It’s no secret that we could not survive without concealer—the cosmetic weapon that covers a multitude of sins, from late nights out to unsightly blemishes and beyond. But while we’ve always touted the benefits of our beloved concealer, we thought it was high time we delve into one of concealer’s most astonishing talents: color correction. If color correcting concealers are slightly outside of your comfort zone, don’t fret—we chatted with an expert, Professional makeup artist Lillian Marsh, to bring you everything you need to know.

The Basics

Color correcting concealers are designed to “hide skin imperfections like redness, sallowness, and general discoloration,” Marsh says. They’re particularly good for “anyone with mild to extreme skin discoloration issues. Most slight skin discoloration issues can be managed by your foundation and concealer, but if you're seeking perfection, a color correcting concealer under your foundation and concealer will do the trick” Marsh explains.

The Right Product for You

Choosing the right color correcting concealer for you comes down to two things: color and consistency. “Make sure you are getting the right consistency and hue for what you are looking to mask. If you have an extreme case of discoloration, you'll need a heavier product with a more intense hue. To even out mild to moderate discoloration you'll want a sheerer formula in a softer hue. When confused about what color to get, refer to the color wheel. Complementary colors, or opposites on the color wheel, cancel each other out,” Marsh suggests.

Here’s Marsh’s detailed color explanation:

“1. Green corrects extreme redness; birthmarks, rash, etc. Use sheerer formulas for moderate redness.

Product Recommendations: Maybelline CoverStick Concealer in Green; Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Primer in Green

2. Yellow corrects pink and mild red hues. Unless there is extreme redness, I much prefer to use yellow over green to correct redness caused by issues such as rosacea, broken capillaries, sensitivity, or inheritance. Skin is naturally warm. We have blood flowing through our veins and if we take out all the red in our skin through the use of a green corrector... well, you can imagine.

Product Recommendations: Maybelline Cover Stick Concealer in Yellow; Clinique 'Redness Solutions' Targeted Corrector

3. Pink corrects yellow and mild green hues, brightening overly olive, sallow skin. Very light shades of pink are also great for highlighting!

Product Recommendations: L'Oréal Studio Secrets Professional Color Correcting Primers Anti-Dull Skin Primer; Giorgio Armani Master Corrector Concealer in Pink

4. Orange/Peach corrects blue hues, under eye circles, dark spots caused by aging or sun damage, and brightens deeper skin tones. Orange is great for covering up a blue bruise, lighter shades of orange, like peach, are better for covering a more mild case of the blues.

Product Recommendations: Giorgio Armani Master Corrector Concealer in Orange; Bobbi Brown Color Corrector in Peach

5. Violet/Blue neutralizes yellow and orange hues, corrects dark spots and hyper-pigmentation and overly orange (think self-tanner) skin.”

Product Recommendations: Makeup Store Neutralizer in Purple; Make Up For Ever Microperfecting Primer in Blue or Mauve

The Application

Once you’ve got your product, keep in mind that “less is more! Start with a little bit of product. If you need more, add little by little,” Marsh suggests. “Once you've applied the proper color corrector, press foundation or concealer over rather that swipe. This will ensure that the color correcting concealer has stayed where you put it. And only use corrector where you need it.”

Would you try a color correcting concealer? Share your thoughts below!

Photo: Thinkstock