How do you use LA colors conceal concealer?

Concealer is a makeup product used to hide imperfections and dark circles under the eyes. LA Colors Conceal concealer is an affordable drugstore brand that claims to provide full coverage for a flawless complexion. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to properly use LA Colors conceal concealer to get the most out of this budget-friendly product.

Step 1: Prep Your Skin

Before applying any concealer, you want to make sure your skin is properly prepped. Start with clean, moisturized skin to create a smooth base. Apply your regular skin care products like serum, moisturizer, and eye cream before concealer. If you have large pores or texture issues, use a primer before concealer to fill lines and blur imperfections. Avoid using illuminating or shimmery primers, as these will emphasize flaws when you apply concealer over top. Opt for a mattifying, blurring primer that preps skin for a flawless concealer application.

Step 2: Color Correct

Color correction is an optional step that can help neutralize discoloration before regular concealer. For dark under eye circles, use a peach or orange corrector to balance out bluish-purple tones. For redness, opt for a green corrector to counteract red undertones. Apply color corrector only to the areas that need it by lightly patting it in with a brush or fingertips. You only need a thin layer, as too much corrector can make concealer look off. Let the corrector fully set before applying concealer on top.

Step 3: Choose Your Concealer Shade

The key to natural, flawless coverage with concealer is choosing the right shade. The LA Colors Conceal concealer collection has over 20 options ranging from fair to deep skin tones. Select a shade that matches your natural skintone as closely as possible. To determine your match:

Test shades along your jawline in natural lighting

Let the concealer set for a few minutes before checking the match
Avoid going too light or dark – match your actual tone
Ask for samples at the drugstore to test shades

Choosing the closest match to your skin prevents that jarring line of demarcation between your natural tone and concealer. This allows for seamless, imperceptible coverage.

Step 4: Apply Concealer

Once you have the ideal concealer shade, you can start applying it. Use the following techniques to maximize coverage:

Under Eyes: Use your ring finger to gently pat concealer from the inner corner outward in a sideways triangle shape. Blend toward the outer corner of the eye. Avoid pulling or tugging the delicate under eye area.

Blemishes: Use a small concealer brush to pat and stipple concealer over any pimples or marks. Layer thin coats instead of rubbing thick globs over blemishes.
Hyperpigmentation: Dab concealer over dark spots and melasma with a concealer brush. Lightly feather the edges to blend into your natural skintone.
Redness: Stipple concealer over red or flushed areas like cheeks with a brush. Avoid rubbing, which can irritate skin.

The warmth of your fingertips helps blend concealer seamlessly into the skin. Always use patting and stippling motions to press concealer into skin instead of rubbing or wiping, which can remove coverage and irritate skin.

Step 5: Set with Powder

The final step is to set concealer creams with powder to lock in coverage all day. Try the following techniques:

Lightly dust all concealed areas with translucent setting powder using a large fluffy brush.

For heavy coverage, press powder directly into the undereye area with a damp sponge after concealer.
Avoid powdering blemishes as this can cling to dry texture. Concentrate powder on smooth areas like undereyes.
Use a setting spray after powder to lock in makeup and reduce transfer or fading.

Be careful not to use too much powder or concealer will look cakey and unnatural. Set just enough to extend wear time while allowing skin’s natural glow to show through.

Concealer Tips & Tricks

Follow these pro tips and tricks for flawless concealer application every time:

Use a color corrector before concealer to neutralize undertones and minimize discoloration.

Look for crease-resistant concealers with a satin finish that won’t settle into fine lines.
Layer thin coats of concealer instead of caking on thick layers which can look obvious.
Apply concealer in an upside down triangle under eyes for a lifted, brightened effect.

Set liquid or cream concealer with powder to prevent creasing, fading, and transfer.
Spot conceal only where needed to maintain natural coverage.
Use a damp sponge to bounce concealer and press it into skin for undetectable coverage.

Mix a pea-sized amount of concealer with your face moisturizer or primer to create a custom tinted base.

