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What’s yellow, green, purple, pink, tan, brown, and something that you’d want to put all over your face? No, the answer is not Halloween makeup. It’s actually one of the most amazing, initially confusing, beauty products you can add to your makeup bag: color correcting concealer.
What Is Color Correcting Concealer?
Color correcting concealer uses a variety of shades to correct imperfections in your complexion. This type of makeup works to balance out the tones in your skin, rather than cover up blemishes. So instead of using a traditional concealer that matches your skin tone, a color corrector is either yellow, mint green, purple, peachy-pink or one of two neutral shades. These will work to balance out flaws like dark circles, hyperpigmentation, dark spots or redness.Applying a purple or green colored cream to your face might feel like putting on clown makeup, but it truly does work.
Color correcting concealer typically comes in a palette with multiple shades so you can blend and balance in the right ways. If you’re initially clueless about this color correcting concealer practice, read on to understand all the details you need to start concealing like a pro, complete with a handy color correcting chart.
How To Pick The Right Color Correcting Concealer
1. Yellow
Yellow is good for hiding purple or blue bruises, veins, or under eye circles. This color generally works on all skin shades and it’s great for evening out your skin tone. This creates a nice even and bright base for foundation application. The yellow shade generally works better at covering dark circles or bruises on tan skin tones.
2. Green
Green is good for neutralizing any redness on your face that you may have. This includes but is not limited to breakouts, irritation, sunburn, scars, or anything else that may be giving your face a lobster-like appearance. The green hue counterbalances the bright reds on your face to make them less noticeable.
3. Purple
Purple is good for neutralizing any yellow undertones that exist on your skin. Yellow spots can appear from age or in the form of sunspots. They look like yellowish discolorations on your skin. The purple concealer can also add a nice glow to a dull or pasty complexion.
4. Pink
Pink is good for brightening the skin around the eyes. This color works best at masking the visible effects of fatigue on your face. In other words, it does pretty much the same thing as the yellow shade. The difference is that pink works better on fair skin, just like the yellow works better on tan skin.
5. Tan
Tan works as a good standard concealer color for many skin tones. It’s blendable, has great coverage, and works at concealing any blemishes that need a little extra attention after I’m finished applying this colorful monster mask.
6. Brown
Dark brown either works as another standard concealer, or an excellent contouring shade. What’s even better about it is that you don’t even have to buy a whole separate contouring beauty product to get the look. It’s already included in your palette.
The Best Color Correcting Palettes To Shop Right Now
NYX Color Correcting Palette
NYX Professional Makeup 3C Color Correcting Concealer Palette ($12)
Professional makeup at drugstore pricing! And there’s more than one reason to love NYX Professional Makeup. This palette includes all six of the typical shades expected from a color corrector, made with a lightweight, non-creasing formula for seamless wear.
According to customer reviews, this set is best for covering redness and improving the appearance of dark circles.
Stila Color Correcting Palette
Stila Correct & Perfect All-In-One Color Correcting Palette ($45)
This palette lives up to its high price tag, because it truly is an all-in-one product. It contains seven shades – one more than the typical color corrector – to help provide any type of coverage you need. This is an everyday palette, whether you’re correcting one blemish or fixing the effects of a sleepless night.
Its sheer to medium shades provide buildable coverage, which reviewers say is great for everything from redness and acne to undereye circles. Plus, they say that the lighter shades can be used as a highlighter.
Jane Iredale Correcting Palette
Jane Iredale Corrective Colors Camouflage Palette ($28)
A simplified version of the typical color corrector palette, this set from Jane Iredale focuses on hyperpigmentation and dark circles for an anti-aging effect. The creamy texture of each shade blends perfectly for a flawless finish.
Reviewers say that it evens out skin tone and gives a long-lasting appearance of youthful, energized skin. What more can you want from a concealer!?