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What are deal-breakers when you're trying a new concealer?
The most obvious is color match, and the second is anything that emphasizes dryness/creases easily.
— Christine
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I find concealers so darn frustrating. Most get knocked out of contention for not being light enough and/or not being suited for neutral undertones (most are way too pink or way too yellow). Not sticking to my oily skin, even with primer (also a huge problem). Oxidizing, even with primer under them. Not enough coverage: I don’t use concealer to highlight. I want mine to actually conceal acne, other blemishes, scratches, etc. Colored concealers need to cancel out what they’re supposed to, and not show through my foundation.
YES! I hate when an undereye concealer is super runny and thin and doesn’t actually cover anything. I don’t want it to reflect light, I want it to COVER MY DARK SPOTS.
I also find a lot of concealers that say they’ll cover blemishes don’t; as soon as you try to blend them out, they pull off the skin. Finding one both thick and creamy enough to do this, that also isn’t so dry-looking that it emphasizes the grossness of the zit it’s covering, is also challenging.
And finally, neither of these two products is ever, ever the same one.
Dry texture and creasing.
In just the past few years, my under-eye area has become dryer. As a result, I do not want anything that tugs on my less than youthful skin, or that settles into my fine lines and looks like I just aged another decade! On the other hand, it needs to hold up to the heat and my sweating. Also, needs to believably cover dark circles. So basically, it needs to be a miracle worker! It Bye-Bye Undereye seems to be doing a decent job thus far…summer will tell.
I’m having under eye success with that product too. Technically a primer but enough color for my under eye area. I very lightly apply MUFE HD setting powder after blowing brush of excess powder.
I can usually find a color match, so for me the deal-breakers would be creasing and cakiness.
There has to be a big enough color selection. I will never understand brands that bring out 16 shades of foundation, but only 4 concealers. Good coverage is a must, as I don’t see the sense in a light coverage concealer, especially for spot concealing, which is what I use it for most. Last it texture: it has to set, but not exaggerate any dry patches I have.
In addition to colour match and no emphasising of lines, any concealer I use has to work on its own. By that I mean that it’s got to blend well on bare skin and look as natural as humanly possible as I don’t wear foundation (I’m toying with the idea of tinted moisturiser). I don’t want to have an oddly textured spot on my face – if it looks too artificial I might as well let whichever blemish I was trying to cover live in peace.
I’ve recently learnt that you’re supposed to use power on top of concealer to help it last, but I’m not quite sure how to apply said powder. What’s a decent powder brush supposed to feel like? How can I apply the powder without dragging away any concealer? I’ve yet to find out.
I use a very fine clear setting powder on a small, fluffy, pointed end brush, Sephora brand. I blow the excess powder off be for application and pat it over concealer very lightly. Hope that’s helps.. #10, 21, 73 or, my favorite, #57 Sephora eye brushes or Ulta carries an IT Cosmetics pointed small foundation brush that looks like a bigger Sephora #58. (That Sephora brush is nice bit much to bigger for concealer work. ) I don’t see a number on the brush however.
Thank you for the advice! Unfortunately there are no Sephora shops in my part of the world, but now I know what to look for and how to use it. Thank you 🙂
My #1 dealbreaker is always about concealers that irritate my eyes — By extension, anything fragranced is a no go. I also avoid concealers that tend to creep onto my eyeballs (usually means liquids with thin consistency).
The rest are the same as Christine’s dealbreakers.
Same here!
if it’s extremely drying/creasing, and if it doesn’t “conceal” anything like under my eyes – i’ve tried dozens of concealers that have a perfect color match and doesn’t dry OR crease, but it works everywhere except under my eyes :/ if anyone can suggest an undereye concealer that actually works please help !!
I swear by Cle de Peau concealer. Great for under eyes and acne!
The two you Christine mentioned for sure plus coverage. I need a lot for my under eye circles.
Man, the pain of being pale and finding concealer that works….. But sometimes the concealer are the lightest shade of “foundation” you can find from a brand….. MAC Prolongwear…… Urban Decay lightweight concealer.
