Hi Everyone!
I was recently asked if I'd do a post on concealers so here we go. I have three on rotation - one is gorgeous and I see myself repurchasing despite the price, one is a budget concealer that is affordable and effective, and one is a 'cult product' that I definitely won't buy again, and honestly regret purchasing in the first place😠.
About concealers - I honestly didn't really use or need them much until last year. I've been lucky in having pretty good skin and never suffered from dark circles, so foundation used to be enough.
Your skin changes as you get older and for me the most dramatic change I've seen has been around my eyes - I'll be 30 in a couple of months and I now have some fine lines and often wake up with dark hollows under my eyes. Whereas before I could get away with a full face of make-up and no under-eye concealer, I now have days where I simply can't. As far as blemishes go I now get the odd spot, and a concealer can definitely help to disguise them, although my main concern is under-eye darkness.
I have dry/dehydrated skin so I prefer hydrating concealers, and formulas that don't dry down too matte. I apply my concealer with a sponge if I want heavier coverage, a brush for medium coverage and my fingers when I'm in a rush/don't need much coverage. This is really my favourite way to apply as it's easier to blend in with the tip of my ring finger for a really natural finish and it's easier to control the amout you use - my philosophy with every day concealer is to use as little as possible, especially if you are someone who wears minimal make-up. If you set it with some powder, either loose or compact (I prefer compact for every day and loose for a full face of make-up) it should last you all day. When using a compact I swirl my brush (Real Techniques), tap off the excess and sweep it over the under-eye area. If I'm doing a full face I set with loose powder or 'bake' - this means that once you've applied and blended your undereye concealer you dip a damp sponge into your loose powder and apply it under the eyes. Leave it to set for a couple of minutes (3 or 4 is enough) and then dust off the excess. This technique essentially fuses your concealer to your powder through your bodys heat and is great for a night out as it ensures your concealer will last longer, it's used by drag queens and they know how to get their slap to stay on!
Concealers come in three general categories - liquid/cream, stick and pot concealers. Personally I prefer a liquid/cream formula for under my eyes as they are easier to blend and you can find them in satin and luminous finshes, and stick or pot concealers for blemishes as the formula is thicker and they give a better coverage for covering spots. If you have oily skin you will probably want to go with a more matte finish, if you're dry like me a more satin/luminous finish may suit you better. A lot of people love a really matte concealer under the eyes, but as someone who has some fine lines I feel like they emphasize them and so I go for satin or dewy. For my face I usually go for something more matte and apply it before foundation/BB Cream - matte formulas tend to be better for covering blemishes as the formula clings to the skin better. For blemishes I would apply with my finger - the last thing you want is to do emphasize blemishes by caking them in concealer.
When it comes to your concealers I have six basic rules of thumb:
*Undereye concealers should be 1-2 shades lighter than your foundation colour, depending on how bright you want the area to look.
*Face concealers should be the same colour as your foundation, you do not want to highlight your blemishes by having them lighter or darker than the rest of your face.
*Have two good concealers in your arsenel (good depending on how you feel about them, I'm not talking about price here - one of my favourite concealers cost me $4) one for your face in a stick or pot form, and one for your eyes that is a liquid/cream formula.
*Own a good setting powder - if you don't set your concealer it will fade away throughout the day. I have a loose and a compact, but you can choose either or. Keep your skin type in mind - if you are oily you probably want something mattifying, if you're dry I'd go with a satin or luminous finish.
*Make sure that your concealer is well-blended before you powder it, especially under your eyes. If you powder unblended concealer it will definitely crease and highlight those pesky fine lines.
*Be sure to exfoliate and hydrate your skin. If you put concealer onto a flaky blemish, it will be more visible. While I'm not recommending that you scrub the hell out of blemishes, I try to gently exfoliate the area with a face cloth and follow up with a hydrating serum and moisturiser. Hydration is also key for your eye area, especially if you have fine lines - make sure that your eye area is well hydrated (something with hyaluronic acid will give you an instant if temporary plumping effect) for the best results. If you apply concealer, even a great one, to a dry and dehydrated eye area your fine lines will look exaggerated.
My Current Concealers
Tarte Shape Tape
I've said it before and I'll say it again - I don't like this concealer. It's too matte and too drying, sinks into my fine lines and looks powdery and just...bad. If you are someone who is into heavy contouring/has extremely oily skin I can see why you would like it, though. But for me it just doesn't work - I need something more luminous, and I hate the way it makes my fine lines even more obvious. I've tried it with a damp sponge, a brush and my fingers and I just really don't like the finish or formula. I've tried using it to cover blemishes as it's quite heavy coverage but oddly enough it just blends away and does nothing to help. If you have fine lines around your eyes I can't say that I'd recommend it - if you're young and have a bright and smooth undereye area and just want a concealer to brighten then you'll probably like it. It's mainly been used as an eyeshadow primer, which is a crying shame as it cost me about €28 between shipping and customs (I bought two at the time, and my friend doesn't like hers very much either😂😠) and for that I could have gotten my current favourite which is....
