Wouldn’t it be great if you could cover your skin with light-reflecting, complexion-perfecting formulas that make you look healthier? No more under eye bags, pimple outbreaks and uneven skin tone. Well you can. Just substitute the word “concealer” for “make up”. There’s an ever increasing range designed specifically for men’s skin. It’s just a matter of knowing how to use them.
The first mantra to adopt is less is more. You can always build it up, but going in too hard will defeat the purpose. The purpose here being to make things appear natural. Also look for ingredients like caffeine which reduces inflammation from within while camouflaging – manouflaging? – what’s going on on the surface. Another winner is vitamin E, which protects and repairs damaged skin.
Shade selection is crucial and most have a range to choose from that run from goth with a suntan all the way through to George Hamilton. Google image that shit. The idea is to get as close a match as possible. Especially if dealing with redness or inflammation. The only exception to this rule is under-eye bags and shadows where one shade lighter than your natural tone will make it look like you totally weren’t up all night playing Red Dead Redemption or whatever the fuck it is millennials do to stop worrying that they’ll never get into the property market.
Application is important. Especially if you’re trying to hide tired eyes. Dab on a pea-sized splodge of eye cream and let it sit for a minute or two. Aside from cutting the puff factor, it’ll provide a more even base for the concealer. A dead giveaway is when it sits in the crevices and fine lines that mark this area. The best way to put the concealer on is via gentle patting motions with a fingertip and then blending outwards. You can never overblend. You don’t want to be able to see where the concealer stops and your actual skin starts. And don’t do your whole face either – people will be able to tell and it’ll just look odd. Stick to the trouble zones.
