Concealer - "Cover me, come on baby, cover me..."

I couldn't face the world without some concealer on. It is one of my must have products along with blusher and mascara for making me look healthy and awake even if  I don't feel it. Which is most of the time! 

I thought a little review of the concealers that I like to use might be helpful as there are so many out there. I have some more affordable ones up to the more high-end. I like to use liquid concealers. I find they just work better on my skin. My skin currently is what I would call combination with an oiler T-zone but drier cheeks but it can also be oily at certain times of the year. I do suffer from hormonal spots still which I just love and as I have mentioned I have dark circles too which I also just love!

I use a hard concealer to cover my spots so I do have one of those but otherwise I like to use liquid concealers for my under eye circles, redness around my nose and any other areas and sometimes on my eyebrow bone too for highlighting. Concealers are also used when contouring and highlighting the face (post on this coming soon).

I tend to apply the liquid concealers just with the applicator they come with and then blend in with my fingers. But as mentioned in my brush post you can apply concealer with a brush if you prefer. I have just ordered a Real Techniques Setting Brush for my concealer so I will let you know what I think of this.

With concealer you have to be aware of your skin type and colouring. Are you looking to colour for black circles or redness?  Be careful though if your concealer is illuminating you don't want to use to use it on spots as it will just attract attention to them, the opposite to what you want, but illumination under the eye is good as this will reflect the light.

As a broad rule choose a concealer in one shade lighter than your skin tone. Don't go too light as this can highlight problem areas rather than cover them and also you will be left with that obvious white look under eyes.  However, too dark wont hide anything and will look rather silly.

I will go into more detail on skin colouring, undertones etc in a future post.

The Concealers

Collection Lasting Perfection concealer - £3,99

I just love this concealer. Lots of beauty bloggers raved about this so I gave it a try. I don't normally buy much from Collection but I haven't looked back since I got it. I use it under my eyes as I find it covers my circles so well and lasts. I don't find it drying or cakey . I also use it on the redness around nose and have used it on blemishes too. It is quite thick and creamy and I like this but some people don't like it under the eyes due to its consistency.  However I think it's great for that area. I just love this and for the price it is a dream.

Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer - £7.99

I was intrigued by the applicator of this concealer. It is so different to any other concealers out there and l couldn't decide if the sponge applicator would make it harder or easier to put on than normal concealer.

Having now used this I do love it! It took me a couple of goes to be at one with the applicator and to get the right amount of product out but I love the coverage it gives and use it under my eyes and around my nose etc. Under the eyes this is perfect for me. Great coverage and brightening.  Though I am not sure I would find it that good at covering spots/blemishes partly due to the applicator and the fact that it is brightening.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer - £5.49

I had forgotten about this concealer. I have used it in the past and really liked it but since discovering the Collection one it had been abandoned.  I do like it for under my eyes as it is light reflecting and so is well suited for this area though I don't personally find it gives me quite enough coverage.  This concealer would also be good if you suffer from bags under your eyes.  I wouldn't recommend this so much for blemishes/spots as it is illuminating.

I also like Wake Me Up foundation which is also very reasonably priced.

Laura Mercier Secret Concealer - £19.50

This is my go to concealer for covering spots and blemishes. I don't know why, but I prefer this type of concealer to a liquid for covering my spots. Sadly, spots are something I still get especially, around our favourite time of the month ladies and they can be quite red and fierce. Oh the joy and glamour! But I find this concealer covers them well (make sure you apply some powder to help the product last). Though the product description says it's for under the eyes on the website but I wouldn't find it creamy enough for there. I think as we get older we need to be careful with products under the eye as the skin there is so fine.

Clarins Instant Concealer - £21.99

This is a new favourite of mine. Like the Collection one I kept reading how amazing this product was so I felt it was my duty to try it out. It is excellent for covering my under eye circles and to be honest I have only really used it here and not on my redness or any spots. I squeeze some on the back of my hand and apply with my finger. I love the coverage it gives and it lasts.  It is is creamy but again, I don't find it drying or cakey around my eyes.

NARS Radiant Concealer - £22

This is one I don't currently have but definitely plan to buy it very soon. I have read and heard a lot of good things about this and it is meant to be particularly good if you suffer from black circles. It is meant to be amazing for covering them but not so good over wrinkles etc so it would be best to use it just in corner of your eyes where you shadows are darkest. Will let you know what I think when I get it.

Charlotte Tilbury - The Retoucher - £25

As with everything in her range I want to try this it says it is not illuminating so can be used on spots and under the eyes too.

By Terry Touche Veloute - £35

This is the most expensive of all my concealers and it is a great product though I am not sure it's worth the money. It does a great job and looks luxurious but I think the other less expensive concealers do just as well. It is illuminating but also gives good coverage. It has an applicator end similar to the Touche Eclat but its consistency is thicker.  You can apply straight on to your face but I tend to click some out and put it on with my finger.

Let me know what concealers you use. Always love a recommendation.

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