How to Use Concealer as Foundation: Steal this Awesome Beauty Hack!

Is there a stick, tube or small pot filled with concealer in your beauty bag?

If not, add this blemish cover-up and skin blotch neutralizer to your makeup kit immediately.

While makeup artists use concealer to cover dark undereye bags and skin imperfections around the nose and chin areas, this product also doubles as a glam-worthy foundation substitute.

When you’ve run out of your fave liquid or cream foundation, you can use this beauty gem to create more radiant and super-smooth skin in under 5 minutes.

Things You'll Need to Use Concealer as Foundation:

• Liquid or cream concealer
• Lightweight moisturizer for the face
• Non-latex sponge
• Translucent powder
• Facial tissue

Step 1: Smooth on a concealer that complements your skin tone.

IF YOUR SKIN IS…

Dry -Bring in moisture to every step of your routine. The right foundation builds in comfort, hydration, and a beautiful dewy glow.

Normal– If you're feeling confident, go lightweight. Or, if your skin isn't at its best, use a sheer cream-to-powder and build up coverage.

Oily-Layer a mattifier underneath if you tend to get super-shiny, but keep it to your T-zone.

IF YOUR SKIN TONE IS…

Dark-toned beauties look best in creamy concealers.

1. To avoid ashiness, go for warm, bronzy undertones and avoid titanium dioxide, which leaves a whitish cast.
2. Creams hold up better than liquids on darker skin—the pigments are richer

Medium-Stick to foundations with yellow undertones; pinks are fine for blush and lipcolor, but not in your base.

While glamazons with olive- and medium-hued skin need face makeup with yellow undertones, pale and porcelain-toned beauties require super-sheer concealer that is light-colored instead of golden.

Pale- Go for an ultra-sheer formula that isn't too golden. You can really detect foundation on porcelain types. You want the least coverage possible.

Step 2: Mix a few drops of concealer with moisturizer.

Yes, makeup gurus recommend you use a concealer that is a shade or two lighter than your skin. When using concealer as a foundation, however, you’ll need the color to disappear into your skin.

The trick?

Mix liquid or cream concealer that is the same color as your foundation with two or three drops of a lightweight moisturizer.

Rub these two products together in your palm. Then apply this complexion-smoothing concoction to your clean and freshly washed skin.

Step 3: Skip the makeup brush and use your fingertips to apply.

To create smooth and glowing skin, apply the makeup and moisturizer mixture to your face with your fingers.

Tap the concealer gently with the tip of your index finger to blend. Dab the area with your finger and apply limited pressure to the skin.

If you rub and tug the area, you will remove the product without applying it to your skin.

To blend the makeup altogether and achieve a flawless finish, swipe skin with a non-latex makeup sponge.

How to Apply for a Matte, Super-Even or Natural Finish:

For a matte finish: Apply foundation with a sponge, working in a circular motion. Start sheer and build as you need.

For a super-even look: Use a foundation brush—makeup pros swear it perfects like no other technique: Use the brush to put on the color and to blend.

For the most natural: Use your fingers, again in a circular motion. For blotting oil: Brush on powder only in the T-zone—or use oil-absorbing papers. “You don't need to ‘set' foundation anymore,” notes Quinn.

Do's & Don'ts on How to Use Concealer as Foundation Tips:

• Dust, translucent powder over the skin, to set the concealer and create a smooth canvas for your blush and eyeshadow.
• If you’ve slathered on the concealer too thickly, blot your skin with a clean tissue to remove the excess foundation.
• If you are a mature woman, its best to use concealer instead of foundation around the mouth. This keeps lip color in place and away from fine lines around the lips.
• Always be sure that the concealer blends seamlessly and matches the natural skin tone of the face.
• It's best to use liquid creamy concealers as a foundation alternative because these formulations don't cake or pull on the skin. In fact, you should be able to rub the concealer between your fingers and watch it melt into your skin.