Makeup For Absolute Beginners: Concealer

Concealer is one of those products that we're are not really sure if we reeeally need it or not.  The right concealer can hide just about every imperfection and give you flawless skin. Liquid concealer is especially recommended for dry skin and for concealing large areas like under-eye circles. Solid concealer is necessary to hide stubborn pimples, scars and bruises.

1. Start with a clean moisturized face.
A clean, moisturized face will allow the concealer to go on your skin smoothly and it will blend easier. If done on dry skin, your concealer make your skin look cakey and more dry.

2. Choose the right color.
Just like foundation, choosing the correct concealer can be daunting. Your best bet is to go with shade that matches your skin perfectly, of course. If you are using concealer for highlighting/contouring purposes you would want to go a shade or two lighter for your highlight and a shade or two darker for your contour.

3. Pat, Don't Rub!
I like to use my fingers when applying concealer. To me it gets in tight spaces better (under the lower lash line, around the nose) and blends a lot easier. No matter if you're using your finger or a brush, its better to pat the product into your skin rather than rubbing it.

4. Blend!
Make sure to blend the edges of the concealed area with the surrounding skin by patting on the product in a circular motion to avoid harsh lines in the finished look.

5. Use it to make brows, eye shadows and lipsticks POP!
- Applying a concealer a shade lighter to your brow bone can do wonders for your brows and overall look. It gives your brow a "wow" factor while also covering any new growth you may have.
-Your concealer can also work as an eyeshadow primer when applied to your lids (be sure to use a shade that matches your skin ), helping the shadow to pop and stay on longer.
-Adding a little concealer to your lips just before applying color will help neutralize the lips so that the lipstick color will remain true. You can also add concealer to the perimeter of your mouth get a more defined lip (works great when wearing bright colors like red and pink). 

Do you have any tips to help our beginners? What are some of your favorite concealer brands?