Welcome to the colour correcting club! If you’ve ever wondered how to use colour correctors (or what they even are), you’ve come to the right place. Because let’s be real—colour correctors can feel super confusing. What are they? When do you use them? Why does putting green on your face actually make sense? We get it. The world of colour correcting sounds like a beauty class you may have missed, but don’t stress—we’re breaking it all down for you in this colour correcting guide.
Whether you're a total newbie or you've dabbled with colour correcting concealer and still feel like something’s missing, this guide is for you. We’re zeroing in on one of the most game-changing tools in your makeup bag: green colour corrector. Yep, green! It might look intimidating at first but trust us—it’s the secret weapon for neutralising redness and bringing balance back to your complexion. Think blemishes, breakouts, rosacea, or sunburn—that’s when you should go for a green corrector. It’s truly the best redness corrector!
What is Green Colour Corrector and How Does it Work?
Green colour corrector is your go-to for cancelling out unwanted redness before you reach for your concealer. Worn underneath your usual makeup, this correcting hero works by balancing tones in your skin thanks to a little something called colour theory.
Here’s the science: on the colour wheel, green and red are opposites. That means when you layer green over red tones, they work to neutralise each other. If you’re dealing with breakouts, rosacea, or sunburns, a green corrector can help to calm things down. It also works wonders around the nose and cheeks where redness can tend to live.
The result? A smooth, even-toned makeup base that’s ready for concealer or foundation to do its thing without any red peeking through.
How to Determine if You Should Use Green Colour Corrector Makeup
Before you choose a green colour corrector, do a quick check to make sure redness really is your main skin concern. If it is, green colour corrector makeup might just be your new BFF. Green corrector, like our Camo Colour Corrector in green, is made for calming all kinds of fiery moments—think acne flare-ups, flushed cheeks, sun-kissed (read: slightly burnt) skin, or that stubborn redness around your nose. If these sound familiar, a green shade of colour correcting cream is calling your name.
But if redness isn’t your biggest concern, there may be a better colour corrector out there for you. Dealing with dark under eyes? Peach or orange corrector is where it’s at. Battling hyperpigmentation or beard shadow? You may need something with more of a peachy, yellow, or even red undertone depending on your skin tone.
Bottom line: knowing your skin’s needs is the first step to colour correcting like a pro. If red’s the problem, green’s the fix. If not? There’s a whole range of correctors waiting for you!
What Skin Tones or Undertones Should Use Green Corrector Makeup?
Here’s the beauty of green colour concealer: it doesn’t care what your skin tone, undertone, or skin type is—it only cares about solving redness. Whether your skin tone is fair, deep, cool, warm, neutral, or somewhere in between, if you’ve got red tones popping up, green is here to help cancel it out!
That’s because green colour corrector makeup isn’t about matching your skin—it’s about correcting redness. Green sits directly opposite of red on the colour wheel, which means it will help to neutralise redness on every complexion. From the lightest skin to the richest skin, if breakouts, irritation, or flushed cheeks are making an entrance, green concealer steps in to calm any redness down. Just remember: the key is in the blend. Remember to use a light hand, layer under foundation or concealer, and let your other makeup products shine on top.
When to Incorporate Green Concealer into Your Makeup Routine
Now for the fun part! You’ve locked in a green colour corrector, so when does it make its grand entrance in your makeup routine? You’ll want to apply green colour corrector makeup after your skincare routine but before you apply foundation or concealer. Think of it as the pre-party for your makeup—quietly working behind the scenes to create that smooth, even-toned canvas you’re looking for.
After your hydrating face moisturiser and face primer have settled in, that’s your cue to tap in the green concealer. It does its best work under your base products, so it can neutralise any red spots from peeking through.
Step Two: Apply Your Green Colour Corrector
So, your skin is prepped and primed—now it’s go time! When applying green colour corrector makeup, it’s all about targeted application, not a full-face moment. Start by pinpointing where any redness appears on your skin: around the nose, across the cheeks, over an angry blemish, or anywhere that redness may be showing.
Using a small concealer brush, dab a tiny amount of colour corrector cream right where it’s needed. The key word here? Dab—don’t swipe or smear the colour corrector. We’re going for a gentle tap to help blend the product into your skin without moving it around. This helps keep the green correcting power right where you want it.
Once any redness appears to be toned down and everything’s lightly blended, give it a moment—let it fully dry (wait about 30 seconds) before layering your concealer or foundation on top. Patience here pays off with a smoother, more even finish makeup look.
