Should You Apply Concealer Or Foundation First?
So, “should I apply concealer or foundation first?” Agree or not! We all have asked this pressing question at least once in our lives, especially when we started our makeup journey, and it’s obvious that newbies will have the same query. With all these techniques and products, it can be easy to get bogged down by the nitty-gritty details. But not anymore! Today, we will clear all your dilemmas about whether you should apply concealer or foundation first and provide you with the best guidance to help you ace the base in no time.
Should You Apply Concealer or Foundation First? Uncover the right order for your routine.
The order depends on the look you are willing to create.
● Foundation First, Concealer Later (Natural Look): Prep, apply foundation, then concealer, and set with translucent powder.
● Concealer First, Foundation Later (Full Coverage): Prep, apply concealer, bake (optional), layer foundation, and set with translucent powder.
Makeup Foundation or Concealer First? The Basics Explained
One of the biggest questions that comes up is: Should you apply concealer before or after? The answer is: It depends! Generally, you should apply foundation first. But sometimes, you need to layer concealer first to cover heavy pigmentation, scars, and more!
Discovering the ideal order was a complete game-changer for my makeup. So, pick up your brushes and sponges, and let’s understand how these two makeup essentials work before we dive into the ‘which comes first’ or deal.
What is a Foundation in Makeup?
Here’s everything you need to know about foundation makeup! Foundation is a base makeup product that evens out your skin tone, offers natural to full coverage, and helps reduce the visibility of flaws. Most importantly, it creates a smooth base for the rest of your makeup. Liquid, powder, stick, cream are popular foundation formulas.
What is a Concealer in Makeup?
Concealer is your ultimate spot corrector. Concealer is designed to camouflage skin imperfections, blemishes, dark circles, or areas that require additional coverage. It's usually thicker and more pigmented than foundation.
Do you use concealer or foundation first? The order of layering, blending, and the number of products used impact the end look and longevity. Here, we have explained two scenarios.
- Applying foundation first and then concealer
- Applying concealer first and then foundation
So, let’s get started!
Applying Foundation First and Then Concealer
Concealer or foundation first? Let’s go with the foundation first! Wearing foundation initially helps decide how much coverage your need for flawless finish. It’s ideal if you wish to create a more natural, ‘your skin but better’ kind of look.
Foundation First and Concealer Later: For Natural Coverage
Benefits
- Even Base: Foundation evens out your skin tone.
- Less Product: Since the foundation has provided the required coverage, you will use less concealer, preventing a cakey look.
- Helps Identify Areas Needed Coverage: You can see exactly where extra coverage is needed.
- Long-Lasting: Helps both foundation and concealer blend better and stay put for long periods.
Steps
Wondering if you should apply makeup foundation or concealer first? Let’s layer foundation makeup first.
Step 1: Prep Your Skin
Start with a clean, moisturized face. Apply primer for smoother application and longevity.
Step 2: Apply Foundation
Apply a suitable foundation evenly on your face, ears using a brush, sponge, or fingers. Start blending from the center and move outward towards your neck for even-toned skin.
Read our guide on how to apply foundation for seamless coverage.
Step 3: Spot Conceal
Once your foundation is set, apply natural coverage concealer under the eyes, around the nose, and over blemishes or dark spots.
Step 4: Blend
Use the sponge correctly, wet it for better blending results. You can also use fingertips to gently blend the concealer into the skin.
Step 5: Set with Powder
Lightly dust face powder to lock everything in place and prevent creasing.
So, if you prefer minimal makeup and are unable to decide whether to apply makeup foundation or concealer first, start with your favorite foundation first.
Concealer First, Foundation Later: For Full Coverage & Spot-Concealing
Benefits
- Targeted Correction: Should you apply concealer before or after foundation? Applying concealer first gives you the opportunity to thoroughly conceal spots, blemishes, pigmentation, and under-eye circles before blending the rest of the base.
- Custom Coverage: Allows you to build coverage only where required, keeping the overall base makeup light.
- Brightening Effect: Ideal for highlighting the under-eye area for a radiant, natural finish. Try applying concealer on one side of your face. You can clearly see the difference between before and after concealer application.
- Less Caking: Helps avoid over-layering in problem areas.
Steps
Not sure if you should use concealer before or after foundation? Let us tell you how to layer concealer first and then foundation. Here’s a quick guide on how to apply concealer!
Step 1: Prep Your Skin
Prep your skin as usual.
Step 2: Apply Concealer
Choose a spots and dark circles eraser concealer that matches your skin tone. Layer it on dark spots, blemishes, under the eyes or wherever needed using a small brush or fingertip. Dab gently to blend in and keep coverage concentrated. Don’t drag the product as it can lead to streaks and unevenness.
Step 3: Bake If Needed
Unload a generous amount of loose translucent powder over concealer with a wet sponge. Your focus areas would be under eyes, smile lines, and the T-zone. Let it sit or bake for 3 - 5 minutes. Gently dust off the excess powder with a fluffy brush.
Step 4: Apply Foundation
While you wait for the baking to work its magic, you can start applying a matte + poreless liquid foundation over the rest of your face, using a sponge or brush. Leave the areas where you have put concealer.
Step 5: Set with Powder
Set everything in with translucent powder.
Additional Tips for Both Concealer and Foundation Application
- Blend well with a wet beauty sponge or brush to prevent hard lines and achieve a natural finish.
- Less is More. Use a thin layer of both foundation and concealer and build intensity as needed to avoid a cakey appearance.
We hope this guide answers your query – should you apply concealer or foundation first? Figure out how much coverage you need and then decide whether to use foundation or concealer first! Feel free to try both techniques and determine which method works best for you. Take into account your skin type, the consistency of the concealer and foundation you're using, and the finish you're aiming for.
Not sure how to choose foundation or concealer shade? Try the Maybelline Virtual Try-On tool to test out various face makeup as well as eye makeup, and lip makeup products in real time without any commitment. To find the perfect foundation shade match, rely on the Maybelline Foundation Finder tool and get your foundation BFF in no time!
