What is a concealer highlighter for the face. What is the difference between concealer and highlighter? Rules for using concealer

Highlighter or concealer - what is the difference and what to choose

Concealer (corrector) masks imperfections; the texture of such products is highly pigmented and rich. Highlighters add shine and illuminate shadow areas of the face. And they help model the shape of the eyes, cheekbones, nose, lips and face shape. Their texture is light, with reflective and photochromic pigments that are difficult to find in other products. This is a magic wand if you need to hide signs of fatigue - the effect is immediate and looks natural.

Are “2 in 1” products more versatile?

Rather, they are not independent enough. If you do not have any visible skin imperfections - obvious dark circles, for example - you can use a beige highlighter concealer as a means of correction; its covering power will be sufficient. If not, then I recommend using concealer for camouflage and highlighter for its immediate purpose - highlighting.

Where should I apply them?

We use concealer to hide imperfections: the area around the eyes, crow’s feet, nasolabial folds. You can apply it to the upper eyelid and the area around the lips - this way the makeup will lie smoother and better. We catch the light with a highlighter: on the central part of the forehead, at the highest point of the cheekbones, along the back of the nose, under the eyebrow, in the dimple on the lips, in the middle of the chin. As with other products, it is very important to know the measure and quantity so that the makeup does not turn out to be overloaded.

How to choose the right product?

With concealer, everything is simple: it should be a little lighter than your foundation. In a highlighter, colored pigments are important: lilac or pink will make fair skin look porcelain. Peach ones refresh olive and golden skin, golden ones decorate the tan. This is important - lilac “highlighting” on dark skin can give an unattractive bluish glow, and if light skin is covered with peach or gold, it will have a yellowish tint.

Who definitely doesn't need highlighter?

Since highlighter adds radiance, it is better not to use it for those with oily skin - it will enhance the existing shine. It can also easily emphasize and visually aggravate enlarged pores and minor imperfections. Don't apply highlighter all over your face without powdering it, and don't use it without foundation, otherwise you'll literally glow like the moon.

Why is highlighter difficult to find in budget brands?

This is a complex and expensive product. According to our research, the majority of Russian customers still prefer practical and simple products - foundation, mascara, etc. The highlighter effect is amazing, but using it for daytime makeup, for example, is not very appropriate. Rather, it is needed for cocktail or evening makeup. And it is completely replaceable - I myself often use light pearlescent shadows in my work.

Among the wide variety of cosmetics, for some reason it is highlighter and concealer that cause confusion among many women. But they have one thing in common - both belong to decorative cosmetics. The difference can be heard even by ear: translated from English, “highlighter” means to highlight with light, and “concealer” means to hide. The meanings of these words are opposite, as are the tasks that are solved with their help.

Content:

What are highlighter and concealer for?

It is impossible to create masterful makeup with only lipstick and powder on hand. Of course, a beautiful face with impeccable features does not require many hours of “witchcraft” in front of the mirror. But even ideal beauties want to look better than they are. A huge arsenal of modern cosmetics allows you to create real miracles: mature ladies “look younger”, full cheeks “lose weight”, small eyes become larger. For such a transformation, any makeup artist’s cosmetic bag must have a highlighter and concealer.

The use of foundation and powder in makeup always gives a “doll” effect, that is, the face loses its naturalness. Professionals like to use the term “flat face” in this case. And this is where it comes to the rescue highlighter.

It is able to highlight the most advantageous areas of the face with the help of reflective particles. It is to emphasize, and not to disguise them. The highlighter is not a concealer, as it is classified as lightly pigmented. But with the help of reflective particles (depending on their concentration), you can achieve a soft “light” or add obvious shimmer to the skin. The face looks younger, radiates freshness and health.

Important: Since the highlighter is capable of “emphasizing,” it will also successfully highlight imperfections. For this reason, it is not recommended to use it on acne-prone skin.

