How to Use Concealer & Colour Corrector Like A Pro

Beauty
Written By lisa potter dixon

I love concealer nearly as much as I love my husband… I said nearly!

And honestly? It deserves the hype. Concealer isn’t about hiding things; it’s about enhancing skin in a really targeted and intelligent way. When used properly, it can lift, brighten, balance tone and bring everything together in seconds.

Yet, it’s still one of the most misused products out there. So, in a bid to get you concealing like a pro, allow me to break things down properly. Ahead, I’ll show you what to use, where to use it, and how to get that seamless, skin-like finish that we all really want.

Choosing the right concealer (this is where most people go wrong!)

Not all concealers are created equal and, more importantly, they’re not meant for the same areas of the face.

If you take one thing from this, let it be that placement and texture matters more than coverage level.

Liquid Concealer:

Best for: undereyes and anywhere you want light, flexible coverage

Lightweight, liquid formulas tend to contain humectants (like glycerin), which help draw moisture into the skin. That’s why they sit better under the eyes; they move with the skin instead of settling into fine lines. They’re also brilliant for a soft, brightening effect.
And yes, I absolutely use them all over the face too.

Top Picks:

Pro tip: choose one shade lighter for the undereyes to subtly lift the face.

Cream Concealer:

Best for: the rest of the face and targeted coverage

Cream formulas are more pigment-rich and slightly thicker, which makes them ideal for areas that need a bit more evening out (think: around the nose and chin).They blend beautifully into the skin and give that polished, perfected finish without needing loads of product.

Top Picks:

Let’s talk colour correcting (the real game changer)

Colour correcting isn’t about adding more makeup, it’s about using colour theory to neutralise tone before you even apply concealer. When you get this right, you actually use less product overall and the result looks far more like real skin.

When using colour correctors, you want to follow two key rules: choose the right tone, and use the tiniest amount possible. We aren’t aiming for full coverage here, just subtle correction. You’re balancing, not masking.

Quick guide:

  • Peach/orange → neutralises blue/purple hues, often found in dark circles or where there’s deeper pigmentation 

  • Yellow → softens redness 

  • Green → counteracts strong redness (Use sparingly, if at all, as green is a bit scary. You can use your other colour correctors if you prefer!) 

Do your skincare, leave it for a few minutes to soak in, then apply your colour correctors. I like to use my fingers to really work them into the skin. Take your time with this step; you’re going to be covering it with your foundation and concealer, so you really want to work it into the skin.

Best Colour Correctors:

Application: where technique makes all the difference

Dark circles

The skin under the eyes is up to 40% thinner than the rest of the face, which is why discolouration shows more easily. Add in things like dehydration, genetics, or lack of sleep, and voilà! You’re home to some serious shadows.

Instead of placing concealer directly under the eye, try this:

  • Apply in a soft triangle shape (inner corner → down to cheek → back up to outer eye) 

  • Blend upwards to lift the face 

  • Take a small amount over the eyelid too for overall brightness 

This creates a more lifted, awake effect rather than just “covering circles”.

To blend, I tend to use a fluffy eyeshadow brush or my finger. Or both! The warmth of your finger helps to blend and manipulate a formula, while a brush helps to blend in any edges to make it look flawless. 

My Make-up Brush Edit Blog Here

Redness / Rosacea

Combatting excessive redness is all about controlling heat and tone.

  • Use a yellow (or very soft green) corrector first 

  • Apply foundation over the top 

  • Then use a concealer that matches your skin tone, not a lighter one

Pro tip: Avoid using fingers here as heat can bring redness back through. A cool, damp sponge works beautifully to keep everything calm and even. My faves are:

Best Colour Correctors for Redness:

Clinique | Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Press Powder

The powder formula is very easy to use, especially for large areas

Beauty Pie | Superluminous Redness Corrector

A lightweight, creamy texture that works well for precise redness removal

E.L.F | Camo Colour Corrector

Hydrating and lightweight. A little goes a long way

Pigmentation

Pigmentation sits deeper in the skin, so piling on concealer won’t fix it. In fact, it can sometimes make it even more obvious.

Instead, try using a peach or orange corrector first. Press it into the skin (don’t rub) and then apply foundation. Lightly tap concealer on top where needed. Less really is more here.

And I have to say it: SPF is non-negotiable if pigmentation is a concern. Every. Single. Day. (That’s for all of you!)

Top SPFs for wearing under makeup: The Ultimate SPF Guide 2025

There are also some incredible skincare products out there to help with hyperpigmentation:

Skin Rocks | The Hyperpigmentations Serum

A concentrated skincare treatment for uneven skin tone, with compelling evidence behind it.

La Roche-Posay | MelaB3 Serum Intense Anti-Dark Spot Serum

 Suitable for all skin types and tones, even sensitive.

Murad | Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum

Promotes surface cell turnover for brighter, more even skin.

Blemishes

I know, I know, it’s so tempting to pile on the product. But the goal is to blend, not build height.

  • If possible, let your skin breathe 

  • If covering, apply a tiny bit of yellow corrector 

  • Add foundation 

  • Then use a pinpoint brush to tap concealer directly onto the blemish 

I then love using a clean, fluffy eyeshadow brush to diffuse the edges without disturbing the concentrated area. Just make sure you give any brush a good clean after it’s been on a blemish so that you don’t spread its bacteria. 

And please… stop picking. (Said with love.)

My favourite spot treatments:

A quick note on finish

The most modern-looking skin isn’t matte or heavy, it’s real, balanced, and dimensional.

So rather than covering everything:

  • Brighten strategically 

  • Even out tone where needed 

  • Let natural skin come through where it can 

That’s what makes makeup look expensive.

Final thoughts

Concealer is one of the most powerful tools in your makeup bag, but only when used with intention.

It’s not about hiding. It’s about enhancing what’s already there. And when you get it right? You need less makeup, your skin looks better, and everything just works.

Love
Lisa xx

As always, I only ever recommend products I would use myself. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.

This is mostly spent on repairing the shoes Diddy keeps chewing.

lisa potter dixon
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