Have you ever wondered what those green and orange concealers are used for in your makeup palette? Even if they come with instructions, do you really understand color correction? If not, I’m here to make it easy for you. Color correcting is a beneficial addition to any makeup routine if used correctly. To truly master the concept and make it work for you, you have to know what it means, the purpose of the colors, and how to get the most out of your application.
Color correcting pertaining to concealers is using a colored concealer to cover imperfections by canceling out colors. These imperfections can range from redness to dark circles to hyper pigmentation. I always recommend going to your nearest art store and picking up a color wheel as it’s much easier when you have a visual. Taking a look at the color wheel below you will see that each color has another across from it.
The colors opposite of each other work to cancel one another out. Green cancels red, orange cancels blue and so on. So that green concealer you always skip over? It’s perfect for days where you are experiencing redness. Dark circles making a debut? Those salmon/peach colored concealers work miracles because those dark circles are actually shades of blue. Occasionally you will find purple/pink concealers as well and these can be used to cancel sallow (yellowness) in the skin. The more you play around with them, you will wonder why you weren’t using them in the first place.
Now there are different forms of color correctors to fit every skin type. Starting off your routine with a color correcting primer may be all you need.
For a little more coverage and target areas, cream and liquids work great for multiple skin types.
There are even powder color correctors which can be used alone or for setting your makeup.
It’s important to remember that just like your regular foundation and concealer, your color correctors need to match your complexion. For fair skin tones go for your lighter shades of peach and green. If you have a deeper complexion, match yourself with deeper oranges and yellows. Application is a key part of being successful with your correctors. Blending goes a long way, I recommend using a concealer brush or sponge to apply your products. This will give you more control and allow you to see where your product is going and what it’s actually doing.
You’re probably wondering if you really want to add an extra step to your routine. In reality, color correcting decreases the amount of products you use. By canceling out redness or dark circles, you use less foundation and concealer. Less product means even better looking makeup! Makeup is all about enhancing your natural beauty. Including something in your routine that can aid in that process is always a plus. Try some of the products listed above and learn what works best for you.
-Keisha Campbell
TPR