What is the purpose of Concealers?
We all want to have blemish-free and soft-to-the-touch skin. The truth is, all women including models have a blemish or two and skin conditions that need addressing. A concealer is just what you need to mask the flaws. It conceals, or hides and masks the flaws in the skin well and efficaciously. Concealer is actually a condensed version of foundation that is loaded in pigment compounds that help to smooth over most areas of the skin’s surface.

Types of Concealer:
-There are different concealers specifically designed to work best for a certain skin type, a certain condition of the skin or even the skin’s color tone.

-Solid Concealers - A  solid concealer works best for hiding larger skin issues such as pimples, chicken pox scars or acne pockmarks. Solid concealers give greater coverage over skin areas through a thick compound that allows it to fill and smooth over indentations in the skin’s surface.

-Liquid Concealers -  Liquid concealer is good for a lighter cover-up used for colorations in the skin like veins, dark circles and un-even skin tones. Liquid concealer is easy to apply and makes these skin issues lighter and less noticeable. Liquid concealer also works well for women with aging or drying skin to add moisture back to into the skin and freshen it.

Choosing a Concealer:
-Choose a makeup concealer that is lightweight yet creamy.
-A stick concealer provides direct on-the-spot application.
-A quality concealer is texture-free, virtually invisible and vitamin-enriched.
-The best concealer will brighten and lighten dark areas, erase spots and even out skin tones.
-Most concealers, including under eye concealers, can be used under foundation or on their own.
-Choosing the right shade of concealer can be easy when a woman keeps a few things in mind. One thing to remember is to pick a pigment that is one shade lighter than your skin tone is. Choosing a pigment shade that is too far off from your original skin tone, will work to bring out rather than hide the blemishes in the skin.
-The best bet when it comes to the various colors in concealers is to go with a beige or brown shade for use all over the face. If there is a one particular issue on the face that needs concealing, look for a concealer that will best match that flaw to blend the remaining skin color to the issue rendering it un-noticeable.

How to use Concealer:
1.Covering up blemishes - To cover minor blemishes start at the foundation level. After you have applied your foundation with a sponge gently, tap your sponge over the areas you want covered WITHOUT rubbing the sponge over the area. Then apply powder lightly. This will provide extra coverage where it is needed while still giving an overall blended appearance.

2.Colored Concealer - Generally, concealer color should match your skin tone. A color correcting makeup concealer in green will offset redness. A yellow concealer will downplay bluish discolorations. A slightly lighter under eye concealer will cover dark circles under the eyes.

3.Under Eye Concealer - Eye discolorations can pose a difficult situation for even make-up experts. Finding the right shade to lighten the darkened eye areas may take some experimenting. Using a gel or cream for reducing dark circles may help to lighten the skin tone and make it easier to hide the problem areas.
Dark circles occur either naturally due to genetics or from stress and/or lack of restful sleep. It can be a very hard skin condition to camouflage. First, choose a neutral shaded concealer to balance the darker coloration in the skin under the eye. Next, use the concealer to cover the entire eye area lightening the dark circles to give your face a quick change for the better.

4.Makeup Concealer – Makeup concealer is used to hide spots or discolorations. Most cosmetologists recommend a creamy or stick concealer used under foundation. To apply concealer: dot on and blend gently with a dry wedge sponge or clean finger for seamless coverage. You can also dot some concealer over foundation, before powder, for added coverage. Choose the right color. Without the right color of concealer, you may highlight rather than conceal your trouble spots.

 

Holiday Make-up: Part I

Headed to a holiday party this weekend?  You’ve probably got the dress, the shoes and the bag, but what about make-up?  Holiday make-up trends change from year to year and this season put the glitter down because it’s all about a subtle shimmer!  Zen Cosmetics Make-up designer Susan Yee dropped by TCL to break down what’s in and what’s out this year. 2008 Holiday Make-up Trends: -Subtle shimmer and sheen -Bold red lips -Bold strong blush Colors to Wear: -Earthy Greens -Gold and Cream -Charcoal shadow around the eyes We gave two of our lucky audience members the chance to get a holiday make-up makeover by Susan!

Holiday Make-up: Part II

Between family, work and travel this holiday season, we know that you don’t have a lot of time to spend on your make-up; so we’re making it east to get up-to-date on the latest make-up trends!  Make-up Designer, Susan Yee took two TCL audience members makeup from day to holiday!

Susan Yee Beauty Guest on TCL

Susan Yee TCL beauty expert discusses what should be in makeup bag and how long should keep cosmetics.

September 2008

Fall Makeup Trends

Makeup Expert Susan Yee shows us what's in this Fall.

The Fall Trends: 

• Color Purple
• Smokey Eyes
• Nude and Natural Look
  

 

Tan Without Sun

Susan Yee of Zhen Cosmetics came by TCL to share her tips for tanning without the sun.  Take Susan's tips: exfoliate before applying a self tanner, apply lotion to your kneecaps and elbows before applying a self tanner, use circular motions when applying a self tanner, and try a tinted product.  Then you'll know when you miss a spot.