’s purple in tone. Bruises, veins, and under eye circles can be hidden with a yellow spot concealer.

Purple Concealer 

For yellow skin tones and combatting dull complexion 

Purple is best for combatting yellow undertones and brightening skin. Use a purple primer to remove yellow tones from your entire face or use a spot concealer to hide yellow spots.

The Dos & Don’ts of Applying Color Correcting Concealer

• Do choose the right hues for your skin. The effectiveness of color correctors depends on finding the right tone to match your blemish. Remember that orange is for dark skin and peach is for light skin.
• Do apply thin layers!  A thick layer of corrector may show through your foundation.
• Don’t use colors that you don’t need. Color correcting concealer is meant to be used only on blemishes that are strong in appearance. For smaller less noticeable blemishes, a regular concealer will do.
• Do utilize a makeup sponge or beauty blender to pat the coverage into the skin. Don’t brush the colors all over your face. This will undo all the hard work you’ve done by moving the pigments into the wrong areas.
• Do remember that makeup should enhance your skin not hide it! So think of color correcting concealer as a fun extra step that’s to be used sparingly and don’t forget to let your natural face shine.

Color correcting makeup has been around since the dawn of time and is the hidden secret to every Hollywood Red Carpet flawless face. It’s gaining popularity as people look to further disguise discoloration on their faces that concealer can’t handle alone. But unless you are a professional makeup artist, you probably don’t know very much about color correction makeup and how it can have an impact on your overall look.

Color correction or color fixing has its roots in art class, specifically the color wheel. The color wheel shows us that if we have a certain color (say red), and we use the color opposite it on the color wheel (green), then the two shades will cancel each other out and become neutral. This color theory doesn’t just work in art class though. It can help us correct colors on our faces as well. Most people use a color corrector for dark circles in your eye area, neutralize redness, as well as hyper-pigmentation. But the use of a color corrector can do so much more than that on all skin types. It can help to conceal skin imperfections and some fine lines and wrinkles.

First, though, you need to choose the right color correcting formula. You can have the perfect color corrector shade, but if the formula is wrong, you’re not going to get the finished look that you want. Since these makeup products are used on the face before applying foundation and concealer, it’s important that the formula be lightweight with a satin finish, be crease resistant, and layer well. You need to be able to put your foundation and concealer on over it but still maintain that gorgeous smooth look and natural finish. If you can see your color corrector, it’s probably the wrong formula. Also, look for color correctors that have skin-loving ingredients in them. Since these are put on before any other face makeup, help give your skin some love while you are color-correcting. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and rose flower water are super hydrating for the skin, but still help to maintain a lightweight finish.

Once you’ve chosen your formula, it’s time to select what colors you need. Color correcting makeup can come in a multitude of shades including yellow, green, peach, orange, and even blue! What color you use depends on what you want to correct and if you have a lighter skin tone or darker skin tone. Here’s a quick guide to what each shade can do.