Concealer, Foundation, & Primer: Which Do You Apply First?

If you’ve ever stood in front of the mirror, staring at your foundation, primer, and concealer and wondering which one should be applied first, you’re not alone. Mastering the art of applying makeup is not an easy feat. If you apply foundation or concealer wrong, things can quickly get cakey and messy.

Fortunately, Clarins beauty experts weighed in on whether foundations, concealers, and primers come first, and here’s what they had to say. Dive in to understand why and how to use foundation, concealer, and primer the right way to perfect your makeup routine.

Defining concealers, foundations and primers:

Although concealer foundations and primers come in flesh tones, they have unique uses in your makeup routine.

What is foundation?

As the name suggests, a foundation helps you create an even canvas out of your face upon which you can paint your masterpiece (i.e. apply the rest of your makeup). In other words, it creates an even skin-toned base for your makeup, and is intended for application covering your face.

What is a concealer?

A concealer works to cover any dark spots, pigmentation, blemishes, or scars on your face. You can also use a concealer to highlight and contour your face. Unlike a foundation, it’s applied only over the spots you want to cover or highlight.

What is a makeup primer?

Makeup primers offer skincare and makeup benefits; hydrating, prepping, and color-correcting skin for an absolutely flawless makeup application. Products like SOS Color Correcting Face Primer conceal and neutralize skin imperfections in no time, and prolong makeup hold for an application that stays fresh longer.

What does a face primer do? When should you use a primer?

In short, face primers prep your skin to make your makeup look better and last longer, with options tailored for various skin concerns.

There are wonderful color-correcting products, including primers and concealers. Unlike typical flesh-colored concealers, color correctors primers come in shades like orange, pink, yellow, and green. They work on the theory that colors lying opposite to each other on the color wheel neutralize each other.

These color correctors are used to neutralize dark spots or pigmentation on your face. For example, yellow cancels out purple, so a yellow color corrector will conceal your under-eye bags. While a concealer will help to spot-treat specific areas, applying a color-correcting primer across larger areas of the face before your foundation will even out your skin tone, creating a more seamless base.

What’s the difference between primers, foundations and concealers?

Each product plays a unique role in your makeup routine to summarize:

● Primers prepare your skin by using color-correction to neutralize discoloration and by evening out its texture before you apply foundation.

● Foundation provides coverage for your entire face, evening out complexion.

● Concealers are more targeted and should be used to cover specific blemishes or imperfections.

Should you apply concealer, primer, or foundation first?

Primer → Foundation → Concealer should be your go to order of application.

Clarins beauty experts recommend that you start with a clean face and apply the primer. Then, you usually apply foundation and finish up with a concealer. In some scenarios the order can change depending on what you’re doing like taking pictures, if you. Let’s look at the pros and cons of applying concealer before foundation and after it.

When using color correctors, you'd correct dark spots first with a color-correcting primer or concealer, then follow with your foundation and concealer as needed.

There are also other instances where your flesh-toned concealer can be put on before your foundation. For example, when you're getting photographed because the bright flash can make your concealed spots stand out in the photos.

Why to apply foundation before concealer:

When you put on your concealer first, you run the risk of rubbing it off when applying your foundation. The concealer-covered areas can also start appearing cakey and creasy. The result? You end up highlighting the very blemishes that you wanted to cover in the first place.

Think of it this way: the job of your foundation is to even your skin tone and provide a foundation for the rest of your makeup, including concealer.

To summarize, applying foundation before concealer has a few key benefits:

1. Builds a Base Layer: Foundation evens out your skin tone and provides initial coverage, which can reduce the amount of concealer you need. This way, you use less product overall and prevent a cakey look.

2. Minimizes Concealer Use: By applying foundation first, you’ll see which spots still need more coverage, leading to more efficient use of your products.

3. Blending is Easier: Applying concealer on top of foundation makes it easier to blend seamlessly, especially around the under-eye area and any blemishes, for a more natural finish.

4. Better Staying Power: Foundation provides a base that can help concealer adhere and stay in place longer.

Choosing the right primers, foundations and concealers for your skin:

Now let's dive into the best way to select you makeup for your specific needs:

How to choose the right primer: Which face primer is best for you?

Choosing the right face primer depends on your skin tone, skin type, and personal needs. Face primers not only make makeup last longer, but also address blemishes and imperfections like dullness or uneven skin tone. A primer can be your solution for creating a smooth, even base before applying foundation.

How to pick the right primer for your needs

First, consider your goals in using a makeup primer.

To target imperfections, consider a color-correcting primer. Clarins’ SOS Color Correcting Face Primer comes in a variety of shades like green, pink, and peach to address specific concerns.

If you have oily skin, choose for a mattifying primer to visibly reduce shine and create a long-lasting, matte finish. If you have specific skin concerns or want a certain look, you can usually find a primer designed for that. At Clarins we have mattifying, and radiance boosting face primers to name a few and there are many more to help you get the look you want.

How to choose a foundation: Which foundation is best for you?

The best foundation for you depends on your skin type, shade, and undertone. First, identify whether your skin has warm, cool, or neutral undertones. You can do this by using the white shirt test.

How to figure out your skin tone before buying foundation:

Hold up a white shirt (or a piece of white paper) to your face and look in the mirror. If your skin appears yellow or golden, you have a warm undertone, meanwhile a pink or rosy appearance suggests a cool undertone. If you don’t see much difference, then you have a neutral undertone.

Once you’ve identified your skin undertone, choose a foundation that matches your skin tone best. You also need to make sure you’re picking the one that’s made for your undertone. If you have oily skin, get an oil-free mattifying foundation that’ll reduce the shine on your face. If you have dry or combination skin, use liquid or cream foundations that will keep your skin hydrated.

Clarins’ Everlasting Matte Foundation comes in all skin shades and undertones, and is perfect for all skin types.

How to choose a concealer shade: Which concealer is best for you?

When it comes to concealers, it’s best to have three shades:

1) A shade matching your foundation perfectly to cover up dark spots,

2) A lighter shade (for highlighting)

3) A darker shade for contouring.

As with your foundation, get a concealer that’s made for your skin undertone and skin type. Clarins’ Everlasting Concealer is great for all skin types and shades.

How to use makeup to hide tired skin or dull under-eyes:

To hide dull skin on the face and around the eyes, wash and moisturize your face before starting your skincare routine.

Clarins’ Re-Fresh Eye De-Puffer Gel visibly refreshes the delicate area beneath your eyes. Apply a peach or yellow color-corrector to neutralize the sallow look. Finish by applying a concealer that’s a shade or two lighter than your foundation.

Since the area under your eyes is very sensitive, use an under-eye concealer to avoid creasing or caking. Clarins’ Instant Crease-Free Concealer is perfect for this because it brightens your under-eye area, reduces puffiness, and keeps it crease-free.

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