How Do I Choose the Best Concealer Palette?

To choose the best concealer palette, find one that has a color that matches your skin in the winter. The palette should have several other colors including those with green and pink pigments. Select a tester for the concealer palette and check the consistency of the product.

If you want a concealer palette that you will be able to use year round, choose one that matches your skin tone exactly at its lightest stage; this typically occurs in the winter. Alongside this color there should be one or two more colors that are slightly darker. If you tend to tan even a little bit in the summer, as many people do, either the darker colors can replace the lighter color or can be mixed. Making sure there are at least two shades in your concealer palettes provides more coverage options than if you only have one.

While skin tone concealers can cover up regular scarring or discoloration, tinted shades can neutralize any prominent colors. Redness, most often found with active acne, can be concealed with a green or yellow based concealer because these are the opposite of red. These opposite shades neutralize redness, thereby making the area easier to conceal. If the color of the concealer is very bright or chalky, it will likely give your skin an unnatural finish. Look for a concealer palette with a shade similar to the standard concealer and with only slight hint of green or yellow for a natural look.

Under-eye circles and scarring are often blue or purple in color. If these are problem areas for you, choose a concealer palette that has a pink- or orange-based skin tone color. Warmer shades will help to cancel out the coolness of this type of discoloration, thus helping to hide even the most stubborn circles or scars. As with the green and yellow concealers, the pink based makeup should be only slightly noticeable and not bright; this will give you the best chance for a natural finish.

When choosing a concealer palette, test the makeup before purchasing. Using a brush or your finger, find a test palette and check the consistency of each shade in the concealer compact. The makeup should be creamy and smooth; any crumbling or graininess likely means the makeup will be difficult to apply.

Make sure to test how well the product blends by rubbing it on the back of your hand. Concealer that does not fade into the skin will typically make your face look unnatural or overdone. Test the green and yellow shades on a pink-toned part of your arm and the pink or orange on a blue-toned part, typically the inside of your wrist. This will give you a good idea of how well the palette will cover up any difficult-to-conceal areas.