How to Use Green Concealer

As someone who is extremely pale, I am often faced with the challenge of evening out my skin tone. Red splotches are a common enemy, as is ending up pink after washing off my makeup. This is where green and yellow cosmetics come into play.

There is a solution – green cover up.

I recently saw a Facebook post that said when people say to use green to counteract red, they actually mean use yellow. This, however, is inaccurate. Yellow certainly has a purpose, it just isn’t the same as green. Here is your guide to using green and yellow foundation, and some tips for common problems.

When to Use Green

This colour is best when you have a particular spot that needs to be covered. For example, if you have a pimple that is causing a bright red spot, use green to counter-balance the red and create a neutral colour.

From www.physiciansformula.com

Green is also useful if you have red blotches. Most often this is caused by overenthusiastically scrubbing with an exfoliant. Some areas of your face may become red, and not fade right away. Blending green into these areas will take care of the cherry-coloured hue.

I love the Physician’s Formula Gentle Cover Concealer. It goes on creamy and is easy to blend, but it also stays in place.

Once you have all your red spots covered, apply your regular foundation over top.

When to Use Yellow

While green is best for small spots, yellow is better for an all-over application. Many people who are pale (myself included) have a pink undertone to their skin. Foundations tend to have either a yellow or pink base. Using a pink base on pink skin makes you look slightly sunburned.

Instead, choose a foundation with a yellow base. By applying the yellow shade all over, you’ll end up with a neutral face, rather than a pink one.

Common Problems:

Problem: I can still see the green through my foundation.

Cause: Not enough blending.

Solution: Try a liquid concealer. Solid concealers (the ones that look like lipsticks) are firmer and aren’t always as easy to blend as liquids. Put a small amount on your finger, and dab it into the red area. Once the spot is covered, gently blend around the edges to smooth it into your skin.

You may also want to consider picking up some disposable cosmetic sponges. Apply the concealer to the sponge, then dab it onto your face. The sponge will absorb the extra pigment and make it easier to blend. Make sure you avoid rubbing, as this will only make your skin redder.

Problem: I look like Christmas.

Cause: You are using too much green in the wrong spots.

Solution: To start, don’t apply the concealer directly from the package. It is much harder to gauge how much you are using, and excess green won’t blend in.

Be sure you are only using it in the places that need covering. It’s easy to get carried away and do your whole face. However, if you add green to places that don’t need it, the areas that do need it start to look red in comparison.

Keep in mind that once you put your foundation over top, the green won’t be noticeable. Use foundation rather than a tinted moisturizer. You can build more coverage with a foundation than you can with a tinted moisturizer. Be sure to set your foundation with a powder for longer-lasting coverage.

Problem: Yellow foundation doesn’t cut it.

Cause: A lot of pink your skin.

Solution: If you find that green concealer and a foundation with a yellow base don’t completely tone down your pink hues, try layering a few different colours. Start with a green primer, then use your green concealer. Add your yellow-based foundation, and top it off with colour correcting powder.

Colour correcting powders are a mix of several shades. Swirl them together using a soft brush, and dust it on top of your foundation.