Concealer- a life-saving “tool” in capable hands. He can handle dark circles under the eyes, freckles, wrinkles, and such troubles as pimples, scars and rosacea. In addition to its excellent masking properties, the concealer has excellent capabilities for sculpting the face.

Video: Face sculpting. New products in cosmetics

How to choose the right product

Choosing the right concealer or highlighter is not so easy, because the variety of shades and textures can turn any woman’s head.

Highlighters

They are liquid and compact, can be produced in the form of a pencil, powder or have a creamy texture. To decide which of these tools to buy, you need to understand the tasks that it has to solve. For example, creamy and liquid products equipped with a special brush are ideal for accurate correction. A dry highlighter is better suited for highlighting areas of the skin.

The palette of shades is no less rich: from white to dark golden tones. When purchasing, take into account skin tone:

  • a dark and tanned face will be well emphasized by a product with golden pigment;
  • Peach color is suitable for skin with a yellowish tint;
  • for women with a reddish complexion, cool tones are considered ideal: pink and lilac;
  • silver highlighter is good for pale-faced girls.

Advice: Shades of highlighters can be successfully mixed with each other, which allows you to practice interesting effects in makeup.

Concealers

They also boast not only a rich palette, but also a release form:

  • the sticks mask scars, freckles and pigmentation well, as they have a dense structure and are convenient for spot application;
  • cream concealer is considered universal and suitable for any skin type;
  • dry - ideal for oily skin (removes oily shine well);
  • the liquid version will moisturize dry skin, but the masking properties of this concealer are minimal;
  • For a travel cosmetic bag, a concealer stick will be the best. Hiding a pimple that appeared suddenly is a matter of minutes for him.

The color scheme deserves special attention. Using colored concealers correctly can achieve amazing results.

Green relieves redness (pimples, allergic manifestations) well. These concealers often contain tea tree oil and salicylic acid, which are considered excellent antiseptics.

Violet masks yellowness.

Beige will remove the unpleasant gray color and give your face freshness.

Brown corrects the shape of the face by applying “shadows” in certain places.

Pink veils “greenery”: bruises and protruding veins.

Shades of yellow and apricot Covers pigment spots well.

How to use cosmetics

It is important to know how to use these modern cosmetic “things”. To do this, it’s worth taking a closer look at the difference between highlighter and concealer.

Rules for applying highlighter

Cheekbones. If you apply the product to the highest points, you can achieve an excellent lifting effect.

Eyes. On the bone under the lower eyelid: this trick will give your face “youth” and get rid of such troubles as dark circles under the eyes. For deep-set eyes, it is enough to apply a small shimmering spot on the moving eyelid (it is better to use a compact product). And for close-set eyes, apply a little highlighter to the inner corners.

Nose. Using a highlighter, you can adjust its shape (a wide one will become visually narrower if you apply a thin stripe in the center, and light highlights on the sides will help lengthen a small nose).

Brows. The product can be applied under and above the eyebrow: this adds definition to the face and helps to correct the eyebrows.

Lips. Most often, highlighter is applied to the hollow above the upper lip. Lips gain volume and sensuality. The same effect can be achieved by drawing a thin line along the edge of the upper lip and gently blending it. It would be ideal if you add lip gloss to your makeup.

Chin. Just a little of this wonderful product on this part of the face - and its oval will come closer to its ideal shape.

Forehead. Using a highlighter, you can make it higher or wider: in the first case, the product is applied along the hairline, in the second - on the sides of the forehead, shading towards the temples.

Video: Makeup lesson. How to apply highlighter

Rules for applying concealer

There are rules for applying concealer that differ from how to apply highlighter:

  1. Cleanse skin thoroughly.
  2. Prepare it for makeup by moisturizing it with lotion or cream.
  3. Now you should apply foundation or foundation.
  4. Time to work with concealer: first, mark the desired areas, then blend the product with your fingers or with a sponge to completely remove the boundaries.

