What is the Difference Between Foundation Concealer and Highlighter

The main difference between foundation concealer and highlighter is their function. In brief, foundation acts as the base of facial makeup and gives uniform skin tone while concealer helps to cover up blemishes on the skin, and highlighter brightens up the face, highlighting certain points.

Foundation, concealer and highlighter are three makeup products that will help you to achieve a perfect look while covering imperfections on the skin. Although some of their functions overlap, there is a distinct difference between these products.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Foundation 
     – Definition, Function, Features
2. What is Concealer 
     – Definition, Function, Features
3. What is Highlighter
     – Definition, Function, Features
4. What is the Difference Between Foundation Concealer and Highlighter
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Foundation, Concealer, Highlighter

What is Foundation

Foundation is a cosmetic product that acts as the base for your facial makeup. Foundation helps to give an even finish to the skin, cover blemishes and even change the skin tone of a person. It’s applied on the whole face, sometimes on the neck, décolletage, and body to create a uniform skin tone. Foundation is available on different skin shades and is available as creams, powders and lotions. In fact, the name foundation serves as an umbrella term referring to a variety of products having different colours, textures and consistency.

When you are choosing a foundation, you have to mainly consider the shade and coverage. It’s important to select a foundation that matches your skin tone – you can only check this by applying a sample on your skin. Coverage actually refers to the opacity of the makeup, i.e., how much the product will conceal your skin.  Most foundations fall somewhere between sheer, medium and full. Sheer or light foundations are transparent and contain the least amount of pigments. Sheer coverage is usually easier for beginners to start with. If you want to cover freckles, birthmarks, scars, marks left by pimples, etc. on your skin, you should choose a foundation with more coverage. Note that foundations are not actually designed to cover zits. You can use a concealer for this purpose.

What is Concealer

Concealer is a cosmetic product that helps to cover up imperfections on your skin. They can mask dark circles, age spots, zits, large pores and other blemishes visible on the skin. Concealers are sometimes also known as colour correctors. They are similar to foundations, but thicker and can hide different pigments by combing the imperfection into the surrounding skin tone.

Similar to foundations, concealers can make the skin appear more uniform in colour. Concealers can be used with foundation or alone. If you are using both products, make sure you apply foundation first. Concealers come in a variety of shades. When choosing a shade, people tend to pick a shade that is somewhat lighter than their actual skin tone. Moreover, concealers with yellow undertones can cover dark circles while concealers with purple undertones can help brighten sallow complexions.

What is Highlighter

Highlighter is a cosmetic product that brightens your skin, highlighting certain light points on the face. It reflects light and creates the perception of depth and angles. They come in a variety of forms such as liquid, cream and powder.

When using a highlighter, don’t apply it on your whole face. You can use it on certain points on your face, like cheekbones, nose bone, chin and right above your lips.

Difference Between Foundation Concealer and Highlighter

Definition

Foundation is a cosmetic product that acts as the base for your facial makeup while concealer is a cosmetic product that helps to cover up imperfections on your skin and highlighter is a cosmetic product that brightens your skin, highlighting certain light points on the face.

Function

Foundation acts as the base of facial makeup, cover blemishes and gives a uniform skin tone while concealer helps to cover up blemishes on the skin, including freckles, dark circles, large pores, scars, and pimple marks. Highlighter brightens up the face, highlighting certain points.

Order of Use

You have to apply foundation before applying concealer. After applying foundation and then concealer, you can use a highlighter.

Applications

Foundation is applied on face, neck and décolletage while concealer is applied on blemishes you want to cover. Highlighter, on the other hand, is applied on certain points on the face – the points you want to highlight.

Conclusion

The main difference between foundation concealer and highlighter is their function. In brief, the foundation acts as the base of facial makeup and gives uniform skin tone while concealer helps to cover up blemishes on the skin, and highlighter brightens up the face, highlighting certain points.

Image Courtesy:

1. “4210662” (CC0) via Pexels
2. “4536491” (CC0) via Pixabay
3. “Cosmetics, make up, makeup, beauty, color, powder, schmink brush, brush, mirror” (CC0) via Pikist