How to apply concealer

Nasty spots and dark circles under the eyes make your skin look tired and run down, Here's how to beat them.

Covering a spot

1. Don't pick the spot. Wet spots go crusty and can't be concealed.
To reduce inflammation, apply a small amount of spot treatment containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, lavender or tea tree oil, leave to sink in, then blot any excess.

2. Apply concealer in the same shade as your foundation directly onto the spot (use a wand or a brush if you wish).
Using your fingers, blend outwards from the centre. Do not just rub the concealer over the spot - this dilutes the coverage exactly where it's needed the most.

Covering under-eye bags

1. Use a concealer just one shade darker than your foundation. Apply to the puffy part of the bag- this will make it appear to recede.

2. Now take a lighter concealer and apply this in the crease at the base of the bag, blending well. This brings that part of the eye 'forward' and balances out the area. Powder over the whole thing.

Covering under-eye circles

1. After you've applied foundation, get into bright or (preferably) natural light Now tilt your chin down while looking Into the mirror.

2. Apply three or four dots of concealer at the lower edge of the dark circle where it meets your cheek, starting these dots at the inside of your nose and moving to about three-quarters of the way along the eye.

3. Now use your middle finger to blend these dots upwards, outwards and downwards until the circle is covered. Keep coverage light at the outside corner of the eye, as anything heavy here will tend to accentuate lines and wrinkles.

Using concealer instead of foundation

1. Moisturize the skin well. For this look to work, you have to have glowing skin underneath. Don't forget to use an eye cream on the eye

area. This can be very dry and the skin won't absorb the concealer properly.

2. Cover up any spots as shown opposite. Now do the same with under-eye circles.

3. Finally, dab concealer on the nose and around the nostrils where most skin is red. Blend this well into the cheeks. Brush with loose powder. Now apply blusher.