I firmly believe that finding a concealer in the right color is just as important as finding a brand or consistency that we like. No matter how great the product is, if it's the wrong shade, the resulting look will be fake. The key to a beautiful, flawless look is to complement and enhance what we have, not cake it on and look made-up. There are different types of concealer available, so let's go over the different types and the best way to use them all. 

Stick: You never want to pull the eye area as it is super delicate, and you do not want to loosen the skin whatsoever. Sticks are great, but I suggest using your finger or a concealer brush to get the product on, then apply it. Most stick formulas are hard, so warming it up with your finger will ensure smoother application. 

Liquid (with a foam or brush applicator): These are my personal favorite because they tend to be creamier and you can build coverage better, and you have better control over how much you apply. I prefer the foam over the brush though. The brush tends to poke and goes on less evenly. 

Cream Compact: Similar to stick formulas, so once again, warm up with your finger before applying. Or, use a brush if that is your preference, but it should be warmed up.

Pen/Brush Applicator: These are the kind that you twist and the product comes up through the brush. These are tricky and tend to be wasteful as it is hard to see how much is coming out until it's oozing out of the brush - and you've usually got too much product at this point. These are my least favorite. It's a good idea, but generally you will not use the brush but be forced to dab with your finger.

Tube: These are also great as the consistency is creamier and you have excellent control over how much product is coming out. Also, very sanitary!

Now for some essential concealer tips:

Never ever smear the concealer on. Pat the product until very well-blended. The key is to blend so it doesn't look so obvious and totally contrast with your foundation. Use your ring finger as it has the gentlest touch.

Less is more! Start with a very small dot and apply more if needed. Most women start with way too much and end up having to smear most of it off anyway.

Choose a color that is one or two shades lighter than your foundation. Going too light looks way too obvious. The right color can make or break your look. Do not perfectly match your foundation either. Too dark can also ruin the look. Finding the right color is probably the most important factor.

Apply eye cream beforehand. Most concealers are very concentrated and can settle into fine lines and wrinkles. Um... we don't want that! So make sure your eye area is hydrated, and try and find a concealer that has some type of beneficial ingredients that will help keep the area hydrated throughout the day. One of personal faves is Lavera's, which I buy at Target. It contains organic ingredients and I adore the coverage and the consistency is perfect. Fair No. 1 is a great match for my skintone. It has Organic Jojoba & Olive Oil that deeply hydrates as well.

Blending is crucial. Don't try and pack it on to cover the circles. It will move around and settle in a very unflattering way in few short hours! Play around with it (when you're NOT going anywhere) and determine how much you need, what works for you and take pictures to see the result.

There are also concealers available in shades like lavender, yellow and green. Be aware how to use thse properly and for what purpose. Green is supposed to counteract redness (so great for zits), lavender is supposed to brighten yellow-tones and yellow is supposed to cover dark circles. I personally prefer using a concealer that is flesh-toned and one to two shades lighter than my foundation, but using these colors may be beneficial for a condition you really need help with.

Good luck and leave a comment if you have any tips to share, or a favorite brand!