Face concealer is a product in your face makeup routine that’s used to brighten, correct, conceal and perfect your complexion. Concealer makeup temporarily hides the appearance dark circles, blemishes, age spots and other skin imperfections. It can also be used to highlight different parts of the face to create a brightening effect. There are concealers that benefit all skin types and target different concerns, such as hydrating concealers for dry skin, color correcting concealer for dark spots and discoloration and concealers for under eye dark circles.

Concealer and foundation should go hand in hand in your makeup routine, but the difference between foundation and concealer is simple. Foundation is the base, or “foundation” of any makeup look. Concealer, on the other hand, is used to add additional coverage, brightness or color correction to certain areas of the face.

To achieve the best results, we always recommend applying concealer after applying foundation. If your foundation doesn’t cover the appearance of dark spots, discoloration, dark circles or eye bags enough to your liking, concealer is the next step to perfecting your face makeup look.

Wondering how to apply a concealer? We’ve got you covered. We recommend you prime the skin before applying any face makeup. A primer like The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer preps your skin and diffuses the look of pores and imperfections for a flawless makeup application. Next, apply foundation. Our best-selling Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup provides up to 24-hour flawless wear in a fresh, cashmere matte finish.

Now it’s time for concealer. Swipe a small amount of concealer onto the back of your hand. Then, use a concealer brush, sponge or clean fingertips to blend or tap the formula onto desired areas. Pro tip: Start with a small amount of concealer and add another layer if you need more coverage as desired.

Want to know how to apply concealer under eyes? Apply several small dots of concealer along the under eye area from the outer corner to the inner corner. Then, use your fingertip to gently tap the product in or use a sponge or makeup brush to gently blend the formula.

You can put concealer under your eyes to help conceal the look of dark circles and eye bags. If you’re using concealer to brighten your complexion, apply it onto the bridge of your nose, your cheekbones and on the center of your forehead. If you have blemishes, dark spots or discoloration you want to cover, apply concealer to anywhere on your face where you’re experiencing these concerns.

Wondering which concealer is best for you? Our high-performance Estée Lauder concealers are some of our best concealer formulas for any skin type. Searching for our best concealer for all-day wear? Try our Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer. The lightweight concealer cream formula provides medium-buildable coverage and up to 24-hour wear. Feels comfortable and stays seamless without creasing. This concealer works is great for all skin types, but can be one of our best concealers for oily skin as the natural looking matte finish won’t slip, slide or melt away throughout the day. If you’re looking for a radiant concealer to brighten the look of dark circles or contour your face, choose Double Wear Radiant Concealer. This super blendable concealer provides 12-hour wear, brightens the eye area, hides the look of spots and tones down the appearance of redness. Nourishes with botanical extracts, including Chia, and Camelina and Kukui Nut Oils. Medium-to-full coverage.

The color you choose for your concealer depends on what you’re using the concealer to target. To use concealer for dark circles, choose a concealer that’s a shade or two lighter than your foundation. To conceal or correct uneven skintone, blemishes or discoloration, wear the exact same shade of concealer as you do for your foundation. Chat live with an expert to find your perfect shade with one-on-one assistance from a beauty advisor.