O.K., you've moisturized your eye area, but if you're thinking what can I do about those dark circles under my eyes, you probably need to conceal or camouflage them. Concealors are used to cover small areas of discoloration, primarily dark under eye color.
There are many different types offered by the different cosmetic companies, some concealors are thin, others are thick and either might be resistant to water. Today's concealors come in many different skin colors and several different types of application. The oldest and most popular kind of applicator is the lipstick type of tube. A modernized version is the fat little pencil with the creamy "lead", another type is a mascara type tube with a sponge wand or brush applicator, or you may like the soft bodied squeeze tube.
A thin concealor will work if you have slight discoloration under your eyes. A thicker concealor with more pigment (intense color), and should be waterproof will work best for darker under eye color. Most women mistakenly use concealors that are either too light or too thin to be effective. The result is a lighter shade of blu-ish, purple discoloration. If your dark circles or concealor are visible, then either your thickness or color is not right for you or your application was faulty.
What do they do?
They conceal or cover discolorations. Concealors, like foundations are designed to even out skin tone, but concealors are more color (pigment) intense than a foundation and a camouflager has more pigment than a concealor. The product is thicker if the amount of pigment is heavier.
How do I use Concealors?
To use, place a dot of concealor on your finger or small brush, tap and spread the concealor, thinning as you go beyond the under eye. Blend out toward your hairline, in toward your nose and down over the top of your cheekbone. Then, apply a thin layer of your foundation or use a clean eye shadow brush to apply a thin layer of loose powder; a small brush will hold and deposit less product.
The tube or stick or pencil concealor should be rubbed onto a brush or finger and then lightly tapped under the eyes. The types that have attached applicators are self explaining, for the other types of concealors, your pinky or a small brush is all you'll need. You may find that using concealor after face and eye makeup, makes it easier to correct any under eye smudges and you won't have to take off and reapply everything.
What is a camouflager?
Camouflagers are a thicker type of concealor. They are designed to be used for covering large areas like birthmarks, varicose veins, tan lines or darker or lighter discolorations on the body or face. With the right color, texture and application, camouflagers can cover nearly any discoloration.
How do I use camouflagers?
There are two ways that you can use a camouflager under your eyes, you can use it alone as you would use a concealor or if you don't need the color density, it can be diluted with a little moisturizer or foundation. Thoroughly blend on the back of your hand and tap on the area and blend to erase any streaks or lines. For best finishing results, dust with a very small amount of flesh colored, or translucent loose powder.
Often cosmetic companies refer to their concealor as a camouflager, it's not done to confuse you, but because their concealor has more pigment than the average product. Ask for samples to see which covers your concerns. After you've tried different types, if you're still not happy with the coverage, then the next alternative is a color corrector. Visit www.andibradshaw.com and look for additional information in an age specific book titled "Foundations, Powders & Blushes". - 15255
There are many different types offered by the different cosmetic companies, some concealors are thin, others are thick and either might be resistant to water. Today's concealors come in many different skin colors and several different types of application. The oldest and most popular kind of applicator is the lipstick type of tube. A modernized version is the fat little pencil with the creamy "lead", another type is a mascara type tube with a sponge wand or brush applicator, or you may like the soft bodied squeeze tube.
A thin concealor will work if you have slight discoloration under your eyes. A thicker concealor with more pigment (intense color), and should be waterproof will work best for darker under eye color. Most women mistakenly use concealors that are either too light or too thin to be effective. The result is a lighter shade of blu-ish, purple discoloration. If your dark circles or concealor are visible, then either your thickness or color is not right for you or your application was faulty.
What do they do?
They conceal or cover discolorations. Concealors, like foundations are designed to even out skin tone, but concealors are more color (pigment) intense than a foundation and a camouflager has more pigment than a concealor. The product is thicker if the amount of pigment is heavier.
How do I use Concealors?
To use, place a dot of concealor on your finger or small brush, tap and spread the concealor, thinning as you go beyond the under eye. Blend out toward your hairline, in toward your nose and down over the top of your cheekbone. Then, apply a thin layer of your foundation or use a clean eye shadow brush to apply a thin layer of loose powder; a small brush will hold and deposit less product.
The tube or stick or pencil concealor should be rubbed onto a brush or finger and then lightly tapped under the eyes. The types that have attached applicators are self explaining, for the other types of concealors, your pinky or a small brush is all you'll need. You may find that using concealor after face and eye makeup, makes it easier to correct any under eye smudges and you won't have to take off and reapply everything.
What is a camouflager?
Camouflagers are a thicker type of concealor. They are designed to be used for covering large areas like birthmarks, varicose veins, tan lines or darker or lighter discolorations on the body or face. With the right color, texture and application, camouflagers can cover nearly any discoloration.
How do I use camouflagers?
There are two ways that you can use a camouflager under your eyes, you can use it alone as you would use a concealor or if you don't need the color density, it can be diluted with a little moisturizer or foundation. Thoroughly blend on the back of your hand and tap on the area and blend to erase any streaks or lines. For best finishing results, dust with a very small amount of flesh colored, or translucent loose powder.
Often cosmetic companies refer to their concealor as a camouflager, it's not done to confuse you, but because their concealor has more pigment than the average product. Ask for samples to see which covers your concerns. After you've tried different types, if you're still not happy with the coverage, then the next alternative is a color corrector. Visit www.andibradshaw.com and look for additional information in an age specific book titled "Foundations, Powders & Blushes". - 15255
About the Author:
Andi Bradshaw is licensed as an esthetician and as a makeup artist in the state of Maryland. She has worked to beautify more than 15,000 women. If you want the latest in skin care or makeup, then these are the books for you. They explain "what does it do and how do I use it" of each topic in every one of her 17 books. Get a FREE recipe booklet for Lip Glosses, Balms & Butters when you purchase any 2 books. Affordable Skin Care Books
