When it comes to face makeup, there are a few key items you simply cannot live without. The current key item in question? Concealer. Ready to hide, lift, shape, and brighten – this nifty little product is everyone’s secret weapon to complexion perfection. So, how do you choose the right one (or two)? Find out.

Determine the purpose

Knowing where to put concealer is the first step in selecting the perfect product for your skin type, concern, and intended purpose. Oftentimes, people buy one concealer for a multitude of uses – they’ll use the same concealer to cover a spot and conceal dark circles under the eyes. Unfortunately, because of the natural variation of skin color and density, this may not always be the best solution.

• To cover spots and blemishes: Because concealer has a thicker consistency than foundation, it is the ideal tool to spot correct. Use after your foundation and apply to the areas that are still red and exposed. A little goes a long way – dab on spot, leave to set for a second, then blend until even.
• To brighten under the eyes: A brightening concealer can create the illusion of radiant, awake eyes when your under-eye area may otherwise appear dark, sunken, and dehydrated. To do this, choose a stick concealer one to two shades lighter than your skin tone and foundation. We recommend using a concealer in the same range as your blemish concealer for a natural-looking effect.
• To color correct: While foundation is meant to give your skin a smooth, even effect, it may not be entirely possible to completely conceal more noticeable pigmentation differences in your skin, such as dark circles, birthmarks, or melasma. Certain concealers are specially designed to color-correct these areas to give you an even complexion. Green-based concealers are great for stubborn redness, concealers with a peach or orange undertone help balance out dark blues and purples such as those present under the eyes, while blue- and purple-based concealers combat dark spots and yellowy/orange skin.
• For contouring: Cream concealers one to two shades darker than your natural skin tone are a great way to sculpt and define your face. Place strategically in the hollows of your cheeks, along your jawline, and other areas you may want to shape, such as the sides of your nose, then blend to perfection.

Choose your consistency

Liquid concealer

Liquid concealers are a great do-it-all option – available with a satin, shimmer, or matte finish to customize to your liking. These concealers are suitable for all skin types, as well as acne-prone skin. The versatile formula allows for buildable coverage and provides spot coverage without caking.

Best for:

• Dark Circles
• Blemishes

Stick concealer

Stick concealers have a semi-solid, creamy texture. They contain a lot of pigment and provide medium to full coverage, which makes them one of the best under-eye concealers. Their lipstick-like packaging means they’re a great on-the-go companion, perfect for your purse! The waxy consistency provides ample hydration, ideal for dry, normal, or sensitive skin. They also provide long-lasting staying power, especially when finished with a thin layer of powder.

Best for:

• Spot Concealing
• Blemishes
• Dark Circles
• Discoloration

Cream concealer

With a thick, creamy texture and opaque pigments, cream concealer provides medium to full coverage and can be built on when necessary. This makes it an excellent option for concealing discoloration such as birthmarks or melasma. Ideal for dry, normal, or sensitive skin, those with oily or acne-prone skin will do best sticking to a lighter-weight formula to avoid blocked pores and caking.

Best for:

• Spot Concealing
• Discoloration

Color-correcting concealer

Unlike other concealers, color-correcting concealers – which usually come in stick or palette form – should always be applied before foundation. Their purpose is to neutralize standout colors such as blues and purples under the eyes, red areas, and highly pigmented areas. Color-correcting formulas come in yellow, orange, green, and purple and are best combined with a skin-colored concealer for a natural finish.

Best for:

• Discoloration

Match your shade

Now to learn how to choose the right concealer shade for your skin tone. Like foundation, your concealer shade will depend on your skin tone and undertones. Undertones are the colors that sit beneath the surface of your skin, and they don’t change as you tan. The veins on your wrist are a clear indication – if they appear blue or purple, you have cool undertones; if they appear greenish, you have warm undertones; and if they appear the same color as your skin, you have neutral undertones. Your concealer shade should have corresponding undertones to your skin – cool, warm, or neutral.

Once you know your undertones, you can find the ideal range of concealers and then select the shade most similar to your natural skin tone. Our super easy shade match tool allows you to find your ideal shade by matching it to the products in your current makeup bag or by sending a selfie and getting expert feedback on which shades will be most natural and complementary.

Remember, when using concealer to brighten or contour, select a product that is one to two shades lighter or darker than your skin tone.

Treat yourself to the best with Wander Beauty

Our all-time favorite multitasking concealer? Why, Dualist Matte and Illuminating Concealer, of course! This award-winning product is an expertly designed double-ended concealer with full coverage, precision matte tip on the one end – perfect for redness, dark circles, hyperpigmentation, and discoloration – and a lightweight illuminating liquid on the other – to brighten under the eyes, reinvigorate the skin, and highlight. Both formulas are enriched with hydrating hyaluronic acid, protective green tea extract, and soothing chamomile – giving your skin an extra dose of love while ensuring you look your most radiant.<product>1</product>

Made for women on the go, the travel-friendly design allows you to use what you need, when you need it. Ideal for use both alone and in combination for the ultimate complexion perfection.

Find more effortless everyday essentials from Wander Beauty.