Clarins Instant Concealer
I picked this up as a direct result of disliking Shape Tape so much. Clarins is one of my staple favourite skincare brands, although I don't use much of their make-up. It's also one of those brands that I turn to when I've been let down by another brand - they are reliable and all of their products are pretty great - they just do what they say, and this concealer is no different.
It's a lovely creamy formula and gives you a nice satin finish. It's a lot easier to blend thanShite Shape Tape and has very decent medium coverage. It's lovely for every day - you can easily blend a couple of dots into your undereye area with your ring finger for a natural finish. Dust it off with some powder and it stays all day. It doesn't sink into my fine lines, and the finish is natural and radiant without being too luminous. It feels hydrating and comfortable. You get 15ml in a small tube so you can squeeze out the amount you need without the hygiene issues of a doe foot applicator that you use on your skin and put back into a tube - this is far more sanitary. At €28 it's not cheap but again, you only need a little. I've probably had mine 6 months and it's still going strong. So if you are normal/dry-skinned and are looking for a natural finish, medium coverage undereye concealer you'll probably like this. As usual with Clarins base products my only gripe is the shade range, this concealer only comes in about four shades - but if you are pale or medium-toned you should find one to suit you, I use 01.
LA Girl ProConceal
I actually haven't used this in ages but it's a really nice budget concealer. I use it for my undereye area, and I find it to be creamy, blendable and with decent medium coverage. It comes with a brush applicator which you can use to apply the product directly to the skin, but I usually squeeze some onto the back of my hand for hygiene reasons. It's OK for covering blemishes, but performs really well under the eyes - I don't love it quite as much as Clarins but I'd definitely use/buy it again. I got mine for around a fiver on Amazon France, but if you're in Ireland you can find it on Trndbeauty.com as well as in some pharmacies, this concealer costs around €6/7 which you can't argue with!
The Saem Cover Perfection Pot Concealer
I bought this from beautynetkorea.com last year before they introduced weight and shipping fees (for which I still haven't forgiven them😂😠). The Saem is a Korean brand that I really like, they have some lovely skincare and make-up such as their mists, eyeliners and toners. This is a typical pot concealer, with a medium matte finish. As it's in a pot I tend to use a brush to apply it to my face and then blend in with my ring finger. It's a stiff but blendable formula and so it clings to the skin, but you can easily blend it out. I haven't tried it under my eyes as it would be too drying but for covering blemishes or red areas it's perfect. It works brilliantly under BB Cream/foundation and doesn't look obvious to the naked eye. It's also an absolute bargain - you can find it on Yesstyle here for €5.52. I can't put my hands on my one at the moment, so this is an image from online.
So there are my thoughts on concealers! As I said, I'm not an expert as I've only started using them regularly in the last 12 months, but as I try new ones I will let you know on my Instagram and of course review them here if they're worth a mention.
What concealers do you love/hate?
Have a great day everyone!
Best
A x
I was recently asked if I'd do a post on concealers so here we go. I have three on rotation - one is gorgeous and I see myself repurchasing despite the price, one is a budget concealer that is affordable and effective, and one is a 'cult product' that I definitely won't buy again, and honestly regret purchasing in the first place😠.
About concealers - I honestly didn't really use or need them much until last year. I've been lucky in having pretty good skin and never suffered from dark circles, so foundation used to be enough.
Your skin changes as you get older and for me the most dramatic change I've seen has been around my eyes - I'll be 30 in a couple of months and I now have some fine lines and often wake up with dark hollows under my eyes. Whereas before I could get away with a full face of make-up and no under-eye concealer, I now have days where I simply can't. As far as blemishes go I now get the odd spot, and a concealer can definitely help to disguise them, although my main concern is under-eye darkness.
I have dry/dehydrated skin so I prefer hydrating concealers, and formulas that don't dry down too matte. I apply my concealer with a sponge if I want heavier coverage, a brush for medium coverage and my fingers when I'm in a rush/don't need much coverage. This is really my favourite way to apply as it's easier to blend in with the tip of my ring finger for a really natural finish and it's easier to control the amout you use - my philosophy with every day concealer is to use as little as possible, especially if you are someone who wears minimal make-up. If you set it with some powder, either loose or compact (I prefer compact for every day and loose for a full face of make-up) it should last you all day. When using a compact I swirl my brush (Real Techniques), tap off the excess and sweep it over the under-eye area. If I'm doing a full face I set with loose powder or 'bake' - this means that once you've applied and blended your undereye concealer you dip a damp sponge into your loose powder and apply it under the eyes. Leave it to set for a couple of minutes (3 or 4 is enough) and then dust off the excess. This technique essentially fuses your concealer to your powder through your bodys heat and is great for a night out as it ensures your concealer will last longer, it's used by drag queens and they know how to get their slap to stay on!
