Covering Imperfections for a Flawless Complexion

Last week we talked about choosing the right eye cream for your age, this left a lot of our readers saying, "Okay... Preventative and reparative creams are great and all, but I need my dark circles gone NOW!" Ladies, we understand. Covering under eye circles, blemishes and unsightly dark marks can be difficult. We want to show you that if you take just a few moments each morning, a little concealer can make a huge difference. Which is why we are compiling our personal tricks to help you achieve that perfect "no makeup" look.



Bobbi Brown - Face Touch Up Stick: Is great for covering any unwanted redness or dark marks. Thick, yet buildable, this creamy concealer stick will work for normal and combo skin types. You can apply it with your finger, a brush, or even directly to skin. So keep this bad boy in your purse for any touch ups you may need throughout the day. Note: This product is not dual purpose and is not intended for under eye use. (But if you try and it works, your secret is safe with us!)

Bobbi Brown - Creamy Concealer Kit: Amazing under eye concealer and powder duo! Make sure to always use an eye cream before applying this to avoid any dry or "cakiness". Set with the included powder and voilà! A long wear product that will instantly rid you of those pesky dark circles. 
Apply with your finger or a brush. However we prefer to use our fingers since it will help to warm the product and allow for a seamless application.

Josie Maran - Argan Creamy Concealer Crayon: A crayon concealer stick, its twist up and self sharpening. For those of us who prefer a one stop shop, this bad boy can be used to cover uneven skin tone as well as under eye circles! Formulated without parabens, synthetics fragrances, or irritating chemicals makes this perfect for anyone with skin sensitivities. Apply directly to skin and blend using your finger or a brush.

Pro Tip: Always chose a concealer that is a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone. This will ensure brightness under your eyes and any blemishes will be fully covered.

Blending out concealer is something a lot of women have trouble with. Over blending wipes the product off completely, leaving those unsightly marks as visable as ever. Not blending the product enough will leave you with light spots all over your face, which is what you're trying to avoid in the first place! So, for blending we suggest two methods, the finger or the brush.

1. Using your finger to blend: The index or middle finger work easiest for us, but do whatever feels most comfortable to you. Use a "press and roll" technique, on the outer edge of your concealer, light press into your skin and roll your finger to the left or right (whichever direction is AWAY from the blemish or under eye). Continue this until your product is completely blended and there are no visible lines. 
2. Using a brush to blend: A concealer brush will work best, for obvious reasons. (See here for an example) Using light strokes, blend the edges of your concealer outward until there are no visible lines.