Wondering how to cover dark circles under eyes? Not quite sure how to use green concealer? Trying to figure out how to apply redness corrector without ending up looking like the Wicked Witch of the West? This insider guide will show you how to colour correct like a pro.

What is colour correcting?

Put simply, colour correcting is a concealing technique used by makeup artists (and you, soon enough!) to hide different blemishes, blotches and general skin imperfections. It’s a technique that’s been around for quite a while, but it’s recently exploded on social media – and now everyone wants in on the trend.

You’d be forgiven for thinking a colour correcting palette was some sort of creamy matte eyeshadow brick because these concealers are far from skin-toned. Colour correcting is based on the basic colour wheel, and each concealer colour effectively “cancels out” its opposite colour on the wheel.

So yellow concealer, for example, will help neutralise purple tones underneath the eyes, while green can help minimize the appearance of angry red acne. 

What is purple colour corrector for?

A purple or lavender hue is best for neutralising unwanted yellow or orange tones (like, say, too much fake tan). You can use it as a concealer to brighten and hide yellow spots or use a purple-tinged primer over your whole face to nix yellow tones.

What is green colour corrector for? 

Green colour corrector neutralises the appearance of redness on the skin, making it your ideal pick to hide red breakouts and acne, or even rosacea. 

What is orange colour corrector for?

People with darker skin tones can use orange to neutralise the appearance of dark, bluish circles under the eyes and brighten the whole undereye area, while apricot/peach colour corrector does the same for lighter skin tones.

What is yellow colour corrector for?

Sitting opposite purple on the colour wheel, yellow concealer is great for disguising bruises and visible veins, and neutralising purple undereye circles. It can also help neutralise redness such as broken capillaries around the nose and mouth. 

What is red colour corrector for?

Believe it or not, bright-red colour corrector might just become your new best friend! Red helps cancel out dark patches, such as pigmentation and undereye circles, with greenish or bluish undertones in darker skin tones. The more pigmented the colour you’re trying to conceal, the deeper the colour of the corrector – so while peach is perfect for hyperpigmentation on lighter skin, red or orange will benefit deeper skin tones. 

How to colour correct the right way 

Don’t worry – we’re not asking you to smear your face with rainbow colours and head out the door! There’s definitely a right way to do it, but the good news is, it’s easy. Ready to learn how to colour correct?

First, you’ll want to find the right hue for you. Remember, this only works when you choose the right tone (that is, its colour-wheel opposite) for the area you’re trying to cover. Pick up a Cover & Correct Cream Concealer Face Palette with various shades, or grab a Colour Correcting Concealer Pen in the tone you need to battle your specific skin concern. 

Using the old “less is more” principle, apply a thin layer of your chosen colour onto your face or dot onto areas of concern, then gently blend with your fingers or a soft fluffy brush to work into the skin. Next, use a sponge, beauty blender or fingers to apply your regular foundation over the top, being sure to gently press (not rub!) the colours stay put. If you still need a little extra coverage, apply your regular skin-toned concealer over the top. 

How to cover dark circles under eyes

Using a red, orange or peach colour-correcting concealer (depending on your skin tone and the depth and tone of your undereye circles), apply your colour-correcting concealer in an upside-down triangle over your dark circles, then gently blend using a finger or small concealer brush. Apply your regular concealer over the top (again, tapping, not swiping, so as not to move the colour corrector).

How to use redness corrector

To neutralise large areas of redness, such as flushed cheeks or rosacea, smooth a small amount of green primer over the skin and gently blend using your fingers. For smaller spots – hello, breakouts! – use a concealer brush to lightly dab green colour corrector directly onto the spots and lightly buff and blend using your fingers. Top it all off with your regular foundation and the green will melt away redness, leaving you with complexion heaven.

Click here to shop our Cover & Correct Cream Concealer Face Palette

Click here to shop our Colour Correcting Concealer Pen