By Shahnaz Husain
Concealers help to camouflage dark spots or patches, acne scars, dark under-eye circles and other such blemishes. They help in making the skin texture appear smooth, with an even colour tone. Concealers come in stick, cream or cake form. The stick-type concealers are easy to use. Foundations can also be used to conceal blemishes and thus perform the function of a concealer.
If you have small pits or spots on the skin, use a cotton bud or a fine brush and apply foundation or concealer into the pits or on the scars. It should be one shade lighter than your normal skin colour. Foundation can also be used to cover-up pimples. The best way to do this is to take a little bit of creamy foundation and apply it directly on the pimple or pimple scars. Avoid rubbing or smearing. Instead, pat it into the skin and then apply loose powder on top, blending the powder with the rest of the skin.
After applying the concealer, apply foundation on the entire face and then set your foundation with powder. A sheer transparent powder should be used. If the skin is oily, try pressed powder or a powder compact. This means that the concealed blemish has three layers – first the concealer, then foundation and lastly, the powder. Remember that blending is of utmost importance. The face should not have a patchy effect.
To conceal dark under-eye circles, first apply a light eye cream or moisturizer under the eyes. Using a finger tip, pat it on lightly. Avoid rubbing. Use a thin brush to apply the concealer, making sure that you apply it evenly, paying attention to areas like the inner corner of the eyes. Do not apply concealers on the upper eyelids, as the crease will show. Pat well to blend it. Next, apply the foundation over the concealer. Lastly, apply powder, as you will apply for the rest of the face. The entire effort is to give an even look to the skin colour.
Colours look different in different lighting. Daylight and artificial lights have different effects. Therefore, for the night, you may have to select a different shade of foundation or concealer. You can only find this out by trial and error. Indeed, practice is the only way of achieving a natural finish to make-up. Carry a powder compact, so that you can touch up your foundation, if necessary.
About Shahnaz Husain
Shahnaz Husain, pioneer of the Ayurvedic beauty movement, heads the Shahnaz Husain Group, with a global network of franchise ventures and 375 Ayurvedic formulations. A Case Study at Harvard for Brand Creation, she is now a Harvard Subject for “Emerging Markets” She was honored with the Padma Shri Award and is the first woman in 105 years to receive the World’s Greatest Woman Entrepreneur Award from Success, the U.S. business magazine. Indeed, Shahnaz Husain is a leading international beauty Icon!
