Starting Off: Concealer
So this is the second post in the Starting Off series! This week is focused all around concealer.
Concealer itself comes in many different forms and consistencies, some costing a small fortune, others costing £1, and then all the others in between. Today I will explain a bit about when/how to use concealer and give 5 different examples of concealers I like.
First off, why might you want to use concealer? Concealer is generally used along with foundation to hide any imperfections/blemishes on the skin to either conceal redness or just to help even out the skin tone. It can be used to cover break outs, spider veins, dark under eye circles – or any other reason you feel.
It can be used either over or under concealer, depending on what works for you and what foundation you are using – you don’t have to follow any makeup rules anyone has set, just play around and see what works for you best 🙂
Concealer comes in many forms – similar to foundation. It can be very liquid like, more of a cream, in a stick etc etc… the main thing is getting the right type of concealer for what it is you want to cover. For example, in general, the heavier/more solid the consistency of the product, the heavier it will be – so the stick concealers are usually better at covering a lot of redness and not for delicate areas for example just under the eyes where it could sit in any fine lines and crease up (there are exceptions to this rule I will explain shortly), and the more liquid formations won’t be as good at covering large blemishes but tend not to sit in any fine lines and are better for a more natural coverage.
If you are just wanting to even out skin-tone the best places for concealer is under the eyes, around the nostrils, down the nose, round the sides of the mouth, the chin and under the eyebrows.
Do make sure you get a colour to match you, the same way you would with a foundation. If you aren’t sure you are best asking someone in a store that can help you, asking a friend, or if you really are on your own and are stuck between two shades – pick the lighter one! It’s a lot easier to darken up a colour than to lighten it. I generally prefer concealers slightly lighter than my natural skin colour anyway as it’s generally darker tones (dark circles or redness) you are trying to cover, so having a slightly lighter concealer just helps disguise it a littler better in my opinion.
I will show 5 different concealers here and explain what I do/don’t like about each one so you can get a better idea of what type of concealer appeals to you and your needs the best.
First off I will talk about the Benefit Stay Flawless Concealer
This is my favourite concealer and is the exception to the “stick concealer not for under eyes” rule as that outer clear ring is a moisturising layer so it hydrates at the same time so doesn’t dry out and drag the skin or sit in any fine lines around the eye area.
It has a very creamy smooth consistency and glides on the skin with ease but also gives a really good coverage. To apply this concealer I apply it directly onto the skin from the tube and just lightly dab with my ring finger (always use this finger as it applies the least pressure to the skin), and it just melts into the skin while still doing its job amazingly. This retails at £18.50.
The other stick concealer which I also do use and do quite like is the No7 one.
This is the type of stick concealer I wouldn’t recommend for under the eyes as it would be too heavy – but it’s great for covering blemishes or other imperfections on the skin.
It is smooth and also glides onto the skin well, but to blend this in I apply it to the skin from the tube also but then blend it into the skin with a concealer brush as it evens it out a little more. I would recommend this one if you want a heavy coverage concealer and want the ease of it being in a stick form, but without spending a fortune as it retails at £7 and are quite often on some sort of offer.
The third concealer I will talk about is another Benefit one, but this one is called Boing and isn’t in a stick form, it’s more of a cream as it’s in it’s own little pot and not a tube.
This concealer also gives a full coverage, again too heavy for under the eyes really but amazing for covering blemishes – this would be my recommendation for if you want a heavy duty concealer, one that would give more coverage than the Benefit Fake Up stick.
To apply this I use a brush to apply it onto the face and to blend it it, although if it’s been somewhere cold you may need to use your finger to warm it a little to help it glide onto the skin – but once it’s on it will stay on and stay covering until you take it off!
This one retails at £17.50 but lasts the longest time as you only need the tiniest amount.
The next concealer I will talk about is one of the best finds of the year for me! I do love my Fake Up concealer by benefit and it is my favourite one, but as a cheap one if you don’t want to spend a lot of money I would highly recommend that you spend the £4.19 (they are quite often on offer so keep an eye out too) and pick up the Collection Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer.
