It doesn't matter how perfect your skin is, no makeup user should be without a good concealer.
Some
people only whip theirs out for emergency breakouts, while others can't
leave the house without dabbing it on daily. Personally, I fall into
the latter category. I don't usually have harsh under-eye bags or uneven
pigmentation, but I do have what I consider to be embarrassing,
must-cover issues like acne and redness. No matter how good my full-coverage foundation is, I always use a concealer to seal the deal.
Even
if your complexion is crystal clear, you're bound to need one at some
point because, let's face it, we're all human. With so many concealers
to choose from, which one comes out on top?
The Holy Grail: I've spent years unofficially researching this very question, and, for me, Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer
takes the cake—but don't worry, it's anything but cake-y. However,
don't take that to mean it's not thick or doesn't provide excellent
coverage. Even with just one little swipe, the product comes out
super–opaque (a good thing). What's most important, and more rare, is
that this one is creamy and blendable at the same time. Side note: I'm
naturally really pale, so finding something lightweight that is solid
enough to fully mask blemishes has been a struggle—until now that is.
Application:
This was one of the best experiences I've ever had with a concealer.
It's in a stylish twist tube, no wands, no liquid goop—it looks kind of
like a fancy chapstick. The applicator has a slanted ridge so anytime
you twist it up, you can apply it to the desired area with maximum
control. Application works best with a dabbing, swiping motion. It
transfers immediately, and a little goes a long way.
Consistency:
Normally heavy coverage goes hand-in-hand with a caked-on, chalky
consistency that is too dry to blend properly. That may give you the
coverage you want, but aesthetically, it looks flaky and definitely not
your no-makeup makeup look. Oppositely, formulas that claim to be
moisturizing are too sticky or runny and usually too transparent.
Hourglass' formula is different because it contains vitamin E, which
makes it instantly hydrating, like a lip balm. It feels dewy (in a good
way) when you first swipe it on, but once you dab it on, it becomes
powder-y soft and blends into your skin instead of just sitting on top
of it.
Wearability: My main concern is always
covering active breakouts and acne scars. The dense pigment takes care
of that, but even better, it lasts. I've worn it alone at the gym and
with a full face of makeup at night. Each time, the results were the
same—it doesn't budge, crease or flake, and it stays put for hours. As
for the delicate under-eye area: same results there, too. Instead of
exaggerating fine lines like most formulas, this one filled them in and
gave my skin a flawless finish.
Runner-Ups:
Concealers are tough to rate because most of the time it just comes
down to personal preference. If you like a wand application (with a
little bit of SPF to boot) Perricone MD's No Concealer Concealer provides a velvety-smooth dose of heavy coverage. If you're into pretty packaging and multi-purpose products that don't suck, Lilah B. Virtuous Veil Concealer & Eye Primer
is pretty top-notch, too. One thing all of the above have in common?
Full, long-wear coverage that goes on thick but feels light as air and,
of course, is undetectable once blended.
Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer, $34
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