Concealer

[kira_k]

Hi,

 

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on using concealer. I have a lot of blemishes around my eyes and a few moles that I would like to conceal, but I've never used concealer before.

 

I'm not entirely out yet and still experimenting with makeup, but thought about going to a store and talk to someone about what shade etc to use. I'll be going as male, so wondered if there was any advice for that too? What have your experience been?

 

Kira x

[MirandaB]

I think males can care about having things they want to conceal now these days. 

 

My experience at makeup stores has all come after I started transitioning, but even when there were hardly any changes happening yet it was clear that you don't need to explain anything to anyone except what you want to do with their products so they can help you buy their stuff. 

 

I'm sure there are a bazillion youtubes on makeup that will show you what to do with concealer, almost all of them better at instructions than me.

[Jupiter]

  

Walk into Boots and just ask.  I've not had any issues with any of their stores no matter how I'm presenting.  I scoped my town's local one out recently and there was a guy in there working the high end section with the BEST makeup on and I was like, yep, not going to have a problem here!   Went in a few days later with nothing on my face so he could see what I was working with, went over my skin type and how frequently I was going to be using stuff and what type of coverage I needed etc.

 

Oh, and get a Boots card as well.  It's saved me a fair bit over the last year.

 

I don't use a lot of concealer myself (even with electrolysis redness) as my primer/foundation covers it almost completely (KVD Good Apple), however sometimes when you are eating/drinking or just rubbing your face absentmindedly oucan create spots, so I use it then.  I would say experiment with lipstick like sticks and the liquid types, especially when it comes to blending it  in.  For me the sticks work better, the liquid ones always seem to come out a bit shiny on me and I end up with marks covered but then they look more even than the rest  of me and it's even more apparent something was there than before!

 

Don't even get started on if you should put it on before or after foundation!   Generally MUA's advise to put it on over but you do have to get your colour matching spot on.

[DeeDee]

Totally agree with Jupiter, Boots have always been helpful and big enough to feel anonymous - though I am fortunate to have sisters and friends I can ask instead of staff.

I've also had no issues at Superdrug, but I admit to internalised ageism because I usually ask younger staff members for help as they have never yet paused or looked at me funny regardless of how I was presenting.

I haven't used it but this site has some good info on choosing concealer shades:

https://www.hide.shop/blogs/news/how-to-pick-concealer-color

[kira_k]

Thanks @RhondaS, @Jupiter and @DeeDee.

I was thinking Boots as I've seen people around helping with make up etc and there is a large store not too far away, so they are likely to have a few different people around the make up section - I can scope out who I will be more comfortable talking to. It's the colour matching I'm most concerned about as make up is totally new for me and I'm only just experimenting. I've only really just realised that I have quite a lot of blemishing around the eyes and cheeks and moles on the sides of my face. I guess I'm a bit self conscious about it now and  it's probably the first step to using more make up when I feel like it.

 

I don't really want to cover my whole face, so I thought concealer would be the best options... but there again, I don't really know. As long as it looks close to natural.

[Jupiter]

I'm 3 years off 50 and I have a lot of blemishes, 'liver spots', redness and general spots from shaving rash and actual spots from not always cleansing enough when I take my makeup off.   My face looks pretty rough without foundation which is why I don't really use concealer that much as I need to cover a lot and my foundation does the job!

 

Most concealers and foundations have tester pots, and you can apply a bit to your jawline and blend it in to see how it matches before you go anywhere near a person.  You can try a bit on your arm but I don't find that works as well shade wise.  It's only when they don't have stock that you need to get a person involved but in decades I've never had an issue with staff in Boots, Superdrug or even Debenhams when it still existed.

 

The problem a lot of us have is that we are all different, and colour/age etc all plays a part so what works for one isn't right for another.  Even how much, or lack of, moisturiser you put on that day can affect how concealer/foundation sticks.  I know its hard to start, but I recommend you just  go right up to someone and tell them exactly what you need it for and they will be more than happy to help.

My guy in boots now sees me coming and I get recommendations on things as he knows my skin and my style at this point.