How to Stop Concealer Creasing: Top 5 Makeup Artist Tips

You spend ages getting your concealer looking perfect. Your under eyes are bright, your dark circles have disappeared and everything looks smooth.

Then you catch yourself in a mirror a few hours later and suddenly your concealer has settled into every fine line possible.

Sound familiar?

The good news is that creasing usually isn’t caused by your concealer. More often than not, it’s down to your skin prep, using too much product or skipping a few key steps.

These are five simple tips that can make a huge difference.

In This Guide:

Prep your skin properly
Use less concealer
Blend with the right brush
Set with powder
Finish with setting spray

1. Prep Your Skin Before Applying Concealer

If you’re skipping skin prep, you’re already making concealer work harder than it needs to.

Dry skin gives concealer something to cling to, which is why it often settles into fine lines throughout the day. Starting with hydrated skin helps everything apply more smoothly and last longer.

Apply ILIA The Base Face Milk Essence before your makeup routine and give it a minute to absorb into the skin. Then follow with e.l.f. Power Grip Primer over the areas where you’ll be applying makeup. The primer helps create a smoother base so your concealer stays where you put it instead of sliding around during the day.

It only takes an extra minute, but it makes a noticeable difference.

ILIA is Leaping Bunny certified and offers several vegan products, including The Base Face Milk Essence. The brand also supports environmental initiatives through selected campaigns. e.l.f. is 100% vegan, cruelty free and certified by both PETA and Leaping Bunny.

2. Less Concealer Usually Looks Better

This is probably the biggest mistake people make.

It feels like adding more concealer should give you better coverage, but it often does the opposite. The more product sitting under your eyes, the more likely it is to settle into fine lines throughout the day.

Instead of drawing a large triangle under your eyes, apply a couple of small dots where you actually need coverage and blend them out. If you want more coverage, build it up slowly rather than applying lots at once.

Trust me, your under eyes will look much smoother.

3. Blend, Don’t Drag

The way you blend your concealer matters just as much as the concealer itself.

The e.l.f. Tap & Blend Concealer Brush is designed to press product into the skin instead of moving it around. Rather than sweeping the brush back and forth, gently tap and press the concealer into place.

This helps create a smoother finish while keeping the coverage exactly where you want it.

Like all e.l.f. brushes, it’s made with synthetic bristles and is completely vegan and cruelty free.

4. Set It Lightly

Powder is important, but using too much can make your under eyes look dry and textured.

Once your concealer is fully blended, use the Kosas Cloud Set Loose Setting & Blurring Powder in Candy with the e.l.f. Halo Glow Powder Puff to lightly press powder under your eyes.

The key word is lightly.

A small amount helps lock your concealer in place without making your under eyes look heavy. Press the powder into the skin instead of rubbing it across your face so you don’t disturb the concealer underneath.

Kosas is vegan, cruelty free, talc free and gluten free. The reusable e.l.f. Halo Glow Powder Puff is also vegan and cruelty free.

5. Finish With Setting Spray

Once you’ve finished your makeup, don’t skip setting spray.

A few sprays of Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray help everything stay in place throughout the day while reducing the need for touch ups.

Mist it evenly over your face and let it dry naturally before touching your skin.

Charlotte Tilbury is cruelty free and Leaping Bunny certified. The Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray is also vegan.

The Full Product List

Creasing isn’t usually about finding a different concealer.

Most of the time, it’s your skin prep, the amount of product you use and the way you apply it that makes the biggest difference. A few small changes to your routine can help your concealer stay smoother for much longer, without adding any extra effort.