6 Shades of Color-Correcting Concealers, Decoded

By Adrianna Barrionuevo
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It seems as if whenever we scroll through our Instagram feeds, we spot videos of makeup artists dabbing their face with orange, green, and purple creams. Despite their initially clown-like appearance, they each look completely flawless once they've buffed and blended. They owe their perfect complexions to color correcting.

Though color correcting may be one of the hottest makeup trends right now, we'll be the first to admit that figuring out what shade goes where can be downright confusing. You see, traditional concealers are made to brighten the skin, while color correctors camouflage discoloration. Instead of just covering blemishes and dark spots, you use . . . well, green or orange!

Make Up For Ever Director of Artistry Lijha Stewart clarifies this theory further: "Two colors across from each other on the color wheel are complements, and therefore they will cancel each other out. This theory translates in makeup because of our various skin tones." So, if your breakout is bright red, you can use a green product (a complementing hue) to neutralize the pink tones in your blemish.

That's just the beginning! Finding the right formula is key when it comes to this multihued method.

Celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose, whose famous clients include Lupita Nyong'o and Brie Larson, says, "In general, if I'm using one all over the face or a wide area, I go with a liquid because it's subtle and won't look pasty. However, for smaller areas that have more discoloration — like under the eyes and pimples — I go with a thicker cream formula."

Read on to get the lowdown on how to navigate the world of color correcting with some tips from the pros and our favorite picks.

Yellow

Yellow

The color: Yellow

The problem: Subtle redness from blemishes or around the nose

Most effective on: Fair to tan complexions

How it works: Yellow is considered the most popular corrector thanks to its versatility. Though it is known for its red-blurring powers, Stewart points out that this hero shade could also be a viable option for fair tones in certain cases. "For light skin where dark spots can appear almost purple, use yellow corrector to even out skin tone."

Try: NYX Color Correcting Liquid Primer ($14)

Green

Green

The color: Green

The problem: Redness from acne, irritation, or rosacea

Most effective on: Fair to medium complexions with red undertones

How it works: "You'll want a product that is sheer and not too opaque so it neutralizes in a subtle way," advises Barose. This lightweight, pearlescent formula is extremely versatile — you can spot treat or cover a wider area that is prone to redness with a smooth finish.

Try: Yves Saint Laurent Beauty Touche Éclat Neutralizer in Green ($38)

Orange/Red

Orange/Red

The color: Orange/Red

The problem: Extreme dark circles

Most effective on: Tan to deep complexions with blue undertones

How it works: This formula was inspired by the popular vlogger technique of concealing under-eye circles with red lipstick. Just a dab of the rich orange-red cream will cancel out deep blue and purple shadows.

Try: Becca Backlight Targeted Color Corrector ($30)

Pink

Pink

The color: Pink

The problem: Sallow and dull skin that looks fatigued

Most effective on: Fair to medium complexions

How it works: Barose notes that a pink corrector is ideal for "light skin that has a yellow cast to it." During the Winter months, we turn to this formula. The tinted microalgae in this radiant liquid instantly perks up skin.

Try: Algenist Reveal Concentrated Color Correcting Drops ($38)

Purple

Purple

The color: Purple

The problem: Sallow and dull skin that looks fatigued

Most effective on: Light to tan complexions

How it works: In essence, a purple corrector serves the same purpose as a pink one — it just caters to a different range of skin tones. This purple cream is heavy duty, meaning it will come in handy in areas that could use a boost in the brightening department. Try it on the T-zone and forehead.

Try: Make Up For Ever Camouflage Cream Pot ($20)

Peach

Peach

The color: Peach

The problem: Blue or gray under-eye circles

Most effective on: Fair to tan complexions

How it works: Spot treating dark circles is an art! To master it, Stewart recommends the following technique. "Apply one dot to the inner corner of the under eye (or wherever the dark circle is the most noticeable) and blend toward the temple. Next, brighten with a yellow-tone concealer that is two shades lighter than your own skin tone." The extra steps go a long way — after trying this method, we looked like we had the best beauty sleep ever.

Try: Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Color Concealer ($27)

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