Should You Set Your Concealer? A Makeup Artist Weighs In
February 16, 2021
With so many YouTube makeup tutorials dedicated to showing you how to bake your concealer, it can seem like setting is an absolute must. It’s a common technique among drag queens and beauty influencers alike and can help give you a long-lasting wear and a mattified look. It can also ensure your makeup won’t crease. But do you really need to set your under-eye concealer? We tapped makeup artist Fatima Isadare to find out.
Do You Need to Set Your Under-Eye Concealer?
“It isn’t mandatory”, says Isadare. Ultimately, she explains that it all comes down to personal preference, climate and skin type. Oily skin types, for example, are probably going to want to set their concealer to ensure it lasts longer. If you don’t have oily skin, you still may want to set your concealer for added staying power and a brightening effect.
Creamy concealer formulas like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer benefit from being set, while others like the Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Concealer (Isadare’s drugstore pick) can be blended out and worn on its own.
If you do choose to set your concealer, it’s important to use products that won’t cake after a few hours or feel heavy on top of the skin. Isadare prefers loose setting powders to get the job done, naming the Ben Nye Setting Powder as one of her go-tos. We also like the Dermablend Setting Powder, a cult favorite that feels weightless on the skin and offers up to 16 hours of transfer-resistant wear. If you’re powder-averse or worried about a cakey look, you can also opt for a setting spray, like the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray, which locks in your look and offers added hydration to the skin.
Photo: Chaunte Vaughn
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