Be Your Own – MUA Series – Part 3

Are you struggling with your concealer application? Wondering why your makeup doesn’t look as polished and professional as the looks you see online? In today’s blog post, I’m sharing incredible concealer techniques I learned from PRO MUA Tasha Renee of MUA Assist. Her expert tips will elevate your makeup game and give you that perfectly lifted, awake appearance—even when you’re just heading out for a quick brunch!

You can also watch the video on the TBE YouTube Channel.

Choosing the Right Shade

One of the most common concealer rules is to go one to two shades lighter than your foundation. This isn’t a hard rule, though—it depends entirely on your preference:

For a natural look: Choose a concealer that matches your skin tone or is just one shade lighter
For a brightening effect: Go one to two shades lighter to add lift and make your eyes appear more awake

Many concealers can appear ashy on deeper skin tones if they’re too cool-toned. Opt for warmer undertones that complement brown skin.

I personally prefer the brightening approach because, let’s face it, the whole point of makeup is to create a lifted, youthful appearance!

Tasha’s go-to concealer is Tarte Shape Tape in shades like Tan Sand and Tan Deep Sand. It provides excellent coverage and has the perfect consistency for the techniques I’m about to share with you.

Product Recommendations

While Tasha used Tarte Shape Tape in this tutorial, here are a few additional concealer recommendations that work beautifully for melanin-rich skin:

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer – With 50 shades, Rihanna’s line continues to lead in inclusive shade ranges
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer – A cult favorite known for its extensive shade range and warm undertones
Juvia’s Place I Am Magic Concealer – Created specifically with deeper skin tones in mind
Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Concealer – Luxury formula with impeccable coverage for all skin tones
Beauty Bakerie Instabake 3-in-1 Concealer – Black-owned brand with excellent shade options

Remember to choose a shade with the right undertone for your skin to avoid that dreaded ashy appearance!

The Perfect Application Technique

Here’s where most people go wrong with concealer application—they’re not precise enough with placement.

Here’s Tasha’s foolproof method –

Position is key: Hold your mirror up (don’t look down!) to see how your face appears naturally to others.
Start at the inner corner: Place the concealer applicator at the inner corner of your eye, right next to your nose.
Go straight, not curved: Draw a straight line upward along the side of your nose.
Pro tip: Never go lower than the divot of your nose—we want to lift the face, not drag it down!
Create precision with body position: Angle your hand sideways and anchor yourself in a comfortable position that limits movement. This prevents mistakes and gives you more control.
Perfect your product amount: Your concealer should have consistent fullness—not so much that it’s bubbling up, and not so little that it appears sheer and ashy.

Bonus: Natural Nose Contour

One of Tasha’s favorite tricks is using concealer to create a natural nose contour:

Apply concealer along both sides of your nose in straight lines
The contrast between the lighter concealer and your natural skin tone creates the illusion of a contoured nose
For extra definition, add a bit of concealer down the bridge of your nose, stopping at the tip (never go past the tip, or you’ll make your nose look elongated!)

The key here is to move slowly and keep your lines straight. If your concealer dries quickly, you’ll need to work faster before blending. For this technique, you might want to try the Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer which has excellent staying power but gives you enough working time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The “airplane” application: Many people swipe concealer on haphazardly. Instead, touch precisely where you want it and slowly draw your lines.
Looking downward: Always lift your mirror to see how others will see your face. A good quality handheld mirror is essential for this technique.
Using too much product: A little goes a long way—bubbling concealer will look cakey.
Moving too quickly: Take your time for precision application.
Extending past the nose tip: This can elongate your nose unnaturally.

For blending, I recommend the Beauty Blender Original makeup sponge or the more affordable Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. Both provide a seamless finish without disturbing your precise placement.

With these techniques, you can create both an everyday natural look and the more dramatic “tribal” look popular on social. The secret is patience, precision, and understanding your own facial structure.

Try these tips the next time you’re doing your makeup, and you’ll be amazed at how much more polished and professional your final look appears!

What’s your biggest struggle with concealer application? Share in the comments below!

For more beauty tips, just read our beauty column.

This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase through these links, The BrownStone Experience may earn a small commission at no additional cost. Thank you for supporting our blog!

By Feleccia Turner, Founder of The BrownStone Experience, featuring expert techniques from PRO MUA Tasha Renee of MUA Assist