Since launching Milk Paper earlier this year, we’ve shared tons of concealer tips. But if you’re still stuck on how to apply concealer, we completely understand your struggle. Acing the technique can be a difficult, cakey, and creasy task when you don’t use the right methods (or the right products, for that matter).
To give you some extra help in that department, we rounded up all of the best concealer tricks from Sara Wren, our Director of Artistry, in one convenient place. Consider this your official guide to concealer for beginners. We’ll break down how to apply concealer correctly, where to apply it, and which shades work best on which parts of your face. By the end of this, you’ll confidently know your way around concealer, particularly our Future Fluid All Over Cream Concealer and Sunshine Under Eye Tint + Brighten, like a professional makeup artist.
Pick your formula based on finish and coverage.
Rather than letting your skin type take the lead when selecting the right concealer to apply on your face, consider the look you’re going for.
Want something sheer and dewy with barely there, light coverage? Sunshine Under Eye Tint + Brighten fits the bill with the help of hydrating, plumping ingredients, like plant-based squalane, jojoba oil, and hyaluronic acid. For those who prefer a concealer with fuller coverage and a second-skin finish, Future Fluid is an amazing choice. It’s not too dewy or too matte.
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Get help choosing a shade.
With 37 combined Milk concealer shades to pick from, figuring out how to choose your concealer shadecan be an intimidating task. It’s more than OK to call in reinforcements. Sara suggests stopping by your local Sephora to get shade matched there. You can also select three shades closest to your skin tone and test them out by swiping stripes of each on your cheek. The shade that blends the most seamlessly into your skin is the best one for you. Alternatively, you can take our easy Concealer Shade Finder Quiz from the comfort of your home.
Pick your shades based on where you intend to apply them.
Let’s say you’re only using concealer on your under eye area to get rid of dark circles—Sara recommends choosing a hue one to two shades lighter than your skin tone to get that instant brightening effect. All the shades you use on your face should have the same undertone, though, so they seamlessly blend together.
For blemishes and dark spots, opt for a hue that mimics your natural skin tone. A lighter shade on those areas would end up emphasizing them, Sara says. You can also go a shade or two darker with your concealer to contour your face along your jawline, forehead, and hollows of your cheeks.
Apply concealer after foundation.
Makeup ordermatters. And the only time concealer should come first in your makeup routine is when you’re not wearing foundation. Foundation should come first because it helps even out your skin tone all over, so when you’re ready to go in with concealer, you’ll see exactly where you need it most. That way, you won’t overdo your concealer and your base makeup won’t turn out heavy and cakey.
Prep your under eyes before applying concealer.Some of the most delicate skin on your face is around your eyes, so you need to treat it with extra care. Sara loves prepping her under eyes with our Cooling Water Under Eye Gel Stick by slicking it on in circular motions. This application combined with the caffeine-infused formula helps reduce puffiness and the appearance of dark circles, so you won’t have to apply as much concealer. And less concealer equals less creasing and touch-ups. Double team your dark circles.After depuffing, grab your Sunshine Under Eye Tint + Brighten in a shade lighter than your natural skin tone to help refresh and brighten your under eyes. It’s made with light-reflecting particles to amplify that effect, Sara says. One pump is all you’ll need to dispense the product before rolling the applicator under your eyes, starting from the inner corners and working outward. Then, blend the concealer out with a brush, Prism Sponge, or a clean fingertip. For extra help, Future Fluid can be layered on top of the same area. Use concealer to create a lifting effect.With that lighter shade of Future Fluid, you can swipe it on in diagonal lines like winged liner on the outer corners of your eyes for a face lift effect. Just follow this TikTok concealer hack tutorial. |
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Primer can change the finish of your concealer—choose wisely.
We love a primer here at Milk Makeup. “Everyone should wear makeup primer, period,” Sara says. Reason being: It makes your concealer last as long as possible and adapts its finish to your specific complexion needs. For example, our Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer helps Future Fluid veer more on the matte side, courtesy of its shine-reducing lentil extract, while Hydro Grip Primer is spiked with niacinamide and aloe water to bring out that glow. Alternatively, you can take advantage of the sheerness of Sunshine Under Eye Tint + Brighten but make it less dewy by priming your skin with Pore Eclipse.
Hydro Grip Eye Primer doubles as an under eye primer, too.
If you plan to use only Future Fluid under your eyes, consider prepping with our Hydro Grip Eye Primer first. “Around your delicate eye area, concealer can cake, crease, or just not stay on,” says Sara. “Hydro Grip Eye Primer under Future Fluid makes for all-day smooth dark circle coverage.”
Dot concealer onto blemishes and hyperpigmentation.Though it may seem tempting to slather a hefty amount of concealer onto that pimple that just popped up on your chin, less is more here. Take the pointed tip of the Future Fluid applicator, and dot it directly on top of where you want to conceal. Then, blend out the pigment with a sponge (our Prism Sponge is perfect) or small fluffy brush, Sara says. Tapping it out with a clean fingertip also works to keep the concealer concentrated on your breakout or hyperpigmentation and nowhere else. Swipe away redness.Feel free to swipe on Future Fluid with the wider side of the applicator to target redness around your nose and such. In fact, Sara skips foundation entirely and only uses Future Fluid to even out her skin tone using this technique. Set your face.After you’re finished blending in your concealer with these helpful tips, spritz your face and whatever tool you used with Hydro Grip Set + Refresh Spray before doing one last blend all over for “an airbrushed look that feels weightless,” Sara says. Bookmark this page to save these concealer tips for later in case you need to revisit. One thing’s for sure, though: with these techniques in your arsenal, your concealer game is about to level up. |
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Meet the Expert
Sara Wren (she/her) is the Director of Artistry at Milk Makeup. In her role, she does all the makeup artistry and direction for our Milk Makeup global campaigns, educates the staff and field team on application methods, stars in the brand’s social media videos, and travels to different markets spreading Milk Makeup’s good vibes. When she’s not on set, Sara loves experimenting with DIY hair colors, eating tacos, watching basketball, and scouring for vintage cosmetics to add to her impressive collection.
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