It also a contant battle with dryness/creases for me as well with my naturl lid fold lines. I always have a mirror on hand to tap those out.
1. If the color isn’t right
2. Emphasizes dryness or lines (that typically can’t be seen)
3. Application ex. Nars creamy concealer (I like everything about it except having to put the wand back in-that just doesn’t seem very sanitary!)
Coverage. I want the to be full coverage or I don’t have any need for them.
My main use for concealer is to cover undereye circles, so it can’t accentuate the darkness underneath or exaggerate any fine lines. Oxidation is of course a deal-breaker, too. And personally I just hate to pay a lot. I know thats kind of silly since I spend so much on eye shadow and highlighter, but I feel like buying concealer is like getting new tires for your car- sure it’s necessary, but it’s so boring! And I go through them pretty fast since I use them as a dark circle cover and primer on the lids.
i’ve had absolutely no success with these. every single one, at every price point, including the oh-so-beloved cle de peau, finds tiny lines and settles right in under my eyes. they all find lines i didn’t know i had. i’ve pretty much given up on concealing anything.
Concealers are the most difficult makeup product for me to find and as yet I still haven’t found one that does everything I think they should to be called a concealer! Maybe I am asking for too much? I am older so I am dealing with under eye dark circles and fine lines. I have a super fair complexion and some hyperpigmentation. I have two scars from cat scratches many years ago that are still visible. I have tried Nars, Cover FX, IT Bye Bye Undereyes, Urban Decay, Smashbox, Benefit Erace Paste, Bare Minerals, Laura Mercier and the list goes on. I have tried every drugstore brand available. The struggle is real. I have tried multiple layers, putting them on before foundation and again after. Powdering over, under and between, etc. If anyone has any ideas, I am open to any suggestions?
I’m pretty pale myself, and for scars, blemishes and such I’ve been using Makeup Forever Full Cover concealer, which has worked pretty well for me. For undereye circles Clinique’s Airbrush Concealer is also doing well – the closest colour match and little to no emphasising of lines. The coverage isn’t perfect when it comes to dark circles, but they look a lot less dreadful when I use it and that’s good enough for me.
Have you tried Bobbi Brown? It is the only one that has ever worked for me. It disappears in your skin. Worth the money!
I think I can speak for most when I voice a resounding CREASING. Omg like I want my undereyes to look like papier mache!
Wrong color, wrong formula (too dry or too much slip), does not cover, or covers to much, settles into fine lines, looks mask-like.
I look at color and texture. Also, does it migrate into lines.
Color matching. Longevity. Ease of application.
Anything that emphasizes my under eye dryness or fine lines. Also, if it’s just too thick for the under eye area….might work on the face but not on the under eye area.
Right now concealers are difficult for me to deal with as I have gotten older the skin under my eyes has become oilier. I use oil-absorping toners, primers, even dabbing cornstarch powder under my eyes to control oil, so like Nancy T said, it has to work like a miracle to keep it from sliding off.
Proper color and smooth application. Some fight with primer or makeup. Annoying.
Also appropriate coverage for area of use, eyes vs blemish.
I would love one that covers well, looks natural not cakey, and is moisturizing. I like Lancome and I own bobbi brown’s creamy concealer kit and bobbi brown corrector which seem to be sticky and drying. I think I will try Cle de Peau’s next because it get such great reviews. It so hard to find the perfect concealer especially if you don’t like to go into the stores and hit every counter trying them on like me. So Christina you are a huge help in decision making for all of us when deciding to make a purchase. Thank you.
ive never been able to find a concealer that didn’t magnify lines at any age, even in my early twenties. I have tried multiple high end brands in stores and purchased online without trying by watching makeup artists apply on models. I even put cream on before and/or after application. I’m really interested in reading comments on this one.
I have a collection of many concealers. I notice that most of them crease under my eyes. Coverage is also important. What are some faves out there
I don’t use concealers generally, but it would have to be a very light colour and a creamy consistency so that it doesn’t make what you’re concealing look worse.