Advice: A great practice is to use concealer as an eye shadow base. Wrinkles will become less noticeable, and the shade of the shadows will become brighter.

The process is very simple, but mistakes in using concealer incorrectly can ruin the desired result. The most common of them is poor lighting when working on makeup. In addition, concealer is not applied under foundation, just the opposite. The same applies to powder. The product is applied under the eyes only after the skin of the eyelids is moisturized to avoid clogging of facial wrinkles with the masking composition.

If your skin type is oily, then you should not blend the concealer with your fingers! For this purpose, a cosmetic sponge or a special brush is used.

Video: Colored concealers for beginners. How to remove acne, circles under the eyes, scars

Highlighter and concealer comparison chart

Main differences

Highlighter

Concealer

Texture of funds

Lightweight, translucent, with reflective particles

It has a dense and opaque texture that successfully masks skin imperfections

What tasks does it handle?

With its help, you can place “accents” in your makeup and refresh your appearance.

Able to eliminate skin defects, used as a facial sculptor

Which areas of the face is it applied to?

The highest point on the cheekbones, forehead, nose, line under the eyebrow (less often above it), the middle of the chin, the hollow above the lip and along the perimeter of the upper lip, eyes: inner corner, moving eyelid

For defects that need to be hidden and places that require correction

Soft pastel colors with mother of pearl

Matte shades in skin tones and colors

Having both of these products in your beauty bag is not only fashionable, but also very smart. Proper mastery of the technique of applying them will allow you to create flawless makeup for any occasion.


How often do women hear about new, previously unfamiliar cosmetic products? Almost every day, because there are now plenty of TV shows dedicated to applying cosmetics. But do they all answer the question - what is this or that product actually intended for? It’s unlikely, most likely, information said in a hurry is forgotten, or even not given any importance at all. There are a lot of types of cosmetics for the face, especially those that are used to hide skin defects. This is primer, and concealer, and highlighter, and shimmering powder, as well as a makeup base. If you understand all this, you will discover a lot of new things!

The purpose of the highlighter

The word “highlighter” itself speaks for itself, translated from English as giving radiance. Indeed, this cosmetic product is intended mainly to give the skin a special shimmer and light. But besides this, with the help of a highlighter it is possible to hide small wrinkles, sculpt the face, and also lighten dark places and circles under the eyes.


As you can see, this product has many advantages. It is produced in liquid form, but also comes as powder. This powder adds shimmer to the area under the eyebrow and on the cheekbones, as well as in areas where it is needed. The highlighter can be bought in the form of a pencil or a sponge, that is, whichever is convenient for the girl.
The highlighter should be applied to the following areas of the face:

  • The area of ​​the cheekbones, if they are not very pronounced, can be emphasized and highlighted.
  • Under the eyes, bruises do not decorate, but only spoil the impression of you, so applying highlighter is very important.
  • The part that needs to be enlarged, for example, with a small nose or lips, as well as to emphasize the height of the forehead.
  • The area under the eyebrows, making the look luxurious.
  • Inner corners of the eyes, smoothly shading towards the center.

That is, in simple words, highlighter fights expressionlessness, dullness of the face after applying a primer (base, tone). Skin color becomes bright, vibrant, expressive. If you do not use such a vibrant shine, your face will lose its attractiveness due to the application of foundation and will become like something painted on.

Highlighter should not be applied to girls with oily skin, otherwise the face will appear unkempt, and oiliness will negatively affect the pores of the skin. Thus, the appearance of problems in the form of pimples, blackheads and rashes is guaranteed.

Concealer and its types

Unlike mass application, like a highlighter, a concealer (corrector) is designed for a targeted, instant result. Concealer, like highlighter, is a fairly new and fashionable word in the cosmetology industry. So, let's find out what this name means and why it is good.

Many people confuse concealer with makeup base or foundation. This popular product is used to hide minor skin imperfections that remain visible after applying all the bases, including foundation, but can also be used before applying foundation. In other words, the concealer instantly hides minor imperfections on the skin of the face. These usually include wrinkles, age spots, freckles, pimples, dark circles, and small blood vessels.

