spot concealing 101
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As the era of full-face glam fades, many are turning their attention to mastering the art of the “no-makeup” makeup look. Yet, for the everyday beauty enthusiast, the question remains: how can we subtly conceal imperfections like blemishes or hyperpigmentation without resorting to a mask-like layer of foundation or heavy powder?
Here's a secret—spot concealing can make all the difference. Think of it as repairing a wall with holes in it. If you just slather paint all over the wall, this is not going to really hide the holes. However, if you go in with spackle paste, you have then covered the holes. This is how I look at concealer. I’ve done this method for years now and people often ask me how my skin looks so perfect. And yes while skincare helps, 9/10 times I have some spot concealing going on to hide any imperfections.
My favorite approach to spot concealing is simply to dab small dots of concealer over any areas you want to cover. This effortless technique only requires two products: a high-quality concealer and a tool for seamless blending. Personally, my holy grail is the Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer. Though it’s a bit of a splurge compared to most concealers at Sephora, I find it worth every penny. I've tried other popular options like Westman Atelier, Natasha Denona, Makeup by Mario, and Kosas, but the finish and staying power of Hourglass simply outshine them all.
I know it might sound like I’m a walking ad, but if I could only keep five makeup products for the rest of my life, this concealer would undoubtedly make the cut.
If you don’t have any tools on hand, simply using your fingertip works well for blending. However, if you’re aiming for that flawless finish, I highly recommend the Makeup by Mario F5 Concealer Brush. Designed by Mario to mimic the natural effect of fingertip blending, this brush has a sloped shape that seamlessly adapts to the contours of your face.
While specific brushes might often go overlooked by everyday makeup wearers, I believe this one is a worthy investment. It truly elevates your everyday routine with a professional touch. I’ve tried the Hourglass Concealer Brush as well, but for me, the Mario brush provides an even more natural, airbrushed finish.
For dark circles, I typically apply just one dot of concealer—and that’s usually all it takes. While you could layer on more, in my experience, a single dot is often enough for a fresh, natural look. My tip? Place that dot in the deepest part of the under-eye hollow. Imagine you’re applying putty to smooth out a surface; that’s where your concealer should go. This technique not only brings the area forward, creating a brightening effect, but also softens any bluish or purplish tones.
If you’d like, you can color correct beforehand, but for a quick daily routine, most of us skip that step. For the rest of the face, I choose a concealer that matches my skin tone and apply tiny dots over any blemishes or areas of hyperpigmentation. This targeted approach conceals imperfections while letting your skin breathe and shine through—perfecting that “no-makeup” look.
If you’re prone to creasing, you can set the concealer, though in my experience, this formula is quite self-setting, so I typically skip powder unless I have a long day ahead. For those who do prefer a setting powder, I highly recommend the new Makeup by Mario Surreal Skin Talc-Free Soft Blur Setting Powder. This powder is exceptionally lightweight and strikes the perfect balance—it’s neither too matte nor shimmery, giving a soft-focus finish that enhances the natural look without feeling heavy.
Other than that, that’s really all it takes for the base of achieving the look of “no-makeup” makeup skin. If you have yet to try this method out, I highly encourage you to do so. Not only will you be letting your skin shine through, but I can bet you will feel so much more comfortable in your skin compared to layering on foundation to hide any imperfections.
xoxo, The Blush Boy Edit