7 Expert Tips for Wearing Concealer Without Foundation

Tip 2: Use the Right Type of Concealer

Since you’re skipping foundation, it’s not a bad idea to pick up a full-coverage concealer. We suggest the Urban Decay Quickie 24HR Full-Coverage Waterproof Concealer or the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Full Coverage Concealer for their long-wearing formulas and natural matte finishes. If you prefer something lighter and moisturizing, the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Dark Spots Concealer + Serum provides medium, buildable coverage and offers 24 hours of hydration. 

“You want to find [concealer that is] creamy and blendable,” Hart adds. “I love the Iris and Romeo Best Skin Days Treatment Concealer. [It’s] creamy in texture and blends really seamlessly into the skin.” 

Tip 3: Find the Right Shade

When using concealer in place of foundation, finding a shade that matches your skin tone and undertones is of paramount importance. “Remember, if you’re only going to be applying concealer, you aren’t going to want to use one that’s one or one and a half shades lighter than your skin tone (like you would for the under eyes),” says Spickard. 

Instead, use a concealer that matches your skin tone like you would for foundation. If you have a hard time finding a shade that matches your skin tone, try the Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer or the Valentino Beauty Very Valentino Concealer as they both have wide shade ranges that are organized by undertone.  

Tip 4: Or Mix Multiple Shades 

As Spickard mentioned, finding a shade of concealer that matches your skin tone when you're not wearing foundation is super important. After all, the whole point of wearing concealer instead of foundation is to keep things skin-like and natural, so if you’re using the wrong shade, that’s going to call more attention to your makeup. If you don’t have a shade that perfectly matches your skin, use a few shades of concealer to create the right match. Your under-eye concealer may be too light, and your summer concealer may be too dark but mixed together, they can create the perfect skin match. 

Tip 5: Apply Minimally and Strategically

The trick to using concealer in place of foundation is to follow a less is more mentality. Once you’ve chosen your preferred concealer formula, apply it with a very targeted application to only the areas that need it. “Use light dabs of concealer to cover discoloration, blemishes or areas you want to even out,” says Spickard. “I like to tap my finger into the product and then use a dabbing motion to work the product into the skin with my ring finger.” Wash your hands and use the warmth from your fingers to blend the concealer in seamlessly. If you don’t like to blend your makeup with your fingers, a damp makeup sponge or a stippling brush can also work. 

“The technique I use [to apply concealer] is to focus on the center of the face and blend outward,” Hart shares. She begins by applying concealer to the under-eyes, around the nose, a tiny bit on the center of the forehead and on the center of the chin. Then, she uses a fluffy makeup brush to buff out the concealer, blending outwards. “Covering those key areas will usually conceal most discoloration,” she adds. After blending the concealer with a brush, Hart also likes to finish it off by using a damp beauty sponge to blend her concealer and ensure there are no visible demarcation lines. 

Tip 6: Set Your Concealer With Powder

To prevent caking, smudging and creasing concealer throughout the day, use a small fluffy brush and translucent power to lightly set your face. The NYX Professional Makeup Studio Finishing Powder or the ONE/SIZE Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder are great for this. If you like to powder your face throughout the day, the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Pressed Setting Powder includes a mirror and comes in a purse-friendly compact. 

Tip 7: Mix Concealer With Your Moisturizer 

If you’re in a rush, skip spot concealing and opt for all over coverage. “A trick I love to use is to simply mix a small amount of my concealer into my moisturizer and apply it as a tinted moisturizer,” Hart shares. “It’s an easy way to look polished and put together with minimal effort.”

If you want to try out this simple hack, she recommends using a buildable concealer like the Tower 28 Beauty Swipe All-Over Hydrating Serum Concealer. Depending on how much coverage you desire, mix your concealer with a lightweight moisturizer like the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion or the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane, and allow the warmth of your hands to blend the two together. The result is a custom tinted moisturizer with your desired level of coverage, plus it’s quick, perfect for on-the-go, and you don’t need a makeup sponge or a brush to apply it to the skin.