Normally I do avoid cheap concealers as I find they can be a strange colour, too dry, too runny, don’t stay, have a funny smell etc etc, but this one is actually awesome for the price. It doesn’t really smell of anything, it’s a good colour, it’s a nice thickish liquid consistency which gives fairly good coverage over blemishes but you could get away with it as an under eye concealer too if you only wanted to buy the one – plus it really does seem to last!
To apply this I apply it straight from the tube and use a finger to dab it into the skin gently.
If you are on a small budget or don’t want to pick up multiple products, this would be the one to go for in my opinion.
Last but not least we have the most expensive one here, but I do like it so had to include it! It is the Touch Eclat by YvesSaintLaurent. I will be honest, at £25 it is a bit more of a considered concealer purchase – but if you have the money to spend it is a lovely product.
This is not a full coverage concealer at all, it won’t cover much redness or many blemishes, but as an under eye concealer (assuming you don’t have very dark under eye circles) this is a great lightener/highlighter.
Now officially this isn’t a concealer as such, it is a highlighter… but personally I use it as an under eye concealer and that’s how it works for me so that’s what I will list it as!
(Not a big fan of makeup rules – as I have said before, try different things with different products and see what works for you however you want to use it.)
This “concealer” glides onto the skin with such ease and you barely have to touch it before it blends in and looks lovely.
Quick thing about the types of brushes I use as I had mentioned using them a few times in that post, at the moment I either use my EcoTools Airbrush Concealer brush (which is also amazing for eyeshadow… see earlier reference to ignoring makeup rules!), or my Sigma SS194 concealer brush. When using a brush only use it very gently for under the eye area.
I hope this has helped someone! If you have any questions or want a full in depth review of any of the products mentioned here then do let me know!
Have you tried any of these concealers? Which ones? Do you have a favourite I didn’t talk about? Let me know! 🙂
Charley
September 3, 2013 at 6:16 pmWho doesn’t love Collection’s Lasting Perfection Concealer? I have been buying it for years!
http://ramblingofabeautyblogger.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-starting-off-project-concelaer.html
Kammitted
September 3, 2013 at 6:23 pmI know right! I tried it for the first time a few months ago due to all the hype! Glad I did! 🙂 xx
katie
September 3, 2013 at 6:20 pmlove how you included brushes! really good post 🙂
http://katiesworld-ofbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/
Kammitted
September 3, 2013 at 6:23 pmThank you lovey! 😀 I always worry my posts are too long but a lot of it is pictures! 🙂 xx
Kim
September 3, 2013 at 6:22 pmI love the packaging for Fake Up by Benefit! I’ve heard lots about it before, but you may have just convinced me to add it to my wish list 😉
xx Kim
mainelyfashion.blogspot.com
Kammitted
September 3, 2013 at 6:29 pmReally really do, it really is as awesome as it looks! Do a post on it when you do and link me back! 😀
Will check your blog now!
Kammi
xx
beautybookblog.com
Liz
September 3, 2013 at 6:24 pmWe have a few of he same concealers! Great post! 🙂
Liz xx
http://www.theotherdress.co.uk
Kammitted
September 3, 2013 at 6:31 pmSo we do! Clearly we have good taste! That or it just shows how fab the concealers actually are! 😀 Thanks for the comment 🙂
xx
Claire
September 3, 2013 at 6:25 pmI’ve just bought the Collection stick to try, and might give that one a go as well, would rather not spend another £21 on Estee Lauder if there’s something cheaper about (though I do love the double wear)
Kammitted
September 3, 2013 at 6:36 pmYeah it’s tricky getting the balance between a decent concealer and a cheap one! The Collection one I mentioned is fab though! 🙂 xx
Katie
September 3, 2013 at 6:32 pmI love that you have included brushes! I didn’t even think of that. I have seen that Benefit Concealer bobbing around all over the place but I haven’t had the chance to try it yet. I like that it has a moisturising bit though.