Step Three: Layer Your Concealer and Foundation
After you’ve colour corrected, it’s time to seal the deal. Once your green corrector has dried (we’re talking a full 30 seconds of patience), it’s time to layer on your concealer and foundation to bring it all together. Here’s how:
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Start with a swipe of a hydrating concealer, right over those now-neutralised spots.
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Next, choose your base depending on your mood: want a soft, natural glow? Reach for our Halo Glow Soft Glam Foundation. Need more coverage for a flawless face? Go with our Camo CC Cream —our full-coverage powerhouse that’s also packed with skin-loving ingredients.
Pro Tip: The goal here is to tap and blend gently so you don’t disturb the colour correction work underneath. Layer lightly the product on top, and you’ll have a smooth, even complexion that still looks like you—just with zero redness stealing the show!
Step Four: Finish Your Makeup Look with Setting Powder and Setting Spray
After you’ve colour corrected, blended, and gently buffed your makeup in, it’s time to set it and seize the day. Start with a light dusting of setting powder to help keep everything in place and give your skin that soft-focus, matte finish. This step will help to blur the appearance of your skin, mattifying just enough, and plays well with your concealer and foundation—we don’t want any creasing here!
Now for the real glow moment: finish with a few spritzes of our Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray. Not only does it help grip your makeup like a dream, but it also adds the perfect dewy boost to keep your skin and makeup look looking fresh.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying Green Colour Corrector Makeup
Even the most seasoned makeup lovers can have a few green colour correcting slip-ups from time to time. Let’s talk about a few common mistakes you’ll want to avoid when applying colour correcting cream:
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First up: using too much product. A little goes a long way when it comes to green colour corrector—too much and you may be at risk for a slight green hue to your skin. Keep it light and focused!
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Next: blend, blend, blend! If you just dot it on your skin and call it a day, you might end up with random green patches that peek through your makeup. Use a small makeup brush or beauty sponge to help pat it in—no swiping!
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Remember—Don’t just go rogue with it! Only apply green concealer to red areas. Putting green on non-red skin can make your complexion look uneven or dull.
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Last but not least: don’t skip your foundation! Green corrector is made to hide under your makeup base, not be the star of the show. Let it do its behind-the-scenes magic and apply concealer or foundation afterwards.
Expert Tips for Using a Colour Corrector That’s Green
Ready to level up your green colour concealer game? Lock in with our expert-approved tips to help you colour correct like a pro:
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Go sheer if you’re nervous. Mix a tiny bit of your green corrector with a drop of face moisturiser for a more natural, diffused effect. It’ll still calm redness—just with a softer finish.
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Use the layering technique: apply a little, blend it in, and then see where your look is at. Need more? Add a little more! This keeps things smooth and not cakey.
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For super targeted redness—think blemishes or breakouts—reach for a concealer brush. Doing this helps to give you the precision of a makeup pro without the guesswork.
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Want your makeup look to last all day? Set your makeup with a finishing spray to help lock everything in and add a fresh, glowy finish to your makeup.
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Choose a green colour corrector with yellow undertones—like our Green Camo Colour Corrector! Why? It helps neutralise redness without turning ashy, gray, or even purple under your concealer. Translation: smoother correction, better undertone balance, and zero colour chaos.
Frequently Asked Questions about Green Colour Corrector:
Do I use a green colour corrector before or after foundation?
You should apply green colour corrector before foundation for best results. Applying colour corrector before concealer and foundation helps to neutralise the red tones in the skin. After colour corrector, concealer and foundation will help to provide a more natural finish and even complexion.
Can I use a green colour corrector for dark circles?
Green colour corrector isn't ideal for dark circles as it's primarily designed to neutralise redness. For dark circles, peach or orange correctors (depending on your skin tone) are more effective, as they counteract blue and purple undertones.
Should I use a green or yellow colour corrector?
Choose green corrector for pronounced redness such as blemishes, rosacea, or sunburn. Yellow corrector is better for dullness and purple-toned discolouration like bruising. Using a green colour corrector with yellow undertones can help to neutralise red tones without turning ashy, gray, or purple.
What is the best colour to hide redness?
Green is the best colour corrector to hide redness as it sits opposite red on the colour wheel and effectively neutralises it the warm tones. The green pigment counteracts the red tones in your skin, creating a more neutral base under your concealer and foundation. It's particularly effective for neutralising redness from acne, rosacea, sunburn, or general skin irritation.
Does green colour corrector actually work?
Yes, green colour corrector does work when applied properly and using the right amount. Its effectiveness is based on colour theory principles where complementary colours neutralise each other, making it genuinely effective for reducing the appearance of redness, helping to provide a more evenly-toned complexion.