Green Concealer: How to Apply Green Concealer in 7 Steps

Green concealer (also known as color corrector) is a green-tinted beauty product that helps lessen the appearance of red spots and blemishes. Green is a complementary color to red, meaning the green pigment helps neutralize skin redness. After applying green concealer, layer with regular concealers to provide long-lasting coverage for skin concerns such as rosacea, acne, broken capillaries, hyperpigmentation, and discoloration.

You can find green concealer at your local drugstore in color-correcting palettes, stick concealer applicators, or cream concealer formulas. Green concealers come in different shades, and makeup artists recommend matching your green concealer to your skin undertone; pale green concealers are best for light skin tones, while deeper shades are ideal for dark skin tones.

In color theory, since red and green are opposite each other on the color wheel, they are complementary colors. As opposites, they offset each other, so green concealer works to neutralize and cover up redness on the skin, creating the appearance of an even skin tone.

This same methodology applies to other color-correcting concealers. Orange and yellow are opposite blue and purple on the color wheel, so concealers in these shades help brighten and cover dark circles under your eyes; for darker skin tones, try orange concealer and opt for yellow concealer to cover under-eye circles in lighter skin tones.

Follow these tips to use color-correcting concealer to help cover redness.

1. 1. Prep your skin. Before applying any makeup products to your skin, wash your face with a gentle cleanser. You can then layer toners or serums in your skincare routine to nourish your skin barrier. Follow this product application with your morning moisturizer and SPF. Prepping your skin with your daily skincare routine will help your concealer adhere better to your skin.
   
2. 2. Use primer. After cleansing and moisturizing your skin, dab a pea-sized amount of makeup primer onto your face to create a long-lasting look and help lessen the appearance of fine lines near under-eye areas. For more anti-redness effects, use a green primer.
3. 3. Apply foundation. Once your primer sets, apply a pea-sized amount of liquid foundation to your skin. Whether you use a makeup sponge or your fingertips to apply foundation, gently dab the product onto your face to avoid pulling your skin.
4. 4. Dab the green concealer. If you’re using a liquid colored concealer, add a thin layer of the product onto your skin with the concealer wand, targeting pimples, red spots, and acne scars. Gently tap the product into the areas of the skin where you want to reduce redness. Avoid rubbing the green color corrector into your skin, as this can cause more redness, especially for sensitive skin types. If you’re using a concealer stick, apply the stick directly onto your blemishes, using the same tapping motion to apply the product to your skin.
5. 5. Layer a full coverage concealer on top. To cover the green concealer and create a full coverage look, layer a concealer that matches your skin tone over the green concealer.
6. 6. Blend. Using light patting motions, blend the concealers into your foundation. The more you blend, the more your face makeup will look even and natural. Use your fingertips or a makeup sponge to blend your concealer.
7. 7. Apply a setting powder. After blending your concealer and foundation, finish adding other products like highlighter or blush, then use a makeup brush to apply a setting powder across your face. Translucent setting powders help products to stick to your skin, creating a long-wearing, matte finish. Consider using a setting spray instead of a powder if you have dry skin, as it’s more hydrating. The setting spray also helps eye makeup— including mascara, eye shadow, and eyeliner—last throughout the day.

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