I have given a lot of one-on-one makeup lessons for women over the past few years, and whilst doing these lessons, I notice areas where women often go wrong or could improve on. Concealer technique is one of these areas and it’s a big one! 

Concealer Tip One: 

My number one tip to help people get the most out of their concealer is ‘pat pat, don’t swipe’ this goes for covering spots and blemishes, as well as for the under eyes. Using a patting motion means you get more coverage from your concealer; to hide the pimple or dark circles as best we can. Applying your concealer and then swiping to blend it, is only going to remove some of your coverage. The patting technique keeps the concealer where you need it but still blends at the same time. 

How to do the ‘pat pat’ 

You could use any tool that you use to apply your concealer, fingers being the easiest, a damp beauty sponge is will create a constantly seamless finish or a brush. I recommend a small stippling brush like this real techniques one. 

Once you apply the concealer to the desired area, pat with your tool (fingers, brush, sponge whatever!), but keep it within the focused area as much as possible. Continue patting and tapping until blended. This helps achieve more coverage and prevents concealer ending up where you don’t need it.

“Pat gives coverage, swipe sheers things out”

Concealer Tip Two:

Another technique I like to use, on clients as well as myself, is waiting for your concealer to dry down a little before blending/doing the ‘pat pat’ technique. This is especially useful for undereye concealer. 

We mostly use a liquid type of concealer for the under eyes, as they are less drying and sit well there, but sometimes they are a little too liquid when first applied and difficult to work with. In order to get the maximin coverage from my concealer, I wait before blending it out. This turns your concealer slightly less liquidy, making it move around less when blending, and in return getting more coverage. 

So… how I do this within my makeup routine I dab the concealer under my eyes with the applicator then move onto doing my brows, max one min, then come back to blending my concealer with the ‘pat pat’ technique from above. 

It might require some trial and error to figure how long you should wait, as it’s different with each type of concealer. You don’t want it to dry completely, because it will be a struggle to blend… and pulling at your under eyes is a bad idea. You’re aiming for that sweet spot -somewhere between too liquid and too dry!

There you go! Two, hopefully new, techniques for you to try. Please let me know how you go with them-  I would love to know! Any further questions on these two tips do ask…

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