If you would use a cream foundation, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using concealer all over your face in place of foundation. I don’t currently own any cream foundations for myself. I do own MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer (5.5g, £13.50) in NC45 & NC50 (MAC, can you please make an NC47.5 because that would really make my day), which are ultra creamy concealers. While the Studio Finish Concealer (7.0g, £13.50) is billed as being full coverage, I find SSC to be more versatile. I love that it melts and blends so easily once warmed on the hand or with fingers. And when used as a foundation, it gives me medium to full coverage that looks silky smooth.

To make sure that SSC doesn’t look too heavy on my skin, I prep my skin with a light moisturizer, then pat any excess off. After that, use a foundation or oil-delaying primer. I combined SSC in NC45 & 50 and placed that in cap of one of the containers. The real key here is to use a good brush to help buff the concealer into your skin. I used Illamasqua’s Blusher Brush #1 (£25.50), which looks like a slightly fuller version of MAC’s infamous 109 brush (£22). Because of the consistency of the concealer, I don’t think a duo-fiber brush on its own would do the trick.

I usually spray a bit of Fix + on the brush before swirling it in the concealer mixture. Then buff, buff, buff! A final dusting of translucent powder will set the foundation and take a bit of the shine off. The only drawback to using SSC as a foundation (at least on my super oily skin) is that it only lasts about 4 hours before I have to blot and powder. But those 4 hours for a flawless finish are worth it to me.

Do you ever use concealer in place of foundation? If so, which kind works best for you?