How to colour correct for fair, medium and deep skin tones

Using the basic principles of makeup colour theory, you can strategically place contrasting hues to neutralise unwanted tones. The best part? Targeted colour correcting means you’ll be able to keep your complexion fresh with minimal product, making it perfect if you prefer a skin-like finish to your base. Here’s some handy hints and tricks so you can get correcting like a pro!

Ah, pigmentation. Most of us have it and are probably on the vitamin C bandwagon to keep it under control. However, if you have lingering dark spots, there are ways to hide it beyond traditional concealer.

By neutralising unwanted undertones first, you’ll save time and the need to use less concealer.or foundation over the top – meaning less chance of creasing, too! Try Bobbi Brown’s Corrector Stick: its creamy, emollient-rich formula blends into skin for 12 hours of crease-proof, colour-true comfort and layers seamlessly under or over foundation. If you want to correct greenish-brown tones, pick a golden peach shade, and to conceal bluish-purple tones reach for pink-hued bisque shades.

The light-reflecting formula of NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer helps instantly brighten the area where it’s placed, making it a great option for brightening up particular areas of the face. Apply a thin layer of product directly onto any pigmentation, pat into the skin, then apply your favourite foundation.

To neutralise the entire face, try a colour correcting primer. It can be worn on its own for an even complexion or layered with your favourite foundation or tinted moisturiser.

Colour correcting primers come in a few different forms: if your concern is uneven skin tone, reach for a green-based primer like the MECCA COSMETICA Complexion Perfection Anti Redness Primer. In addition to its neutralising green formula (which, by the way, sinks into skin and doesn’t leave a green tint in its wake), it’s infused with aloe vera to help soothe irritation at the source while immediately reducing the appearance of redness.

To neutralise dullness, sallowness or if you want an even-looking canvas all over, the Stila One Step Correct is a classic for a reason: this does it all without the need for foundation or concealer, which is ideal if you’re more of a ‘no-makeup makeup’ person.

Prefer the feel of a powder? Lightly dust Stila One Step Correct Powder over your moisturiser to seamlessly even out and brighten your natural skin tone. It’s available in three different shades: ‘Original’, ‘Medium’ and ‘Deep’ – take your pick!

Finally, if you consider yourself a bit of a colour correcting pro, give the Stila Correct And Perfect Palette a go. It’s all your colour correcting needs, wrapped up in one. Think: creams in peach and orange to combat blue and purple tones, plus green to neutralise redness. Plus, setting powders in lilac and lemon to brighten!

To really nail your colour correcting routine, it’s important to pick the right shades for your skin tone. And with eight powerfully pigmented colours in the range, the MECCA MAX Life Proof Camo Colour Corrector has (almost) all complexion concerns covered.

When correcting under the eyes, fair skin tones should opt for yellow or peach-based hues, while those with medium or olive-toned skin could try a purple-based corrector. On deeper skin tones, use a bright orange or red first, followed by a neutral or yellow-toned concealer. The aim, regardless of your natural skin tone, is to cancel out any greyness, which is created when a standard concealer is layered over shadowy dark under-eye circles.

For colour correcting all over, follow a similar formula. Those with fair skin can opt for pastel tones of peach, green and violet to help neutralise discolouration or uneven skin tone. Medium or olive-toned skin? Try warmer hues of peach and violet. For deep skin, reach for richer, more pigmented tones of orange and ochre.