By Beauty Editor Katrina Hess
To many, the difference between a corrector, a concealer, and a highlighter is confusing. Here are some quick tips and cruelty-free product picks to get you seeing clearly when it comes to these beauty must-haves…
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- Corrector: Offers the most coverage
- Concealer: Offers medium coverage
- Highlighter: Offers the lightest coverage
Correctors
Correctors come in a range of shades to address all skin discoloration concerns, including dullness, unwanted dark shadows, red tones, blemishes, dark spots, and under-eye circles.
A peach-colored corrector neutralizes dark circles. Violet will brighten dull, grayish areas. And, green will diminish redness. Apply your corrector after eye cream and before applying foundation, to provide maximum coverage.
My Top Pick: e.l.f. Cosmetics Camo Color Corrector
Pro Tip: Use a small to medium sized concealer brush, applying exactly where you need the product. Use a light tapping motion to apply.
Concealers
These are lighter in weight and help balance skin tones. You can apply concealer alone or over a corrector, and over or under your foundation.
Be careful not to apply to much over fine lines, especially around your delicate eye area. When used under your eyes, concealers should be one or two shades lighter than your skin tone. When you apply a concealer around your nose or to conceal a blemish or sun spot, it should match your skin tone as closely as possible.
Concealer brushes are typically synthetic and can have either a soft rounded tip or a flat surface with thin edges.
My Top Pick: Tarte’s Shape Tape Ultra Creamy Concealer
Pro Tip: Set your concealer with translucent powder using a concealer brush in a tapping motion.
Highlighters
Highlighters are the lightest in weight, and are transparent. They are used to brighten under our eyes, the area around our nose, and under our brows. A highlighter should be applied after concealer application (if you’re using a concealer).
My Top Pick: IT Cosmetics Hello Light Anti-Aging Luminizing Crème Stick
Pro Tip: It’s good to use two shades – one that’s lighter, and one that’s darker than your natural skin tone. This will provide a soft contour.
Katrina Hess is a licensed Cosmetologist, which is rare among makeup artists. She’s a local beauty legend whose experience and expertise spans the globe. Katrina has been featured in top beauty and fashion magazines, newspapers, magazines, and TV programs. Katrina’s won Boston Magazine’s “Best of Boston Makeup Artist” 5 times, and Allure Magazine’s “Best of Best Brow Shaping” twice. At her Newbury Street salon Katrina offers unique products that are organic to high-end. Katrina volunteered for 15+ years for the American Cancer Society’s “Look Good…Feel Better” program. See how Katrina can help you maintain healthy skin and learn easy beauty routines, and much more, at www.katrinahess.com