Most of us have at least one concealer in our makeup arsenal. But if you have redness, dark spots, or stubborn under-eye circles, you’d also benefit from a colour corrector.
Colour corrector makeup: key takeaways
- Colour correctors neutralise unwanted tones like redness, dullness, or dark circles.
- Choose the shade based on your skin concern and undertone.
- Green cancels redness, purple brightens dullness, yellow balances purple tones, pink/peach/red tackle dark circles.
- Different skin tones benefit from different shades: lighter tones suit pink/yellow, while medium to dark tones suit orange/red.
But what is a colour corrector, and how do you know which colour to go for? To help you get started, we’ve put together this comprehensive colour corrector guide, detailing what colour correcting is, how to use colour corrector, and how to choose the right shades for specific skin concerns. Read on to discover more!
What is colour correcting makeup?
In the most basic terms, colour correcting involves using makeup tinted in specific colours to help balance out skin discolourations such as dark circles, redness, or sallowness. Unlike concealers, which, well, conceal, colour correctors work their magic by visibly neutralising unwanted tones. As such, they’re not skin coloured but instead come in a variety of shades, from yellows and reds to greens.
Where to apply colour corrector?
Like a skin-toned concealer, you only apply colour corrector to certain spots – it isn’t used all over like foundation. You only want to apply it to the specific areas where you have discolourations to neutralise or even out your skin tone.
Where and how to use colour corrector will thus depend on the area you want to conceal. For example, whether you want to cover a blemish or cancel out dark under-eye circles. But more on this below!
What colour corrector makeup shade to use?
You don’t need an in-depth knowledge of colour theory to understand the basics of colour-correcting makeup. What can help, though, is to visualise the colour wheel.
Colours that lay opposite one another on the colour wheel (think: red and green or purple and yellow) are contrasting colours. When mixed together – or, in the case of makeup, applied on top of one another – they can cancel one another out. This helps your skin appear more even-looking.
Like concealers, colour correctors come in a plethora of shades. Our Pro Fix Stick colour-correcting concealer sticks come in 24 distinct shades for colour correcting and concealing a range of skin concerns on various skin tones.
Knowing which colour corrector to use (and when) is largely dependent on the skin concern you’re looking to camouflage. But your skin tones and undertones also play a role in determining the right shade for your needs. Ahead, we’ll dive into the details and explain what colour-corrector shades to use for various skin concerns.
What does green colour corrector do?
The best colour corrector for redness caused by breakouts or irritation is a green corrector. The minty hue helps cancel out unwanted red and pink tones on your skin for a more even-looking appearance.
How to colour correct redness
Use a colour corrector like our green HD Photogenic Concealer Wand.
Apply a small amount of green colour corrector to areas where you see redness and blend until the red is less noticeable. Start small: You can always add more if needed.
Pro Tip: Use clean tools (sponge, brush, or fingers) and be gentle when you blend out your colour corrector, especially if your redness is accompanied by breakouts or irritation.
What does purple colour corrector do?
Purple colour correctors can help brighten and add life to sallow, dull-looking skin. Lavender shades in particular can help cancel out light yellow tones in the skin.
Apply a lavender colour corrector only where needed to even out your skin, and blend it well before layering on your foundation and concealer (if needed).
How to use colour corrector for dullness and add brightness
Use a colour corrector like our lavender HD Photogenic Concealer Wand.
You don’t need to apply lavender colour corrector all over to brighten up dull skin. Instead, apply a few dots to areas you’d like to target, like your chin, forehead, and under-eyes, and blend for a subtle brightening effect.
Pro Tip: If dullness is your primary concern, opt for dewy rather than matte makeup to help give your skin a soft, natural-looking glow.
What does pink colour corrector do?
Pink colour correctors are ideal for brightening light and fair skin tones and balancing out bluish under-eye circles. They can help neutralise discolouration while adding a touch of radiance to tired-looking skin.
How to use pink colour corrector for dark circles and dullness in fair skin tones
Use a pink colour corrector like our Pro Fix Stick in shade 0.2 Light Pink
Dot a small amount under your eyes or on areas with visible blue undertones, then gently blend with your fingertips, a brush, or a sponge for a refreshed, awakened look.
Pro Tip: Pair your pink colour corrector with a lightweight, illuminating concealer to brighten the under-eye area even more and create a natural, radiant finish.
What does orange colour corrector do?
Deeper peach, orange and red colour correctors are best colour correctors for dark skin or medium to tanned skin. They help neutralise dark circles, conceal hyperpigmentation, and counteract bluish hues for a more even complexion.
How to use orange colour corrector for dark circles and pigmentation for darker skin tones
Use an orange or red colour corrector like our Pro Fix Stick in shades 0.4 or Medium Peach or 0.5 Terracotta Orange.
Apply the orange colour corrector sparingly to areas with discolouration – such as under the eyes, around the mouth, or on dark spots – and blend well before following up with foundation or concealer.
Pro Tip: For the most natural result, use a thin layer of corrector first. Build up only if needed, layering too much product can make your base appear heavy.
What does yellow colour corrector do?
Yellow colour correctors are perfect for cancelling out purple-to-blue tones in the skin. They’re especially effective for brightening under-eye circles, evening out bruising, or softening the look of visible veins.
How to use yellow colour corrector for under-eyes and uneven skin tone
Use a colour corrector like our yellow Pro Fix Stick in shade 0.3 Pale Yellow.
Dot a small amount under the eyes, around the nose, or on any areas with bluish undertones. Blend thoroughly to create a smooth, even base before applying the rest of your makeup.
Pro Tip: Pair your yellow corrector with a brightening concealer to lift and illuminate the under-eye area for a wide-awake look.
How to colour correct dark circles
Use pink, orange, or red colour correctors.
Colour correcting dark circles is all about figuring out what colour undertones your dark circles have. Here’s our quick comparison table to help you find the perfect shade for you:
| Skin Tone | Dark Circle Undertone Shade | Recommended Colour Corrector |
|---|---|---|
| Fair | Violet to purple | Pink colour corrector |
| Medium | Blue | Peach colour corrector |
| Dark | Blue, brown, grey | Orange to red colour corrector |
Pro Tip: Pop on our Face Freezie Reusable Cooling Undereye Patches before colour correcting your dark circles to help de-puff and refresh your eye area.
How to colour correct dark spots
Use yellow or orange colour correctors.
As with dark circles, there are a few different shades that can help colour correct dark spots, depending on your skin tone. Discover the best colour based on your skin tone:
| Skin Tone | Dark Spot Colour | Recommended Colour Corrector |
|---|---|---|
| Fair | Light brown to purple | Yellow colour corrector |
| Medium | Brown to blue-toned | Peach colour corrector |
| Dark | Deep brown or bluish-grey | Orange to red colour corrector |
Pro Tip: Pair your colour-correcting makeup with a full-coverage foundation to give your skin an even finish.
