Concealer is a game changer in makeup. Nothing brightens eyes, covers spots, and evens discoloration like it. But there are some rules to applying concealer that are a must to getting this step right.

Makeup is personal. We all like what we like and choose items to suit our skin tone, eye color, and so on. Concealer is not different and it is super important to choose the right product for you. It is also essential to know how to use this product in order to avoid those crazy reverse raccoon eyes or too-dark stripes.

So how do you go about choosing the perfect concealer shade? Follow these tips for ID-ing the right color for you and applying concealer like a pro.

7 Hard and Fast Rules of Applying Concealer and Choosing the Perfect Shade

1 Choosing Color: Like foundation, nothing wrecks a good concealer game like using the wrong shade. With foundation we go for the tone closest to our natural skin color. When picking out concealer go a half shade to one whole shade lighter.

2 Choosing Consistency: Yes, there are several different concealer formulas. You have pencil, stick, cream, and even a gel-like lotion. Lotions go on sheer and are good for oilier skin types or those with mild discoloration. A cream or stick is thicker but moisturizing, good for dry skin and covering areas on the face, such as around the nose. Green beauty creator and makeup artist, Rose-Marie Swift, even recommends using her cream concealer as a light foundation. Pencil is the thickest and also tends to be on the drier side. This one is great for covering dark under eye circles and blemishes.

3 First Step: Concealer should be the first step in your makeup routine, right after moisturizer and facial treatments. Applying concealer on top of foundation will look funky.

4 Light Touch: Concealer is not supposed to show. Taking a light touch with this step will offer best results.

5 Be gentle: When covering under eye circles and other areas of discoloration, apply concealer and gently dab with your ring finger. This presses the product into skin rather than smearing it around.

6 Spot-less: When hiding blemishes you are aiming to minimize redness, not make the sucker disappear. A zit caked with concealer looks just as bad as the pimple itself, if not worse. Dot on concealer and blend with a small makeup brush until the area is less red. A concealer with a bit of acne treatment will help to treat the blemish too.

7 Next steps: Follow up with your usual foundation and don’t forget a dusting of facial powder. Dry-skinned gals may normally avoid powder, but applying a light layer to only areas where concealer has been applied will help the product to stay put and takes away any shine.

Best Stick Concealer

Vapour Organic Beauty Illusionist Concealer

Best Lotion Concealer

Ilia Beauty Vivid Concealer

Best Cream Concealer

RMS Beauty “Un” Cover-Up

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

Related on EcoSalon

How to Cover Up a Pimple in 4 Quick Steps (and Get On With Your Life!)

How to Get Rid of Acne Scars with Natural Remedies

Are Your pH Levels Causing Acne or Wrinkles?

Makeup brushes image via Shutterstock

The post 7 Hard and Fast Rules of Applying Concealer for Amazing Results appeared first on EcoSalon.

Enter to win this incredible prize package worth more than $1450+ and start your spring off right! (You know, if you want.)

While Mother Nature sheds that heavy and unflatting layer of snow, we’ll be swapping our chunky sweaters for some skimpier duds. And by the time swimsuit season rolls around, we want to be armed and ready, amiright?

That’s why we’re giving away a prize package that will help you get your glow on—both inside and out. If you want to step into spring looking and feeling fabulous, all you have to do to enter is sign up here. No muss, no fuss.

Here are the ah-mazing prizes up for grabs:

1. Vapour Organic Beauty Products + Gift Card ($506)

Here’s the thing: Vapour Organic Beauty is kind of a big deal, delivering the look of flawless glowing skin without compromise. Vapour is 100 percent natural: It contains 70 percent organic ingredients and 30 percent mineral pigments and essential oils. No strings attached.

The products glide on easily and blend seamlessly. They don’t settle into or accentuate fine lines and wrinkles. Best of all, you won’t find yourself huffing powders first thing in the morning, thanks to Vapour’s minerals being suspended in a concentrated moisturizing base.

Not only will you receive a $100 gift card and free shade consultation with a Vapour Beauty Expert, you’ll also win an array of products that will help your skin achieve the highly sought after Vapour glow:

a) Essence Restorative Night Treatment ($90)

Essence Restorative Night Treatment helps protect your skin from daily environmental toxins by targeting free radical damage and inflammation. It’s the perfect scrip for dehydrated, stressed and sensitive skin.

b) Stratus Instant Skin Perfector ($48)

The original organic BB cream, Stratus is a 3-in-1 moisturizer, primer and no-color foundation. Vapour’s Light Reflective Technology instantly perfects the look of your skin, which equals a refreshed-looking you. (Shade determined by winner.)

c) Aura Multi-Use Blush in Cheeky ($36)

Aura Multi-Use Blush gives a natural flush of color. Best of all, these colors are universally-flattering and work on all skin tones and all ages. (Pssst… This shade is new for spring!)

d) Aura Multi-Use Blush in Charm ($36)

Give the Vapour glow to cheeks, lips and eyes, all in one convenient stick. Who wouldn’t want to look polished in seconds? (Pssst… This shade is new for spring!)

