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Concealer: Before or After Foundation?

Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown, makeup, cosmetics, concealer, foundation
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D

We recently noticed that we've given you conflicting advice about which to use first. So we asked two makeup artists the concealer/foundation question and—surprise!—got two different (but equally valid) answers. Choose whichever suits you best.

FOUNDATION FIRST

"If your face feels naked without foundation, apply it first. Then dot concealer only where you need extra coverage." —Cynde Watson, founder of Color by Cynde Watson

CONCEALER FIRST

"If you don't like to wear a full face of foundation, apply concealer first to the areas that need full coverage. Then you might find you don't need foundation at all—or need only a little bit to even out skin tone and make your skin look flawless." —Bobbi Brown, founder of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

More makeup tips: Our step-by-step guide to foundation
Two favorites: Estée Lauder Resilence Lift Extreme foundation ($37; EsteeLauder.com); Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener ($38; BobbiBrown.com)
From the March 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
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