Concealer and Foundation: What comes first for your fabulous makeup?

Concealer and foundation are essentials in makeup, and both have unique properties. However, the application of concealer and foundation should be in an ordinal manner.  But what should go first and be followed with what?

Concealer and foundation have many classifications, and the application depends on the type of your skin. Knowing the differences between concealer and foundation will help you decide on what types you should use. It will be reckless if you should just pick whatever you want or just because you don’t have any choice or option before buying.

So, being knowledgeable about concealer and foundation is significant to a gorgeous outcome of your makeup. As you read this article, you will know the answer to the question—what goes first concealer or foundation? You will see that applying foundation is the priority in any makeup. Further, you will know the whole purpose of concealer and foundation and why it should not be used interchangeably.

What is the difference between concealer and foundation?

Many are mistaken that both concealer and foundation are of the same purpose in the makeup fashion. Sometimes, even the application of concealer and foundation can be compromised because of the lack of knowledge about the two.

What is the foundation?

For beginners, the foundation is one of the beauty products used as the base of any makeup before application.

Why used foundation? Well, there are many reasons why the foundation is one of the necessities in makeup. Many use foundation to hide facial imperfections and create a layer of protection for the skin against the direct heat of the sun, as long as the SPF properties are present. Also, it makes the right texture of our skin, without changing the color.

According to professional stylists, you need to choose the color of your foundation closest to your skin color and what skin type you have. How to pick the right choice of foundation? One way is to do a color match of your foundation with the color of your chest or the collar bone area.

Kinds of Foundations You want to try

a.      Liquid Foundation

It is the most versatile foundation that any skin type can use. It has a thick texture which makes it convenient to use. Also, it gives extra moisture to our skin, which gives off a luminous finish. Further, it comes in oil-based and water-based formulations.

Water-based liquid foundation can blend effortlessly because of the silicon oil content that gives off light coverage to your face. If you are a woman of color, this is the best foundation that you can wear. Leaving a small amount of shine behind your skin will give it a more glamorous look.

On the other hand, the oil-based foundation comes in extra thick and greasy texture. It is best suited to those with extremely dry or wrinkled skin. With this type of skin, it provides enough dewy and moist.

Another type of liquid foundation is the whipped foundation. This is a liquid foundation with air whipped in, creating a light texture and great for use in all skin types. You will not be bothered if you have dry or mature skin that provides a smooth and non-cakey application.

Foundation applicator: You can use a disposable sponge for an oil-based foundation. You can also use fan brushes and flat brushes for broad pigmented liquid foundation.

b.     Cream Foundation

There are different skin types, and if you have normal, dry and super dry skin, you can choose a cream foundation. The cream foundation offers excellent coverage to our skin while giving great moistures to your skin. And, it works well with various skin tones like liquid foundation. You can also have an oil-based or water-based foundation.

Foundation applicator: If you are decided for the cream foundation, you can use a disposable sponge for the oil-based cream foundation.

c.      Waterproof Foundation

What is good in this foundation—it is waterproof, sweat-resistant and provides extra coverage that can last for a long time. You can have this type of foundation when the humidity and temperatures are high. Despite sweltering conditions, you can still have fresh-looking skin. Most of the waterproof foundation can be used on any types of skin.

d.     Mineral Foundation

If you are looking for a dewy fresh base for your makeup, you can choose a mineral foundation. The mineral foundation comes with unique properties that deal with all skin types, including those with acne and pimples. Unlike the liquid or cream foundation, which only have specific methods of application, the mineral foundation can be applied dry or wet. You can also use this type of foundation as sunscreen, provided that it contains SPF properties.

Foundation applicator: You can use fluffy brushes to disperse the mineral and lose foundation evenly.

e.      Spray Foundation

Like mineral foundation, this one provides medication for acne scarring and post-surgical skin. It gives off the properties that can hold the makeup for long hours. You can choose from different shades, depending on your skin tone.

How to Apply Foundation

Concealer and foundation have different procedures in the application. For foundation, these are the basis on how to apply foundation.

1.    You will need to know what coverage of your foundation. The coverage means how much pigments are in the foundation. Depending on the formulation of your foundation, you can have light to medium coverage. Beginners can use light coverage while the medium is applicable for occasions. But if you are comfortable wearing full-coverage foundation, it means that you have higher needs to cover skin issues like acne, hyperpigmentation or scarring. But also, it can be used for a more dramatic beauty look.

