MakeUp Basics- Lesson 3 -Color Corrector

Hi,

Color corrector is makeup products which are useful for camouflaging any flaw or unevenness in the skin. No one has a perfect skin, pigmentation, redness, acne, dark circles, birthmarks and scars are to name a few issues. So with these color corrector we can counteract the flaws and neutralize them to flaunt a flawless skin.

What is difference in Color Corrector and Concealer?

Concealers are flesh colored; they match exactly as the skin tone. These are more pigment and concentrated form of a foundation (in a way). While Color Corrector are of different colors, mostly found in orange, pink, purple, yellow and green colors.  

As for functionality, concealers conceal any flaw while corrector will neutralize the effect of the flaw and helps in better concealing the problem area.

The concept of Color Correction is majorly based on Color Wheel.

The Color Wheel Theory:

Without getting into the details of color wheel theory, I would try and explain the concept which applies to color correction.

In a Color Wheel there are few colors arranged in a circle form. It basically has three parts :

Primary colors: Red, yellow and blue. In traditional color theory (used in paint and pigments), primary colors are the 3 pigment colors that cannot be mixed or formed by any combination of other colors. All other colors are derived from these 3 hues.

Secondary Colors: Green, orange and purple. These are the colors formed by mixing the primary colors.

Tertiary Colors: Yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green & yellow-green. These are the colors formed by mixing a primary and a secondary color. That's why the hue is a two word name, such as blue-green, red-violet, and yellow-orange.

Color Schemes:

There are two types of color schemes:

Analogue Colors: The colors which are placed side- by-side on the color wheel. These are basically hues of same color or two colors. These are not contrasting each other rather they are harmonious.

Complimentary Colors : These are colors which are directly opposite to each other in color wheel. When placed side-by-side they enhance each other and look more bright and vivid. These have maximum contrast.

Use of Color Wheel in Makeup:

• Color wheel can be used in beautifully in makeup by creating different eye makeup looks using these color schemes. Contrasting eye shadow colors with the outfit or by playing safe my using analogue color schemes. Options are endless.
• Second major use is finding complimentary colors for different eye color. Like which eye shadow/ liner colors suit blue eye or which would compliment brown eyes better.
• But the major use of color wheel comes as in form of Color Correction.

Use of Color Wheel in Color Correction

This concept is based on Complimentary Color Scheme. These colors when placed side by side complement each other but when they OVERLAP they counteract each other or as we say neutralize.

The basic colors available as Color Correctors are:

• Salmon / Peach / Orange
• Green
• Purple/ Lavender
• Yellow
• Blue

Salmon / Peach / Orange Color Corrector are used to counteract the undereye darkness. The under eye area has a very thin skin and normally dark circles have a tinge of blue or purple undertones to them. By applying these peachy or orangey color on them will take away the blue/purple tinge. This is by far the largest used corrector. For choosing the correct shade the broad guidelines are – fairer you are lighter shade of orange u will pick , example very fair n fair skinned people should pick Salmon color, Medium color skinned should pick peachy color and darker or wheat-ish complexion beauties should pick orange (or for that matter even pink) color corrector.

Green Color Corrector is second most important corrector. These are especially good for people suffering with Rosacea or red skin conditions. Green color neutralizes redness, so it’s good for any red acne bump. Just apply tinniest amount on top of the acne and blend it with a patting motion, then cover it with a flesh colored concealer or the foundation, depending on the coverage you need.

Purple/ Lavender Color Corrector are good for people with very yellow undertones. Normally people like from South – East Asia have a very prominent yellow undertones to their complexion. These purple / lavender colored correctors are great “pick me up” for these types of skin tones. It overall brightens the complexion. These are even beneficial for covering up yellowish kind of olive bruises.

Yellow Color Corrector are good to cover Brown pigmentation on skin like hyper pigmentation, age spots and sun spots. These are also good for covering Blue – Green bruises on skin and even tattoos.

Blue Color Corrector are used to counteract orange tints in the skin. These can be even applied under eyes for very dark skin tones.

How to choose a Color Corrector and is it really worth investing in?

• Well there is no hard and fast rule of choosing a color corrector; everyone has different hues in their skin and something suits someone and another suits other.
• But generally talking about Indian skin tones having a peachy/ orange corrector is a good option if you have very dark circles like mine. Or Orange / Pink corrector can really brighten up the under eye area of duskier beauties, It will really bring attention to the eyes. Medium and fair skinned ladies who don’t have dark circles to hide can avoid buying these.
• Green corrector is very effective for people suffering with skin redness either as Rosacea or red acne.
• Yellow corrector is not required if you have a concealer. Generally concealers are yellow based and do pretty good job in concealing pigmentation as yellow corrector.
• Rest colors should only be bought under very specific circumstances and or can be completely avoided.

Corrector available in market:

• NYX
• MAC
• Bobbi Brown
• Makeup Forever
• Coastal Scent
• Eve Pearl
• Ben Nye

Application Techniques:

• Always stick to – less is more concept. Apply tinniest amount and blend well.
• I prefer using finger tips as the heat from fingers melts the product into the skin and blend better.
• You can even use a small brush like a concealer brush to apply and blending brush.
• Always top corrector with a concealer and / or foundation and top it off with a powder to set it. (will discuss more in future posts) 

DIY :

How to Make your own Corrector : http://shwetasarawgi.blogspot.in/2013/01/make-your-own-corrector-to-conceal.html

Stay Beautiful :)

Shweta