What's the Right Way to Apply Concealer?

QUESTION: What's the right way to apply concealer? Whenever I wear it, I look like I either have white rings under my eyes or am wearing none at all.

ANSWER: Concealer can be a woman's best cosmetic friend, camouflaging dark circles and other spots and making skin look flawless. On the other hand, improper concealer application can make problem areas look even more obvious. To apply concealer correctly, follow these steps:

1. Pick the right shade. A too-light or too-dark concealer will look unnatural even with a perfect application. Go for a shade that either matches or is one shade lighter than your skin.

2. Prep the area. Because concealer can settle into even the finest lines and take on a flaky, cakey texture, it's important to moisturize the area you're concealing before applying the cosmetic. Pat a tiny dot of moisturizer (or eye cream) over areas and allow the lotion to sink into skin for at least 10 minutes.

3. Begin with small dots. You don't need a glob of concealer to do the job. Start with a few small dots applied with a finger, wand, or cotton swab. You can always add more later.

4. Pat into skin. This is the most important step: Don't rub the product into the skin, which results in your rubbing it right off. Instead, use the pad of your ring finger to pat it in, blending gently as you go.

5. Set with powder. Avoid using a lot of powder, as it, too, can settle into fine lines. Stick with a light dusting of fine powder to give your concealer staying power.