To many, the difference between a corrector, a concealer, and a highlighter is confusing. Here are some quick tips and cruelty-free product picks to get you seeing clearly when it comes to these beauty must-haves…
- Corrector: Offers the most coverage
- Concealer: Offers medium coverage
- Highlighter: Offers the lightest coverage
Correctors
Correctors come in a range of shades to address all skin discoloration concerns, including dullness, unwanted dark shadows, red tones, blemishes, dark spots, and under-eye circles.
A peach-colored corrector neutralizes dark circles. Violet will brighten dull, grayish areas. And, green will diminish redness. Apply your corrector after eye cream and before applying foundation, to provide maximum coverage.
My Top Pick: e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo Color Corrector
Pro Tip: Use a small to medium sized concealer brush, applying exactly where you need the product. Use a light tapping motion to apply.
Concealers
These are lighter in weight and help balance skin tones. You can apply concealer alone or over a corrector, and over or under your foundation.
Be careful not to apply to much over fine lines, especially around your delicate
eye area. When used on under your eyes, concealers should be one or two
shades lighter than your skin tone. When you apply a concealer around your nose or to
conceal a blemish or sun spot, it should match your skin tone as closely as possible.
Concealer brushes are typically synthetic, and can have either a soft rounded tip or a flat surface with thin edges.
My Top Pick: Tarte’s Shape Tape Creamy Concealer
Pro Tip: Set your concealer with translucent powder using a concealer brush in a tapping motion.
Highlighters are the lightest in weight, and are transparent. They are used to brighten under our eyes, the area around our nose, and under our brows. A highlighter should be applied after concealer application (if you’re using a
concealer).
My Top Pick: It Cosmetics Hello Light Anti-Aging Luminizing Crème Stick
Pro Tip: It’s good to use two shades – one that’s lighter, and one that’s darker than
your natural skin tone. This will provide a soft contour.