Is Using A Concealer Necessary?

As a makeup lover, you’ve probably heard that concealer is a must-have in your beauty bag. It can help you look your best by hiding imperfections on your skin.

Some people think they need concealer, while others believe it’s just another beauty product that isn’t necessary. 

So what’s the truth? Is concealer necessary for a perfect makeup look? Here’s what you need to know.

is concealer necessary

Can You Skip Using Concealer?

Concealer can help you achieve a flawless makeup look by hiding your imperfections. Whether you need to use it depends on your skin condition and the look you want to achieve.

If you have dark circles or some minor blemishes, you can use a concealer to hide them. However, if you have good skin with no dark circles, you can skip concealer and use a lightweight foundation or BB cream.

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Using Concealer To Hide Dark Circles 

too faced concealer

When it comes to concealing dark circles, nothing does the job better than concealer. It has a light formula that will cover up any dark circles and give your skin a brighter appearance.

Avoid using a very light shade as it might cause your concealer to look grey. At the same time, using a darker shade might cause your concealer to look orange.

For the under-eyes, it’s best to use a concealer that is one or two shades lighter than your natural skin tone. This will brighten up the area and make it look more awake.

We love this lightweight concealer for under the eyes. It has a hydrating formula that blends easily into the skin without looking cakey or heavy.

Always start by moisturizing your skin first before any makeup application. This will help the product glide on smoothly and give you a natural look. Dot the concealer under your eyes and blend it in using your fingers, a brush or a damp makeup sponge.

Tip: Let your concealer sit on the skin before blending, and this trick helps you get better coverage.

To avoid your concealer from looking cakey, start by using a small amount and add more if needed. You don’t want it to be too thick, or it will look unnatural.

Read More: Can Concealer Make Your Eyes Look Smaller?

Using Concealer To Hide Redness & Blemishes

bobbi brown concealer palette

If you have any redness or minor blemishes on your skin, concealer is the best way to hide them. Thanks to its thick formula, it will cover up any discoloration and give your skin a more even appearance.

You need to keep in mind a few things when using concealer to hide blemishes.

First, choose the right shade. You want one that matches your skin tone as closely as possible.

Second, use a creamy and pigmented concealer with a matte finish like the one in this concealer kit. Choosing one with a dewy finish will only make your blemishes stand out more.

Third, blend the product well into the skin. Use your fingers, a damp makeup sponge or a small concealer brush to dab it into the skin. Avoid rubbing the concealer, as this will only cause it to look streaky and uneven.

wet n wild concealer brush

Fourth, set the concealer with a setting powder, which will help keep it in place all day long.

Tip: If you have a lot of blemishes or a large area of redness, it might be a good idea to use a foundation instead of concealer. Using a concealer on a large area can be difficult to blend and can look cakey.

The main difference between foundation and concealer is that foundation is meant to be used on the entire face, and it will help hide all your blemishes without looking heavy on the skin.

Read More: Is Foundation Necessary?

What Can You Use Instead Of Concealer?

Before jumping into this section, it’s important to note that concealer is the best option for the under-eye area if you have any dark circles or puffiness.

If you have minor blemishes or discoloration to cover up, there are a few other products that you can use instead of concealer.

BB Cream

bb cream

A BB cream is a lightweight alternative to concealer and foundation. The main difference between a BB Cream and a Concealer is the coverage. A BB Cream has light-to-medium coverage and will help to cover up minor blemishes. It also has skincare benefits, so it’s perfect for people with good skin who just want to cover up some minor blemishes.

Foundation

neutrogena foundation

A foundation will give you more coverage than a BB cream, but it won’t be as heavy as a full-coverage concealer. It comes in a variety of finishes, so you can find one that matches your skin type. Make sure to choose the right foundation shade to prevent your makeup from looking ashy.

Foundations work perfectly to hide blemishes and redness, but they might not be the best choice for the under-eye area. Some foundations might look cakey under the eyes, so using a foundation as a concealer for that area might not be the best choice. Use a regular concealer under the eyes to get the best results.

Powder

bare minerals powder foundation

A powder foundation is the lightest option, and it will give the skin a minimal and natural makeup look. If you have oily skin, using a powder will help mattify your skin. When applying it, make sure to use a light hand, as too much powder can make your skin look dry.

Read More: Best Powder Foundations for Older Skin

CC Cream

it cosmetics cc cream

A CC cream is the best option for people who want light coverage and a natural finish. It’s very similar to a BB cream, but it helps color-correct the skin. It’s the best choice for people who want to hide redness and brighten their complexion.

Make sure to choose the right CC cream shade, as it can be easy to go too light or too dark.

Read More: CC Cream Before And After.

Do You Need Concealer If You Use Foundation?

maybelline fit me concealer

If you have dark circles under your eyes, a concealer is the best product to use. Foundation will not be as effective at hiding these circles.

Concealers can also cover up blemishes that are not hidden by the foundation. If you still see some blemishes showing through after applying foundation, using a concealer to hide them will work better than applying many layers of foundation.

In general, if you have good skin and just want to cover up a few minor blemishes, you don’t need a concealer, and you can use a BB cream or a light coverage foundation.

Can You Use Concealer Without Foundation?

concealer palette

Yes, you can use concealer without foundation. If you have good skin and just want to cover up a few minor blemishes, using a concealer might be all you need.

It comes in a variety of shades, so you can find one that matches your skin tone. It also has a thicker formula to give you more coverage than a BB cream or a light coverage foundation.

Just make sure to blend it well into the skin and set it with a loose or pressed powder if needed.

If you have oily skin, using a powder on top will help to make it last longer.

Is Primer Necessary Before Concealer?

smashbox face primer

The main purpose of a primer is to help your makeup last all day. It creates a smooth surface for your concealer to glide on and helps keep your makeup in place.

Using a primer before concealer on the under-eye area is not necessary.

However, if you use a concealer to hide redness or blemishes on the skin, applying a primer might help to make it last longer.

The primer will create a smooth surface for the concealer to sit on, and it will help prevent it from creasing.

Using a primer before can be a lifesaver if you have oily skin. The primer will help to mattify your skin and keep the concealer from separating throughout the day.

If you’re not a primer fan or don’t have any on hand, you can use a setting powder after the makeup application. The powder will help set the concealer, and it will help keep it in place.

Final Thoughts

Using a concealer is NOT necessary for everyone, but it can be a great way to brighten up your face and hide blemishes.

If you have good skin with no dark circles under your eyes, you can skip using it.

However, if you have minor blemishes that you want to hide, using a concealer is the best idea.

Make sure to choose the correct shade, as it can be easy to go too light or too dark.

If you want to achieve a minimal makeup look every day, you can skip concealer and use a BB cream instead. But if you’re going to create a flawless look for a special occasion, using a concealer is the best way to go.

Foundation will usually cover up any blemishes, but you can use concealer after foundation to hide any imperfections that are still showing through.

So, is concealer a necessary makeup product? It really depends on the condition of your skin and the look you want to achieve.

For the under-eye area, use a light to medium coverage concealer one or two shades lighter than your skin tone.

To cover any blemishes or redness, use a pigmented and creamy concealer that matches your skin tone.

I hope you found this post helpful! Do you use concealer daily? Let me know in the comments below.

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Claire is a beauty enthusiast and lover of all things makeup. Her blog is a resource for makeup tips and tricks, product reviews and beauty tutorials.

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