Caitlin Bacher, Selena Gomez’s makeup artist, recently sat down with Byrdie to reveal some of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to concealer application, and you may be surprised by some of her responses! While we all want our concealer to look natural, there are ways you can go about this that might not be obvious at first glance. Here are Bacher’s top tips to achieve natural looking concealer that looks like skin and lasts all day long!
1) Not using the right shade of concealer
It can be hard to find the right shade of concealer that matches your skin tone. If you have a lighter complexion, you might be tempted to choose a shade that is too dark for your skin tone because you think it will offer more coverage. Alternatively, if you have a darker complexion and want light coverage, you may be tempted to use a shade that is too light because it seems like the color will work better for your skin tone. That isn’t always the case!

2) Not using enough concealer
The most common mistake people make when applying concealer is not using enough. It’s important to remember that a little goes a long way so don’t be afraid of using too much product on your face. The key is blending it in until you’re satisfied with the coverage and then set it with powder. If you can still see some color after setting, try another layer or use more concealer where necessary. Remember: more is better! Another problem with overdoing it is that if your skin looks orangey instead of dewy and youthful, you’ve gone overboard with the product. Too much makeup will actually accentuate any flaws rather than disguise them as well.
3) Applying concealer before foundation
Avoid applying your concealer before foundation because it will end up looking cakey and unnatural. Apply a little bit of foundation first then use a concealer that matches the rest of your skin tone. Blend well with your fingers or a brush and you’re good to go! If you have some areas on your face that are lighter than others, add an extra layer of foundation to help fill in any imperfections and make sure everything is even.
Selena’s makeup artist also recommends using a color-correcting concealer on any redness in the face caused by rosacea or acne.