What's the Difference Between Foundation and Concealer?

A lot of people don't know the difference between foundation and concealer, and as a result, they end up using the wrong product for their skin type.

Concealer is designed to hide blemishes and dark circles, while the foundation is meant to provide a base for your makeup. If you're using concealer when you should be using foundation, or vice versa, your makeup will look cakey and unnatural.

Our guide to foundations vs. concealers will help you figure out which product is best for your skin type. We'll also show you how to use each product so that you get the most out of them. Let's take a look at the difference between concealer and foundation.

What Is A Foundation

A foundation is a cosmetic product that is designed to even out your skin tone and provide a base for the rest of your makeup.

It's typically used on its own, without other products such as concealer or powder. Depending on the type of foundation you choose, it can act as both a moisturizer and sunscreen in one, making it an easy way to simplify your beauty routine.

There are many different types of foundations available today, including liquid foundations, cream foundations, mineral-based foundations, and powder foundations.

Some formulas are lighter than others, while some offer more coverage or are better suited for specific skin types. Choosing the right formula will depend on your skin type, and what look you're trying to achieve with your makeup.

What Is A Concealer

Concealers are also used to even out the skin tone, but they're generally used to cover up blemishes and dark circles.

They come in a variety of forms, including tubes, sticks, palettes, and pots. The type you choose will depend on the look you're trying to achieve and how much coverage you want.

If you struggle with acne or other skin concerns that make it difficult to apply your foundation evenly, applying concealer can be a great way to hide any imperfections or unevenness before putting on your base makeup.

Choosing the right concealer formula for your specific needs is important for ensuring that it stays put all day long without creasing or fading.

What's the Difference Between Foundation and Concealer

Makeup can be confusing, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed when trying to figure out which products are best for your skin type.

One of the most common questions we hear is, “what’s the difference between foundation and concealer?”

It’s a good question and one we’re happy to answer! Here’s a quick rundown of what's the difference between concealer and foundation.

Coverage

The biggest difference between foundation and concealer is coverage. Foundation is designed to provide a light-to-full coverage look that evens out skin tone, while concealer is designed to provide targeted coverage for blemishes or dark circles under the eyes.

Color

Another key difference between foundation and concealer is color. Foundation will typically come in a range of colors that are meant to match your skin tone, whereas concealers typically come in shades of yellow or peach that are meant to neutralize discoloration on the face.

Texture

Foundation usually has a thicker consistency than a concealer, making it more difficult to blend into the skin.

Concealer tends to have a creamy texture that makes it easier to spread evenly over blemishes or dark circles without caking up or settling into fine lines.

Application

When applying foundation, you should use light strokes with a brush or sponge for even coverage all over your face (or whichever areas you choose).

Concealer should be applied after foundation with gentle dabbing motions using either your finger or a brush/sponge specifically designed for this purpose.

Finish

The foundation generally provides an overall matte finish, while many concealers contain moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid that give them a slightly dewy finish when used on their own (though some formulas do offer both matte and dewy finishes).

So, now you should know what is the difference between concealer and foundation.

When and How to Use a Foundation

Have you ever wondered how celebrities get their perfectly even skin tone in pictures? The answer is simple - foundation.

Foundation can do wonders for your complexion, leaving you with an even and flawless look. Since we are talking about what is the difference between foundation and concealer, it is important to cover the foundation.

But if you’ve never used foundation before, it can be a bit daunting. Don’t worry - here are five easy steps to help you master the art of foundation and achieve perfect skin.

Step One: Choose the Right Shade for You

The first step in achieving perfect foundation is choosing the right shade for your skin tone.

This can be tricky because there are so many shades available on the market, but remember that the best way to find your shade is by testing it out on your face, not on your hand or arm.

When testing out a new foundation, make sure to put some on both sides of your face (on top of moisturizer) and blend it in evenly so that you get an accurate representation of how it will look when applied all over. You can pick from dry or water-based foundations as well.

Step Two: Prep Your Skin

The next step is prepping your skin before applying the foundation. Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser and then follow up with a moisturizer that suits your skin type.

Applying a primer before the foundation will also help make sure the product goes on smoothly and stays in place all day long.

Step Three: Apply Your Foundation

Now comes the fun part. To ensure an even application of foundation, start at the center of your face (where most of us need more coverage) and work outward towards your hairline, ears, and neck area.

You can use either a foundation brush or sponge to apply foundation, but just make sure not to overload it – you don’t want cakey coverage! If needed, you can always add more later once blended in.

Step Four: Conceal & Contour

Once the base layer has been applied, you can now start concealing any blemishes or discoloration with a concealer that matches your dry skin tone perfectly.

After this step is complete, you can use bronzer or blush to add dimension to your face by contouring certain areas such as cheekbones or jawline.