Concealer comes in different shades, it is important to choose the tone that best suits your skin color. It would be wrong if you choose the tone based on your hand; it is best to apply a sample of the corrector tone to the skin of the face directly, only after that you can make a purchase. Concealer is usually produced in small volumes and in different packages. The most common are sticks, a bottle with a brush, and a pencil.

What do these two important tools for proper, effective makeup have in common and how do they differ?

What they have in common is that both products consist of reflective particles that give the skin radiance, only the concealer contains much less of them. Both cosmetics improve and even out the complexion, sculpturing the ideal, giving the skin a natural radiance and vitality. With the use of concealer and highlighter, you can achieve amazing results if you use them in moderation, otherwise your face will become doll-like.

  • Highlighter, unlike concealer, can be chosen by applying it to the wrist.
  • Concealer is designed to precisely hide skin imperfections, while highlighter is applied more broadly.
  • The difference is that a highlighter brightens and enlarges, while a concealer reduces, distances, and hides the necessary areas of the skin.
  • The highlighter is chosen to be a tone lighter than the skin, and the concealer is tone on tone.
  • Concealers are also produced with medicinal properties against acne, but highlighters are not.
  • Concealer is indispensable after a sleepless night, and highlighter is essential for evening makeup.
  • The corrector has a pigment-rich structure and is thicker.

We looked at the main purpose of the two makeup products, described what the difference is between concealer and highlighter and what they have in common. Now you can safely go to the store and choose your own magical camouflage products. If applied correctly, you will never get tangled and your face will have a natural glow and shimmer. At the same time, others will think that your beauty is a gift from nature.

Highlighter and concealer are products familiar to many girls. They help achieve a perfectly even tone and healthy glow of the skin, which may look unnatural after applying foundation or powder alone. These products are designed to mask imperfections, making the face beautiful and well-groomed. The main thing is to know how to use each cosmetic product correctly. We will tell you what the difference between them is.

What is the difference between highlighter and concealer?


To use a product that has the best aesthetic effect, you need to distinguish between the purpose of concealer and highlighter. They are often confused due to the fact that both of these products may contain reflective additives and each of them masks imperfections to one degree or another.

The concealer hides imperfections such as circles under the eyes, age spots and redness. It combats skin imperfections through color correction. For example, to get rid of dark circles with purple or blue undertones, use a product with yellow pigments, redness is neutralized with a green tint, and brown spots are neutralized with lavender-lilac. You can choose any color from the palette of liquid concealers with Concealer Wand applicators from NYX Professional Makeup.

The concealer can be applied to large areas of the skin and can also be used for contouring. It has a fairly light and plastic texture, while the corrector, which also masks defects, is denser and is used only spot-on. Under the concealer, always apply foundation first. Then only those imperfections that she could not cope with will have to be corrected.

Highlighter is a product that gives the skin radiance. Its secret is a large concentration of reflective particles, which make minor imperfections in facial tone less pronounced. Also, the highlighter allows you to create more harmonious proportions by placing the right light accents.

You can apply highlighter to different areas of the face:

  • to the area under the eyebrow line- to make it more elevated;
  • on the back of the nose- so that it appears visually narrower and neater;
  • above the upper lip- for the effect of sensual and natural volume;
  • on the inner corners of the eyes- to make the gaze appear more open;
  • on the cheekbones- for “light” correction of face shape and strobing.

The type of highlighter can be almost anything. Liquid and gel textures, like Born To Glow Liquid Illuminator, are easier to blend. The creamy stick is convenient for quick and precise application. A powder or loose formula like Away We Glow Illuminating Powder can create a subtle, smoky glow. The color of this product can be chosen freely. For a cold color type, silver and pink tones are ideal, for a warm color type - almond and golden. For a bright “rainbow” make-up, use multi-colored highlighters, modeling a smooth gradient transition of shades. An ideal option for such experiments is the Love Ypu So Mochi Highliting Palette from NYX Professional Makeup.

