La guida al correttore colore e come si usa

Darlings, colour correcting is a makeup trick that helps skin tone to appear more even. Our skin naturally has many different tones from dark circles around the eyes, redness on the face, and areas of hyperpigmentation. To balance these tones and create a flawless, even-looking complexion, makeup artists look to colour theory.

Colour correctors are an age-old beauty trick; using different shades of colour corrector can have neutralising effects on certain tones in your skin, making your complexion appear brighter and more balanced. Discover how to use colour corrector in your makeup routine and easily conceal, correct and perfect the look of your makeup base.

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What is colour corrector?

Colour corrector is a makeup trick inspired by colour theory where specific makeup colours are used to offset and neutralise the appearance of certain tones in skin. The relationship between different colours can be observed in makeup – some colours effectively balance each other out which is known as colour correcting.

Commonly, colour correctors have the creamy consistency of a concealer and are formulated to mesh with skin to correct and counteract the appearance of inconsistencies in skin tone, however, coloured powders can also be used to colour correct on top of foundation. Colour correctors are often used to neutralise the appearance of dark circles, facial redness, and five o’clock shadow from facial hair, and they can also be used to influence the tone of other makeup products like concealer and foundation.

The shade of colour corrector that you use depends on your skin tone and skin concern; colour correctors can be a rainbow of colours from orange, to blue, to green and each has a different purpose within makeup. It’s also important to note that deeper skin tones will require a deeper shade from within the colour family to benefit from seamless-looking colour correction.

Discover Charlotte’s Guide to Colour Correcting + Colour Theory in Makeup

Why To Use An Orange Colour Corrector

Peach, orange and red shades of colour corrector are designed to neutralise and brighten the appearance of blue tones within your skin. These can appear in the form of dark circles and five o’clock shadow.

Dark circles: Cool blue tones often appear around the eyes in the form of dark circles and can make eyes look tired and sullen; according to colour theory, orange is the opposite of blue, so an orange colour corrector has the ability to counteract these blue tones and disguise the appearance of dark circles.

Facial hair + beard coverage: Hair growth can also give your complexion a blue tinge; even after shaving, the root of facial hairs can give your mouth area a dark, shadowed appearance. Applying an orange or red colour corrector in areas of hair growth can counteract blue tones and provide beard coverage that neutralises the look of five o’clock shadow and helps foundation to appear more even.

Tilbury Tip: I created Magic Vanish colour-correcting concealer in peach, orange and red tones that are perfect for colour correcting the appearance of dark circles and around the mouth.

Why To Use A Pink Colour Corrector

Pale pink shades of colour corrector are designed to cancel out the appearance of dark circles and give your complexion a brightening effect.

Dark circles: Similarly to peach and orange colour correctors, pink tones can be used to counteract the appearance of blue tones in dark circles under your eyes. Light pink colour correctors have a cooler, rosier look than orange or peach, making them a perfect choice for those with cool pink undertones or anyone that loves a pink makeup look.

Tilbury Tip: The pink and peach colour-correcting shades in my Pillow Talk Beauty Soulmates Face Palettes are perfect for correcting the appearance of dark circles under eyes and blend seamlessly into their corresponding matte blush shades.

Why To Use A Blue or Lavender Colour Corrector

Lavender and blue shades of colour corrector are designed to lift and brighten the look of skin as well as neutralising the appearance of warm tones.

Warm foundation shades: If your foundation shade is too warm, you can mix it with a blue or lavender colour corrector to neutralise the appearance of some of the warmth and create a better match for your skin tone. Blue and lavender are naturally cool toned and are perfect for adding to foundations and concealers that look too orange or too yellow on you.

Why To Use A Green Colour Corrector

Green shades of colour corrector are designed to disguise the appearance of facial redness and are perfect for concealing the appearance of skin that is red or blemished.

Facial redness: The appearance of redness on the face can be counteracted with a green colour corrector. Green is the perfect opposite of red on the colour wheel and therefore has a corrective effect when applied to areas of facial redness. Blending a green shade onto areas prone to redness like the middle of the cheeks and around the nose can help conceal the appearance of skin redness.

Blemishes: When a blemish appears on your face, skin often becomes irritated and red. Before spot concealing, applying a green colour corrector can help to disguise some of the redness that appears on the site of your blemish and can help make it easier to cover with concealer.

Why To Use A Yellow Colour Corrector

Yellow shades of colour corrector are designed to add the look of warmth back into your complexion and neutralise the appearance of dull, cool tones and discolouration.

Cool foundation shades: Foundations that are too cool for your skin tone can look too pink or too ashy, so a makeup trick you can use to make these shades work for you is mixing them with a yellow colour corrector. Yellow tones are naturally warm, allowing them to brighten the appearance of cool tones and lift the look of your complexion.

Tilbury Tip: For a more subtle colour-correcting effect, use a warm-toned shade of Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer with golden undertones.

How To Use Colour Corrector

Darlings, now you know the different ways you can use colour corrector in your makeup routine, it’s time to learn how to use colour corrector like a makeup artist to unlock your most flawless, even-looking skin tone yet!

Colour Corrector: More FAQs

Which shade of colour corrector do I need?

The shade of colour corrector that’s best for you will depend on your skin concern and skin tone. Identify which areas of your skin tone you would like to correct the appearance of and this will determine which colour corrector shades will work best for your desired effect. As a rule, warm tones like salmon pink, peach, orange, yellow and red will help to counteract the look of cool tones and dullness from dark circles and hair growth, and green tones will help to combat the appearance of facial redness.

How Can I Colour Correct My Foundation

You can make a foundation shade that’s too warm or too cool for you appear more flattering for your skin tone by mixing it with colour corrector. On the back of your hand or on a mixing palette, apply a pump of foundation and a small amount of colour corrector, then mix them together with your foundation brush to create a customised shade that matches your skin tone more closely. For foundations that look yellow or orange, add blue colour corrector, and for foundations that look pink or grey, add yellow colour corrector.

Do I Colour Correct Before or After Foundation?

Correct then perfect, darlings! Applying colour corrector before foundation allows you to address the appearance of any inconsistencies in skin tone before adding a layer of foundation. Colour corrector is designed to neutralise and even the look of skin tone, whereas foundation is intended to give your complexion all-over coverage. For the full colour-correcting makeup routine, I recommend using a colour-correcting concealer on primed skin, then going in with foundation and finishing with a colour-correcting powder to give your complexion the appearance of beautiful, even-looking, corrective coverage.

Should I wear concealer and colour corrector?

Yes – you can wear concealer and colour corrector together. I recommend using colour corrector first to even the look of skin tone, then applying your flesh-toned concealer on top. This will help to prevent colour-correcting tones from peeking through your foundation and will build coverage for an even more flawless look.

Darlings, colour corrector belongs in every makeup kit! Understanding colour theory can help you to perfect your foundation application and make your complexion look its best. Colour corrector isn’t just for makeup artists, darlings… With these tips and tricks on how to use colour corrector, you can easily neutralise and brighten the look of your complexion and disguise the look of dullness and discolouration.

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*Tested on 69 people