Step Five: Set & Seal

To ensure that everything stays in place all day long without budging or creasing, spray some setting spray overtop—just make sure it’s one formulated specifically for makeup since regular hairspray won’t cut it.

And voila—now you have perfectly even and flawless skin thanks to some well-applied foundation. We have read hundreds of reviews to find the best foundation for you:

Maybelline Fit Me Liquid Foundation

Whether you’re looking for light, medium, or full coverage, Maybelline Fit Me liquid foundation is sure to be the perfect fit for your skin. It comes in 40 shades, from Ivory to Mocha, so you can find the exact color that matches your skin tone. Best for normal to oily skin types, this foundation will effortlessly refine any pores you may have, and it’ll give you a matte finish for the ultimate natural look.

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When and How to Use a Concealer

If you’re anything like us, makeup is both your best friend and sworn enemy. You love how it can transform you, but sometimes it feels like a chore.

That’s why we absolutely love concealer! It’s quick and easy to use, and when done right, it can make you look flawless. So what are you waiting for? Let's take a look at whats the difference between foundation and concealer.

Let’s get started and make concealer your new best friend.

Step 1 - Find the Right Shade

The first step in using concealer correctly is to find the right shade for your skin tone.

The wrong shade of concealer will draw attention to the area instead of hiding it, so be sure to test out different shades before buying one. Don’t forget that the color of your concealer should match the color of your foundation as well.

Step 2 - Apply After the Foundation

Once you have found the perfect shade of concealer, apply concealer after applying foundation. This will help blend out any lines or harsh edges caused by applying the foundation too thickly.

To apply, simply dab some on with either a concealer brush or your fingers, then blend it out with a beauty blender or a damp sponge. This will help create an even finish across your face that looks natural and flawless.

Step 3 - Use Different Concealers For Different Areas

When using concealer, remember that not all areas require the same type of coverage.

For example, if you want more coverage over dark circles under your eyes, opt for a thicker formula that provides more coverage than what you would use for blemishes or redness around the nose area.

Depending on what kind of coverage you need in each area, choose accordingly.

Step 4 - Set With Powder & Highlighter

Once you have applied the concealer successfully, don't forget to set it with powder and highlighter.

This will help ensure that your makeup stays in place throughout the day without creasing or fading away too quickly.

To set with powder, simply press some into any areas where excess oil may be present (such as around your t-zone). Then add a bit of highlighter on top to create an illuminating effect that will make your skin look glowing and radiant.

Step 5 - Touch Up Throughout The Day

If needed throughout the day, don't hesitate to touch up any areas where needed with some more concealer.

Just be sure to only apply small amounts at a time so that your makeup does not become cakey or heavy-looking. Remember: less is more when it comes to touching up.

You don't have to read hundreds of reviews to find the best concealer; we have done the research and found the following concealer for you.

Maybelline Fit Me Liquid Concealer

Perfect for covering blemishes, redness, and dark circles, this oil-free formula conceals and gives you a natural-looking finish. Plus, with twelve color options, you're sure to find a shade that fits your skin tone - from ivory to cocoa! Complete the look with Maybelline's Dewy+ Smooth foundation with SPF 18 and get that perfect, flawless face without ever leaving home. It brightens fair skin tones.

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Difference Between Foundation and Concealer - FAQs

Trying to figure out the difference between foundation and concealer can be really confusing.

Most people don't know the difference between foundation and concealer, which is why so many people end up using them both incorrectly.

We explained the main differences between foundation and concealer earlier in this article. In this section, we will further discuss additional FAQs that can help you better understand the difference.

Is it better to use foundation or concealer?

The purpose of foundation is to even out your skin tone, while the purpose of concealer is to cover up blemishes. So if you have any blemishes that need covering up, then you should use concealer. Foundation can also be used for this purpose, but it's not as good at covering up blemishes as concealer is.

Can I use concealer as foundation?

Concealer is not made to provide full coverage like a foundation is, so it is not the best option for covering up large areas of your skin.

However, if you have only a few blemishes or red spots that you would like to cover up, concealer can be a good option.

Just make sure to use a color-correcting concealer that matches your skin color well, and blend it in evenly.

Do you put concealer or foundation on first?

Some people put concealer on first to hide blemishes and then put powder foundation on top, while others do it the other way around. The main thing is to make sure that you blend the two products together well so that there are no noticeable lines.

Can I just use concealer without foundation?

Concealer is a great way to cover up dark circles, blemishes, and other skin imperfections. However, it's not meant to be used as a foundation. Concealer is applied before the foundation for more coverage.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve gone over whats the difference between concealer and foundation, hopefully, you feel more confident in your makeup routine.

If you’re still unsure about difference between concealer and foundation and primer and which product is right for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional makeup artist. They can help you figure out what products are best suited for your unique skin type and tone.

If you have any questions or thoughts on the difference between concealer and foundation, feel free to share with all of us in the comment section below.