The Calla Lane Colour Correcting Guide

How to Colour Correct Like a Pro

Have you ever looked at a makeup product (or palette) in a seemingly strange shade and wondered how you could use it without looking like you've painted on a pastel clown face? If you have, you're not alone. We're here to help you crack the code of colour correctors. 

What is colour correcting?

Colour correctors are available in a range of colours, usually pastels, intended to help neutralize discolorations of the skin. Think dark under-eye circles with a blue hue or the angry, red flush of spot, facial spider veins or rosacea. 

How does colour correcting work?

Remember the colour wheel you might’ve learned about in science class? Certain colours are complete opposites of each other in the light spectrum and, when mixed, can cancel each other out. These are called complementary colours and you’ll find them sitting across each other on the colour wheel. For example, red sits directly opposite green, so if you apply green colour-correcting concealer to a bright red pimple, it’ll instantly help reduce its angry-looking redness. 

The Basics 

Use the appropriate hue to neutralize any discoloration and then lightly pat your foundation (or concealer) on over the color. 

Specific Concerns

• Redness (spots, acne, rosacea) - try using a green colour corrector. This works best on fair to medium skin tones, green can tend to look ashy on darker or olive skin tones.
• Blue under eye circles - try using a corrector in a peachy/orangey colour. Lighter skin tones should avoid orange and instead use a peach colour instead. 
• Dull complexion and sallow undertones - a purple colour corrector can really help to brighten the complexion. 
• Purple bruises or veins - a yellow colour corrector will help to neutralize the purple hue. 

Dos and Don'ts

• Do choose the right hues for your skin. The effectiveness of color correctors depends on finding the right tone to match your blemish. Remember that orange is for dark skin and peach is for light skin.
• Do apply thin layers!  A thick layer of corrector may show through your foundation.
• Don’t use colors that you don’t need. Color correcting concealer is meant to be used only on blemishes that are strong in appearance. For smaller less noticeable blemishes, a regular concealer will do.
• Do utilize a makeup brush or sponge to pat the coverage into the skin. Don’t brush the colors all over your face. This will undo all the hard work you’ve done by moving the pigments into the wrong areas.
• Do remember that makeup should enhance your skin not hide it! So think of color correcting concealer as a fun extra step that’s to be used sparingly and don’t forget to let your natural face shine!

Why bother to colour correct?

The advantage of colour correcting is this....by using a colour corrector in the right shade for your specific skin concern, you can neutralize the discoloration. You would need very little foundation over the colour to give your skin that beautiful even finish we're all after. The result...flawless, natural, fresh looking skin that actually looks like skin and way less 'made-up'. 

Without colour correcting first, you would have to use way more concealer or foundation to cover up the discoloration. That may result in a caked-on look which is less than ideal. 

Our colour corrector of choice

At Calla Lane, our absolute go-to colour corrector is the Lula Fox Colour Correcting Concealer in shade Erase. It is great for colour correcting dark under eye circles for medium to dark skin tones. 

It's packed full of skin enhancing oils and mineral colour that nourish, hydrate and even help heal skin such as Vitamin E, Organic Coconut, Jojoba Seed, Castor Seed Oil and Cocoa Seed Butter.

We recommend applying it to dark circles with finger tips or a concealer brush and blending up to the lower lash line. We also advise applying it over the lid of the eye as well to even out skin tone. A light foundation application on top and voila! No more dark circles! Genius!

Shop the Lula Fox Colour Correcting Concealer here. 

Please do reach out with any questions about colour correcting you may have. We're here to help. Happy colour correcting!