I need something that won’t settle into my (premature!) fine lines under my eyes, is salmon colored to cancel out darkness, and doesn’t look dry/cakey or emphasis my dryness and still looks natural. NYX dark circle concealer in light with a rich, emollient eye cream underneath is my go-to for under the eyes right now. Sometimes I set with the nyx banana powder, sometimes I don’t. works w/ or w/o the setting powder.
For blemishes, needs to cover and conceal completely with a lasting, matte finish. MAC pro longwear is my current go-to for this.
It depends on what I want it for.
My biggest deal breaker is fragrance and similar volatile ingredients. I’ll never buy a concealer for my face or body that has fragrance, even if it was a non-volatile compound because I think it’s a waste of added ingredients. I also never tolerate fading or too much of a peachy or corally or orangey tone.
For acne, waxes, thick oils, etc are a no. Unless my skin is dry, it needs to be a matte finish that is oil absorbing enough for normal to oily/very skin. If I have drier skin, I don’t mind a little bit of a mineral oil or something thay can’t penetrate the pores for coverage. Also, my concealer needs to be medium to full coverage but not too opaque or chalky or cakey once built. It does need to be a close color match, but I don’t mind anything a bit more yellow(color correct) or a bit deeper or a bit more of a matte finish. I would absolutely never consider anything less matte than my foundation or too pink. If it was between a natural matte or a more matte, I would always choose the most matte one. I also prefer for it to set itself. SPF is a plus but it must still fit all my other criteria.
For my undereyes, I need a moisturizing medium to full coverage that’s suitable for normal to dry to very dry skin. It needs to have a natural yellow tone but I don’t mind if it’s too yellow as long as it’s not pink. If it has guaranteed SPF, it has to be zinc or titanium oxide and nothing else. For the finish, I like anything that looks natural matte to a more satin or wet look. It needs to be at least crease resistant but I don’t mind setting with a powder.
For highlighting concealers, I just need a slightly luminous finish that has a definite pink-lavender-beige tone that is lighter and that’s not peachy or yellowy and isn’t too opaque and is easy to sheer out. It has to last all day, but if it’s too moist then it has to be a color corrector(which is a different monster entirely), which is why I prefer a more absorbant formula.
At the very least, with all my pickiness, I know what I want. I can usually make something work(for example if I have something sheet and yellow, I use that as a color corrector) and if not, I can usually see how it works for someone else.
My biggest concern is if the concealer will cause breakouts since I am acne prone. Other than that I don’t like formulas that create or cake or look unnatural. I really hate it when a concealer cakes AND has low coverage to boot.
Same as what Christine says…. Only that i dont try on new concealers now. Have found my holy grail one in Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer….
I would have to say the same deal breaker as in foundations for me. Stay proof, weather proof,medium to full coverage, buildable. No smell, awesome price. Must be able to actually cover and stay covered, something that doesn’t dry out your skin, or settle into anything on your face. It must match the color of my foundation, without creating cake face or raccoon eyes. L. Must make my skin look dewy and glowing but not oily. I have a few awesome ones that I use, for being a woman over 40. I know I love something within 10 seconds of testing it out. L. 🙂
If it creases almost immediately after application then it’s a no-no. If it goes cakey or patchy looking, again, it’s time to look for a new concealer. Things I look for in a concealer are great shade match, longevity and not too drying on the skin.
Soooo hard to find one. I don’t often use one – I try to rely on base and bronzer. I have yet to find anything that looks great under my eyes without irritating them or making them look wrinkly. Closest I have come is Maybelline Better Skin. That same one is also the best if I have to use a concealer over a zit or my ever present dark spot near my right eye. Usually, though, I just put base on all my skin and bronzer at the very top of my cheekbones instead of under-eye concealer. I learned this watching a video of how they get Victoria’s Secret Models ready for photo shoots and fashion shows. You call can decided if it’s a pass or a fail by seeing my picture.
CREASING. It’s a total veto for me. Has to be the right shade, and I want decent coverage without too much of a thick consistency.