Hey! Let’s talk concealer and contour. Picture this: You’re scrolling through TikTok or Instagram, and suddenly, you come across a flawless, sculpted makeup look with creamy, bright under eyes and snatched cheekbones. You’re like, “YASSS, I need that!” But if you’re a newbie to concealer or contour, it can look a little intimidating, right? Babe, don’t sweat it—you’ve got me to walk you through the whole thing!
Alright, let’s kick things off with concealer—you know, the magic eraser of the makeup world. Whether it’s dark under-eye circles, a random breakout, or just wanting that flawless finish, concealer is like your bestie in your makeup kit. Like, who doesn’t LOVE a good concealer moment?
So, let’s get real. 👇
What’s Concealer All About?
Basically, concealer is your go-to for hiding things you want to disappear: pimples, redness, your lack of sleep. It can instantly brighten and lift your face! Concealer usually comes in different formulas (liquid, cream, or stick) and you need to pick the right one depending on your skin type and what you’re trying to cover:
| Formula | Best For | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid | Oily or combo skin; buildable finish | Sheer to full (depends on formula) |
| Cream | Dry to normal skin | Medium to full |
| Stick | Normal to dry skin | Full (but can be cakey if used wrong!) |
Now, if you’re having a bad skin day or just need to feel FRESH, choosing the right shade of concealer is key. Grab one that’s about one to two shades lighter than your foundation for under-eye brightness and keeping things poppin’. For zits or redness, go for a concealer that matches your actual skin tone. You don’t wanna highlight a pimple and make it more obvious!
Pro tip: When applying under-eye concealer, less is more. Cakey under-eyes? Not cute!
Also: Make sure it’s blended out perfectly! Think sponge, brush, or even your ring finger (the gold standard for light touch).
How to Apply Concealer Like a Pro 🎨
Okay, now that we know what kind of concealer to use, how the heck do we apply it? It’s not just about dotting and hoping for the best—there’s a method to get that flawless, fresh look everyone’s thirsting after on Insta. Let’s break it down!
Step 1: Prep That Skin, Babe 💧
Concealer without hydrated skin? NO. Please moisturize before attempting any concealing—especially under your eyes where skin can look dry or crinkly. Cool tip: If you’re extra fancy, use an eye cream under your concealer to avoid creasing! Hydrated skin equals a smooth slate for makeup.
Step 2: Three Key Spots ✨
Now, you need to know where to apply your concealer. You can’t just slap it all over your face, girly. Here’s where to focus:
- Under Eyes: The most iconic conceal moment—you want to draw attention, not highlight things you’d rather hide. Create a small triangle shape under your eyes for dimension.
- Redness: Nose areas and chin can get red, so dab a bit there. If you have Rosacea or redness around your cheeks, it helps even out your complexion.
- Pimples/The Enemies: Got a spot trying to ruin your day? Conceal it. Direct application on any blemish—but don’t overdo it!
Step 3: Blend, Blend, Blend! 🤌
Please, for the love of everything beauty, blend your concealer! Use a beauty sponge (damp is better), your fave foundation brush, or even a clean finger if that’s your thing. The goal is to melt the product into your skin, so no harsh lines or cakiness.
Rule of thumb: Press, don’t swipe, especially under your eyes, to avoid moving your base around.
Step 4: Set It 🧂
You want your concealer to last all day—am I right? Set it with translucent powder (just a lil’ bit) so it doesn’t slide around or crease halfway through your brunch. Bake if you want, but that’s optional!
Contouring 101: Let’s Get Snatched, Shall We? 😏
Contouring is the ultimate cheat code for creating shadows and emphasizing areas of your face. It’s like magic for sharper cheekbones, a slimmer nose, and a jawline that could cut glass (YES please!). But don’t worry: you don’t need to go full-on Khloé Kardashian unless you’re feeling extra glam. If you’re just doing your everyday baddie glam, contour doesn’t need to be that serious.
Step 1: Pick Your Contour Product
Just like concealer, you need to pick the right contour product based on what finish and level of intensity you’re after. You’re either going for powder or cream:
| Formula | Best For | Look |
|---|---|---|
| Powder | Oily skin; light, natural look | Easy to blend, light contouring |
| Cream | Dry to normal skin; intense glam | More dramatic, snatched look (harder to blend) |
Make sure your contour shade is about two to three shades darker than your natural skin tone. Otherwise, you risk looking like a bronzed alien (which I’m sure is a vibe somewhere, but maybe not here).
Tip: Stick with cool or neutral undertones. Warm bronzers are for warming up the skin—not contouring!
Step 2: Placement is Everything
To keep it simple, there are three main zones to contour:
- Cheeks: Start at your ear, and trace your contour under your cheekbone. Don’t drag it too low—keep things lifted! Blend upward for that sharp, chiseled look.
- Forehead: Add contour around your hairline to make a larger forehead appear smaller. Blend into the hairline—trust me, you don’t want an obvious line!
- Jawline and Chin: Want a defined jaw? Apply contour along the sides of your jaw down to your neck and lightly blend it down your neck (so you’re not serving floating head realness). A little under the chin also adds definition.
Step 3: Blend (AGAIN!!)
The #1 rule in contouring (besides using the right shade) is blending like there’s no tomorrow. You’re not some contour meme fail—you want everything to flow.
Use circular motion with your brush, or if you’re working with a cream contour, a sponge will help you blend it without moving your other makeup products around. It’s giving snatched and natural, not patchy and weird.
Conceal AND Contour Combo – Flawless Radiance 🌟
If you’re trying to do a full face, here’s the perfect flow:
- Start with concealer on your under-eyes, redness, and blemishes.
- Move on to contour in your key areas (cheeks, forehead, chin).
- Then hit it with some setting powder, blush, and (if you’re like me) HIGHLIGHTER because duh. That lit-from-within glow pulls the whole look together!
Also, save applying your bronzer for after your contour so the warmth blends everything for a more seamless finish. And don’t forget: blend your bronzer upwards, not downward.
Setting the Final Look 🔥
Once everything is concealed and contoured, it’s time to set that face! You don’t want your hard work to melt away—nobody’s got time for that. Apply your setting spray (I love dewy ones for that juicy glow). Lock in the look and bam, you’re ready to rock whatever selfies you’ve got coming your way.
Setting spray is like the holy water of makeup—keeps your glam game strong all day!
Final Thoughts, Loves 🥰
Listen, doing concealer and contour might seem a little WHOAH at first but practice it a few times and it’ll be second nature. You’ll be rearranging your face shape like a total pro in no time. Keep it light or serve full glam—it’s all about what makes you feel gorge.
Go on, babes—get sculpted, get snatched. Tag me in all your flawless looks!
