11 Brilliant Concealer Hacks You Probably Haven't Heard Of

For me, concealer is to the makeup bag what the black dress is to the closet. It’s the genius that conceals my shamefully dark circles caused by a night catching up with my friends (or dealing with a baby who just WILL NOT sleep), and it’s the antidote to a pesky acne scar that just won’t budge.

It’s also quite the multitasking tool. From lip-plumper to brow-popper, here are some pretty brilliant concealer hacks I’ve discovered that you may not have thought of (plus some great brand recommendations).

featured image: Getty/Cultura RM/Jamie Kingham

More Makeup Tricks:

Makeup Hacks: 11 Brilliant Uses for Concealer Beyond Covering Blemishes

It conceals pigmented lips.

Concealer acts as a foundation of sorts by neutralizing a naturally dark lip line and prepping it for lipstick. This is an especially valuable tool if you’re attempting to wear a nude or soft pink lipstick that might otherwise get “cancelled out” by the natural tone of your lips. One to try: MAC Lip Erase ($20), a creamy balm available in two skin tones.
It hides tattoos.

Of course, concealing tattoos is no easy feat—just ask anyone who has searched in vain for the perfect shade in the perfect consistency. But there are concealers out there formulated just for covering heavy-duty ink, such as Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Concealer ($25). This can also be used to cover up imperfections.
It slims your nose.

This is one of those tricks that is so fantastic you’ll wonder how you managed without. My concealer of choice is L’Oreal True Match Concealer Crayon ($8.95). Simply use it to draw a precise line down the bridge of your nose. Blend it to achieve the appearance of a slimmer nose.
It tones down aggressive lip colors and stains.

Add a dab of liquid concealer, like Cover Girl Invisible Concealer ($6.24), to lips prior to applying a darker lipstick. It will help tone down the shade that may have looked amazing in the tube, but not quite as phenomenal on you.
It's an excellent highlighter.

If you’re at all familiar with the feeling that you haven’t slept nearly enough, get yourself acquainted with this eye-opening trick. Simply apply your concealer of choice to your brow bone and blend well. This trick defines and wakes up the area beautifully. Give Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer ($5.99) a try; it’s a coverup and highlighter in one and is especially easy to blend.
It banishes your zits.

Chances are that a pesky, reddened zit is the very reason most of us own a tube of concealer in the first place. You might have noticed, though, that your go-to concealer may not be enough to do the trick. Try neutralizing the redness with a green concealer, like Physicians Formula Gentle Cover Concealer Stick ($5.69). Set it with a touch of translucent powder and voila—what zit?
It erases a heavy hand.

If you’ve accidentally gone at your cheekbones with a heavy hand, you know that the end result can be scarily clownish. That’s where a powder formula, like L’Oreal True Match Naturale Gentle Mineral Concealer ($11.99), comes in handy. Dust it lightly over too-dark blush to lighten the appearance and give your complexion a more natural glow.
It's a great eye shadow (in a pinch!).

While its results may not be as long lasting as a traditional primer, concealer works as a great eye shadow primer in a pinch and even lightens up your eyelids if you happen to be without any eye color. I love Smashbox Camera Ready Full Coverage Concealer ($20) on the lids; it’s soft and easy to apply, and allows shadow to adhere and last.
It corrects eyeliner mistakes.

We've all been there, trying to create the perfect cat-eyes, but one always comes out just a tad fatter or lumpier than the other one. Instead of removing your eyeliner altogether and starting from scratch, try dabbing a bit of concealer on an angled brush and using it as an eraser. Something like the Camouflage Cream Pot by Makeup Forever ($20) is an ideal candidate for its creamy texture and easy application.
It plumps your lips.

Another great trick for creating a fuller, sexier pout is to blend concealer into your lips. Grab a concealer pencil like Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil ($20) in a light shade and fill in the middle section of your lips. That, plus a nude lip gloss, will plump up your smile instantly.
It hides puffy eyes.

Concealer is amazing at hiding puffy eyes, but there is a right way and a wrong way—and the last thing you want is to make the puffiness look worse! Go about applying your regular foundation and then get a good liquid concealer, something like Sonia Kashuk Liquid Light Concealer ($8.99), in a darker shade to push puffiness back. Tap finger under eye until it's totally blended.