Makeup
Jun 14, 2022

3 Makeup Artist–Approved Ways to Use Concealer for Contouring

by Sarah Yang

Concealers are a versatile product, as not only can you use them to hide dark circles, blemishes, redness, and more, but you can also use a concealer for contouring. And that's pretty cool if you like the contoured look but also want to keep things minimal with your makeup products. You won't need to buy another product strictly for contouring.

Celebrity makeup artist Carolina Dalí says that using a concealer as a contour is a play of light and shadow to brighten and shape the features. "You can use a concealer several shades darker than your skin tone to create dimension and contour the face," celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney adds. "By placing it under the jawline, cheekbones, temple, and side of the nose will create a more defined structure to the face." And the best part? Dali says that using a concealer to contour means the coverage stays put and lasts longer.

1. Use a cream concealer: Both Dalí and Henney suggest using cream concealers for contouring since they're buildable, easy to blend, and give you the most seamless, true-to-skin finish.

2. Blend with a brush: Henney recommends blending the concealer out with a makeup brush.

3. Work with different concealer shades: Dalí suggests choosing three different concealer shades. "One that's a shade or two lighter than your skin tone to brighten," she explains. "One that's the exact shade of your skin to conceal imperfections. One that's a few shades darker than your skin tone to add warmth/shadow and shape your features. Use a brush to shape, for target application, and to blend.

Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Concealer

Pat McGrath Labs

Sublime Perfection Concealer

"It's creamy, covers beautifully yet it doesn't look or feel heavy, blends seamlessly and the color match is perfection," Dalí says.

Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer

Soft Matte Complete Concealer

"These are great because the coverage is phenomenal and the concealer will stay in place for hours," Henney says.

Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer

The Sensual Skin Enhancer

Dalí says this is a favorite for those who want full coverage: "[It's] creamy, gives full coverage, great staying power, and has a nice range of colors."

Tom Ford Emotionproof Concealer

Emotionproof Concealer

"This concealer has full coverage is waterproof and perfect for contouring the face in the summer months. It has a radiant finish so it creates the most beautiful flawless skin base," Henney says.

Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Face and Under Eye Concealer

Luminous Silk Face and Under Eye Concealer

"I use this under the eyes to brighten and [it] can also be used around the nose, chin, and forehead for brightening. Opt for a shade or two lighter than skin tone to create more dimension to the face," Henney says.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

Radiant Creamy Concealer

"This creamy concealer looks like second skin, [has] buildable coverage, and has a great color range," Dalí says.

E.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer

E.l.f. Cosmetics

16HR Camo Concealer

You get 16 hours of wear with this full-coverage concealer. In addition to contouring, you can use it to conceal, correct, and highlight.

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Concealer Pen

Yves Saint Laurent

Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Concealer Pen

Use this brightening concealer to highlight. It leaves a natural, luminous finish.

Nyx Professional Makeup Can't Stop Won't Stop Contour Concealer

Nyx Professional Makeup

Can't Stop Won't Stop Contour Concealer

This creamy contouring concealer provides 24 hours of coverage and a matte finish. It's waterproof, too.

Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin High Coverage Multi-Use Concealer

Make Up For Ever

Matte Velvet Skin High Coverage Multi-Use Concealer

Even though this concealer has 24-hour coverage that's transfer-proof, that doesn't mean it's heavy or uncomfortable to wear. It's actually a breathable formula.

Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Concealer

Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Concealer

Too Faced's concealer has so many uses: it conceals, contours, highlights, and retouches. The liquid, full-coverage formula contains nourishing ingredients like coconut water, alpine rose, and hyaluronic acid.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Magic Touch Concealer

Anastasia Beverly Hills

Magic Touch Concealer

With medium to full coverage, this concealer blends in naturally. The creamy formula can contour, brighten, and hydrate the under-eye area and doesn't create any creases.

Merit Brush No.1

Merit's blush truly blends like no other. I find it's so good at buffing product in and leaving a nice smooth and natural finish.

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick

Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick

For a highlighter option, try this highly rated one from Fenty Beauty. It's a cream-to-powder formula that is so easy to blend.

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

You got to set your makeup so it doesn't budge. This is my favorite setting spray because it keeps my makeup flawless for up to 16 hours.

Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Contour Brush

Major Sculpt Contour Brush

The unique shape of this brush makes it easy to apply and blend with precision. The tapered bristles help to create a diffused and seamless look.

Saie Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Highlighter

Glowy Super Gel Lightweight Dewy Highlighter

Here's another highlighter option. The gel-based formula is made of 75%, so it leaves a dewy finish. Ingredients include plant-derived glycerin, vitamin C, and rose-hip seed oil.

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