Ever wonder why your concealer and foundation don’t always give you a perfectly smooth, even skin tone? The answer might be color correcting. Concealer works well for late nights or breakouts, but it struggles with more serious discoloration. That’s where color correctors come in—and they’re not as complicated as they seem. Bright shades like orange, peach, or green might look intimidating, but when applied right, they create an even finish. Master the technique, and it’s a total game-changer. Here’s everything you need to know.
Colour correction is rooted in colour theory, which is simply the idea that opposite colours neutralise each other. If your concealer isn’t doing the job—maybe it’s too light or not pigmented enough—your skin can end up looking a little ashy or uneven. That’s where colour correctors come in. A hint of the right corrector can balance out any discolouration, so when you apply your foundation, it looks smooth and natural.
Sounds simple, right? Here’s the catch: colour correctors come in a range of shades—green, orange, purple, yellow, peach—each tailored to tackle different undertones, skin tones and types of discolouration. The key is knowing which one to choose and when.
If you’re wondering how to take your pick from the range of hues, here’s what to keep in mind.
Green is your go-to for neutralising redness caused by inflammation, irritation or acne breakouts, especially if you have a light to medium skin tone.
If you’ve doomscrolled your way into dark circles, an orange corrector is your best bet to tackle that. If your circles lean more towards blue or purple, a yellow corrector will do the trick to neutralise the skin tone in that area. Orange also works wonders for blemishes and dark spots with a blue or cool undertone, especially on medium to deep skin tones. For deeper skin tones that need a little brightening, yellow can be a great fit, too.
Purple is ideal for lighter skin tones, as it neutralises any dullness and helps brighten the skin. It’s a great choice for when you want a little extra highlight.
Peach or pink correctors are perfect for balancing out cool-toned blemishes, especially on light skin. This shade works similarly to orange for deeper skin tones, helping to correct blue-toned under-eye circles and other discolouration.
The hard part is over once you’ve figured out which colour corrector works best for your skin tone, undertone and specific concerns. The application is simple—and with a few easy steps, you’ll be ready to go.
The secret to a smooth finish starts with proper skin prep. Make sure your skin is cleansed and moisturised before you apply any makeup. A hydrated base will help your makeup go on smoothly and last longer.
Now, lightly apply the colour corrector to the areas where you want it. Keep your application light and buildable—you don’t want the corrector to be too obvious. Gently pat the product into the skin and allow it to set before moving on to the next step.
It’s now time to conceal. Apply your regular concealer over the areas where you’ve used the colour corrector and blend well. You should notice the discolouration is now a lot more neutralised.
If needed, apply foundation to complete your base and blend everything together for a smooth, even base.
If you’re wondering how to take your pick from the range of hues, here’s what to keep in mind.
Green is your go-to for neutralising redness caused by inflammation, irritation or acne breakouts, especially if you have a light to medium skin tone.
If you’ve doomscrolled your way into dark circles, an orange corrector is your best bet to tackle that. If your circles lean more towards blue or purple, a yellow corrector will do the trick to neutralise the skin tone in that area. Orange also works wonders for blemishes and dark spots with a blue or cool undertone, especially on medium to deep skin tones. For deeper skin tones that need a little brightening, yellow can be a great fit, too.
Purple is ideal for lighter skin tones, as it neutralises any dullness and helps brighten the skin. It’s a great choice for when you want a little extra highlight.
Peach or pink correctors are perfect for balancing out cool-toned blemishes, especially on light skin. This shade works similarly to orange for deeper skin tones, helping to correct blue-toned under-eye circles and other discolouration.
The hard part is over once you’ve figured out which colour corrector works best for your skin tone, undertone and specific concerns. The application is simple—and with a few easy steps, you’ll be ready to go.
The secret to a smooth finish starts with proper skin prep. Make sure your skin is cleansed and moisturised before you apply any makeup. A hydrated base will help your makeup go on smoothly and last longer.
Now, lightly apply the colour corrector to the areas where you want it. Keep your application light and buildable—you don’t want the corrector to be too obvious. Gently pat the product into the skin and allow it to set before moving on to the next step.
It’s now time to conceal. Apply your regular concealer over the areas where you’ve used the colour corrector and blend well. You should notice the discolouration is now a lot more neutralised.
If needed, apply foundation to complete your base and blend everything together for a smooth, even base.
If you’re wondering how to take your pick from the range of hues, here’s what to keep in mind.
Green is your go-to for neutralising redness caused by inflammation, irritation or acne breakouts, especially if you have a light to medium skin tone.
If you’ve doomscrolled your way into dark circles, an orange corrector is your best bet to tackle that. If your circles lean more towards blue or purple, a yellow corrector will do the trick to neutralise the skin tone in that area. Orange also works wonders for blemishes and dark spots with a blue or cool undertone, especially on medium to deep skin tones. For deeper skin tones that need a little brightening, yellow can be a great fit, too.
Purple is ideal for lighter skin tones, as it neutralises any dullness and helps brighten the skin. It’s a great choice for when you want a little extra highlight.
Peach or pink correctors are perfect for balancing out cool-toned blemishes, especially on light skin. This shade works similarly to orange for deeper skin tones, helping to correct blue-toned under-eye circles and other discolouration.
The hard part is over once you’ve figured out which colour corrector works best for your skin tone, undertone and specific concerns. The application is simple—and with a few easy steps, you’ll be ready to go.
The secret to a smooth finish starts with proper skin prep. Make sure your skin is cleansed and moisturised before you apply any makeup. A hydrated base will help your makeup go on smoothly and last longer.
Now, lightly apply the colour corrector to the areas where you want it. Keep your application light and buildable—you don’t want the corrector to be too obvious. Gently pat the product into the skin and allow it to set before moving on to the next step.
It’s now time to conceal. Apply your regular concealer over the areas where you’ve used the colour corrector and blend well. You should notice the discolouration is now a lot more neutralised.
If needed, apply foundation to complete your base and blend everything together for a smooth, even base.