Color correcting makeup is blowing up right now. It’s been a DIY “makeup hack” trend for a while on Instagram and Youtube but now it’s becoming the next big mainstream makeup trend that companies are developing products for. Right now all of these products are in the “just arrived” section at Sephora…

…and that’s literally just the stuff that’s brand spanking new.

Color correcting in general can tend to leave you with a sense of “WTF do I need mint green concealer for?” because let’s be honest, at first glance it looks like it belongs on a clown or as a part of some Easter Sunday eye makeup look or something. So I’m here to fill you in on how it works. That’s what I’m here for, makeup info…and a side of sarcasm.

WHAT IS COLOR CORRECTING:

Basically if you have some sort of very intense color issue, say a very red pimple or extremely dark purple under eye circles, you can help to cancel that color out by using a corrector. Simple right?

BUT HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT COLOR TO USE?:

To correct a color you want to cancel it out by using the opposite color from it on the color wheel. I have a whole series of posts on how color theory works and how it relates to makeup, so you can click through and read that if you want to know about it in depth. But for the basics, if you combine opposite colors they make a neutral, which is what you want if you are trying to cancel it out.

How do you know what colors are opposites? Well, eventually you start to just know by memory. But until then, you can simple consult a color wheel, which I have been kind enough to provide below. Man, I’m the best ?

So to cover a red pimple, you would use it’s opposite which is green. Purple/ blue under eye circles? Something in the peach/yellow family and so on and so forth.

Now, the real question is…

DO YOU NEED IT?

To be honest, most likely not. Unless you have really dark under eye circles, dark discoloration around your mouth and nose, or some really flaming red acne spots, I don’t think its necessary. If you do have any of those things though, it may be worth experimenting with. Just keep in mind if you do try it that a little goes a long way.

Some of the products coming out are really innovative like correcting primers and lightly colored setting powder. In those cases it’s built in to a step that’s already in your routine, so that won’t add any layers to your makeup. Other things like fluid correctors to apply under your concealer are adding an extra step, so you really want to use a light hand. The more layers you add the more likely you are to end up looking a little but like a frosted cupcake, ya feel me?

Those are the basics of color correcting makeup. Hopefully that will help if you were wondering if it something you need to add to your routine, and if so how to go about it. Let me know if you have any more questions and I will be happy to answer them either in the comments or on twitter or wherever works for you!