My post is here theorytwentyone.blogspot.com
xx
Kammitted
September 3, 2013 at 6:41 pmI wasn’t sure if brushes was a good idea, but as I use them I decided it was probably a good plan! Lol. The moisturising part of that concealer makes such a difference! It really is worth a shot! 🙂
xx
Fernanda
September 3, 2013 at 6:38 pmI love my Touche Eclat, I tend to mix it with the MAC Studio Finish concealer to get a little bit more coverage! I really wanna try the benefit one! xx
ferdies-place.blogspot.com
Kammitted
September 3, 2013 at 6:44 pmI used to use the MAC Studio Sculpt concealer – they are fab too! 🙂 You should give the Benefit one a go, it’s really awesome! 🙂 xx
Hannah
September 3, 2013 at 6:40 pmI love that we both have the YSL and the collection in our posts. I have a feeling that the collection will be in a fair few SO Project posts this week. Also I really wanted to try the Benefit boiing, might have to try it out when my Bobbi Brown runs out.
Love this post
Hannah xxx
Kammitted
September 3, 2013 at 6:50 pmThe Collection one is in a lot of the ones I have read today actually lol, but it’s fab for the price! 😀 The Benefit concealers are really amazing, really want to try the Bobbi Brown one though! Is it awesome too? 🙂 x
Hannah
September 3, 2013 at 11:23 pmYeah the Bobbi Brown really are they have made a huge difference to my made up face
Kammitted
September 3, 2013 at 11:28 pmOh cool, may give it a go at some point then! 😀 Thanks 🙂 xx
Lianne
September 3, 2013 at 6:41 pmFab post hun, really informative!
Loving reading all the diff types everyone uses..
My post is also up if you fancy a read, would love to know what you think!
Lianne | TheBrunetteSays…
Kammitted
September 3, 2013 at 6:47 pmThank you! 🙂 Yeah I am having a great time reading everyone’s posts, will check yours out now! Thanks for the comment! 🙂 xx
Darryll
September 3, 2013 at 6:49 pmheard so many people go on about this collection 2000 one! i’m seriously going to have to go and purchase this tomorrow! x x x
Kammitted
September 3, 2013 at 6:53 pmReally do, I think it’s on offer in Boots at the moment too! Tweet/link me your thoughts when you get it! 😀 xx
astrid
September 3, 2013 at 7:13 pmgreat post!! how is the boi-ing on? i’ve hear it’s amazing!
Kammitted
September 3, 2013 at 8:04 pmIt’s awesome! It’s a heavy duty one though so you have to use it sparingly lol but coverage and staying on power – it’s amazing! 🙂 xx
Sammy
September 3, 2013 at 9:29 pmI’ve used boi-ing in the past but didn’t like it so never bought benefit concealer again, after reading this I have to say I might give fake up a try, especially as it has a moisturising ring in it 🙂
xx
Kammitted
September 3, 2013 at 9:31 pmThey are two very different concealers indeed! If you don’t like heavy coverage ones I can see why the boing wasn’t for you, but you may love the Fake Up! 😀 x
ModaMama
September 3, 2013 at 9:29 pmFollowing from the #fblchat today! Nice to meet you. And my favorite concealer is the Benefit one. Great coverage and long lasting.
Kammitted
September 3, 2013 at 9:32 pmI am following you back too! 😀 The Benefit ones are great aren’t they! Thank you for the comment! 🙂 x
Golden and Sheen
September 3, 2013 at 11:55 pmLovely selection of concealers! I really like that you included brushes in this post 🙂
Would love to try some these out!
Kammitted
September 3, 2013 at 11:58 pmThank you! 😀 Which ones do you fancy trying? They are all great concealers! Just depends what you are after really! 🙂 xx
Adrienne
September 4, 2013 at 1:52 amI love the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer! It’s my go to, but find it can get rather cakey if I layer too much up or haven’t moisturised as well as I could have.
I want to invest in the YSL but know my bank balance would be sad unless it was utterly justified. Maybe one day! xo
Adrienne | Late Night Nonsense | Bloglovin’
Kammitted
September 4, 2013 at 2:00 amThe YSL one is fab, but if you are after a proper concealer it’s maybe not the best! For a little coverage and more brightening it’s fan though! Around Xmas you will find it will be in sets with other products which are awesome value 🙂 x
Laura Colleen
September 4, 2013 at 2:34 amAbsolutely love boing from Benefit Cosmetics! I have to re-stock practically every other month! Have you tried their erase paste for under eyes?
