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10 Essential Concealer Hacks for Dark and Olive Skin

Hyperpigmentation, meet your doom. These genius concealer tricks guarantee an airbrushed, even complexion
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Use Brown Eyeliner on White Spots
Hypopigmentation got you down? We're talking about those little white spots that appear on the skin due to loss of pigment from too much sun.

Though there's no cure for hypopigmentation, the pros say you can conceal them by repurposing products you already have.

"Using a taupe or brown eyeliner, or a brown brow pencil, is a good trick for hiding white spots," says Stiles. "The pencil will stick to the skin more precisely than using a concealer and will allow you to really paint within the lines."

Try using Mineral Fusion Eye Pencil in Rough, $15, or Anastasia Brow Wiz, $21, before blending with concealer and setting with powder.

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Work in a Color-Correcting Primer
An easy way to work color correction into your makeup routine is by opting for a color-correcting primer. "I like to use primers to help me create a balanced base to work from," says Flor.

Try one of Clinique's Superprimer Face Primers, $27, which correct issues like redness, discoloration and dullness in darker complexions, while prepping skin for makeup application and all-day wear.

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Hyper-Pigmentation, Meet Camouflage Cream
To counteract hyperpigmentation and melasma, makeup artist Shonagh Scott suggests investing in a professional camouflage palette, such as Kryolan Dermacolor Camouflage Creme Palette 12 Colors, $54.50. Even the severest discoloration is no match for this stuff.

To apply, Scott recommends using a concealer brush to paint a peachy color from the palette onto medium skin. For darker complexions, use a color with more orange in it.

Warm up some of the product on the back of your hand (this thins out the texture, making it easier to apply), then use your concealer brush to transfer the product from your hand to the problem areas on your face. Pat the product into your skin with your fingers to blend.

Once you've finished with your camouflage cream, Scott suggests using a dampened Beautyblender sponge to apply foundation over top (try Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation, $44). When applied with a stippling motion, the soft and supple sponge assures that you don't disturb the color cream underneath.

After foundation, continue applying your makeup as usual, and enjoy perfectly concealed skin.

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Snag a Medicated Concealer
For concealing small blemishes, Flor recommends treating while you camouflage. "Using a medicated concealer helps clear and prevent blemishes," she says. "You get great coverage while your skin is healing."

Using a tiny concealer brush, such as Nars No. 13 Precision Blending Brush, $26, softly dab Murad Acne Treatment Concealer, $21, directly onto any pimples. Make sure to do this after applying your color correcting products and foundation.

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Strategic Coverage is the Best Coverage
"As women with dark and olive skin tones, we tend to need the most coverage under our eyes [and] to balance any hyperpigmentation," says Flor. For natural coverage, forgo using foundation all over the face, and instead use concealer on the areas that need the most coverage, followed by a CC Cream.

"CC Cream with SPF protects the skin from future damage and gives a subtle base without looking overdone," Flor say. (We suggest It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better SPF 50 CC Cream, $38). "Less is more if the makeup is in the right places."

Using a tinted moisturizer with light reflecting particles, like mica, is also helpful for natural camouflage, says Jaliman. Try Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30, $16.99.

BY AMANDA MONTELL | SEP 3, 2015 | SHARES
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