We have all been there...whether its due to a long night out, our genetics, or just lacking hours in the day to catch up on sleep. Dark circles happen & so do pimples (ironically mostly on important days when we really cant afford them to be the center of attention on the tip of our nose). But fortunately for us, our beloved concealer comes to the rescue. Throughout my years in makeup artistry, I have tested numerous brands and types of concealers. A concealer or color corrector is a type of cosmetic that is used to mask dark circles, age spots, large pores, and other small blemishes visible on the skin. It is similar to foundation, but thicker and used to hide different pigments by blending the imperfection into the surrounding skin tone. Not every concealer will work on every person, so I have broken them down by skin type, what each one is best for covering up and most importantly----none of them will break the bank.
Under Eye Concealer Creasing Problems?
Try These Steps I Practice Every-time To Apply My Concealer For A Flawless All Day Finish...
Hydration! Be sure to hydrate your under eye area with a good eye cream before applying any makeup.
Formula. If you have dry skin, don't go for a liquid concealer with a matte finish because the finish will emphasize dryness. If you have oily skin with enlarged pores, don't go for a creamy or stick concealer as these textures tend to clog and magnify the appearance of pores, plus they tend to add an oily shine.
Lose Em'. Referring to your makeup brushes. Applying under eye concealer with the fingers helps it melt into the skin instead of just sitting on top of the skin. Using your ring finger (the weakest digit on your hand) blend using an inward motion to help prevent wrinkles.
Be Patient. Layering is a very helpful technique to achieve a full coverage and crease free finish. The more you prep skin and lay down sheer layers beforehand, the less likely you'll have runny or cakey concealer. Let your layers dry for a minute or two between applications and repeat until you reach your desired coverage.
Set it. Baking isn't just for the cookies! If you aren't familiar with the term baking in regards to your face- it involves dusting a thick layer of setting powder over your under eye concealer, allowing your body heat to "bake" them together for a few minutes, and then brushing off the excess powder. This will prevent the foundation from moving around or streaking in the process and it also allows the foundation to set better so it stays on all day. My go-to drugstore baking powder is by Makeup Revolution in the color Ghost and is only $8.00.
Now that you're a pro at applying...lets take a look at what I believe are the best Drugstore
Concealer options and which suit your skin type best.
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind $7.99
Skin Type: All
Best For: Dark Under Eye Circles
This super-concentrated concealer features a micro-corrector applicator to help instantly erase dark circles and fine lines. Winner of Allure's Best of Beauty Award for 2018 and the Spring Beauty O-Wards this formula is an all around fan favorite. For more stubborn under eyes, try applying their Neutralizer shade first, which acts as a great base for extra dark & reddish skin tone coverage and
then apply your Brightening Shade on top of
that for extra brightness and camouflage.
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Concealer $9.00
Skin Type: Dry
Best For: Light-weight Coverage
This non-greasy, lightweight formula glides onto your skin providing silky-smooth, natural-looking coverage. It has a unique hydrating core that is designed to instantly quench skin. This concealer is a great go-to for your "natural makeup look" days. Although it does produce a lighter coverage, you can mix this with one of your fuller coverage concealers that you wish were more hydrating to achieve the best of both worlds.
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer $7.00
Skin Type: Oily/Acne Prone
Best For: Redness, Flaws, and Blemishes
This concealer produces a flawless & natural coverage on your skin. It is oil-free and oxidizes to match skin tones and deliver a more even complexion. Most comparable to NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer- it is very build-able and blends like a dream. The oil-free formula is breathable for natural looking coverage that won't clog pores and is what makes this an ideal choice for oily or acne skin types.
Best Overall: Maybelline Master Conceal $7.99
Skin Type: All
Best For: Full Coverage on All Skin Imperfections
This concealer has been one of my MUST-HAVE drugstore concealers for years, and I have yet to find a better replacement. It is a full-coverage, high-resistance concealer that camouflages imperfections and dark circles with an undetectable finish. This is one of the best concealers on the market, including the high-end ones, in my opinion. It has excellent coverage and dries down to almost a "powder" finish which helps to not crease under my eyes without even baking it. It succeeds in applying with full coverage yet has a natural finish, and that's a big WIN
in my makeup book and why it is my Best Overall Pick for A Drugstore Concealer.