e) Clarity Organic Makeup Remover and Cleansing Oil ($32)

Clarity gently cleans your skin by dissolving all traces of makeup, dirt and impurities without stripping your skin of its natural protective layer. Not only does it calm and balance your skin, but provides anti-aging antioxidants to protect your skin from environmental hazards.

f) Siren Lipstick in Au Pair ($24)

Siren is a naturally long-wearing, moisturizing lipstick that’s designed to flatter all skin tones while nourishing parched lips. That’s a lot to pack into one chemical-free formula!

g) Elixir Lip Plumping Gloss in Tickle ($22)

Elixir Plumping Lip Gloss delivers superior body and shine to your pout without getting all sticky about it. (Pssst… This shade is new for spring!)

h) Elixir Lip Plumping Gloss in Flutter ($22)

Plus, Elixir is made of pure plant ingredients that are processed without chemicals. What more could you ask for in one amazing little tube?

i) Lux Organic Lip Conditioner ($20)

This soothing formula glides on to restore vital nutrients and protect your pucker from moisture loss and environmental stress.

j) Mesmerize Eye Color in Ace ($20)

Not only does Mesmerize moisturize and nourish, it does so without all of those icky chemicals typically found in eye shadows. (Pssst… This shade is new for spring!)

k) Mesmerize Eye Shimmer in Stealth ($20)

Make your eyes look all seductive with Mesmerize Eye Shimmer (the hydrating antioxidants you’ll receive are just a bonus).

l) Mesmerize Eyeliner in Viper ($20)

Mesmerize Eyeliner glides on smooth, giving you a precise line for a perfectly defined eye. You can also use the blending tip to create a sultry smoky eye. It’s professional performance in an organic eyeliner.

m) Vapour Makeup Bag ($16)

What better way to stash your new goodies than in a Vapour Makeup Bag?

2. Stunning Spring Fashions from Ethica ($501)

Ethica is a pioneering online boutique where shoppers can discover a stylish selection of ethical and sustainable fashion brands. Ethica’s mission is two-fold: To showcase the most exciting samples of conscious, contemporary fashion, and to shape thoughtful approaches to shopping, style and trends through a focus on storytelling.

a) Edith A. Miller Sleeveless Hoodie ($132)

The go-to brand for all things striped, Edith A. Miller is made at an historic Pennsylvania mill using American-grown cotton. The sleeveless hoodie is perfect for throwing over running gear or a bikini—hel-looo pockets!

b) Edith A. Miller Sammi Mini Skirt ($132)

This sporty cotton mini is uber-comfy (with pockets!). It’s perfect for travelling, and a stylish choice for backyard BBQs and days at the beach.

c) Conditions Apply Melanie Leggings ($92)

Made at a vertically integrated, sustainable factory in India, these ribbed cotton leggings by Conditions Apply are a tonal, textural alternative to skinny jeans.

d) Pima Doll Putty Twist Strap Dress ($77)

This charming A-line tank dress is all about the details, from the twisty straps to the high-low hem. The entire Pima Doll line is made from pima cotton—an eco-friendly fiber that can be grown without chemicals and harvested by hand. Bonus: It’s 50 percent more durable than ordinary cotton.

e) Miakoda Organic Cotton Circle Shirt ($68)

This sleeveless, organic cotton shirt is perfect for work or play: Layer it under a blazer at the office, or pair it with shorts in the summer. All of Miakoda’s vegan garments are eco-friendly and made at a small factory in the USA.

But wait, there’s more! (Sorry, I had to.) You’ll also receive these prizes for you and a friend:

3. 2 x 3-month subscriptions to Yogi Surprise ($270)

Yogi Surprise is a monthly care package designed to complement your mindful lifestyle, on and off the mat. Each month, Yogi Surprise will deliver 6-8 full-size products ranging from handcrafted yoga accessories and natural beauty items to herbal tonics, organic snacks and super food must-haves to nourish your body on the inside and out.

4. 2 x 1-year memberships to YogaToday ($180)

YogaToday‘s online studio has been bringing yoga to the masses since 2006. No crowds, no hassles. It’s yoga on your terms. Best of all, the classes will transport you to some pretty inspiring locations—you’ll totally forget you’re downward dogging in that messy office of yours.

Enter to Win

For your chance to win all of these amazing goodies, all you have to do is sign up here. (FYI: By entering this giveaway, you’re signing up for EcoSalon’s, YogaToday’s and Yogi Surprise’s newsletters.)

Ready to enter? Pffft, of course you are! Sign up now, and good luck!

Related on EcoSalon

7 Ways to Go Bold with Your Day Makeup (and Not Look Like a Clown)

15 Celebrity Makeup, Skin and Hair Tips That Really Work

Cruelty-Free Drugstore Makeup? Yes, Please

The post ENTER TO WIN: $1,450+ WORTH OF ECO-CHIC PRODUCTS to Get Your Gorgeous Spring Glow On! appeared first on EcoSalon.