Concealer or Foundation First? The Right Order (and the 3 Exceptions)

Foundation first is the default for a simple reason: foundation already covers a lot. Put it on, look in the mirror, then use concealer only where you still need it. You'll use less product, and less product looks less cakey.

Foundation or concealer on first? The default order

Here's what goes first, concealer or foundation, in a normal liquid-foundation routine:

1. Skin care, ending with sunscreen in the morning
2. Primer, if you use one
3. Foundation
4. Concealer
5. Powder to set
6. Blush, bronzer and highlighter

Makeup artist Alexandra Compton told mindbodygreen that "you will use a lot less concealer if you go in with your foundation first because when you apply concealer first, you end up wiping a lot of it away with your foundation application." Maybelline says the order is "a matter of preference, but typically foundation is the first step."

Not sure where sunscreen fits? It's the last step of your skin care and the first thing under makeup. Our guide to moisturizer or sunscreen first has the full order.

Concealer vs foundation: what's the difference?

They do the same job at different scales. Maybelline puts it simply: "Foundation provides sheer to full coverage, while concealer provides spot coverage."

Difference between concealer and foundation, in one line

Foundation evens your overall tone. Concealer is the precision tool for what's left: darkness under the eyes, a red patch beside your nose, a dark spot on your cheek.

That's also why the foundation vs concealer question decides the order. The thinner product goes on first over a big area. The thicker one goes on last over a small one.

When does concealer go on before foundation?

Does concealer go on before foundation? Sometimes, and on purpose. Gilbert Soliz, a makeup artist, told Bustle that "the order ultimately depends on three factors: your technique, the formula of the foundation and concealer, and the finish." These three situations are where concealer first makes sense.

1. You wear powder foundation

If your foundation is a powder and your concealer is a liquid or cream, concealer goes first. L'Oréal Paris explains that "applying products with creamy consistencies on top of powder can cause pilling or patchiness." Blend the concealer, let it settle for a minute, then sweep the powder over it.

2. You color correct

A peach, yellow or green corrector goes on bare skin, before everything else. mindbodygreen lists color correcting as one of the exceptions to foundation first. Maybelline, for example, suggests its yellow corrector "under your concealer shade" for very dark circles.

3. You like concealer under your eyes on bare skin

Some artists keep foundation away from the under-eye area. Makeup artist Jenny Patinkin told mindbodygreen, "I think concealer wears better under the eyes when it adheres directly to moisturized skin instead of on foundation that can melt, fade, or move over the course of the day." If your under-eye concealer creases by lunch, try this: concealer under the eyes first, foundation everywhere else, then spot conceal on top.

What about "underpainting"?

Underpainting is a pro technique where concealer and contour go on first and foundation goes over the top. Soliz told Bustle it "gives the skin more dimension and lots of durability." It takes practice. If you're new to it, start with the default order.

How do you use concealer and foundation? Step by step

This is the foundation-first routine. It works with liquid, cream and serum foundations.

Step 1: Prep your skin

Moisturize and let it sink in for a minute or two. In the morning, sunscreen goes on last in your skin care. Patinkin's point about concealer clinging to "moisturized skin" applies to foundation too: dry patches grab pigment.

Step 2: Primer (optional)

If you use primer, it goes on after sunscreen and before foundation. Give it a minute to set so your foundation doesn't slide.

Step 3: Foundation

Start with a small amount in the center of your face and blend outward with fingers, a brush or a damp sponge. L'Oréal Paris suggests blending "evenly in outward motions" and layering more only where you need it. Stop when your tone looks even, not when every mark is gone.

Step 4: Concealer, only where you still need it

Now check the mirror. Dot concealer where darkness or redness still shows, then tap the edges until they disappear. Compton told mindbodygreen that "the warmth of your finger will help the product to melt seamlessly into the skin, helping to prevent creasing." Tap, don't rub, or you'll move the foundation underneath.

Step 5: Set with powder

A light layer of loose powder keeps concealer from creasing. L'Oréal Paris recommends a lightweight loose powder under the eyes rather than a heavy one, which can look cakey on that thin skin. Press it on with a puff or a small brush, then dust off the excess.

