The Ombre Concealer Technique Truly Does It All - Here's How To Master It

All hail TikTok's newest trend: ombré concealer. If you're not chronically online, let us break it down for you: Ombré concealer is a makeup technique that incorporates two shades of concealer, creating an ombré effect that gives better coverage to under eye imperfections. In a world where new makeup trends are constantly developing — from tubing mascara to golden-hour makeup — it can be hard to stay up-to-date on all the new and efficient ways to apply makeup. It's all about working smarter, not harder.

Before we get started, it's always important to truly understand what skin tone and concealer shade you are, especially if other undereye techniques have failed you. If you're struggling to shade match, investing in a foundation concentrate or a color corrector can help you navigate the complicated world of skin undertones. Once you've sorted that out, experimenting with new techniques may help you realize what you're missing out on. Allow us the honor to guide you through the ombré concealer technique, and how it can truly do it all.

Getting started on any new makeup trend can be intimidating. Lucky for us, there are a number of experts who have offered their best advice on collecting the right products. According to makeup artist Elizabeth Seropian, "Choose a concealer that is two or three shades lighter than your foundation, then choose one that is one shade lighter than your foundation," she explained to Allure. If you're already well-versed with concealers, feel free to add a third shade in for a more enhanced look.

While these shades are supposed to vary in color, make sure not to stray too far from your original concealer shade. To help with this, be sure to purchase concealer shades from the same brand, so you're not thrown off by different textures or formulations. Doing so could result in a cakey look. Once you've gathered the concealers in your shade range, wash and ring out your favorite beauty blender. It's time to get started.

It's time to start the application process! Using the lightest concealer shade in your collection, apply two to three dots of product around the inner corner of your eye with your finger or a brush. Then, using a darker shade, apply a similar number of darker spots in the center of the under eye. According to makeup artist J Guerra, you can spice up the blended concealer look even further by adding a cream blush to the outer corner of your eye. "All the products together should create a blurred-line effect so there's barely any distinction between where the concealer and blush start and stop," he explained to Allure. Feel free to use a beauty blender or foundation brush for blending (whatever works best for you!). 

With this step-by-step application routine, you'll achieve bright yet subtle coverage that will be perfectly complemented by a pink blush. After everything is blended, go over the applied area with a wet beauty blender one more time. Trust us — you'll never go back to a traditional concealer look again.

While there are no hard truths about how to apply makeup, there are a few essential tips that makeup artists have advised when it comes to ombré concealer. For example, celebrity makeup artist Kim Baker shared some guided tips to follow. "It needs to hit the top of the cheekbone and don't go too far down, where the contour line would be," she explained to Elle. "Right at the top of the apple and going toward the ear is where you want your blush to be." Staying within the upper half of your face will ultimately provide the best look. In addition, stick to similar textures beyond branding (i.e don't mix creams with powders, etc.).

For melanated skin, warm and earthy tones are best. For lighter skin, peachy and cool tones are preferred. If you're somewhere in between or are still discovering what suits your skin tone best, feel free to experiment with buildable products until you find what feels right. Once you've achieved a familiarity with your skin tone, you'll understand that less is more. Since you'll be using a number of products, opt for ingredients that don't leave cakey remnants and aim to build coverage with lighter products for everyday use. We can't wait to see how it turns out!