Colour correcting is a proven technique for evening out skin tone and improving the look of dark circles or redness. To find out how to get it right, we gleaned top makeup artists’ tricks worth sharing. Read on to learn more, by editor Trudi Brewer.
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What is colour correcting with makeup?
“Colour corrector is an underrated, must-have product. If your skin is colour-corrected the right way, your concealer and foundation don’t have to work as hard. The basic theory is that you can use opposite colours to cancel each other out, based on the colour wheel. Instead of trying to cover discolouration with full-coverage foundation and concealer, first you balance out your skin, resulting in a smoother, more natural-looking base.”
Drita Paljevic, director of artistry & make-up at Kevyn Aucoin.
our pick: Kosas Revealer Extra Bright Serum Powered Color Corrector, $63
We rate this brightening, depuffing, and dark-circle-erasing formula thanks to its creamy, blendable, non-creasing formula. Also, it’s stacked with good-for-skin correcting peptides, caffeine, and hyaluronic acid. There are five shades, pictured here: Illusion.
How to choose The Right colour For Your concern?
“Dark circles or melasma with blue or purple undertones can be neutralised using an orange-based shade. If you have light skin, try peach. On medium skin, salmon works best. For deeper skin, look for a more true-orange colour corrector. If redness is a concern, light green can balance that out. If you’re experiencing purple undertones beneath the eyes, a light yellow colour corrector will make all the difference, working to brighten.” – Claudia Neacsu, make-up artist.
Our pick: Revlon Photo Ready Lift & Fill Skin Tint, $33.
This new lightweight radiance-making tint was created to make your skin glow while evening out imperfections. Made with 100 per cent natural stevia complex, which helps lift and fill fine lines, in a sheer, fluid texture that glides on with fingers or a brush. Available in 8 shades.
What’s the difference between Concealer & colour Correctors?
“Colour correctors are typically very pigmented, so you only need a small amount of product. By working in thin layers, you can ensure you’re neutralising your skin tone, rather than creating a build-up of colour-correcting hues like green or peach. Working in thin layers means the product won’t settle into fine lines and will be easier to blend out, so there’s no chance of harsh edges peeking through your foundation or concealer once you’ve finished your base.” – Drita Paljevic, director of artistry & make-up at Kevyn Aucoin.
our pick: Kevyn Aucoin Face Forward Colour Corrector Wheel, $80
While this palette may look scary and best left in the hands of a professional makeup artist, it blends easily, and the colours each address different concerns. The peach: neutralises dark under-eye circles on fair to medium skin tones. Green: counteracts redness. Red/orange: Counteracts dark under-eye circles on deeper skin tones and neutralises the appearance of veins on dark to deep skin tones.
Tackle Spots With Care
“Blemishes are tricky as they require concealer and colour corrector because you will be dealing with discolouration and texture. For texture, try to very gently exfoliate before applying make-up, then use a thin layer of green colour corrector. Tap in with a small brush or your fingertip – this is a targeted approach that neutralises the blemish itself, rather than the area around it. Then layer concealer over the top.” – Drita Paljevic, director of artistry & make-up at Kevyn Aucoin.
our pick: NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer, $70
Not only does this concealer blur redness and cover breakouts, but it also smooths uneven texture and hides dark spots and undereye circles, too. It's also stacked with healing peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins A and C. There are 30 shades: Pictured here Creama Catalana.
apply products In thin layers
“Concealer and corrector are actually very different. Concealer works in tones, not undertones. Tones will define lightness and darkness, whereas undertones define colours. Colour correcting always comes before concealer. You need to correct the undertone first and then work on the tones. For instance, if you apply a light concealer on purple dark circles, it will only make them look grey and worse overall. Instead, start by correcting the colour first, then layer your concealer over the top.” – Claudia Neacsu, make-up artist.
MECCA MAX Life Proof Cream Concealer, $27
To conceal dark circles, blemishes and redness, this creamy concealer erases imperfections and blurs an uneven skin tone. It’s lightweight but lasts the day without changing colour or creasing, thanks to the antioxidant power of Albizia julibrissin bark. There are 25 shades: Pictured here: 210 medium with peach tones.
Take the Less-Is-More Approach with makeup
“Focus less on ‘covering’ and more on taking the edge off any discolouration. Remember that colour correcting is just neutralising the area and that concealer will still be needed to perfect the complexion afterwards – so don’t panic if things don’t look perfect after the colour-corrector stage.” – Drita Paljevic, director of artistry & make-up at Kevyn Aucoin.
Revlon Glimmer Tinted Moisturizer Stick, $39
This new, easy-to-use stick makeup offers sheer second-skin coverage from a tinted moisturiser in a stick. Stacked with nourishing squalane to give skin that fresh-looking no-makeup, makeup glow without feeling greasy. It’s the fastest way to apply makeup and to simplify your routine. Available in eight shades: Pictured here 130.
Consider The Order You Apply Your Products
“I always start with skincare, and my next step before foundation is colour correcting. I like to even out the skin before applying any base make-up. This way, I ensure my canvas is well neutralised and everything I am applying on top looks harmonious.” –– Claudia Neacsu, make-up artist.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation, $96
Most makeup artists carry this foundation in thier kits, why? First, it’s weightless and offers sheer to full coverage, leaving a satin matte finish. Second, it won't budge thanks to anti-sweat polymers. Along with peptides and pollution ingredients, it leaves skin with a flawless-looking finish. We use this as our primer, foundation, concealer, and skin corrector all in one. There are 44 colours: Pictured here is 6 Warm.
For an even, more radiant skin.