Colour Correcting: Everything you need to know

There are many different makeup products out there; eyeshadows, lipsticks, blushes, highlighters, contour sticks, primers, beauty creams... Oh the list can go on.

But the latest beauty trend seems to be colour correctors.

In the past we've seen skin-coloured CC creams (Colour Corrector creams), but more recently there's been lots of different colour corrector shades.

Colour correctors are used to conceal different shades on your face. We know you’re probably doubting us because colour correctors are available in all different shades - from blue to green to purple - but it’s true, colour correcting is used to conceal.

Have you ever had a spot that is just a little too red? Or your eye bags are just a little too dark for your concealer to completely cover it? Well it could be a sign that you need to start using a colour corrector.

To colour correct something on your face you need to use the opposite colour on the colour wheel.

So cast your minds back to primary school art when you were taught all about the colour wheel...

When you colour correct the shade you are trying to conceal on your face, you use the opposite colour on the colour wheel. For example if you want to hide a red spot it's best to use a green concealer to hide it.

Here are the different colour correcting shades:

Redness on your face? Green it is.

As previously said, green is opposite red on the colour wheel, so when you are trying to cover redness on your face you would use a green concealer. If you have zits, acne scars, rosacea, blotchy areas, sunburn or flushed cheeks by using a green concealer it will hide it all.

Yellow undertones? Purple it is.

This shade - which is opposite yellow on the colour wheel - is perfect for cancelling out yellow undertones around your eyes and brightening any yellow discolouration on your face.

If you want to remove yellow tones from your whole face it's recommended that you use a purple primer, but if you just want to cover a spot then a purple concealer is your best bet.

Purple or blue undertones? Yellow it is.

Just like purple cancels out yellow undertones, yellow is great for removing any purple or blue tints on your skin. So if you want to conceal under your eyes, your veins or bruises go get a yellow concealer.

Fair skin tone and dark eyes? Peach it is.

This shade is more suited to people with a lighter skin tone. It brightens your eyes and hides your dark bags after a night out or a Netflix binge-fest. So if you have green or blue dark circles or spots this shade is perfect.

Dark skin tone and dark eyes? Orange it is

Unlike a peach concealer that is better suited to a lighter skin tone, an orange concealer is better suited to people with darker skin colors as it works really well to hide any dark green or blue circles or discoloration.

Need a highlighter? White it is.

This shade can be used to highlight your face. You can apply it on your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, your cupid's bow, your chin and under your brow bones to give yourself a cute highlight.

Alternatively you can put it under your eyes, or in the inner corners of your eyes to appear more awake.

Minor blemishes? Neutral it is.

For people who do not have any of the problems above - and basically have perfect skin - you can use a shade or two lighter than your skin tone to conceal any blemishes.

Oh and last tip, put your foundation and concealer on top of your colour correcting - we don’t want anyone looking like a clown now, do we?

Check out the gallery below for some colour correcting products.

Now you can colour correct away...

Read more:

Closer’s guide to BB creams, CC creams and DD creams.

The best BB and CC creams to give your complexion a boost for summer.

Vegan make-up brands you need to know about.