Thanks to concealer, you can say goodbye to a tired look, widen your eyes and brighten your complexion. Concealer is the magic trump card of the make-up palette. But how do you apply it so that it really works? We tell you all about it.

If you have stubborn dark circles due to fatigue or genetics, you may want to remove them... so a concealer is bound to be lying around in your beauty kit. But do you have the right shade? Are you applying it correctly? Are you making the most of it? Concealer is the Swiss Army Knife of make-up, the magic trump card you can pull out for an express or elaborate makeover.

What's the difference between a concealer and a concealer?

It's a common mistake, but one you should learn to avoid! No, concealer is not a concealer, and vice versa. Concealer is a make-up product designed to conceal imperfections such as spots, pimples and redness. While concealer is specifically designed to conceal unsightly marks of color that appear under the eyes as a result of fatigue, poor blood circulation or genetics, it also serves to restore radiance. Although the two products are different, it's still possible to use your concealer as a concealer! The reverse, however, is less effective.

How to choose the right concealer?

It's a serious matter: the wrong concealer can have the opposite effect to that intended... Rather than hiding dark circles, it could actually accentuate them! So it's important to choose the right concealer, and all you have to do is respect the following rules:

• Always choose a concealer whose color is half a tone below your natural skin tone.
• If you're fair-skinned and have blue or purplish dark circles, choose a beige shade with a yellow undertone to camouflage them and neutralize the shadow effect. If you have dark circles or darker skin, choose a concealer with an orange undertone.
• If you have dry skin, choose a creamy texture to avoid accentuating dryness and fine lines under the eyes. If, on the other hand, you have oily skin, choose a long-lasting, mattifying texture.

Tips for applying concealer

Applying concealer requires a certain dexterity, the idea being that its effect is totally natural (or almost). To achieve this, there are a few key steps to follow. Concealer is best applied by tapping with a finger or beauty blender. Brushes are rarely recommended, as they may not spread the material evenly. There are, however, special concealer brushes that can do the trick, but always make sure you spread the product evenly to avoid streaks and fine lines. Concealer must blend into the skin!

Should it be applied before or after foundation?

This is THE big question, and it comes down to individual theory. Most expert make-up artists recommend applying concealer after foundation, as the texture of concealer is finer than foundation and can blend into it without problem. After application, to make sure it lasts all day, always apply (very fine) loose powder with a large brush!

P.S. Don't forget that the best way to achieve a successful make-up result is to apply it to prepared skin. This means applying your beauty routine(serum for dark circles, moisturizing cream) without fail before moving on to foundation and concealer. Don't neglect the eye contour area: this fragile zone absolutely requires the application of an eye contour serum to best support make-up.

What equipment should I use?

As explained above, concealer is best applied with a beauty blender (a small, teardrop-shaped make-up sponge), or simply by tapping with your finger to blend the material, rather than stretching it as you would with a brush. If you're more comfortable using a brush, you'll need to choose a special concealer brush with a flat tip and apply the concealer by tapping, as you would with a sponge or finger.