Finding the perfect shade of concealer can be tricky, especially if you have a medium skin tone. The right concealer shade will seamlessly blend into your skin and cover any imperfections, without looking too light or dark. This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to find your perfect medium shade of concealer.
What is a medium skin tone?
Medium skin tones fall somewhere between fair and dark on the skin tone spectrum. They often have warm, yellow, olive, or neutral undertones. Here are some common traits of medium skin tones:
- You may burn slightly in the sun at first, then tan to a light or medium brown.
- You likely have brown, hazel, or amber eyes.
- Your natural hair color may be brown, black, or even auburn.
- The veins on your wrist likely appear green or greenish blue.
- You can wear both silver and gold jewelry.
Of course, skin tones exist on a gradient. You may lean slightly more fair or deep within the medium range. Finding the perfect concealer match requires identifying your precise place on the spectrum.
Choosing the right undertone
Along with depth, the other key factor in finding your concealer match is identifying your skin’s undertone. This refers to the subtle hue that exists underneath the surface of your skin. Medium skin tones often have warm, olive, or neutral undertones. Here’s how to determine which one suits you best:
- Warm: Your skin leans golden, peachy, or yellow. You may have redder cheeks. Warm-toned skin looks its best in gold jewelry.
- Olive: Your skin has a greenish-brown tint. Olive skin can sometimes appear grayish or sallow without color correction. You shine in rose gold and copper jewelry.
- Neutral: Your skin lacks strong warm or cool undertones. You likely look great in both silver and gold jewelry.
Picking a concealer with the wrong undertone can look unnatural or accentuate imperfections. A concealer that is too pink will appear chalky and dull on warm skin. Too yellow a concealer will oxidize and turn orange against cool olive skin. Always swatch potential concealers along your jawline in natural light to see if the hue flatters your complexion.
Choosing your depth
When it comes to choosing the right depth, think about where you fall on the light to deep scale. Light-medium skin is a shade darker than fair. Medium skin is richer than light-medium. Dark-medium skin is a shade lighter than deep complexions.
Here are common characteristics of light, medium, and dark medium skin:
| Skin tone | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Light-medium | You occasionally burn in the sun. Your skin tans to a medium brown. You likely have brown or dark blonde hair. |
| Medium | You tan easily in the sun with minimal burning. Your hair is likely medium to dark brown. |
| Dark-medium | You tan deeply and rarely burn. Your hair is very dark brown to black. Your features may be more pronounced. |
Choosing a shade that’s too light will look ashy and mask-like. Going too dark can appear muddy or orange. Sometimes testing shades a touch lighter and darker than your initial guess is helpful to find your perfect match. The concealer that seamlessly melts into your neck and d??colletage with no visible lines of demarcation is your winner.
Best concealers for medium skin
Here are some of the most popular concealers for medium skin tones in a variety of formulas:
| Brand | Concealer | Shades for Medium Skin |
|---|---|---|
| NARS | Soft Matte Complete Concealer | Hazelnut, Cacao |
| Charlotte Tilbury | Magic Away Liquid Concealer | 6, 7 |
| Fenty Beauty | Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer | 300, 310, 320 |
| MAC | Studio Fix Perfecting Stick | NC35, NC40, NC42 |
| Tarte | Shape Tape Contour Concealer | Tan, Tan Sand, Medium Tan Sand |
| Dior | Forever Skin Correct | 3.5N, 4N |
Be sure to get matched in person at a store like Sephora for an expert opinion. Often swatching a few shades on your jawline in natural light is the best way to find your perfect concealers. With the right shade match, you’ll have flawless coverage in no time!
Application tips
Once you’ve found the ideal concealer shade, proper application is key. Here are some tips for ensuring your concealer looks seamless:
- Use a color corrector first on any areas that need extra coverage for dark circles, blemishes, etc.
- Apply concealer in an upside-down triangle under each eye, blending outwards with a damp sponge.
- Set concealer with translucent powder to prevent creasing.
- Use a shade lighter than your foundation under the eyes to brighten, and your matching foundation shade elsewhere.
- Gently pat concealer into the skin, don’t rub or drag.
- Apply concealer after your foundation so the two blend seamlessly.
Take the time to buff and blend concealer properly so it appears flawless. Set concealer with powder but don’t over-bake, as this can cause caking.
Concealer tips for mature skin
As you age, the delicate skin around the eyes becomes even thinner and prone to creasing. Here are some concealer techniques to minimize the signs of aging:
- Choose a hydrating creamy formula and apply sparingly to avoid settling into fine lines.
- Opt for a shade slightly darker than your skin tone to avoid a brightening effect that accentuates wrinkles.
- Gently press concealer into skin with your ring finger. Never rub back and forth.
- Set concealer by pressing in powder with a damp sponge to prevent caking.
- Apply an eye cream before concealer to hydrate skin and improve blendability.
Avoid heavy, thick concealers which are more likely to gather in crevices and wrinkles. Always set concealer with powder to extend wear time.
Conclusion
Finding your perfect concealer match boils down to identifying your precise depth and undertone. Whether you are light-medium, medium, or dark-medium, concealers exist to seamlessly match your complexion. Look for shades labeled warm, olive, or neutral based on your skin’s undertones. Test shades above and below your initial guess to find your ideal hue. With proper application, setting, and blending, you can achieve naturally flawless, even coverage. Your dream concealer is out there – go get your match!
