In recent years, a growing number of women have turned to cosmetic treatments to enhance their appearance. However, beauty experts have now revealed a much less painful (and far more affordable) way to achieve a sculpted face.
That’s right—concealer, a product many of us already use to cover blemishes and dark circles, is taking on a new role. When applied strategically, it can create the illusion of naturally youthful and lifted features.
But how can you achieve this look yourself? Maria Mukaranda, beauty editor at Cosmetify, shares her expert tips, which could potentially save beauty and skincare enthusiasts thousands of pounds.
Use a shade a few shades lighter than your skin tone
“To sculpt your features, choose a concealer a few shades lighter than your skin tone. Make sure the colour still matches the undertone of your skin to maintain a natural appearance.
“Some people love their highlight to be as blinding as possible, but if you want your ‘facelift’ effects to be as convincing as possible, don’t go too light.”
Use a radiant concealer
“To achieve the perfect highlight, opt for a radiant concealer rather than a matte one.
“Radiant concealers are not only typically hydrating, but they also often contain light-reflecting pigments. These create a brightening effect, minimise the appearance of shadows, and leave your skin with a gorgeous, glowing finish.
“If you prefer using a matte concealer to hide blemishes, apply it before your foundation and highlighting steps.”
Place concealer strategically
“We all remember the days when contouring reigned supreme in the beauty world. When aiming to achieve ‘facelift’-like results, your concealer essentially works as a highlighter, allowing the natural shadows of your skin to do all the work.
“So, place the concealer in the opposite areas to where you would apply contour, such as the centre of your forehead, above and below your cheekbones, and down the centre of your nose.
“This accentuates your natural shadows and draws attention to the high points of your face.”
Don’t rely too much on tutorials
“When trying out a new makeup hack for the first time, many of us turn to trusty TikTok and YouTube tutorials.
“However, concealer isn’t a one-size-fits-all product. Everyone has a unique bone structure and desired look, meaning each person’s routine should be tailored to them.
“For instance, if you feel your eyes are most in need of a lift, you can skip other steps and simply place concealer at the corners of your eyes in an angled shape.”
Choose your tools wisely
“Be mindful when selecting the tools to apply your concealer.
“While sponges are great for blending foundation with ease, they don’t offer much precision. You really want your concealer to stay in place, rather than blur across the skin and create a washed-out look.
“Opt for a dense, domed brush or even your fingers to achieve the most detailed results. The more intricate you want your highlighting concealer to be, the smaller your brush should be.”