How to Master Micro-Concealing Like a Pro

There are lots of concealer tips and tricks out there to help you contouring your face,  sculpt your brows or reshaping your lips. But very few concealer hacks have their own specific nomenclature, so when we heard about the practice of “micro-concealing,” we knew we had to investigate. In order to unpack this technique, we tapped the micro-concealing wiz herself, UK-based makeup artist Valeria Ferreria. Here’s what you need to know:

What Is Micro-Concealing?

According to Ferreria, micro-concealing is a special, intricate concealing technique. “Using a very thin and pointed brush, you camoflauge imperfections to create an airbrush effect,” she says. All it takes is a light hand, a small amount of product and a precise brush, like the Lancôme Precision Shadow Brush #12 to master this technique.  

How to Micro-Conceal

Here’s how it’s done: Start with a light- to medium-coverage tinted moisturizer to even out your skin, and focus on micro-concealing specific spots that need precise coverage, like around the nose, lips or over any breakouts. “Use a concealer palette or various concealers if you need different shades to neutralize imperfections that can vary in tones,” says Ferreria. The consistency of the concealer is also key here. Look for a dry, water-resistant or cream-to-powder formula. We love using the NYX Professional Makeup Full Coverage Concealer for this.

Next, pick up the concealer with your thin, pointy brush using a light hand and repetitively dot the area(s) you want to cover. “Once you have dotted over your imperfections, you can use your finger or beauty sponge to press these dots into the skin,” Ferreria adds.

Finally, set your concealer with a small amount of  loose, thin powder like the Dermablend Loose Setting Powder for an undetectable finish.

Less Is More When You Micro-Conceal

When micro-concealing, it’s important to note that you don’t want to move the product when you press it in. “Your skin should not look heavily covered, and you want to use small amounts of products,” says Ferreria. This means that you want to keep every step of the process as light and precise as possible. “Less is more, and what you are looking for is perfect skin that looks breathable and real.” We can’t wait to get our micro-concealing game on par to achieve this.

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