beauty

'I've been testing colour correctors for years. These are the ones I swear by for brown skin.'

Ask anyone with deeper skin, and they’ll have a story to tell you about all the times they’ve tried to even out their skin tone

I am one of them. 

As a Pakistani, I’ve been blessed with a lot of things — thick hair, full eyebrows and beautiful bronze skin. However, I’ve also had to learn to live with hyperpigmentation, darkness around the perimeters of my face, and don’t even get me started on the dreaded under eye circles.

Watch: The 5 min makeup I do every day. Post continues below.


Video via Mamamia.

Over the years I’ve used expensive vitamin C serums, eye creams, retinols and even turmeric masks, and while they definitely made a difference, the discolouration always remained.

As I’ve gotten older I’ve learnt to accept that my face will most likely never be one single shade, and instead of splurging on fancy skincare and treatments, I decided to invest in a really freaking good colour corrector.

Colour correctors come in a lot of different shades, but brown skin has demands that differ from fairer skin, which is why, you need to look for ones specifically made for you.

I’ve tried a lot — partly because it’s a necessary step in my routine and partly because of my job — and here’s what you need to know.

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If a colour corrector leans towards bright orange, then it’s going to show up underneath your foundation. However, if it’s not orange enough, it’s just going to make your skin appear ashy, grey and do the exact opposite of what you’re wanting it to do.

So yes, there is a science behind it, and don’t let anyone dupe you into buying a colour corrector that isn’t right for your skintone. 

It’s also important to note that colour correctors are not meant to be worn on its own like a concealer, instead, you will need to apply a base product on top of it to cover up the orange.

Trust me when I say that these are the best colour correctors on the market for medium to deep skin tones. Most of these come in a variety of different shades, so if you’re lighter or darker than me, then have a play and see which one suits you best.

Bobbi Brown Corrector Stick - Dark Peach, $59.

Image: MECCA.

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This is by far my FAVOURITE colour corrector, I love it so much that I've been using it for over 10 years. It used to come in a pan form, but recently Bobbi Brown released a stick version, and I actually like it better than the original. It's easy to use, cancels out darkness perfectly and doesn't crease under the eyes. 

Huda Beauty #FAUXFILTER Color Corrector - Papaya, $45.

Image: Adore Beauty.

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Huda Beauty is one of my all-time favourite makeup brands, and this colour corrector just solidifies its GOAT status. Compared to the Bobbi Brown, this product is a lot creamier and high coverage, perfect for when you need to conceal acne scarring. Definitely have a play around with the shades before purchasing, so you don't end up buying one that's too light or too dark.

NARS Radiant Creamy Colour Corrector - Medium, $48.

Image: MECCA.

One of my favourite things about the NARS Radiant Creamy Colour Corrector is its tiny applicator. No other product gives me this level of precision. While I do love this for the under eye area, I prefer to use it on old acne scarring, as the small wand is perfectly shaped to conceal small areas on the face. The formula is creamy but not to the point where it sits on your skin, instead; it blends seamlessly and leaves a beautiful finish.  

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Clinique Even Better All-Over Primer + Color Corrector - Apricot, $52.

Image: Adore Beauty.

Clinique is a brand that knows how to do skin, which is why, I knew this colour corrector would immediately find a place in my makeup bag before I even had the chance to try it. The consistency is smooth, and the colour is made up of just the right amount of peach. So, if you want something for everyday use, then check this one out.

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Tarte Shape Tape Corrector - Peach, $46.

Image: Sephora.

The Tarte Shape Tape Corrector is for the full face girlies, who like wearing foundation that's on the thicker side. This one leaves your face completely flawless, and because it's so high coverage, you can rest assured that your pigmentation will stay covered all day.

E.L.F. Cosmetics Camo Colour Corrector - Peach, $7.75.

Image: Beauty Bay.

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Just because it's affordable, doesn't mean it's not effective, and that's the case for the E.L.F. Cosmetics Camo Colour Corrector. This product leans more towards peach, making it suitable for the girls who have light-medium or medium skin. The thinner consistency makes it great for layering, and I also found that it never once broke apart on my oily skin.

At Mamamia, we independently curate and write about products we rave about in our group chats and think you should know about too. If you purchase a product we have recommended, we may earn a small commission.

Featured Image: Supplied/Sephora/MECCA/Adore Beauty.

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