Concealers come in three general categories - liquid/cream, stick and pot concealers. Personally I prefer a liquid/cream formula for under my eyes as they are easier to blend and you can find them in satin and luminous finshes, and stick or pot concealers for blemishes as the formula is thicker and they give a better coverage for covering spots. If you have oily skin you will probably want to go with a more matte finish, if you're dry like me a more satin/luminous finish may suit you better. A lot of people love a really matte concealer under the eyes, but as someone who has some fine lines I feel like they emphasize them and so I go for satin or dewy. For my face I usually go for something more matte and apply it before foundation/BB Cream - matte formulas tend to be better for covering blemishes as the formula clings to the skin better. For blemishes I would apply with my finger - the last thing you want is to do emphasize blemishes by caking them in concealer.
When it comes to your concealers I have six basic rules of thumb:
*Undereye concealers should be 1-2 shades lighter than your foundation colour, depending on how bright you want the area to look.
*Face concealers should be the same colour as your foundation, you do not want to highlight your blemishes by having them lighter or darker than the rest of your face.
*Have two good concealers in your arsenel (good depending on how you feel about them, I'm not talking about price here - one of my favourite concealers cost me $4) one for your face in a stick or pot form, and one for your eyes that is a liquid/cream formula.
*Own a good setting powder - if you don't set your concealer it will fade away throughout the day. I have a loose and a compact, but you can choose either or. Keep your skin type in mind - if you are oily you probably want something mattifying, if you're dry I'd go with a satin or luminous finish.
*Make sure that your concealer is well-blended before you powder it, especially under your eyes. If you powder unblended concealer it will definitely crease and highlight those pesky fine lines.
*Be sure to exfoliate and hydrate your skin. If you put concealer onto a flaky blemish, it will be more visible. While I'm not recommending that you scrub the hell out of blemishes, I try to gently exfoliate the area with a face cloth and follow up with a hydrating serum and moisturiser. Hydration is also key for your eye area, especially if you have fine lines - make sure that your eye area is well hydrated (something with hyaluronic acid will give you an instant if temporary plumping effect) for the best results. If you apply concealer, even a great one, to a dry and dehydrated eye area your fine lines will look exaggerated.
My Current Concealers
Tarte Shape Tape
I've said it before and I'll say it again - I don't like this concealer. It's too matte and too drying, sinks into my fine lines and looks powdery and just...bad. If you are someone who is into heavy contouring/has extremely oily skin I can see why you would like it, though. But for me it just doesn't work - I need something more luminous, and I hate the way it makes my fine lines even more obvious. I've tried it with a damp sponge, a brush and my fingers and I just really don't like the finish or formula. I've tried using it to cover blemishes as it's quite heavy coverage but oddly enough it just blends away and does nothing to help. If you have fine lines around your eyes I can't say that I'd recommend it - if you're young and have a bright and smooth undereye area and just want a concealer to brighten then you'll probably like it. It's mainly been used as an eyeshadow primer, which is a crying shame as it cost me about €28 between shipping and customs (I bought two at the time, and my friend doesn't like hers very much either😂😠) and for that I could have gotten my current favourite which is....
Clarins Instant Concealer
I picked this up as a direct result of disliking Shape Tape so much. Clarins is one of my staple favourite skincare brands, although I don't use much of their make-up. It's also one of those brands that I turn to when I've been let down by another brand - they are reliable and all of their products are pretty great - they just do what they say, and this concealer is no different.
It's a lovely creamy formula and gives you a nice satin finish. It's a lot easier to blend than
LA Girl ProConceal
I actually haven't used this in ages but it's a really nice budget concealer. I use it for my undereye area, and I find it to be creamy, blendable and with decent medium coverage. It comes with a brush applicator which you can use to apply the product directly to the skin, but I usually squeeze some onto the back of my hand for hygiene reasons. It's OK for covering blemishes, but performs really well under the eyes - I don't love it quite as much as Clarins but I'd definitely use/buy it again. I got mine for around a fiver on Amazon France, but if you're in Ireland you can find it on Trndbeauty.com as well as in some pharmacies, this concealer costs around €6/7 which you can't argue with!
The Saem Cover Perfection Pot Concealer
I bought this from beautynetkorea.com last year before they introduced weight and shipping fees (for which I still haven't forgiven them😂😠). The Saem is a Korean brand that I really like, they have some lovely skincare and make-up such as their mists, eyeliners and toners. This is a typical pot concealer, with a medium matte finish. As it's in a pot I tend to use a brush to apply it to my face and then blend in with my ring finger. It's a stiff but blendable formula and so it clings to the skin, but you can easily blend it out. I haven't tried it under my eyes as it would be too drying but for covering blemishes or red areas it's perfect. It works brilliantly under BB Cream/foundation and doesn't look obvious to the naked eye. It's also an absolute bargain - you can find it on Yesstyle here for €5.52. I can't put my hands on my one at the moment, so this is an image from online.
 |
| Image - www.yesstyle.com |
So there are my thoughts on concealers! As I said, I'm not an expert as I've only started using them regularly in the last 12 months, but as I try new ones I will let you know on my Instagram and of course review them here if they're worth a mention.
What concealers do you love/hate?
Have a great day everyone!
Best
A x
Comments
Post a Comment