Concealer is my ultimate make-up essential, and has been ever since I started wearing make-up. For over 20 years concealer has been the one product I refuse to leave the house without, whether I am opting for a natural look or full on glam. I have tested a variety of concealers over the years to find one that doesn’t flake, dry my skin and sink into any fine lines, or crease. It goes without saying I need a concealer that provides ample coverage, especially as I have particularly dark undereye bags, which are a beast to shake.
While I need a concealer that isn’t cakey, but provides coverage, I also need it to be long lasting too. Concealers not only help me to look bright eyed and bushy tailed, even on days when I’ve had well below the recommended sleep allowance, and cover any blemishes. I also rely on it for a highlighter, and eyeshadow primer too. Some may use deeper shades of concealer to contour, and while I have experimented with this (particularly with Merit’s The Minimalist stick), I largely use it to cover any redness, spots and dark circles.
From liquid to solid formulations, here are my go-to concealers to wear day or night, summer through to winter for a flawless base. NARS’ Cosmetics Radiant Creamy Concealer is the GOAT, and the concealer I always revert back to.I also love the Reflecting Eye Brightener for days I need full coverage. This liquid concealer is super blendable and buildable.It is lightweight and breathable on the skin and leaves a soft velvet texture without looking matte. In fact, this concealer successfully illuminates my skin for a glowy and even complexion.Made from a multi-active botanical blend this concealer glides onto my skin seamlessly.It is available in 30 shades, though I alternate between Vanilla and Chantilly. It offers medium to full coverage for up to 16 hours of wear, depending on how much product you apply.
I have been trialling By Terry’s Hyaluronic Serum Concealer, which is a skincare and make-up hybrid, for a few months now, and it has swiftly become another favourite of mine. It is more of a fluid texture than NARS’ Creamy Concealer, so a little goes a long way. This formula has been infused with eight hyaluronic acid types to provide deep hydration, which is essential for dry skin, particularly under my eyes or on dried out blemishes. Available in 12 shades, and suitable for all skin types, I strongly recommend this brightening concealer.
Catrice’s Camouflage Concealer I would liken to NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer pot, but for less. Catrice’s concealer offers high coverage to cover blemishes, pigmentation and dark circles. It has a strong pigment, offers full coverage and a matte finish. A little goes a long way with this product as it is blendable. I would recommend applying on moisturised skin as it can be slightly drying. I prefer to use this concealer for an evening out when I need full coverage and a budgeproof base as it is longlasting and covers all redness effortlessly.
With 22 shades, this brightening concealer is another failsafe for your make-up bag. This concealer offers a silky satin finish to achieve that 'your skin but better' complexion. It is pigmented enough to cover any blemishes, but is also illuminating, longlasting, waterproof and crease-proof. Kosas’ concealer is lightweight, well pigmented and easy to blend.Similar to the By Terry version, a little goes a long way. I prefer this concealer on days my skin is dry as it is slightly oily, which I like as it hydrates my skin, leaves my skin glowing, while also covering any problem areas. Available in 39 shades, you are bound to find your perfect colour match.
Tropic prides itself on using natural, plant-based ingredients, which are gentle on the skin.This concealer offers medium to full coverage, is lightweight on the skin and hydrating too.This concealer is both a make-up and skincare product, as it has been formulated with skin-loving ingredients, including vitamins B3, B5 and C. Merit’s The Minimalist Complexion Stick offers full coverage, which is perfect for those days I need an extra helping hand to disguise any purple tones under my tired eyes. It has a strong pigment, and while it is easy to blend, I would recommend using sparingly at first, and then apply more if needs be. It feels light on the skin, which is surprising for a stick texture. The formula includes hydrating fatty acids that lock in moisture, as well as sea daffodil extract, which works to reduce any redness. This multifunctional beauty product can be used as a concealer, foundation stick, contour stick and highlighter. It is available in 33 shades, so if you do want to contour and highlight with this stick you will need two shades to do so. Otherwise, one stick to match your skin tone will suffice for a concealer, foundation and highlighter. Yes, it is a premium price tag, but it is easy to take on the go, and doubles up as numerous make-up items in one.
