Colour-correcting make-up isn’t new.

It has been around since the make-up artists of the ’80s improvised and used dabs of red lipstick and foundation around the eyes to correct dark circles.

Or at least since Guerlain created its signature multi-coloured Meteorite pearls to make the skin look more even, and brighter with a subtle glow.

But with the democratisation of the delicate art of make-up – through the countless Youtube makeup tutorials and Insta-clips available online – beauty brands think it is time to unleash pigmented colour-correcting cosmetics that used to be the domain of the pros, on the masses.

 To be used as a primer, these colour-correcting base make-up are to be worn under foundation.

Inspired by this NYT article on the latest colour-correcting make-up trend, The Beauty Gazette gives you the lowdown on how to get it right.

Celebrity make-up maestro Clarence Lee dishes out the tips.

He has more than two decades of experience below his makeup belt, and has worked with stars such as Gong Li, Li Bingbing, Liu Wen and Zhang Ziyi.

TBG: Are colour-correcting make-up products necessary? Won’t regular foundation and concealer do just fine?

CL: Yes and no. Scars and redness from blemishes can be masked with the correct use of concealer and foundation. But for example, if one has a very sallow skin tone and yet do not like to wear too much makeup, then a lilac toned colour-corrector can help.

TBG: What are the rules when it comes to using colour-correcting make-up? 

CL: Don’t use too much. That’s my general rule with all make-up.
How to use the colours? Lilac brightens up a dull, sallow skin tone; while a peachy one works well for darker skin tones that look ashy and dull.

Green evens out redness like blemishes and blotchiness from sensitivity, etc.

Yellow is for masking blue/purplish veins or bruises.

Blue can make fair skin tones look crystal clear and bright.

TBG: If different colour correcting products are to be used on different parts of the face… Doesn’t that complicate the make-up ritual? Is there an easier way to do this?

CL: Indeed! So just pick the area or imperfection which you are most concerned with concealing.
Then build up the makeup on your eyes to make them more attractive; or make lips look more prominent with brighter or bolder colours to take the attention away from the so-called imperfections. 😉

Pictures: @marcbeauty/ Instagram; @guerlain/ Instagram; @makeupforeversg/ Instagram; @yslbeauty/ Instagram; @lancomeofficial/ Instagram