How to Cover Different Skin Imperfections

The technique you use to apply concealer depends on the type of imperfection you want to cover up. Here’s how to customize your application:

Skin Imperfection	How to Conceal
Dark circles	Use a color corrector first, then apply concealer in an upside down triangle shape under eyes going from inner to outer corners.
Blemishes	Dab concealer directly onto spots and blemishes using a small concealer brush. Avoid rubbing.
Redness	Stipple liquid or cream concealer over flushed areas like cheeks with a damp sponge. Avoid using powder to set.
Scars	Spot conceal over scars using thin layers and a setting powder to prevent creasing.
Sun spots	Pat concealer over any sun spots or melasma using a small brush. Feather edges.
Rosacea	Mix concealer with moisturizer and apply as foundation with clean hands over entire face.
Acne	Spot conceal only active breakouts and avoid using heavy layers of concealer over acne.

How to Make Concealer Last All Day

Nothing’s worse than concealer that disappears halfway through the day! Follow these tips to extend the wear time of concealer for up to 12 hours:

Prep skin – Exfoliate and moisturize before applying concealer so it glides onto a smooth base.
Use eye cream – Hydrating eye cream prevents concealer from clinging to dry fine lines under the eyes.
Color correct – Neutralize discoloration with correctors before concealer for longer lasting coverage.

Lightly set – Use a translucent powder to set concealer but avoid caking it on.
Setting spray – Finish with a makeup setting spray to lock in makeup and prevent transfer or fading.
Thin layers – Build concealer coverage gradually instead of applying thick layers which can crease.

Avoid cream formulas – Liquid or stick concealers tend to last longer on oily skin types.
Concealer primer – Use a primer formulated specifically for concealer application and longevity.

How to Cover Tattoos with Concealer

While laser removal is the only permanent option, you can temporarily conceal a tattoo with makeup strategically applied in layers:

Exfoliate and moisturize the tattooed area so concealer glides on smoothly.
Apply a makeup primer over the tattoo to fill in pores and create a smooth base.
Use a full coverage, cream concealer that matches your skin tone as closely as possible. LA Girls Pro Conceal or Dermablend are good options. Apply concealer over the tattoo with a synthetic concealer brush or damp makeup sponge. Pack on layers, letting each one fully set before adding more concealer. Cover surrounding areas to blend edges.

Set with translucent powder, pressing into skin with a damp sponge to prevent creasing.
Spray with a makeup setting spray to lock in coverage.
Repeat steps as needed throughout the day if concealer starts rubbing off.

Waterproof concealers tend to stay put longer over tattoos. Always match your natural skintone instead of going too light or dark. Cover surrounding areas so the concealed tattoo blends seamlessly into your skin.

How to Cover a Black Eye with Concealer

Black eyes and bruising around the eyes can be tricky to conceal. Use these tips for natural looking coverage:

Let the bruise heal slightly before attempting to cover up – brand new bruises are harder to conceal.

Apply an ice pack to help reduce swelling and discoloration.
Use a yellow color corrector to neutralize purplish-blue tones of a fresh bruise.
Layer a fuller coverage concealer like Dermablend gently over the darkened area using a small concealer brush.

Blend edges so concealer fades seamlessly into your natural skintone.
Set with translucent powder to prevent creasing.
Finish with makeup setting spray for long lasting coverage.

Use a green color corrector over areas that are more yellow/greenish as the bruise starts to heal.

Always be very gentle when applying concealer over a tender, bruised eye area. Let bruising start to heal before attempting to fully camouflage so concealer blends better.

How to Cover Scars with Concealer

For minimal scarring, concealer can effectively disguise and blur marks. For pitted or raised scars, concealers work best paired with other scar treatment options. Follow these tips to conceal scars with makeup:

Exfoliate the scarred area with a gentle scrub so concealer applies smoothly.
Use a moisturizer and primer to hydrate skin and fill uneven texture before concealer.
Opt for a high coverage formula like Dermablend or Cinema Secrets cover creams to fully obscure scars.

