11 Tips and Tricks for Using Concealer.

The beauty of concealer is that it can work to counteract nearly any skin tone problems that you might have. It can downplay even the most stubborn of skin issues - discoloration, redness or puffiness - and give you that refreshing glow that we all want. With the right concealer tips and tricks, you don't necessarily need foundation either!

Not only does concealer camouflage some of our minor imperfections, but it can also be used to highlight certain areas of our face that we really want to shine. The more you incorporate concealer into your everyday makeup routine, the more you’ll realize how much the product has a multipurpose: it can cover, accentuate, make things look fuller. It's pretty much magic.

Read on for eleven beauty tricks that you need to start trying now:

1.  Use different colored concealers to counteract discoloration.

When it comes to learning about the different colored concealers, it’s important to know which colors balance or cancel out any facial discolorations.  For example, a yellow concealer neutralizes yellow bruises, or the redness around the mouth and the nose. Blue or pink tones work well to cover up dark circles under the eyes, slight bruises, or dark spots, while a green concealer can neutralize the look of a pimple. Once you've applied the respective colored concealers, follow up by blending in a concealer that matches your skin tone to achieve a more natural look.

2. Pat concealer on, don’t rub.

Use your ring finger to gently apply the concealer in a dabbing and patting motion to blend the concealer into your skin. Avoid rubbing the concealer in, or you'll risk smearing your makeup and also move the concealer to another part of your face that you wouldn't necessarily want to conceal.

3. Combine concealer with other products.

One of my favorites? The combination of concealer and face lotion creates a fantastic tinted moisturizer. This is a great way to offer light coverage and hydrate your skin at the same time. Use liquid concealer and some highlighter to make any puffiness appear less noticeable, all while making your skin look silky smooth and reflecting light at the same time.

4. Prep your face with primer.

Give yourself the best head start, by prepping your skin with primer. This will give you a smooth and easy surface to work with when you begin to apply concealer.

5. First, foundation; then, concealer.

First, apply foundation, then apply concealer. Putting foundation on first gives you a starting point for how much concealer you should use. The great part about this? You won’t need to use as much concealer!

6. Draw a triangle under your eye for the best coverage.

With liquid concealer, draw a triangle under the base under your eye with the point aimed downwards toward your cheek. When you blend the triangle, it creates the optical illusion - hiding dark circles, giving the impression that the face is lifted, and draws the focus up towards the eyes.

7. Use concealer as a substitute for an eyeshadow primer.

Yes, you read that right! If you don't want to shell out the money for an eyeshadow primer, you can use concealer instead. Applying eyeshadow works wonders with the consistency of the concealer.

8. Blot concealer with a thin tissue to avoid creasing.

Once you’ve applied the concealer around your eyes, use a thin tissue to blot the area. This prevents the concealer from settling around the eyes - giving off that caked-on look.

9. Use concealer to cover up any mistakes.

Never underestimate the power of concealer when you’re in a makeup emergency! An angled brush dipped into a liquid concealer comes in handy for perfecting a cat-eye that has gone awry.

10. Experiment using concealer for a subtle contour.

Master the art of accentuating certain facial features with concealer by using a formula that is one shade lighter than your skin tone. Draw attention to your lips by using a fine-tip brush to line the outside of your lips. Blend lightly and softly with the warmth of your fingertips, and then put on lipstick. Not only does this make your lips pop, but it keeps your lipstick from running! Apply this technique to above and below your eyebrows, to highlight your brows!

11. Use concealer to hide the redness around your nose.

The nose is always a tough area to cover up as it tends to be more susceptible to redness. One beauty trick to try is blotting cream concealer around the nose and finishing the look with a loose foundation powder. This is especially helpful if the area around your nose tends to get oily quickly.

What other tips do you use to make the most out of your concealer? Share in the comments below!