What's better?


The answer to the question of which is better - highlighter or corrector - cannot be unambiguous. It all depends on the desired effect and personal preference. They are distinguished:

  • 💚 consistency - concealers are always liquid or cream-gel, highlighters are more varied in terms of formulas;
  • 💚 texture - concealers are most often matte, while highlighters have a radiant finish;
  • 💚 correction - with the help of a highlighter it is impossible to completely disguise imperfections, while a concealer can easily cope with this task and give an absolutely natural effect;
  • 💚 shine - the concentration of reflective particles in the highlighter is much higher, so it is better suited for strobing and “highlighting” different areas;
  • 💚 Preparation - under concealer you always need a makeup base and a base tone; highlighter can be applied even to “bare” skin.

To avoid having to choose between concealer and highlighter and to always have these products on hand, you can choose a contour or correction palette, such as the Contour Intuitive Palette from NYX Professional Makeup.

A few words about shimmer


Shimmer is usually a feature of the texture of decorative cosmetics. Both eyeshadows and blushes have shimmer. If we mean a separate product intended for professional use, then it will be distinguished from a highlighter by a coating with a more intense and “dense” shine. This finish is appropriate for extravagant evening or stage makeup, and the highlighter can even be used for nude makeup.

Concealer and highlighter cannot be called “competitors”. Each product solves specific problems, and by using these tools simultaneously and, most importantly, correctly, you can achieve almost any visual effect.

In this article you will learn what concealer and highlighter are.

Many people don’t even realize that with the help of decorative cosmetics they can reduce a large nose or enlarge a small one, make a round face visually oval, and give a tired look a radiance. Do you know about this? Let's find out.

What is concealer in cosmetics, what is it for, what does it look like?

Correct and incorrect application of concealer

Concealer is a kind of corrector for masking dark spots under the eyes, bruises, age spots, freckles, and redness on the face. Concealer in your cosmetic bag should be on par with foundation or powder. Concealer is purchased 1-2 shades lighter than the foundation.

Concealer is different from concealer:

  • Concealer with a more transparent texture.
  • Concealers come in different shades, but the corrector comes in one.
  • When using a corrector, the skin dries out, while a concealer moisturizes it.
  • Concealer is applied to the skin defect after foundation, corrector - before foundation.

Concealer needed:

  1. Conceal dark circles under the eyes.
  2. Apply to lips before applying lipstick for more intense lip color and a plumper appearance.
  3. If, while applying makeup, you went beyond the contours of your lips, eyebrows, or eye arrows, it’s not a big deal, you can always cover up the excess with concealer.
  4. A darker concealer than your foundation can be useful to define your cheekbones, narrow your nose, and round your face.
  5. Draw more voluminous eyebrows.
  6. Yellow concealer It will make a bruise under the eye less noticeable, disguise capillaries on the face and other imperfections with a purple tint.
  7. Purple concealer makes yellowish spots on the face, such as pigment spots, less noticeable. If you have a tired look, you can improve it by mixing a little concealer with foundation and applying it to your cheekbones, the middle of your chin and forehead.
  8. Green concealer masks red tones. They make redness on the face, red mesh, and inflamed pimples invisible. Also, if you need to remove redness over a larger area of ​​the face, mix green concealer with foundation.
  9. Pink concealer will disguise greenish circles under the eyes.

Important. Colored concealers are applied first, followed by foundation.

What types of concealers are there??

  • In the form of a pencil. Used when precision is needed: to paint over a small mole, pimple, spot.
  • Creamy concealer. They cover up circles under the eyes and dark spots on the face. More suitable for normal, dry and problematic skin.
  • Liquid concealer. More suitable for oily skin. They can cover up small wrinkles and pimples.
  • Concealer in a case(looks like lipstick), thicker than a creamy concealer. Suitable for normal, dry and problematic skin. Will cope with small scars on the face, slight redness, making imperfections invisible.
  • Powder concealer. Suitable for oily skin. Makes blackheads, age spots, pimples invisible, removes the shine of fat on the forehead.