Dab concealer over the scar with a small brush, stippling on thin layers and letting each one fully set.
Take care to blend the outer edges of concealer into your natural skintone for an imperceptible finish.
Set with translucent powder to prevent creasing and increase wear time.

Use makeup setting spray as the final step to lock in coverage.

Combined with other scar treatments like silicone sheets and gels, concealer can make scars much less noticeable and improve self-confidence.

How to Cover Stretch Marks with Concealer

While concealers can effectively camouflage stretch marks on the body for an immediate boost of confidence, they won’t make the marks fully disappear. Here’s how to get the best coverage:

Exfoliate and moisturize stretch marks so skin is smooth and hydrated for concealer application.
Look for a fuller coverage concealer designed for the body like Dermablend Body or Cover FX Total Cover Cream.
Stipple concealer directly over stretch marks using a small brush, applying thin layers and blending well into surrounding skin.

Dust a translucent powder like Laura Mercier over concealed areas to set.
Mist finished areas with a makeup setting spray to increase longevity.
Apply body makeup primer before concealing for the smoothest, longest lasting coverage.

To make results last all day, set concealer with powder, avoid rubbing concealed areas, and touch up as needed. Using self-tan lotion can also help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.

How to Cover Varicose Veins with Concealer

While concealers provide temporary camouflage for varicose veins, support socks and medical treatments are required to actually shrink veins. To conceal with makeup:

Exfoliate and moisturize legs to ensure a smooth surface for concealer application.

Choose a fuller coverage, waterproof concealer like Dermablend Leg and Body Cover.
Apply concealer using a small synthetic brush, stippling directly over veins.
Use a sponge to gently press and blend edges into surrounding skin.

Dust a translucent loose powder like Laura Mercier over concealed veins to set.
Finish with a makeup setting spray designed for the body to lock in coverage.
Look for concealers with a slight green tint to counteract the redness of varicose veins.

Avoid rubbing or touching concealed legs throughout the day. Check coverage and do touch ups as needed. Medical grade concealers provide the most realistic looking results on protruding varicose veins.

How to Cover Birthmarks with Concealer

While small birthmarks can easily be concealed, larger raised or textured birthmarks are harder to fully cover up. Here are some tips:

Exfoliate the birthmark area to remove dead skin so concealer glides on smoothly.

Use a hydrating primer and moisturizer to prep skin.
Opt for a high coverage, opaque concealer like Dermablend or Ben Nye to fully obscure the birthmark.
Stipple concealer directly over the birthmark and surrounding areas using a small brush. Let layers set before adding more.

Blend edges well into your natural skintone so there is no visible line of demarcation.
Set with translucent powder to keep concealer in place all day.
Spray with makeup setting spray as the final step to lock in coverage.

It may take some trial and error matching concealer to your skin tone and customizing coverage. Medical micropigmentation can also help more permanently neutralize some types of birthmarks.

How to Cover Age Spots and Sun Spots with Concealer

Sun spots and age spots caused by UV damage can easily be concealed temporarily with makeup:

Exfoliate spots gently so concealer can glide over smoothly.

Use a hydrating primer targeted to mature skin types.
Look for a concealer with a satin finish that won’t emphasize fine lines or texture.
Opt for a slightly yellow-toned concealer to neutralize brown spots.

Dab concealer directly onto spots with a small brush, blending edges into surrounding skin.
Set with a light dusting of translucent powder to keep concealer in place.
Spray finished skin with makeup setting spray to increase wear time.

Always go for natural, light coverage so spots blend seamlessly into your face instead of drawing more attention. Using sunscreen religiously can help lighten and prevent worsening sun spots over time.

How to Cover Broken Capillaries and Facial Redness

Diffuse facial redness caused by rosacea, acne scars, or broken capillaries can be minimized with green-tinted concealers that counteract red tones. Try the following application tips: