It’s nearly impossible to open up a pro’s makeup bag without seeing a Beautyblender. That iconic little egg practically invented a category of its own and is well loved for applying foundation with an airbrushed finish. To say it changed my life would be an understatement, I never really understood what foundation was supposed to look like until I started using one (I also held onto it for two years before replacing it, but that’s a story for another time). Two years after the launch of the brand’s first foray into makeup with Bounce Foundation, the company’s first concealer finally landed in stores this month.
Beautyblender Bounce Airbrush Liquid Whip Concealer is a high-coverage formula that comes in 40 shades. This concealer is certainly an overachiever, with the brand claiming it “brightens, smoothes, and hydrates all in one swipe.” Despite its high pigment concentration, it’s described as lightweight and promises an airbrushed finish and 24-hour wear. I’m hard to please when it comes to concealer—I need something that covers my lack of sleep without looking obvious—but this sounded right up my alley, so I put it to the test.
First impression: I was surprised by how thick it is. The concealer has an almost cream-like texture. But Liquid Whip really is the perfect name for it because it also has a whipped, fluffy feel to it. The doe-foot applicator is also not what I was expecting. It’s shaped just like a teeny tiny Beautyblender and is designed to be able to apply both precise amounts of product and cover larger areas for contouring and highlighting.
The texture made me a little nervous, since I generally prefer sheerer base products that I can build up. But I was pleased to find one little swipe under each eye was the perfect amount of coverage. It easily blended into my skin, yet instantly knocked all the darkness out of my undereyes. As someone who clocks under six hours of sleep a night, a concealer that can make me appear well-rested is a must, and this checks the box.
It also has the prettiest satin finish that isn’t glowy but still reflects light and an airbrushed finish that blurs lines, thanks to the tetrapeptides and hyaluronic acid in the formula. Most importantly, it doesn’t settle into cracks or crevices, and stays that way all day. I found the pointed tip super easy to maneuver, and while I prefer it for undereyes, it makes spot concealing easy peasy.
Bella Cacciatore
Is that the face of a woman who got a full eight hours of sleep? No one will ever know.
I don’t really understand why she never just took me to the hairdressers to get it sorted out. In the end I ended up with this green, gingery tinged mess of a hair for a good year. There are hardly any photographs of me from the age of 14 to 15, and if there are, I’m damn miserable. So, yeah, I wouldn’t recommend any at-home hair-dye kits.
What’s one beauty rule you swear by?
Taking off my makeup before I go to bed and using noncomedogenic skin-care and makeup products.
Fill in the blank. I love my hair…
After my hairdresser Christian Wood has done it. Lately I’ve been growing my hair out. I’m trying to get it as healthy as possible because much of it got really brittle and broken after I had my son. I just want to have healthy, long, luscious hair at the moment. And I’ve sort of reverted a little bit and just wanting to keep things much more simple lately. For me I think I feel my best when I just feel elegant and simple and not too fussy.
I’d have no idea your hair is brittle. It looks so healthy. What do you use?
I’m always rotating shampoos, but I always come back to Christophe Robin. I love his Aloe Vera hydrating shampoo and conditioner. I’m also using the Kérastase one with the orange lid. It’s like the OG of hydrating shampoos. And it really, truly is an incredible shampoo.
You travel so much. Is there a country or city that gives you the greatest beauty inspiration?
I think here in Los Angeles. When you go to Europe, women are much more experimental and bold with their look, more eccentric and playful. But I find here in L.A., it’s really the hub of the beginning of beauty, wellness, and fitness trends. We’ve got amazing aestheticians, doctors, makeup artists, and stylists here. But I also love places like Copenhagen. Women in places like that are just so cool and elegant.
What’s the best beauty advice your mom ever gave you?
Makeup is about enhancing what you have, not hiding what you have. When I was young, I remember thinking, What does that mean? And as I’ve gotten older, it’s sort of meant different things to me. And now, in my thirties, I think it means the way you apply your makeup. Instead of masking something you don’t like, enhance the things you do like.
One of my first makeup memories is using a drugstore stick concealer—the kind that looks like a beige crayon—to clumsily cover tweenage acne and undereye circles (I’ve struggled with insomnia since I was about 12 and it was already starting to show). I used that chalky stick for about a year until a friend introduced me to a L’Oréal liquid concealer she swore would cover even the worst pimple. I asked my mom to take me to CVS immediately, and I never looked back.
It stayed that way for years until the Internet convinced me I needed to break my no-stick rule for something legendary. The Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer is one of the beauty industry’s most hyped products. Pretty much every editor has sung its praises, and it’s earned the adoration of too many celebrities to count (but to name just a few, both Khloé Kardashian and Kim Kardashian West are stans).
I became so obsessed with reading about the concealer that I believed trying it was the ultimate rite of passage for beauty obsessives. Of course, there was one problem: I couldn’t justify spending $70 on makeup on a student budget, no matter how many rave reviews I came across. It couldn’t be that good. But as soon as I graduated, I made the plunge. And that’s when I got it. It really is as good as everyone says.
The Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer has a thick texture that’s a little waxy at first (there’s a small tug when you apply it) but quickly turns creamy when it hits your skin. It’s somehow pigmented enough to cover zits and scars, yet never looks heavy or caked on. It has a natural matte finish but still looks luminous under my eyes and is great to toss into my bag and use as a midday touchup.
My joy of applying the perfect product every morning began to be overshadowed by a dark cloud: the fact that when it ran out, I would have to cough up another $70 to replace it. Spending that much on a concealer once is one thing, but creating a lifelong dependence is an entirely different issue. Luckily, stick products tend to last forever, so I pushed the dark thoughts out of my head and kept on applying my $$$ concealer, business as usual.
Then a few weeks ago, I impulse-grabbed the BareMinerals BarePro 6-Hr Full Coverage Concealer out of Glamour‘s beauty closet, not even sure whether it was my shade, since I’d remembered someone telling me it was similar to my fave.
I wouldn’t call it a dupe per se, but it definitely holds its own. It has the same full coverage and ease of a stick, but it’s a little creamier and goes on smoother. Because it has more slip, it also has a glowier finish. Another selling point? It’s highly pigmented and covers both spots and undereyes equally well. With both options I’ve found it easiest to use a brush (I like Fenty’s concealer brush) to blend versus my usual sponge. The BareMinerals also has some kind of witchcraft that makes everything blur together, like I have a filter on IRL.
I adore both and wouldn’t ever get rid of my Clé de Peau entirely (I’ll keep a small savings fund for it if I have to), but the BareMinerals concealer has become my everyday winner. As someone who’s insecure about her skin, I go through a lot of concealer, and I like not worrying about how much money I’m spending per swipe.
Wondering how to apply concealer correctly? The way you put on your concealer is just as important as the concealer itself. You can have the best concealer and foundation in the world, but if you apply it incorrectly, it does more harm than good. Think: Flaky patches, exaggerated fine lines, and big red pimples that show up an hour after you spent just as much time trying to hide them. Trust us, we’ve been there, and it’s third circle of hell (right behind chipping your polish right after a mani and a bad haircut). Here, we break down all the pro concealer tips we’ve picked up over the years. Take note and never suffer a concealer meltdown again.
How to Apply Concealer the Right Way: 4 Pro Tips
Whether you’re covering up a breakout or trying to make dark circles disappear, there’s a specific way to do it for maximum success. We tapped the experts to reveal some tricks of the trade for perfecting your concealer game. Here’s how to apply concealer correctly when you want to…
1. Cover Up Undereye Circles
PHOTO: Makeup: Katie Jane Hughes
Repeat after us: Order is everything. “One of my favorite tips to hide unwanted dark under-eye circles is using liquid foundation first before applying an undereye concealer,” says celebrity makeup artist Laura Geller. “It provides a base to blend with the concealer for the perfect amount of coverage.” After that you want to apply your concealer in a patting motion, then press it in with a concealer brush or Beautyblender. But don’t smear or drag it! It’ll keep your concealer from caking and creasing. A good base is key when it comes to how to apply concealer under eyes.
Also advises Geller: “Make sure you also apply it on the inner corners of your eyes, too, not just underneath. And avoid using concealer past your smile line, as this will enhance any fine lines you may have.” Last step: Sweep on a light, oil-absorbing setting powder to set your concealer in place so that it lasts all day.