Video: Episode 3. How to disguise circles under the eyes with makeup?

What is a highlighter in cosmetics, what is it for, what does it look like?



This is what the highlighter looks like

Highlighter- a product like powder or foundation that can highlight the desired areas on the face, as if from the inside. Thanks to the application of highlighter, your face looks fresh, rested, and radiant, even if you haven't slept for several days in a row.

Important. Cosmetologists advise working with highlighter according to the following principle: if you need to hide some part of the face (make a round face elongated), you need to darken it, if you emphasize it, lighten it. The highlighter in this case only brightens.

Highlighter happens:

  • In the form of a liquid cream (can be used by beginners)
  • Serum form, suitable for dry skin
  • Creamy
  • In powder form, suitable for oily skin
  • In the form of a pencil

What does a highlighter do for the face?



Where to apply highlighter

Highlighter is needed for the following purposes:

  • Give your face radiance and healthy color
  • Hide wrinkles
  • Visually change the oval of the face
  • Visually enlarge your eyes
  • Make the eyes on your face expressive
  • Visually enlarge lips and reduce or enlarge the nose
  • Emphasize eyebrows

The main areas for applying highlighter are:

  1. Eyes, for their visual enlargement. Apply a couple of dots of highlighter to the inner corners of your eyes, and rub them in with your finger - this will give the impression that you have large eyes, and to make them even more radiant, you need to place a dot in the middle of your eyelids with a liquid or cream highlighter.
  2. Cheekbones to give your look a fresh look. Apply highlighter to the highest points of your cheekbones using your fingers or a brush.
  3. Forehead(those with dry facial skin) to give freshness to the face. Dots are applied to the forehead and between the eyebrows. This area is not suitable for women with oily skin; it may give the impression that you have a sweaty forehead.
  4. Nose. A large nose can be visually made shorter and thinner. You need to run your finger with the highlighter along the bridge of your nose, not reaching the tip. A small nose can be visually enlarged by applying subtle highlights on the sides of the nose.
  5. Around the eyebrows. By passing a brush with highlighter over the eyebrow, an apparent lifting of the eyebrows and eyelids hanging over the eyes is achieved, and a wide look under the eyebrow.
  6. Lips to give them apparent volume. Place highlighter dots above the upper lip, in the place of the dimple, and on the lower lip in the middle.

Important. During the day a matte highlighter is used, in the evening - with glitter.

Which highlighter shade should you choose?

  • For fair skin– with pearl shade
  • For dark skin– with golden, bronze and warm copper shades
  • For pinkish skin– with a reddish tint


Makeup with highlighter

Common mistakes when applying highlighter:

  • Do not apply highlighter to dark areas: temples, under the cheekbones, tip of the nose and wings.
  • Don't apply highlighter to your chin, as this can make you look like you have a double chin or a heavy jaw.
  • Too much highlighter can make your face look oily.

Highlighter and concealer - what is the difference, which is better: comparison, differences



Girl without makeup and with concealer and highlighter

Highlighter and concealer have different purposes, but they are still often confused.

Concealer helps hide bruises and dark circles under the eyes, freckles, age spots and pimples on the face. Highlighter emphasize protruding points on the face.

Concealer and highlighter complement each other. First we apply concealer to the face, and then highlight what we want to show with highlighter.

A very light concealer can be applied as a highlighter to highlight cheekbones, narrow the nose, or enlarge the eyes.

So, now we have learned how, without resorting to plastic surgery, to reduce your nose and rejuvenate your face using decorative cosmetics.

Video: Stylist Anastasia Odels. Highlighter, how and where to apply it correctly

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