Ask any woman about the makeup product they can’t live without, and chances are they’ll say concealer. The nifty little tube does it all, from evening out skin tone and hiding the telltale signs of late nights, pizza parties, and subzero temperatures.

But you don’t want to just slap on your concealer and get on with your day. To really make the most of this multitasking product, you need to use it properly. In this article, the beauty experts at INIKA Organic explain how to apply concealer like a pro.

How to apply concealer correctly

As always, skincare comes first. Before you reach for your trusty concealer, you want to make sure you’re working with a clean, moisturised canvas - otherwise your concealer might end up caking or flaking later on! Once you’ve completed your skincare steps, wait a few minutes and you’ll be ready for concealer.

The best way to apply concealer depends on what you’re trying to cover up.

1. To disguise dark circles

Dark circles can be caused by genes, lifestyle, or one too many late nights. Luckily, a good undereye concealer can help you to fake eight hours of sleep.

The skin under our eyes is delicate, and it can get really dry. To infuse the area with moisture, apply a rich eye cream as part of your skincare routine. The Phytofuse Renew Resveratrol Eye Cream works to boost elasticity, even out skin tone and brighten the eye area for a more refreshed look. It also comes with a ceramic applicator, which can help to reduce puffiness. We recommend keeping it in the fridge so it’s nice and cool on the skin!

After applying foundation, dot a creamy, peachy concealer under your eyes, like the Full Coverage Concealer. Dab a little on the inner corners of your eyes, too. Then, gently pat in the product using your ring finger or the Vegan Blending Brush. This technique will balance out the blueish colour of dark circles and help the concealer to melt into your skin.

Avoid smearing the concealer across your undereye area - this can cause the concealer to settle into any fine lines and might lead to caking and creasing later on.

Top Tip: For the full bright-eyed effect, pair your under eye concealer with our Long Lash Vegan Mascara - long, lifted lashes will frame your eyes and help you look even more awake.

2. To cover breakouts

For those pesky pimples, apply a non-comedogenic concealer before foundation. Just like with the undereye area, you want to pat in the concealer, rather than dragging it along the skin. By using this technique, you’ll also find that you won’t need as much foundation!

Top Tip: Dealing with a popped pimple? We’ve all been there. The goal is to help your skin to heal as fast as possible, so try to apply a liquid bandage to protect the area. Then, dab a concealer for acne-prone skin on top of the spot. The Full Coverage Concealer is packed with powerful plant actives, so you can go about your day knowing it’s working its skincare magic, too!

3. To combat redness

Windy weather, allergies, rosacea and the common cold - these are just a few reasons why your skin might be on the reddish side.

The first step is to amp up your skincare routine with an ultra-nourishing moisturiser, like the Phytofuse Renew Maca Root Rich Day Cream. This will keep any dryness and flakiness in check. Give the moisturiser a few minutes to absorb into the skin, and then follow up with your favourite foundation to even out your skin tone.

Enter: Concealer.

The secret here is to apply concealer to the areas you have redness - like around the nose - using a blending brush. You can add a few layers of concealer if you like, and then set it with a finishing powder. That way, the best concealer for redness won’t rub off, even if you’re dealing with a runny nose or chilly temps!

4. To blur scars

Thanks to acne and other skin conditions, scars and pockmarks are super common. The best way to apply concealer comes down to the type of scar you have.

If the scar is concave, dip your blending brush into a concealer that’s one shade lighter than your skin tone. You can use a little more product here. Once you’ve filled in the scar, grab a fluffy brush (like the Vegan Kabuki Brush) and dust the area with a lightweight translucent powder.

If the scar is raised, choose a concealer that matches your skin tone, and pat it in just like you would with a breakout. Then, set the concealer with a fine powder, such as the Loose Mineral Foundation SPF25.

Shop the best concealer for blemishes, redness and more. Concealer is the ultimate multi-tasker, and a must in any and all makeup kit. To treat any skin care problem that pops up, shop the best cruelty-free concealer online.