2. Conceal Redness Around Your Nose
PHOTO: Makeup: Katie Jane Hughes
No matter how many times we dab concealer here, it never seems to stick—and we’re sure we’re in good company. That’s where setting powder comes in. “Again, my trick is to always use an oil-absorbing setting powder after you apply your concealer,” says Geller. “Makeup tends to come off the nose area more quickly, especially for me around allergy season. So you want to make sure the concealer is properly set in place to keep any redness hidden throughout the day.”
In the winter, also make sure to moisturize this area beforehand to keep dry spots and flaking in check. (See our best winter skin-fix advice and list of favorite moisturizers for more details.)
3. Hide Breakouts
PHOTO: Katie Friedman
This one is probably the most common cover-up concern, and often the hardest. The good news: Urban Decay founder Wende Zomnir has a nifty layering trick to get smooth coverage on breakouts, and yes, it truly works. “I put Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion on blemishes before applying concealer, she says. “The primer restores the velvety texture to the blemished skin, so concealer has something to stick to.”
The full how-to? Start by sanitizing the zit with a blue light device or (if you don’t have one) hand sanitizer, recommends makeup artist Daniel Martin . Follow that with the primer, then concealer, then foundation. Yeah, it’s a lot of extra steps, but if it means your pimple won’t show up during a midday makeup meltdown, we say it’s worth it.
4. Cover Up Scars
PHOTO: Katie Jane Hughes
First thing’s first: “Assess what type of scar it is—raised or flat,” says Geller. That’ll determine what kind of formula you should be using. “If your scar is raised, I always recommend using a creamy, lightweight concealer,” she says. Try the pro-beloved Nars Creamy Concealer or Glossier Stretch Concealer. “For flat scars, you want to use a thicker, more matte formula.” One we love: Becca Ultimate Coverage Concealing Crème, which gives you thicker, fuller coverage. And remember, for both, always use a setting powder to keep it in place.
6 Concealer Mistakes to Avoid
Even with our best effort and best products, sometimes our concealer application just doesn’t look right. It might be, then, that you’ve fallen prey to one of these common concealer mistakes. Here are six things makeup pros say we’ve been doing wrong with concealer thus far, and how to make things right once and for all.
1. Using the Same Concealer for Dark Circles and Pimples
Unfortunately, it’s a rare concealer that performs equally well for all types of concerns. How to use concealer and foundation to hide a pimple is different than how to apply concealer for dark circles, for example. Not all types of concealers are created equally.
For the best coverage, you probably need to choose one concealer for blemishes and dark spots and another for under-eye circles. “Under-eye concealer should be less dry and thick in texture and consistency compared to pimple concealer,” explains celebrity makeup artist Mai Quynh . “You want to make sure your pimple concealer stays put, while your under-eye skin is delicate and thinner, and you want a concealer that won’t settle into fine lines.” So think rich and almost pasty for spot concealer (a makeup-artist favorite: Cle de Peau Concealer) and something light, fluid, and buildable for circles (like Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer).
2. Applying Concealer at the Wrong Time
Some mornings, we literally can’t function until those lingering pimple marks are covered up (#theworst). But in most cases, it’s actually better to apply foundation first—even if it’s just a light layer on the areas that need it most. By minimizing spots (and surprisingly fully hiding some of them), this reduces the amount of concealer you end up needing to apply. That means a more natural finish in the end—plus less overall makeup on days you want to feel fresh-faced. “I only recommend using concealer before foundation when you have a lot of blemishes to cover and you need to use tons of thick, correcting concealer for coverage,” Quynh tells us. “Then you can lightly stipple or dab foundation on top of the concealer for extra coverage and blending.”
3. Not Using the Right Color to Battle Your Dark Circles
If dark circles are your main concern, combat them with a peach-toned concealer. Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes suggested that if you’re looking to hide your dark circles, don’t start with foundation or concealer first. Instead, pick up a peach-toned concealer, like Becca Cosmetics Backlight Targeted Colour Corrector, to help balance out the blue. Then, once the peach is well-blended, go over that with the concealer you use on the rest of your face. This will ensure those darker areas are well-hidden.
4. Relying On Your Fingers Alone
Fingers: They’re so handy and never require brush cleaner. Totally get it. And using them to apply concealer can work just fine. In fact, when it comes to the delicate skin under your eyes, the warmth of your finger can help warm makeup so it blends on more easily and seamlessly. But we all know expert blending is where the makeup magic really happens.
In the case of dark circles, that involves going in with a dampened Beautyblender Micro Mini (or similar mini sponge) after you’ve dabbed on concealer, to smooth every last crease and edge and truly look like you’ve achieved more than eight hours sleep. “This will also pick up any excess concealer, which is what can turn cakey as the day goes on,” explains celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose . (So this is the step we’ve been missing all these years.)
As for blemishes and dark spots, fingers really aren’t the best concealing tool. You need something much more targeted to avoid creating an obvious halo of makeup around the area—a brush with a stiff, pointed tip (Barose swears by a Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Brush. This will let you deposit a tiny bit of concealer in the center of the spot, then almost microscopically stipple-blend it outward until any redness or darkness has been blended away. For larger dark patches, reach for that Beautyblender Mini again; it’ll help you layer on enough concealer to offset the dark pigment while blending the edges believably into your face/foundation.
5. Not Setting Your Concealer With Powder
As with everything pertaining to looking good, it’s all about layering. Sometimes even the most stay-put concealer needs a crucial final step: powder. (We love Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder.) It’s the best way to lock that color in place so it’s going nowhere. “With newer pimples the skin can be taut, so setting concealer with powder is important so it won’t move,” says Quynh. Once you start treating the pimple (and picking at it, because you never learn), you may want to skip this step. “Some pimples can be drier—the skin around or on it, because it’s been treated with salicylic acid, so adding powder may make it look especially dry,” Quynh says. “In this case, less is more and you can skip the powder.”
Note, though: One area to be cautious with powder is around your eyes. You can still set your under-eye concealer with powder if needed, but do so sparingly, avoiding the outer eye where it can settle into and play up fine lines. And opt for a lightweight, translucent brightening powder instead of anything heavy, matte, and oil-absorbing. Becca has one made specifically for your under-eyes.
6. Keeping Your Concealer for Past Its Expiration Date
Because concealer is often administered in tiny doses, it’s possible to (embarrassingly) realize you’ve been using the same tube for…er, years. This will likely not kill you, but it also means you’re probably no longer getting the lovely results that made you select this formula in the first place. “Over a long period of time, some [concealers in tubes] will start to break down and may darken or appear discolored, or even separated,” says cosmetic chemist Jim Hammer. “Or the product may begin to dry up. It might not smell right, or it might feel oily, or grainy, or have other issues.” All are signs it’s time for a fresh start.
Likewise, if at any point you notice your concealer is looking more orange or just doesn’t match your skin like it used to, toss it. “Changes in color are often indicative of problems in the product—microbial growth, oxidation—so that’s a good indicator that it’s time to buy a new tube,” Hammer says. “Most of these products are designed to last for two years unopened on the store shelf, but it’s probably a good idea to use them up within six to nine months after opening.”
Fact: There’s nothing more annoying than waking up with a massive pimple—especially around that time of the month. And for anyone who’s attempted to cover up a breakout during the summer, you already know all too well about the struggle that comes with applying concealer to oily, sweaty skin. A small dab of makeup on top of that zit just slides right off it, awkwardly gathering around the base for a halo-like ring that just draws more attention to the wickedly red spot.
However, before you toss your concealer aside and decide to call off all pending social plans indefinitely, take a minute to read our foolproof concealment plan courtesy of celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin, whose clients include Meghan Markle and Jessica Alba. How do we know it works? We made our editor, Lindsay—who, lucky her, was having a struggle-is-real moment at the office—try it out. All it takes is a few easy steps to guarantee your makeup won’t budge, even in sweltering 90-degree heat.
The Essentials
PHOTO: Photo: Katie Friedman; Design: Emily Kemp
Purell, Glossier Stretch Concealer in Light ($18, glossier.com), Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in Color 3.75 ($64, sephora.com), Sephora Collection Confetti Mini Sponge ($12 for a set of 5, sephora.com), and Urban Decay Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($24, ulta.com)
Here’s what you’ll need to start: hand sanitizer, concealer, foundation, a mini makeup sponge, and eyeshadow primer (this is major key!).
