Tone Correction 101

Author: 
Spencer Barnhart
Share

 

 


The science behind tone correction is really simple. We all have weird colors on our faces that never seem to be properly covered by only concealer or foundation. Personally, I’m fair skinned and have beige/pink undertones. I’m also Italian and have genetically acquired purple bags under my eyes, yellow spots, and redness in my cheeks. Clearly, I won the genetic lottery. Thanks, mom and dad. Sarcasm implied. 


 

 

For my ladies of color, who tend to have more ash undertones like blue and blue/green, you want to work opposite of those colors in the red and orange family of tones.

                                 

                        The basis for all tone correction is a simple color wheel.

                                Color Law is universal. It will never change.

 

To neutralize unwanted colors on your face, simply apply a concealer that is opposite of said color on the color wheel. 

 

Note the red tones on my lower cheeks, around my nose, and a little bit on my forehead, the violet tones under my eyes, and the yellow tones above my top lip.

 

 

Using my Coastal Scents concealer palette, I go opposite on the color wheel and apply yellow concealer under my eyes, violet on top of my upper lip, and green in my red areas.

 


 

After neutralizing the unwanted tones, I continue with my usual highlighting and contouring routine (which I have previously blogged about), applying my foundation and concealer directly on top of the tone-correcting concealers.

 

After being sick in bed for the last few days, I will gladly fake it until I make it!

 


 
 

It still blows my mind what a little education and concealer can do for you.