Did you run out of your favorite concealer?! Fear not- this makeup hack can help!
Struggling with under-eye bags or a nasty breakout, but don’t have any concealer on hand?
Fortunately, if you don’t have any concealer, there’s a super simple makeup hack you can do to still cover your dark circles and blemishes.
The answer: using FOUNDATION!
That’s right. Using a lighter shade of your normal foundation shade can actually work as a good substitute for concealer.
So, whether you lost your favorite concealer, ran out of your concealer, whatever the case may be, you can substitute your concealer with foundation!
In this post, you’ll learn more about the question “can foundation be used as concealer”, how to use foundation as an under-eye concealer, can I use foundation under my eyes, and so much more!
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SHOP THE POST
Can Foundation Be Used As Concealer?
So, can foundation be used as concealer?!
Yes! Foundation can be used as a concealer.
But, this doesn’t mean all foundations serve as the perfect substitute for concealer.
Nor, does it mean that foundation is better than concealer.
Foundation can substitute as a concealer, but it isn’t necessarily the best choice you should always do.
This is because foundation and concealer are two different makeup products.
The foundation’s primary aim is to give you a more even complexion.
Meanwhile, a concealer’s purpose is to cover any blemishes, under-eye bags, and so on.
Inevitably both concealer + foundation have different formulas which means different consistencies.
Foundation has a thinner consistency whereas concealer has a thicker consistency, which explains why concealer is so good at hiding all your skin imperfections.
Foundations You Can Use As Concealer
While there aren’t foundations that will 100% replace a concealer, there are several foundations that work better than others as a substitute for concealer.
Examples of foundations you can use as concealers include quality, medium to full coverage foundations.
Need some recommendations of high-quality + high-coverage foundations?
The Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation and the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation are great luxury foundations to try.
If you want more of a drugstore option, consider L’Oreal’s Pro-Matte Foundation.
You can also try using a BB cream or CC cream, or using a two-in-one foundation and concealer product if you have it!
To apply and use foundation as concealer, you would use your foundation as you normally would (applying thoroughly around the entirety of the face). Then, apply a little extra to places that need more coverage such as your under-eye bags, blemishes, etc.
Difference Between Foundation Vs Concealer
As briefly discussed earlier foundation and concealer are two different face makeup products.
Foundation works to essentially serve as a base for your makeup and is applied throughout your entire face.
Foundation comes in different consistencies. Liquid foundation, cream foundation, and powder foundation are some of the most common.
Most foundations give a medium to high coverage finish.
There are also tinted moisturizers that are similar to foundations; however, give more of a light coverage look.
Meanwhile, concealer is used to hide blemishes and other imperfections like redness, acne scars, under eye bags, among other things.
Like foundation, there are different forms of concealer such as liquid, cream, and color-correcting concealers.
Plus, concealers tend to be thicker than most foundations so they are better able to effectively cover any imperfections or dark under-eye circles.
Should You Apply Concealer Or Foundation First?
You should always apply your foundation FIRST, followed by concealer.
This is because think of foundation as a base which you can then apply all other types of face makeup products after, not just concealer… like your blush, bronzer, & highlighter.
Therefore, foundation provides an even coverage to even out your complexion. Then, you go in and apply your concealer to cover any areas that need a little added TLC that the foundation wasn’t able to cover.
For instance, concealer is commonly used to cover things like:
- Dark Under Eye Circles
- Redness
- Acne Scars
- Breakouts
And, concealer isn’t only used to cover stubborn pimples, but it also works wonders to brighten up your face.
Can You Use Concealer Without Foundation?
Yes, you can use concealer without foundation!
Just be sure your concealer shade closely matches your natural skin type to achieve a flawless, natural look.
Using just concealer without foundation can be great if you are going for a more natural, quick & easy everyday makeup look.
Or, you may also decide to use concealer without foundation to 1) keep your makeup looking light and fresh, 2) you only have a couple of blemishes that need coverage or 3) you don’t want to apply a full face of makeup every day and potentially worsen any breakouts you have.
This is especially true if you have more acne-prone skin as frequently applying foundation can increase your risk of getting more breakouts.
Can Light Foundation Be Used As Concealer?
Yes, in fact, you’ll want to (if you have one) use a lighter shade of foundation as a substitute for concealer- about a shade or two lighter than your normal foundation shade.
This is because normally if you had both foundation and concealer, you’d want your concealer to be slightly lighter than your foundation shade.
This ensures your concealer not only covers your blemishes but brightens the face.
However, don’t use a foundation that’s too light on your face as obviously then you run the risk of your makeup looking super unnatural.
Can I Use Foundation Under My Eyes?
Yes, you can use foundation as a substitute for concealer and use it to help lighten up dark circles under your eyes.
One of the top purposes of a concealer is to help lighten up your face, which can be a blessing for those who struggle with dark under-eye bags.
While using a lighter foundation as a substitute for concealer may not 100% make your under-eye bags disappear completely, the foundation (especially if it is more of a high coverage foundation), should brighten up your eye bags quite a bit.
Plus, if you find one layer of foundation doesn’t do the trick at completely concealing your eye bags, you can try applying another layer for some added coverage.
Just be sure to not apply too much as then your face makeup may look super cakey and heavy.
How To Use Foundation As an Under-Eye Concealer?
To use foundation as an under-eye concealer, you would apply the foundation as you would any other concealer.
First, make sure you have a slightly lighter shade of foundation than your natural complexion (if you have one hand- if not your regular foundation shade will do).
Then, you can apply your foundation using your fingers, making sure to lightly pat the product around the entirety of your under-eye region.
Or, you can use a beauty blender to pat the foundation into your under-eye area.
If you find one layer of foundation under your eyes isn’t enough to cover your dark circles, you can always try adding an additional layer for extra coverage.
However, be careful to not go crazy and apply too much foundation under your eyes as you run the risk of your face makeup looking messy and cakey!
Bottom Line: Substituting Foundation for Concealer
Overall, to answer the question “can foundation be used as concealer” the answer is yes!
This can be a great makeup hack, especially if you lost or ran out of your concealer.
However, it’s important to understand that foundation vs. concealer are two different face makeup products.
So, while foundation can be substituted for concealer, don’t expect the foundation to work wonders at concealing all your blemishes and under-eye bags as say your normal go-to concealer would.
That being said, a foundation can be a great life-saver if you’re out of concealer and need at least some sort of coverage to hide your skin imperfections.
FAQs
Can Foundation Be Used As Contour?
Yes, just like how a foundation can be used as a substitute for concealer, a foundation can also be used as a contour.
To use foundation as contour, you’ll want to pick the lightest shade of foundation you have on hand, and then apply it to certain areas of the face to brighten your complexion, such as the:
- Bridge of the nose
- Cheekbones
- Center of your chin
Can You Use Foundation As Concealer For Eyebrows?
Yes, while concealer may be better at perfecting your eyebrows than say using foundation, you can also use foundation as a concealer for eyebrows.
Just be sure to use a slightly lighter foundation shade and use a little product at first, then add on additional layers as needed.
What Can I Use If I Don’t Have A Concealer?
Use foundation! While the foundation may not be 100% as effective at concealing your imperfections as say a typical concealer would.
Using a lighter foundation to cover your blemishes and eye bags can be a great makeup hack to try, especially if you’re out of your favorite concealer.
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