A Crash Course on Color Correction for Beginners
Do you ever see people without hyperpigmentation or dark circles and wonder how they get flawless, even-toned skin with makeup? We'll let you in on a secret. Anyone who doesn't already have a blemish-free face is probably using color correction to achieve the look.
For beginners, color correcting can be very daunting. One wrong move, and your makeup looks even more discolored. No need to worry because below, we have a complete beginners' guide, so you always use the right colors on the right shade.
How Does It Work?
You'll often find discolored skin around your cheeks because of acne post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. You may naturally have darker skin around your lips and rest from hormone-related problems. Or, you might have darkness under your eyes because you aren't getting enough rest. So, these will likely be the targeted areas of color correction.
But first things first, we should probably explain why color correcting works. It's simple—color theory. When you use opposing colors opposite to each other on the color wheel, it will neutralize. So, when you have an area that might be more yellow, purple or brown, you can balance it to match your natural shade using its complementary hue.
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What Does Each of the Colors Mean?
Now that you know where to find it on your face, let's jump into which colors you should use and where.
Green
Imagine this. You wake up with a flaming red zit on the corner of your cheek. You frantically try to put your most high-coverage foundation on top of it, but you still see the pink tones coming through. Well, what's the opposite of red on the color wheel? Green! You can take a bit of any light green corrector, and when you apply your foundation, you will no longer see the volcano arising with a vengeance.
(via Shutterstock)
Lavender
Sometimes, when we don't take good care of our skin, the color shifts into a dull, yellowish hue—which can be very noticeable if you have neutral or cool-toned skin. Lavender is the best shade to bring life back into your skin. You'll commonly need to use lavender on the "bright" points of your face, such as your forehead or undereyes.
Peach/Orange
If you struggle with dark, bluish areas and have fair skin, a peach corrector will save the day. However, if you have a tan or deeper tone and darker areas read more brown, you can go with an orange one. These will instantly brighten your face. Many people use it on old acne blemishes (which can appear anywhere) or around your lips or under-eyes.
After you use any of the shades, make sure your product is blended well before you use foundation or concealer!
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Where Can I Find Items to Color Correct?
We suggest buying a color-correcting palette (to have all the shades you might need) unless you know your skin typically only has issues with one type of discoloration. Find a few of our favorite picks!
Black Radiance True Complexion HD Corrector: $4.99
A few of us at Sweety High have darker skin and can tell you Black Radiance is a miracle worker. It's one of the only color correctors specifically created for darker tones. You can find the most common shade for our skin, orange, but they also offer salmon and yellow. It blends seamlessly and lasts beautifully underneath makeup all day.
(via Black Radiance)
NYX Professional Makeup Color Correcting Palette: $12
NYX has basically any color you can imagine on this palette: yellow, green, purple, pink and more. This palette will prevent any last-minute trip to the story if you wake up with a new type of discoloration. It's a great deal for only $12 and has almost five stars.
(via NYX Cosmetics)
Stila Correct and Perfect All-in-One Color Correcting Palette: $45
If you're looking for something more expansive and luxurious, Stila offers its own version, the All-in-One Color Correcting Palette. You'll find a more vibrant red and an extra tan shade. It truly is perfect for any skin tone because of its buildable coverage. In case you forget what we told you, they also remind you what each color means in their product guide.
(via Ulta Beauty)
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