The footing to flawless makeup is understanding which makeup products suit your skin type and how to use them correctly. There is no standard order to apply makeup; the choice depends on the type of makeup look you are aiming for.
When thinking of makeup, the dynamic duo of foundations and concealers forms the first base. But the question that stumps many, including makeup artists, is which to apply first and how. To know the answer, one must understand the difference between the two. Though both products improve the appearance of skin, they do it in different ways. Below we talk about what are foundation and concealers and how to determine which application routine works best for you.
Face Foundation
The traditional face foundation is a complexion-improving product that forms the even canvas for the rest of makeup. It is flesh-toned and comes in liquid, powder, cream, stick, gel, spray and even foam forms with different finishes (matte, radiant and dewy).
Face foundations can also be classified by the amount of coverage they offer: full, medium, and light. They are thinner in consistency for an even application. To select the right foundation, test the shade on your jawline, let it rest for a few minutes and then observe how well it blends.
Concealer Makeup
The concealer in makeup is used to cover the blemishes, pigmentation, breakouts, and redness on skin. It is thicker than the foundation and is highly pigmented. Concealer makeup is used to spot treat areas of concern and you only need a little product and blend it well.
Concealers are also used to highlight or contour areas of the face such as the cheekbones, jawline, sides of the nose, and T-zone. To select the right product, match it with your foundation and consider the skin undertones.
Another consideration when selecting concealer is the use. If you are looking to neutralize colours, then select a colour correction concealer lighter than your base (green for redness and peach for dark circles). For contouring, a shade darker than your foundation will give good results.
Foundation Vs Concealer: Which One To Apply First?
Face Foundation First
Traditionally foundation comes first. It gives full coverage to the skin and helps highlight blemishes and imperfections. It will help you determine which areas need concealer and how much product you need to apply for an even look.
Benefits of applying foundation first
- It gives an even texture.
- It makes it easier to blend other makeup products well and avoid patchy makeup.
- It gives an even, natural all-day look.
Concealer Makeup First
Use concealer makeup before foundation to cover dark spots and discolourations such as dark circles and stubborn hyperpigmentation. Use a peach colour corrector to cover dark circles and an orange one to hide the dark spots. It is a good choice when you are going in for a photoshoot, as the camera flash highlights concealer when applied on foundation. When using foundation over concealer, be extra careful when blending so that the coverage does not slip away.
Benefits of concealer makeup
- If you are going for a no-makeup look, just use a bit of spot correction and blend it well.
- It hides tired skin well.
- It gives a more even-toned and balanced appearance.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately the choice is yours. Do what works best for your skin. Ensure that you blend the products well and use foundation and concealer of the same texture and consistency. For example, a liquid foundation will go well with liquid concealer.