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Aside from applying foundation on your Wedding Day, an important part of putting your best face forward actually involves a little concealing. Using a quality concealer can help to eliminate the appearance of those little “problem” areas (like blemishes and undereye circles) that tend to stand out on camera. Foundation helps to balance out the skin overall, but if you’re like me, you need something a little more heavy duty to address the areas of concern! Enter concealer.

Just to make it easy on us, concealer (just like foundation) comes in different forms. The most common are a liquid concealer and a thicker concealer with a putty-like consistency. The best concealer texture for you will depend on the area you’re trying to cover up.

Covering up Under the Eyes
For underye circles, a creamy liquid concealer works best; it covers up the area without producing a cakey finish. Use concealer sparingly underneath the eye - too much concealer on this area of the face can draw negative attention to the undereye area, which completely defeats the purpose of the product you’re applying! If you have darker undereye circles, I would recommend first applying a pink or peach toned concealer to initially brighten the undereye area. Follow with your skin tone matching concealer for a flawless even-toned finish.

Camouflaging Blemishes
A liquid-based concealer will have too much “slip” to adhere to the oily surface of a blemish; a thicker cream-based concealer will have the right amount of stick to build up coverage that lasts. To conceal blemishes, choose a colour that matches your skin tone exactlly or one that is just a shade darker than your own tone. A darker shaded concealer helps create the illusion that the raised area of a blemish is receding – just be sure to blend into your foundation well so that the effect is seamless!

Powder And Go
Set your concealer application with powder. Under the eyes, use only a light veil of powder to avoid a cakey build-up. On concealed blemishes, you can apply powder more liberally, but blend edges well so that it diffuses into the skin. Once the skin is perfected, remember the rest of the make-up is like icing on the cake - great make-up always starts with this clean canvas!

To see more on concealer:
BEAUTY 101 | Basics of Concealer
PRODUCT REVIEW | Concealer is a Girl's Best Friend

More make-up tips to come!

Rhia Amio, Toronto Make-up Artist
web: http://www.artistrhi.com
blog: http://artistrhi.blogspot.com
email: rhia@artistrhi.com

Q: What do you recommend for cover-up? I'm looking for something light and not super expensive.

A: Perfect question. Spring is the time to lighten up when it comes to make-up, and considering the economic forecast of late, finding products that are affordable are definitely in season as well! (The recessionista chic movement cometh)!

If you have healthy skin and are just looking to add a light foundation to your make-up routine, opt for a tinted moisturizer. A tinted moisturizer will add a hint of colour and help to balance out the skin, creating a more even tone. It provides the most minimal coverage of all foundation types, while still producing a polished glow. Set the application with a light veil of powder. The powder will help to keep the product in place and tone down any excess shine.

Remember to still camouflage those “problem” areas (i.e. undereye circles and blemishes) with your trusted concealer; Even though ‘tis the season to go lighter with face make-up, it doesn’t mean you want to sacrifice that coverage where it counts!!

Recommended products:
Cover Girl Smoothers Tinted Moisture (best value)
Stila Tinted Moisturizer
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer

ARTIST TIP: Use that liquid foundation you’ve been sporting for winter and add your face moistuizer to create your own homemade tinted moisturizer. Use approximately one part foundation and one moisturizer for the mixture (or add more or less moisturizer depending on how thin you want the consistency of the formula to be). Mix well and voila - your very own homemade tinted moisturizer…instantly! (and in true recessionista form!)

Check out artistrhi.com for a fun creative done with the talented photographer Christine Buijs and the lovely model Sam. The theme of the shoot was a play on the blues, but I don't necessarily stand by wearing this much blue eyeshadow in everyday life! Enjoy :)

Here are the before and after results of a wedding make-up trial with the gorgeous bride-to-be, Mary. I can't wait to get this beauty dolled up on her Big Day! Thanks, Mary :)

Here's the darker complement of the In Bloom creative with Teama Cheema - just to keep us all well-balanced. Check out more pics from this shoot on www.artistrhi.com. (Enjoy! I sure did!)