A great concealer can be your best friend but a good one is hard to come by. It needs to blend seamlessly, not aggravate the spot it’s meant to hide away, add hours of sleep to tired eyes whilst caring for the fragile skin around them, and – most importantly – stay put. We’ve split this list into two types of concealer: the first four are especially good for spots and general redness while the last four are specifically for the eye area.
Anti-Blemish Solutions Clearing Concealer
If you suffer quite badly with spots, it’s always a good idea to buy a blemish concealer from a company whose main focus is skincare – as it often deals with the cause rather than just the symptoms. Consequently Clinique’s hardworking creation doesn’t clog up the pores or irritate blemished skin, instead it has a special oil-free formula which helps reduce and clear spots as well as providing sufficient coverage at the same time. It also comes in a green version to counterbalance red and blotchy complexions.
Concealer
With a sleek new packaging design and an increased number of shades, NARS’s new revamped concealer provides seamless coverage for most skin tones. Its lightweight formula dries to a soft powdery texture being just densely pigmented enough to cover imperfections without looking caked on. It also works as a great primer to dab over lids to ensure your eye shadow doesn’t crease and stays in place.
‘Un’ Cover-up Concealer
RMS Beauty at SpiritBeautyLounge.com
Created by New York makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift, this unique product is packed with nourishing raw minerals without any synthetic preservatives or nasty chemicals. Contains anti-bacterial coconut oil to both conceal and heal blemishes as well as soothing castor oil, Vitamin E and cocoa butter to keep skin healthy and hydrated. The product melts on contact with the skin and absorbs easily without creasing or clumping. A must-have for fans of green beauty, the recyclable glass pot earns it another eco point.
Concealer
Ellis Faas at Space NK
A concealer which covers both dark circles and blemishes effortlessly. With a plethora of shades (founder and makeup artist Ellis seriously knows her stuff when it comes to mimicking skin tones) it’s easy to find one that will be ideal for your colouring – a rule of thumb is to go one shade lighter than your foundation. Plus, its absorbent texture and anti-ageing formula that includes hydrating Karité oil, rice wax and Vitamins E and C is great at caring for the skin- a great little all-rounder.
Precious Light Rejuvenating Illuminator
Guerlain at Sephora
This luxury concealer is infused with Guerlain’s Precious Rejuvenating Complex and contains Myrrh with peptides to help plump out wrinkles and ensure tired eyes will be pampered as well as brightened. Its non-oily texture doesn’t crease up or exaggerate wrinkles (a common problem with under-eye concealer) and absorbs easily into the skin. Rejuvinated, bright skin in an instant.
Under-Eye Concealer
The useful mirror included in this one means it’s great for applying on the bus or tube, making it a winner in my book already. A theatrical makeup brand, Illamasqua’s richly pigmented products are designed to provide optimum coverage under hot, unforgiving stage lights, so it’s safe to say this concealer certainly performs. Its creamy texture makes application slightly more time-consuming, but the resulting staying power is definitely worth it.
Pro Wrinkle Rescue & Brightener
For those with mature skin or ageing concerns, but still want to combat those dreaded dark circles, Jemma Kidd Pro have created a clever two in one solution. At one end the lightweight serum hydrates the fragile skin around the eye area and helps plump out fine lines with hyaluronic acid and glycerine, while helping to reduce dark circles and puffy eye bags with caffeine. At the other end lies the concealer itself, which thanks to the preceding serum, blends and covers like a dream without creasing, while the organic sunflower oil ensures it remains waterproof.
Teint Miracle Perfecting Concealer Pen
If you suffer from severe dark circles then this is the one for you. Not only does it provide a great camouflage, it also has wrinkle-preventing SPF15 – plus its easy-to-blend texture makes it perfect if you’re in a hurry.
