How Is It Used?

There are three types of camouflage cosmetics: concealing products, color-correcting products and contouring products. Each of these products serves a slightly different purpose so, naturally, each involves a different application technique.

The most commonly used type of camouflage cosmetic is concealer. Concealer is used to cover up anything that you don't want others to see including bruises, blemishes and incision lines. Properly applied concealer can allow you keep the effects of your surgery hidden until you are completely healed.

When you are looking for a concealer you should select a product that is thick and opaque in a shade that accurately matches your natural skin tone. Make sure that the product you choose is designed to offer hours of coverage, but is also creamy enough to blend into your skin naturally without looking caked-on or blotchy. Once you have found the perfect concealer, apply it to the necessary areas with a cosmetic sponge and blend it in. If the product doesn't seem to have blended into your skin completely you may want to apply foundation to the rest of your face to even out the effect.

Individuals who are interested in covering up large bruises or concerned with camouflaging areas that are extremely red typically use color-corrector. Concealer can be great for hiding incision lines and minor imperfections, but sometimes it is unable to cover up severely discolored areas. Color-correctors are specially designed to balance out skin tone using neutralizing colors. This type of camouflage cosmetic actually works with imperfections to produce a natural result.

Plastic surgery patients typically use two types of color-corrector: lavender-tinted corrector and green-tinted corrector. Lavender-tinted color-corrector is specially designed to disguise bruising so almost all patients can benefit from its use. While the lavender tone counterbalances yellow, the green-tinted color-corrector works to neutralize redness. This sort of corrector is great for patients who have had skin treatments like microdermabrasion because it can be used to mask skin that appears unnaturally red. Color-correctors should be blended into the skin anywhere there is discoloration.

Patients who have had facial implants or nose jobs can benefit most from contouring camouflage cosmetics. These patients typically experience a significant amount of swelling that often lasts for weeks. Contouring products are designed to make swelling less evident by using shading effects to take the emphasis off the swollen area.

There are two elements of contouring camouflage make-up: the highlighter and the shadow. You should apply the highlighting product to areas that you would like to appear more prominent. If you have had a nose job apply the highlighter in a straight line from the bridge to the tip of your nose and the shadow to the sides of your nose. With these products your goal is to create definition, so always apply the highlight to the area that should be prominent and the shadow to the swollen area that is lacking definition. Once you have applied these products in the necessary areas you will want to blend them in until you achieve a natural-looking result.

If you find that you are having trouble with the application of camouflage cosmetics try to arrange a consultation with a professional make-up artist so that you can perfect the techniques that will give you your desired result.