Your Guide to Color Corrector for Dark Spots and More

What Is Color Correcting?

You probably know that color correction is a technique that can be used to conceal your skin’s imperfections through a variety of colorful hues, but perhaps you’re not sure how it works. Think back to when you learned about the color wheel in school. You were probably taught that the colors opposite of one another cancel each other out — and that same principle applies when it comes to color correcting with makeup. Think of the color of the imperfection you want to disguise, then imagine the color wheel and reach for a concealer in a shade that can cancel out that hue.  

What Colors to Use for Color Correcting Makeup 

Learn how to color correct the most common skin concerns, below.

Which Color Corrector Is Best for Dark Circles?

Since dark circles have a bluish hue, shades of peach and orange will be perfect for canceling them out. Try an orange concealer like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Color Correcting Crayon in Orange on dark circles before you reach for your regular concealer.

Which Color Corrector Is Best for Discoloration? 

If you have any purple discoloration, such as dark spots, use a yellow color corrector. Yellow can help to counteract the purple hues and also brighten the area. 

Which Color Corrector Is Best for Redness?

Since green sits opposite red on the color wheel, a green concealer or primer is the best bet to disguise the appearance of redness. To spot conceal redness, try the L’Oréal Paris True Match Color Correcting Crayon in Green. If your complexion is prone to redness, try a primer with green tones like the L’Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Redness Eraser.

Which Color Corrector Is Best for Dullness?

If your skin needs a brightening boost, combat dullness or sallowness with the help of a lavender color corrector. Simply apply it wherever your skin could use some extra radiance.

If your skin is dull and uneven, an orange color corrector like the L’Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Dullness Reducer can also work to brighten and even the skin tone for those with tan to dark skin. 

How to Color Correct in 4 Easy Steps

Now that you know just how beneficial color correcting can be, and which colors do what, all that’s left to learn is how to apply your color corrector.  

Step 1. Apply Your Color Corrector Before Makeup

Once you’ve finished your skin care routine, the first step is to apply the color corrector you need according to your skin concerns (we recommended one of the aforementioned products above). For ultimate coverage, use a small concealer brush to blend in the color corrector. If you want a more natural finish, pat in the color corrector with your fingertips or a makeup sponge. Start with a light layer, and slowly build up to your desired coverage. 

Step 2. Apply Foundation 

After color correcting, you’ll want to even out your skin tone with foundation. If you prefer light to medium coverage, try the L'Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Makeup. If you prefer a more full coverage look, reach for the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear in a Powder.

Step 3. Apply Concealer 

To brighten your complexion or further conceal imperfections, dab a bit of the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Waterproof, Full Coverage onto your skin. If you have a dry under-eye area or prefer lighter coverage, try the L'Oréal Paris True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer, 0.5% hyaluronic acid, which is formulated with hyaluronic acid to provide hydration. 

Step 4. Set Your Makeup

Now that your skin looks even, set your makeup with the aforementioned Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear in a Powder, which gives the skin a matte finish while providing extra coverage. Then, use a setting spray, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray and Set Make-Up Oil-Free Setting Spray, to lock everything in place. 

Next: How to Apply Makeup for Beginners

Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Digital Tech: Erik Dalzen, Photo Assistant: Sam Kang, Makeup Artist: Jonet Williamson, Hair Stylist: Mirna Jose, Hair Assistant: Keila Rivera, Wardrobe Stylist: Alexis Badiyi, Wardrobe Assistant: Jazmine Alzado, Model: Omega

There are times when your face makeup still doesn’t look the way you envisioned it. Your redness, dark circles, and scars still manage to peek through the layer of foundation and concealer. Layering base products can sometimes result in a very cakey look, and we surely don’t want that. We are here with a solution that is sure to fix this problem for you, all you need is just one makeup product - a colour corrector palette. Let’s unravel the mystery behind colour correcting.

What is colour correcting?

Colour correction is a method of using skin complementing colours to help you get rid of skin discolouration. Colour correctors are very lightweight on the skin and have a similar texture to a creamy concealer. Colour correcting up until a few years ago was something only makeup artists knew about. They would work their magic with a colour corrector palette and create a flawless base. But the wave of beauty influencers has made us aware about this magical makeup step.

The colours used are directly opposite to the colours of the skin spectrum, which cancel them out and even out your skin tone. The colours that are generally used are green, lavender, yellow and a few other coral shades. Each colour is used to target a specific area of concern. The first step is to identify your area of concern and then use the co-relating colour concealer to conceal it. You can invest in a colour corrector palette or buy these colours individually.

Orange Colour Corrector

Orange colour corrector is the most commonly used colour corrector for dark circles. It helps you cancel out any dark spots you may have and even neutralizes your crow’s feet. Orange colour corrector is best suited for people with medium to darker skin.

If you don’t want to buy a separate colour corrector for your dark circles, you can simply use a concealer with an orange undertone before applying foundation. It will act like a colour correcting concealer and help you achieve a similar effect. Another great hack if you don’t have an orange colour corrector available is to simply use your lip makeup product. Use your creamy red or reddish orange lipstick and apply it under your eyes and on any dark spot you want to correct. Blend it well using your sponge or brush. You can continue with your face makeup after and apply foundation, concealer, contour, blush and highlighter. Don’t forget to set it all in using your favourite powder.

Peach Colour Corrector

A peach colour corrector does the same job as an orange colour corrector, but it is suitable for people with fair to medium skin tones. An orange colour corrector may be too harsh and look patchy on fair skin, which is why a peachy colour corrector for dark circles is ideal to reduce their appearance on fair to medium skin.

Green Colour Corrector

Green colour corrector is also often used while colour correcting. It is very effective to reduce the appearance of redness on your skin. If you have an angry pimple, with redness around it, just apply a light layer of green colour corrector from your colour corrector palette to cancel it out. It also helps cover blemishes and acne marks.

Yellow Colour Corrector

A yellow colour corrector is used to effectively cover the appearance of bruises and veins which have purple undertones. It is also used to cover brownish dark circles and mild redness. If you don’t have a yellow colour corrector on hand, you can use a concealer with yellow undertones to colour correct. A full coverage concealer with yellow undertones will act as a colour correcting concealer.

Lavender Colour Corrector

Lavender colour corrector will help you brighten your skin and cancel out yellow undertones. If your skin is looking too dull and lacklustre, adding a lavender colour corrector will brighten up your skin.

You don’t need to own every shade of colour corrector makeup, unless you are a professional. Identify your areas of concern and choose a colour corrector accordingly. If you are looking for a travel friendly option, a colour corrector palette is a great buy. It helps you have all the colours you will need in one place.

WHEN DO I APPLY COLOUR CORRECTOR?

Now that we know which colour corrector must be used for which concern, it is now time to understand when to apply it. After applying primer on your face and before beginning your face makeup is when you use a colour corrector. Colour Corrector makeup is essentially the second step of your makeup routine. After you have blended your colour corrector well, you can continue with your face makeup as per usual.

After this you can begin doing your eye makeup. Fill in your eyebrows, apply some eyeshadow, line your waterline with a kajal and load your lashes with some mascara for a glamorous look. You can also create a winged eyeliner for added drama. Choosing the right colour correction makeup products is made easy with Maybelline Virtual Beauty Studio, use the Maybelline Virtual Try On tool and try the colour corrector products without leaving your house. This tool enables you to try makeup products in real time from the comfort of your home. You can also use the Maybelline Fit Finder to find a perfect shade of foundation and concealer that fits you.

For more tips on make up corrector & makeup hacks, visit the Maybelline makeup tips & trends section to catch up with the latest makeup trends on colour correction makeup & more!