The concealer edit

A great concealer can make all the difference. The right one should brighten shadowy areas, disguise blemishes and, when paired with your favourite foundation provide an even, smooth and flawless skin tone: something often easier said than done.

Finding the right one to suit your skins specific needs can often be a whole mission in itself, I’m constantly on the search for one either to brighten my tired eyes or hide a horrid blemish. I’ve tried a fair few and thought I’d share a breakdown of what I apply and where. Along with a few little reviews of all my all-time favourite concealers for good measure… 

Under-eye dark circles

Before applying anything to this area ensure it’s well hydrated with an eye cream, my favourite is Clinique’s All About The Eyes (£26.50). Simply apply a small amount with a fingertip around the eye area, this moisture rich product helps to boost the skin’s natural production of collagen whist also de-puffing with calming botanical ingredients – a dream. Once your eyes are happy and hydrated apply a creamy concealer such as Rimmel’s Wake Me Up Concealer (£5.49) in a shade lighter than your foundation. Instead of following the shape of your dark circles, try out an upside-down triangle before setting with translucent powder to stop any nasty creases.

If you’re looking for something extra special, Charlotte Tilbury’s Miracle EyeWand (£29), is the ‘dynamic duo’ that it promises to be. The double-ended ‘wand’ combines both hydration and lift and has quickly become my go-to concealer. An eye cream on one end, infused with hyaluronic acid with an illuminating light-reflecting concealer on the other.

*Be wary of where you apply light-reflecting and brightening concealers as they actually make blemishes more visible, mattifying products are much better for blemishes.

Redness

To minimise redness, colour correcting concealers such as Laura Mercier’s Secret Camouflage (£26.50) and NYX’s 3c Palette (£10) are key. A yellow-tinted concealer is great for evening out skin tone and covering mild red blotches: use a flat-headed brush to precisely tackle your problem areas, such as around the nose and on your chin. For cheeks, foreheads and larger surface areas a kabuki brush is best.

Blemishes

Benefit’s Boi-ing Concealer (£17.50) is the one concealer you need if you suffer from horrible troublesome blemishes. Providing an absolutely complete coverage, it’s mattifying properties camouflage imperfections and discolouration entirely. I first tried Boi-ing early last year at Benefit’s Brow Bar and was so impressed by the coverage that I immediately purchased a pot. The Benefit girls apply Boi-ing around your brows following the wax and it completely covers and conceals all redness.

Pigmentation

A creamy concealer such as Nars' Radiant Creamy Concealer (£22) and Yves Saint Laurent's Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Highlighting Pen (£25) are a great alternatives to a heavy foundations which can often accentuate the areas you're trying to distract from. Products which help to create a build-able coverage work wonders, apply with a brush before using fingers to thoroughly blend around the edges.