As commonly as it is used, the purpose and difference between a concealer and a corrector are constantly misunderstood. On many occasions, concealers are mistaken for correctors and vice versa. How sure are you that you’re using your concealer and/or correcting product for the right reasons? Let’s find out…

Concealers are used to lighten dark circles under your eyes. The application of under-eye concealer is the most important step in any makeup routine. It is one makeup product that, when chosen and applied correctly, can lift and brighten the face. The key is to choose a colour one or two shades lighter than your foundation. The skin under the eye is very thin, so the blue of the fine veins just under the surface tend to show through. A light yellow-toned concealer masks this blue discolouration and brightens the skin. For those with alabaster skin, a porcelain-toned concealer will work. Sometimes a stick foundation one or two shades lighter than the face can serve as an under-eye concealer for those who need very little coverage. A concealer is usually applied after a corrector allowing the concealer to both lighten and blend making you look better instantly.

Correctors, on the other hand, are used to brighten extreme under-eye darkness. When a regular concealer cannot fully lighten the under-eye, a peach or pink corrector is used to counter the purple or green undertone. A regular yellow-toned concealer is then lightly layered over the corrector to lighten the under-eye area. Occasionally, those with extremely deep purple or green colouration under the eye will not need the layer of regular concealer. Sometimes a corrector is enough to solve the under-eye problem, but there should be flexibility for what works where. Sometimes something as bold as a bright pink or peach cream blush will work for very intense darkness. When choosing a corrector, you should take your skin tone into account.  If your skin is pale, choose the lightest colours, beginning with bisque or light pink. For deeper skin tones, choose peach or darker peach. Also, make sure the corrector is applied up to the lashes and in the inner corner space between the eye and the bridge of the nose. Even if you don’t have a lot of darkness, a corrector can still brighten your eyes.

Something to keep in mind: Some women need between two and four colours that can accommodate changes in skin tone under the eye. So, if you feel like you’re battling with choosing the ideal concealer or corrector for you, this is most likely because the skin tone under your eye has changed with the time of day, amount of rest, or hormones. The best you can do is experiment and see what works for you – tedious, but worth the time and effort.

Concealer lightens; corrector brightens. Knowing the difference between these essential makeup products and knowing where and how to use them correctly can really make a difference to the end result of your overall makeup look. I hope you see this now that you know what each does and how they should be used.

A great concealer with multiple colours is the Jillian Dempsey Professional Corrector Palette that has a version for those with light skin and those with dark skin. It is available from an Avon representative.

Article by: Kelly Abrahams

Now that you know how to differentiate between a concealer and a corrector, find out what’s the difference between a BB Cream and a CC Cream