Guide To Colour Correctors

If your go-to foundation and concealer can’t hide stubborn dark eyes circles and angry zits, it might be time to bring in the big guns: colour correctors.

These tinted formulas work to counterbalance undertones and neutralise hues to create an even base. This way, you don’t have to cake on concealer and foundation.

However, makeup beginners tend to avoid colour correcting formulas because the varying shades of pink, peach, yellow, green, and purple seem overly-complicated and daunting to use.

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Ahead, we’ll give you a crash course on finding the shades that best suit your complexion concerns, and where to apply them so you don’t unintentionally look like Shrek. Unless you’re Heidi Klum, of course.

Green

Left to right:
Innisfree Smart Drawing Color Correcting in 02 Vanilla Green (S$12.50)
3INA The Concealer in 105 Cool Green (S$21)
Smashbox Color Correcting Stick in Get Less Red (S$36)
Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid in Green (S$40)
Guerlain Meteorites CC GLOW Concealer and Illuminator in 02 Vert (S$65)

What it does: A flash of mint green neutralises red tones from pimples and broken capillaries.
Where to apply: Persistent redness on the cheeks, around the nose, forehead, and angry blemishes.

Purple

Left to right:
NYX Professional Makeup Concealer Jar in Lavender (S$11)
Innisfree Smart Drawing Color Correcting in 03 Cream Purple (S$12.50)
3INA The Concealer in 109 Lilac Leveler (S$21)
SMASHBOX Color Correcting Stick in Don’t Be Dull (S$36)
Laneige Skin Veil Base Cushion SPF14 PA++ in 40 Light Purple (S$48)

What it does: Lilac cancels out sallow, yellow undertones, so it gives a radiant finish to a dull complexion.
Where to apply: On the forehead, jawline, around the mouth, cheeks, and hyperpigmentation.

Yellow

Left to right:
L.A. Girl PRO.Conceal HD High Definition Concealer in Yellow (S$6.60)
NYX Concealer Wand in Yellow (S$12)
Innisfree Smart Drawing Color Correcting in 04 Lemon Yellow (S$12.50)
3INA The Concealer in 108 Mellow Yellow (S$21)
Cover FX Correct Click in Yellow (S$28)

What it does: A fresh burst of lemon yellow lifts darker areas by correcting dark, purplish tones in light to medium skin tones.
Where to apply: On eyebags under the eyes, or to brighten cheekbones, and around the mouth to lighten laugh lines.

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Peach

Left to right:
L.A. Girl PRO.Conceal HD High Definition Concealer in Peach (S$6.60)
Innisfree Smart Drawing Color Correcting in 01 Apricot Peach (S$12.50)
SMASHBOX Color Correcting Stick in Look Less Tired – Dark (S$36)
Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid in Peach (S$40)
Guerlain Meteorites CC GLOW Concealer and Illuminator in 01 Abricot (S$65)

What it does: Peach and orange colour correctors cut the blue from dark circles in medium to dark skin tones.
Where to apply: Dark circles under the eyes and on the lids.

Pink

Left to right:
L.A. Girl PRO.Conceal HD High Definition Concealer in Cool Pink (S$7.60)
SMASHBOX Color Correcting Stick in Look Less Tired – Light (S$36)
Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid in Pink (S$40)
Natasha Denona Eye Light Highlighting Concealer in 1 Light Pink (S$44)
Guerlain Meteorites CC GLOW Concealer and Illuminator in 03 Rose (S$65)

What it does: Salmon-coloured concealers neutralise green and blue tones from dark circles in fair to light skin tones.
Where to apply: Dark circles under the eyes.

If you’re addressing multiple complexion concerns, a colour correcting palette has more options, so it could be a better fit.

Colour Correcting Palettes

Left to right:
NYX 3C Palette Color Correcting Concealer (S$25)
Sephora Collection Must-Have Face Palette (S$26)
STILA All-in-One Color Correcting Palette (S$64)

How To Apply Colour Correcting Concealers

Before applying colour correcting makeup, start by prepping your skin with a tinted moisturiser. This way, you won’t have to use as much product as you would on bare skin.

Skip the makeup brush and use your clean fingertips to lightly pat a small amount of colour corrector on the problem area. The warmth of your fingers will help the concealer blend better.

Since brush bristles will move the product around, opt for a makeup sponge to layer more product if necessary and to bounce your foundation over the colour corrector. This prevents patchy spots as it spreads the pigment more seamlessly.

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