Hide those flaws!

We all have skin imperfections – yes, those girls too. It’s no reason to hide your face in a paper bag though. With a few simple waves of a magic corrective wand you can erase them in no time and hide those flaws.

Corrective make-up should be used after cleansing, moisturising, and applying sunscreen. After applying corrective make-up, you can continue with a foundation that matches your skin tone. If the problem areas still bother you even after these steps, you can carefully dab on some concealer as a final touch. Be sure to blend this very well – caking it on will only draw attention to the area, and we’re aiming for invisible here. Also avoid the temptation of applying concealer before foundation – this is a common mistake and leads to that cringe-worthy caked-on look we see every now and then. Can you say Pol-ly-fil-la?

So what exactly is the difference between corrective make-up and concealer? Corrective make-up neutralises imperfections, and is normally an odd colour like green, white and amber. Concealer hides skin flaws and should always match your skin tone.

At their recent SA launch, I had a chat with Ofra Gaito, founder of Ofra Cosmetics: ‘Always moisturise skin well before concealing, this will result in a more even application. Then make sure you select the right corrective colour. Most importantly, start with the smallest possible amount (you can always add more if necessary) and blend very well.’

The Ofra cosmetics concealer wheel has a range of colours

Redness: Whether it’s couperose (see Did You Know?, below, for more on this condition) rosacea, an inflamed pimple, or just a generally flushed area, the recipe is the same: dab some green corrector onto the area, and pat with your ring finger until it’s evenly applied.

Pigmentation: Freckles, sun spots and brownish scars are all neutralised with amber, orange or yellow correctors. Again, be sure to blend well. An amber corrector can also be used on the entire face in a thin application to help hide all-over imperfections.

Dark circles: Use a white or skin-toned corrector and pat inwards from the outer corner of the eye. Be careful not to drag or rub – the skin around the eye is extra delicate and should always be handled with extra care.

I prefer to use fingertips to apply concealers and correctors – this way, no product is wasted, and the warmth of your fingers softens the product for easier blending. If you prefer to use a brush, try Smashbox Precision concealer brush no 5. Its flat-tipped to easily get into areas like the eye corners, and is suitable for cream, as well as liquid, formulations. I don’t recommend using a sponge – it needs to be washed after every use, wastes lots of your precious product, and can create a caked-on look that is too heavy for everyday use.

Remember, blending is key here – rather spend a few extra minutes on this step to ensure a smooth canvas on which to apply the rest of your make-up. And remember… less is more!

Did you know?
Couperose skin is characterised by broken capillaries, which causes  redness (usually) around the nose or on the cheeks. Any kind of skin can become couperose, but it is most often found in dry, thin, delicate or mature skins. You are more likely to have a couperose complexion if you drink, smoke or have fair skin, fair hair, or high blood pressure. Exposing skin to extreme temperatures or rough scrubbing can also contribute to and worsen the problem.