2.      It’s time for the right formula. After identifying your coverage, you will have to choose the method that you need to use. If you want to have a shiny to a little opaque outcome, you will need to use stick, liquid and cream formulas. But if you’re going to use powder foundations, it means it is okay with you to retouch your foundation the whole time you are wearing it.

3.      Look for the label of each foundation to achieve the finish you want. Foundation with labels of dewy, glowing and luminous contains light-reflecting pigments that give off a shimmery and radiant finish to our skin. On the contrary, if you will see the labels of natural and matte, you can have a natural finish look. You can have this if you have oily or combination with oily skin.

What is concealer?

Since concealer and foundation make the base of your makeup, you have to deal with concealer as well. It can be compared to the same with foundation, but concealer has a thicker texture which needs to hide more intense skin pigmentations. Mostly, many used concealer to mask dark circles, age spots, large pores and blemishes that are visible on the skin.

The concealer comes in a variety of shades. Picking the right concealer needs to choose one or two shade lighter than their skin tone. It will make the application of concealer better hide the blemishes, dark skins and other skin issues.

So how do you choose the appropriate concealer?

There are many kinds of concealer, and knowing the best for your skin will give you the best cover. Discolorations, dark areas, blemishes should be covered thoroughly, and the appearance is the same with skin tone. Also, it can go well with your foundation. Otherwise, you are using fewer quality concealers. And this is a no-no for your makeup!

If you want to find the right concealer for you, you need to know your skin type. Like foundation, concealer can work well with your skin if you know what skin type you have.

Let’s say that you are the type with dry skin; you will need to avoid liquid concealer with a matte finish. Otherwise, you will end up having a dry skin finish for your concealer.

But, if you don’t want to have oily skin afterwards or to make your pores appear obviously, you can have other concealers except those made of cream or in stick form.

When it comes to shades of your concealer, you will have to go one or two shades lighter than your natural skin, especially with your under-eye area. When it comes to concealing your face, make sure that the concealer and foundation have the same color. Make sure that your concealers are in natural shades of color so that it will not show through your foundation. Concealer and foundation should create a natural appearance for your skin.

If you have minor skin discolorations, you can use light to medium coverage concealer to do the trick.

What is the use of concealer and foundation?

Concealer and foundation have a different purpose when it comes to makeup application. As the name suggests, the foundation is the base of makeup. So if you want to achieve the makeup look you want, you need to apply the appropriate foundation.

Also, when you notice that there are skin issues like blemishes, discoloration, wrinkles and acne scars that your foundation did not cover, you can use a concealer to hide those imperfections.

So, what will you use—concealer first or foundation? In some cases, concealer can be applied first if you notice extreme discolorations, acne scarce and pigmentations. Then, apply the foundation. But if you still see some blemishes, apply the concealer again.

More so, if you set your face with a good base for your makeup, then you will have no difficulty in dealing with skin issues by using the concealer.

Also, it is better to have a good concealer and know the tricks on applying so you can achieve the concealment needed by your skin. For instance, with the right technique, you can cover your under-eye circles without making a visible pattern of your concealer. Also, concealer minimizes the redness around your nose. It also keeps the moisture to your nose to prevent dryness and flaking during winter or cold temperature.

Your Style, Your Image

Indeed, concealer and foundation is the base of our makeup. But each has a fundamental role, in which concealer is meant to conceal, and a foundation is to create the base on your skin for your makeup fashion.

Another vital thing to consider is the type of foundation you are going to use. Make sure of the foundation color, if it’s tinted or natural color, your concealer should match with it. The concealer should conceal your blemishes and skin pigmentation which will look good in natural coverage.

According to many makeup artists, it does not matter if you will go full coverage as long as you will use the foundation first before concealer. Your foundation may cover some of the minimal skin imperfections so you will not need to use concealer.

Concealer vs foundation—what is more important? Well, you might opt to answer that because; some beauty products offer dual function makeup — a concealer and foundation in a piece.

Further, if you apply concealer first then foundation, it will tend getting smudged and blended in with your makeup.