Concealers - The Low Down

Concealer, so many choices. From liquids to creams, highlighters to full on cover-ups it can be a daunting task choosing what's right for you, they're even being used for contouring these days. Here are a few of my favourites from each category and how I like to apply them.

The Liquid / Cream Concealer - typically in a squeezy tube or wand applicator.  My favourites include Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Light Warm, Nars Creamy Radiant in Vanilla and Collection Lasting Perfetion Concealer in No.1 - for reference I am a NC15 in MAC.  My favourite of the bunch has to be the Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer as it's really light, yet packs a punch when it comes to coverage.  I like to apply this from the wand and blend with a damp Beauty Blender.

The Highlighters - usually in pen form, these are brilliant at highlighting specific areas of the face, typically under the eyes, forehead, top of the cheeks, chin and around the mouth, these are a lot lighter than cream concealers and don't offer as much coverage.  My favourites are YSL Touche Éclat in No.2, MAC Prep & Prime in Light Boost and Loreal Touche Magic in Light. I like to apply these straight from the pen and blend with a small stippling brush.

The Old School - I call these old school as a few years ago, I swear this was the only type of concealer on the market - still classed as a cream concealer, these come in little pans or sticks and are generally thicker than those in tubes and offer a ton of coverage, they can be a little drying though so best not to use under the eyes.  My favourites are Benefit Boing in No.2 and MAC Select Cover Up in NW20.  The best way to apply these is either with a brush, very lightly or with a finger as the heat from your skin helps them blend seamlessly.

The Special One - In a category of it's own as it's not quite old school, neither is it strictly a cream concealer, however the Kevin Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in SX03 deserves a special mention.  This is the ultimate of concealers, a little goes a long way of this highly pigmented cream.  This can be used for spot concealing, under the eyes or even all over if mixed down with a moisturiser or another lighter foundation. I like to apply this with the tiniest of brushes or very gently with my finger.

As with all concealers, it's really important to set them, I find especially under the eyes as it helps them to last and prevent creasing.  My favourite way to do this is to use the Beauty Blender lightly dipped in the Laura Mercier setting powder in translucent  - kind of like baking, but less harsh and stays all day no issue.

If my suggestions weren't enough for you, be sure to check out this article on the best concealers from Into The Gloss, another excellence source for lovers.

What are your favourite concealers and how do you like to apply them?