Hey guys!  So it looks like one of the big trends of 2016 is going to be color correcting!  I’m seeing so many makeup artists and beauty gurus using color correcting on Instagram and Youtube lately.  Also, I’ve noticed brands coming out with new color correctors.  Urban Decay just came out with the Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid, available in mint, yellow, peach, lavender, and pink.  Sephora just released their Sephora + PANTONE UNIVERSE Correct + Conceal Palette, available in a light/medium palette and a medium/dark palette.  Tarte also just came out with the Rainforest of the Sea Wipeout Color Correcting Palette.  A couple of more affordable favorites are the L.A. Girl Pro Conceal Set Orange, Yellow, Green Correctors and the NYX Cosmetics Color Correcting Concealer 3CP04 .

If you’re not familiar with how color correcting works, here’s a quick breakdown.  The concept of color correcting is simply neutralizing discoloration on the skin with its complementary color.  Basically, it’s all based on the color wheel.  If you look at the color wheel, each color has another color across from it.  This is its complementary color, which basically means that those two colors have the highest contrast to each other.  More importantly in this case, when these colors are combined they cancel each other out.  So, for example, if you are trying to conceal your dark undereye circles, you would probably want to use an orange or peachy shade (depending on your skintone) because usually undereye darkness is a blueish shade.  Generally, depending on the discoloration that you are trying to hide, you will use the color opposite of that on the color wheel to hide it.  The most popular shades offered for color correcting are green for covering redness (such as blemishes or rosacea), orange or salmon for covering blue discoloration (such as undereye darkness), yellow for covering purple discoloration or to brighten dull areas (popular for undereye as well), and lavender to correct yellow discoloration, or sallowness.  Normally you will apply color correctors before both your foundation and concealer.  But, sometimes you can apply your foundation and then color correct areas, such as the undereye, and then apply your concealer over it.

Color correcting can be really useful for creating that flawless skin look, because sometimes foundation and concealer just don’t provide enough coverage for those stubborn trouble spots, such as dark undereye circles and blemishes/redness.  But, it can also be a little tricky at times, especially when you are starting out with it.  Mostly you just have to keep in mind that less is more, because if you apply too much product it gets really hard to blend the color out and can start to look cakey.  To avoid problems, use a light hand at first and slowly build as needed.   Also, make sure you blend it out with a brush or beauty blender to soften; otherwise it can get cakey and/or peek through your foundation/concealer.

I think that color correcting is definitely a HOT trend.  I really do think that flawless looking skin is the star of any good makeup look.  And since most of us don’t have naturally flawless skin, I think color correcting is an amazingly useful tool when you want to really amp up your skin game.  Let me know your thoughts on this trend and any tips/tricks you have when color correcting!