Step 6: Color, then a mist

Blush, bronzer and highlighter go on last. A setting spray can go on last to help everything stay put. See our best setting spray picks.

Choosing a concealer shade

Maybelline's rule of thumb is to pick a concealer one shade lighter than your foundation if you have light skin, the same shade if you have medium skin, and one shade darker if you have deep skin.

Makeup artists add a twist for under the eyes. Celebrity makeup artist Kim Baker told Bustle, "I love for my concealer to be one or two shades lighter than my skin," to brighten the area. For spots and red patches elsewhere, we'd match your foundation shade so the patch blends in rather than standing out.

Picks that help

L'Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Foundation

Best for: a natural, medium-coverage foundation that goes on first. Drugstore.

• L'Oréal says it gives "medium, buildable coverage with a lightweight, natural finish" in 47 shades, with hyaluronic acid. It's oil-free, fragrance-free and non-comedogenic, per the brand.
• Yahoo Shopping's Marie Lodi named it the best drugstore foundation after testing dozens. She says it "blends like a dream" on her combination skin and passed her fine-lines test.
• Keep in mind: Lodi notes some people find it too runny and the coverage not long-lasting. Shake it well first.

Check price on Amazon

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Multi-Use Concealer

Best for: a budget-friendly under-eye concealer for dry or mature skin. Drugstore.

• Maybelline says it gives medium, crease-resistant coverage for up to 12 hours, in 18 shades. It's vegan, non-comedogenic and talc-free.
• Who What Wear named it Best Drugstore concealer. Makeup artist Sara Talias says it "creates a thin veil of coverage under the eyes."
• Keep in mind: Who What Wear notes the sponge tip "can dispense unevenly." Twist a little at a time.

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NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

Best for: spot concealing over foundation, with a luminous finish. Splurge.

• NARS describes "medium, buildable coverage" with 16-hour wear in 30 shades, plus magnolia bark extract, grape seed extract and vitamin E.
• Who What Wear made it Best for Blemishes and says it covers spots easily and blurs, even on dry skin.
• Keep in mind: the same review says it "can crease under the eyes," so set it with a little powder.

Check price on Amazon

Beautyblender Original Makeup Sponge

Best for: blending both foundation and concealer without streaks. Mid-range.

• Beautyblender calls it "soft, latex-free foam" that's reusable, and says it has won Allure's Best of Beauty award 17 times.
• Wet it until it expands, squeeze out the water, then bounce it on your skin. The brand says it's ideal for small areas like under the eyes and around the nose.
• Keep in mind: wash it with a cleanser and let it air dry, or it holds old makeup.

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FAQs

Do you put concealer on before or after foundation?

After, in most routines. Foundation evens your tone first, then concealer covers what still shows. Put concealer before foundation only if you wear powder foundation, you color correct, or you prefer concealer on bare skin under your eyes.

Can you use foundation as concealer?

You can, for light coverage: tap an extra layer of foundation onto the spot. For dark circles or deeper discoloration, a real concealer covers better because, as Maybelline says, it's "thicker and more pigmented."

Can you use concealer as foundation?

Not all over. Maybelline warns concealer "can look cakey if it is applied all over the face." It works as a no-foundation shortcut if you only need a few spots covered.

Should concealer go on before foundation under the eyes?

It can. Patinkin told mindbodygreen that concealer "wears better under the eyes when it adheres directly to moisturized skin." Try it if your under-eye concealer creases or fades, and set it with a light loose powder.

Primer or concealer first?

Primer first. It goes on after sunscreen and before foundation and concealer. Let it set for a minute so your base doesn't slide.

Do you apply concealer or foundation first with a cream or stick foundation?

Foundation first. Cream and stick foundations behave like liquids, so concealer blends well on top. The powder rule is the one to remember: liquid or cream concealer goes under powder, never over it.

Foundation first, concealer second, powder to lock it in: change the order only when your formula asks you to.