What is the general rule regarding the tone of concealer?

• A. It should match the tone of foundation.
• B. It should be lighter than foundation.
• C. It should be the same shade as powder.
• D. It should be darker than foundation.

Answer: (D)

Concealer is used to camouflage imperfections while also balancing light on the face. For under-eye circles, the goal is brightness and neutralizing shadow, so the usual rule is to pick a concealer that is lighter than your foundation. A lighter shade reflects light and helps cancel the bluish or purple tones of dark circles, making the area look more awake. Sometimes a peachy or salmon undertone is used to better neutralize those shadows. Using a concealer that’s darker than foundation would deepen shadows and fail to brighten, which is why that option isn’t ideal for concealment. For spots or blemishes, you can match foundation or go slightly lighter depending on the effect you want, but the lighter-than-foundation rule is the common approach for under-eye concealment.