All About Concealers

Concealers are somewhat of a miracle worker. Stayed up late studying? Concealer.  Late night out with friends? Concealer. Woke up multiple times last night with a newborn? Concealer. Break out? Concealer. Hyperpigmentation? Concealer. Concealer is a step in my beauty routine that I just cannot skip. I use it after I moisturize, apply my SPF, and blend out my foundation. Sometimes on my “no make up days” I put directly on after my moisturizer and SPF skipping the foundation. With or without foundation though, I always apply it to my under eye area in a triangle shape and on the bridge of my nose and between my eyebrows about ¼  inch up to highlight. I also spot conceal on the rest of my face where I have hyperpigmentation due to pregnancy and past birth control pills, and also on hormonal break outs that seem to be ever present on my chin area. I use two separate concealers, one for the under eye area/highlighting bridge of nose and forehead, and another one for spot concealing. Always make sure to set your under eyes with translucent powder after concealing to minimize creasing! Here are a few of my staples:

Tarte Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Contour Concealer (better known as just “Tarte Shape Tape”):
This is a full coverage concealer that I use in the under eye area/for highlighting. It that lasts all day; I can put it on in the morning before work and it will still look good when my shift ends 12 hours later. I do find that since it is a full coverage concealer I need to make sure that my under eyes are moisturized before I use it, otherwise it can tend to look a little on the drier side. It comes with a doe foot applicator that you can apply directly to the skin. It comes in a plastic tube, which is good for traveling and not having to worry about it breaking in your luggage or breaking if you drop it. I typically use the shade “Light Neutral” and blend it out with a beauty blender. Available at TarteCosmestics.com and Ulta, $27.00.

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer:
My go-to staple for under eye concealing. I have been using this product for years and I always find myself going back to it. This concealer is full coverage but feels light weight- one pump is definitely enough for my under eyes and highlighting. I apply with my fingers and blend it out with my beauty blender. It makes my under eye area look smooth and flawless and lasts all day- I don’t have to worry about it fading away. Again, I need to make sure my under eyes are hydrated before using this. One downsides that it comes in a glass tube which makes it less ideal for traveling and more susceptible to breaking- I have dropped a few of these throughout the years and they shattered on the floor. I wear shade NW 20. Available at Nordstrom.com and MAC, $23.00.

Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer:
This is a full coverage concealer that I use for spot concealing. It comes in a pot and I use a small flat paddle brush to apply. I then go over the area with my beauty blender to make sure everything is blended seamlessly with my foundation. I find that I can build this up on areas that need more coverage without it getting cakey. It lasts all day on my skin- I do make sure that I set it with translucent powder after application and also keep translucent powder in my purse to touch up, especially on hot days. I use shade Crème Brulee. Available at NarsCosmestics.com and Sephora, $30.00.


Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer:
I have been using this concealer for spot concealing for years and always find myself going back to it even after trying tons of concealers over the years. It is full coverage, waterproof, and lasts all day. I never have to worry about whether this concealer is going to work for me. I find that when I have more predominant blemishes and hyperpigmentation that this is the concealer I turn to- it covers everything without feeling heavy or looking cakey. It comes in a plastic squeeze tube, which makes it easy for travel. I use it by squeezing a small amount on my fingertips and patting it on the area I need more coverage and then blend it out with a beauty blender. I use shade Flesh 4. It is available at MakeUpForEver.com and Sephora, $34.00