Kammitted
September 4, 2013 at 2:41 amNo I haven’t actually! Is it good? I love Benefit cosmetics! 🙂 xx
Nicola Young
September 4, 2013 at 9:18 pmI’ve been dying to try the Benefit Fake Up concealer, but I don’t think they make a shade light enough for my skin – typical! This is a lovely post though and it sounds like a lovely series.
Nicola:
CurlandPearls | Bloglovin’
xo
Kammitted
September 4, 2013 at 9:38 pmYou should try it! I am uber pale… in the daylight I look like a vampire! And the palest one is good on me! 😀 Go into a store and try it out 🙂 Thanks for the lovely comment! 🙂 xx
Alex
September 4, 2013 at 9:44 pmThink I’m going to have to purchase the no 7 concealer as surprise surprise I’ve never owned a stick concealer I dont really know why but i’ve always been put off them.. time for a change! Plus my collection concealer broke me out *sobs* so it is left only for emergencies and risks…
Loving the #SOproject!
-alex x
http://somedays-sunshine.blogspot.co.uk/
Kammitted
September 4, 2013 at 9:55 pmAww shame about breaking you out! The No7 concealers have literally just been revamped and are a bit smoother now again so you should be fine! If you find them too hard just apply it to the back of your hand so it warms up and then use your finger or a brush to apply it to your face 🙂 xx
aloveaffairwith
September 4, 2013 at 9:50 pmI love the collection concealer its just absolutely amazing for the price the only other one i’ve tried here is the no7 one and i really didn’t get along with it at all! I dont know but my all time favourite concealer is the mac pro longwear <3 aww its amazing!
http://aloveaffairwith.blogspot.co.uk/
Kammitted
September 4, 2013 at 10:00 pmThat’s interesting about the No7 one! I have never tried that MAC one before, only the studio scuplt which I also liked but not had it for a while! Benefit Fake up is my favourite though! 😀 xx
Christina
September 4, 2013 at 10:15 pmGreat post and I love to read the posts for the starting off project you get so much more knew knowledge ^^
Christina xx
http://christinathorup.com/
Kammitted
September 4, 2013 at 10:49 pmYeah I love reading everyone’s posts for it too! I like how everyone has a different take on it and gives different recommendations and information 🙂 xx
Hanna
September 4, 2013 at 10:18 pmYesterday I bought my first Collection concealer as I heard lots of good things about it. I used it this morning and I was really pleased with it 🙂
Kammitted
September 4, 2013 at 10:53 pmAww I’m glad! They are such a good bargain! Usually the cheaper ones look all cakey or dry, but it’s great for the price isn’t it 🙂 xx
Rou Min Tan
September 6, 2013 at 4:07 pmi love benefit boiing concealer! its really good coverage for pimple and under eye circle! planning to try the Stay Flawless Concealer now that i have hit pan on boiing. wish i can try the collection concealer but its not an easy access since i am not from the UK.
Kammitted
September 6, 2013 at 4:41 pmStay Flawless isn’t as intense coverage as the boiing but it’s still really good considering how hydrating and light it feels! 🙂 That’s a shame about the Collection concealer, maybe try online? x
Lauren T
October 1, 2013 at 11:24 amI love Fake Up! it’s my go-to concealer and covers my dark circles really well which is difficult as I’m so pale!
Another one for you to try if you have the products -mix Benefit’s Erase Paste and Ooh La Lift on the back of your hand and brush on lightly under the eye. If i’m not in a rush or i’m making a special effort this brightens the eye so much! I did a post on it on my blog a few months ago – http://princessofpretty.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/shhhhh-its-secret.html
xxx
Kammitted
October 1, 2013 at 12:38 pmI’m pale too so I know how you mean!
Oh that’s interesting, I don’t own these products but will have a look the next time I go to a Benefit counter! I will check your post out now! 🙂 xx