Do I need concealer?

Concealer is the ultimate quick-fix solution for a whole variety of skin problems; Eve Cameron reveals why

There are few women who don't need some sort of concealer. Let's review the evidence: dark circles, thread veins, pigmentation, the occasional spot. Hopefully your face isn't exhibiting all of these every day, but chances are you'll have something on the list you'd like to disguise. Whereas once you probably had a one-size-suits-all chemist-bought stick concealer, as you get older, this may no longer be enough. The dark skin under your eyes demands a different formulation to what you might use to cover thread veins on your cheeks for example. Confused? Don't be. It's simply a question of application techniques and the right products.Whereas once you probably had a one-size-suits-all chemist-bought stick concealer, as you get older, this may no longer be enough

Covering blemishes

Occasional spots can be downplayed with concealer. What you don't want is a concealer that's way lighter than your skin as this will only highlight the problem. A liquid won't offer enough coverage either. Choose a creamy cover in a palette or stick form that matches your skin tone. Makeup artist Lisa Eldridge recommends investing in a concealer brush to apply and blend the product directly where it's needed. Set it with a sheer powder applied with a brush or spongy powder puff.

Try: Ariane Poole Mini Concealer Palette, £13.50; L'Oreal Paris Infallible Concealer, £5.49; Bobbi Brown Concealer Kit, £21

Camouflaging under-eye circles

Go for a cream to liquid concealer under your eyes to avoid it looking cakey, in a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone. Additionally, makeup artist Kay Montano points out, 'blueness in the skin is neutralized with peach tones, whilst yellow tones do the same for redness. Mixed race or olive skin tones can look grey, especially around the eyes, and although it looks odd, concealers with orange tones can help'.
Use a brush to apply your concealer under the eyes and at the inner corners, then blend with your fingers. Don't forget to cover any discolouration on the upper eye too. You can do this with concealer or a neutral bone toned eyeshadow.

Try: Clarins Instant Light Eye Perfecting Base, £18; Clinique All About Eyes Concealer, £15; Lancome Flash Retouche, £22

Disguising redness and thread veins

High colour can be the beginnings of Rosacea, which causes redness and small spots over the cheeks and chin. It's worth seeing your GP if things are getting worse as there are topical medicines and drugs that can help. Green concealers are claimed to 'cancel out' redness, but they can just make you look as though you have a greenish tinge to your complexion. The trick is to use a tiny amount, according to makeup artist Ruby Hammer.
'Apply it after moisturising and before your base, just in the areas where there is redness,' she says. 'If that and the base does not conceal your thread veins enough, use your regular concealer dabbed over the top too.' Alternatively, use an opaque, high coverage concealer (close to your natural skin tone) over your foundation on red areas. Bronzing powder rather than blusher helps to tone down redness and give your face some shape and glow.

Try: Avene Couvrance Corrective Brush in green, £11 and Duo Concealer, £10 (www.boots.com); id bareMineral Bisque, £18 (pure mineral makeup ideal for sensitive skin, www.miamakeup.com)

Hiding pigmentation and sun spots

The technique to helping brown marks fade with makeup is to use a concealer that's lighter than your skin by a shade or two. Apply it directly on the discoloured area with a brush and pat it in with your fingers. You can then apply your foundation (lightly so as not to rub the concealer off). To set your face, use a powder that is the same shade as your foundation.

Try: Ruby & Millie Concealer Duo, £9.50; Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, £25: MAC Studio Finish Concealer SPF35, £11