Step 1: Sanitize the Pimple
PHOTO: Photo: Katie Friedman; Design: Emily Kemp
For some serious pimple-pulverizing action that works long-term, the best thing to start with is a tool like the Positively Clear 3-Step Acne Skincare Solution by Tria ($149), which uses non-UV light therapy to kill acne-causing bacteria within the pimple. However, if you’re at work or don’t have a blue light tool with you, Martin has an easy alternative: “I like to use hand sanitizer,” he says.
Not only will that small dollop of hand sanitizer disinfect the area (no need to spread more bacteria than what’s already there), but it will also dry the surface of the skin so that it won’t be overly oily for the next step. If you want to be extra precise so as to not dry out the skin around the pimple, Martin suggests using a pointed cotton swab to dab the disinfectant on.
Step 2: Apply Eyeshadow Primer
PHOTO: Photo: Katie Friedman; Design: Emily Kemp
You know how eyeshadow primer helps to prevent eye makeup from migrating to other parts of your face? Well, the same can be said for when you apply it to a pimple before concealer. According to Martin, laying a light coating of eyeshadow primer (his favorite is by NYX) onto the surface of the pimple will not only seal off the surface of your skin for protection, it’ll also allow your concealer and foundation to adhere to the area. So dab a bit of primer (not tinted, though) onto the pimple and the area surrounding it. Then blend with your ring finger—it has the lightest touch.
Step 3: Layer on Concealer and Foundation
PHOTO: Photo: Katie Friedman; Design: Emily Kemp
When it comes to the final makeup application for hiding that unwelcome mega-zit, remember that layering is your new best friend. Start by layering concealer (we like Honest Beauty’s Concealing Duo) on top of the eye shadow primer, then apply foundation as usual (try Dior Diorskin Forever Perfect). Once your face is set, you can go back and forth between adding concealer and dabbing on foundation until you get your desired coverage (don’t worry, it won’t take 100 layers). You can also set the look with translucent powder or setting spray if prefer extra coverage.
Step Five: Blend
PHOTO: Photo: Katie Friedman; Design: Emily Kemp
Finally, grab a mini makeup sponge made for smaller areas and blend away until you can’t see anymore redness.
PHOTO: Photo: Katie Friedman; Design: Emily Kemp
After that, you’re free to go about your day without wondering if anyone is staring at your zit. Even though they’re probably not. Really.
For an industry that’s all about expressing yourself, the beauty world definitely moves in packs. Take how things went down with the Urban Decay Naked Heat palette: once everyone fell in love with its mix of bronzey-red colors, tons of other brands came out with their own spins. Now, people are wondering if something similar happened with Kylie Cosmetics’ new concealer line. News broke today that the brand is dropping 30 shades of concealer, and the Fenty Beauty comparisons are already taking over Twitter.
Which might seem a little weird, given that Kylie Jenner is the one behind the expansive line. But here’s the theory: people think that when Fenty Beauty broke ground and released its foundation in 40 colors, it proved once and for all that there’s money to be made from catering to everyone’s shades. Fenty’s foundation shades ranged from light enough for an albino woman to the deepest possible shades, and the dark colors sold out ASAP—driving home the message that women of color are ready to buy. As one of the first brands to include women of all colors in its starting shade range, there’s no denying that Fenty set a new precedent for beauty brands.
So on the upside, people agree that it’s a welcome change that Kylie’s concealers are so inclusive from the get-go. Up until basically now, that hasn’t been the norm—foundation and concealer products from mainstream brands would typically launch in around 10 colors, most falling into fair-to-medium shades. Products for women with darker skin tones would roll out later, if at all.
Granted, some other brands were making wide foundation ranges in life pre-Fenty. But the timing is turning some people off, according to Twitter. No one knows when Kylie started developing her concealers, but some are reading it like she saw the money that Fenty made from its inclusivity, and broadened the concealer’s shade range in response. Kylie made $18 million in one day on her last holiday collection, so no one can say she’s not a savvy businesswoman.
However you feel about the concealers’ backstory, they do look good. People on Twitter also speculate that if the similarities between Kylie Cosmetics and ColourPop are to be believed (both lines manufacture their products in the same factory), ColourPop’s concealers might be good dupes. Pricing on Kylie’s concealers is TBD, but given that you have to order both sight unseen, and ColourPop’s line sticks to 12 colors? Kylie might win this one.
