By Katie Martlew
For a truly flawless face, a good concealer is a must-have make-up bag essential. Whether you wish to camouflage pigmentation, cover-up spots or conceal tired panda eyes- we’ve got you- ‘covered’ with expert application tips and our pick of the best new concealers on the market.
Concealer 101. RESCU’s Celebrity Beauty Expert Glenn Nutley shares his expert concealer tips and tricks.
I love a good concealer! When used correctly it can be the only base you need.
I tend to work more with concealer and less with foundation. I’m not saying cover yourself in it… it’s all about blending.
1. The first important step is to create and even surface to blend your product into, you don’t want to hit any dry or rough patches. Lightly exfoliate these areas before you start. (Rescu. loves Dr Lewin’s Facial Polishing Gel)
2. Use a moisturiser appropriate for your skin type, one that enables you to blend the product into your skin so that you can’t see where it starts or finishes. Even a tinted moisturiser can be appropriate here to even out over all skin tone.
3. It’s so important to choose a concealer, which perfectly matches the tone of the area, and keep in mind that the skin tone varies in different areas of the face. Don’t forget that the type of concealer will also be different for different parts of your face.
4. A variation on the traditional concealer is a brightening highlighter. I use Touche Eclat by YSL, as it has fine consistency, lifts skin tone, and is great for brightening up the eyes. I call it the magic wand. The light deflecting particles pick up the eyes and also diffuse fine lines.
Rescu. RECOMMENDS: Eight new concealers we have tested and love…
1. Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener- (new and incredibly flattering)
Now in the form of a portable pen, this lightweight concealer is an instant make-up refresher, and is perfect for brightening under-eye circles.
RRP $69.00 Available selected David Jones stores nationally.
2. YSL Radiant Touche Eclat Highlighter- (The award winning classic)
OK so it’s not new but with a worldwide cult following, how could we resist mentioning this must have product again. This magic pen has a super lightweight formula; which both covers imperfections, and highlights and brightens skin. Carry it everywhere.
RRP $78.00 Stockists: (02) 9931 8888
3. Lancome La Touche Pro (the perfectionist- blends to the perfect shade)
This feather-light creamy concealer includes two shades, which can be custom blended to perfectly match skin tone, and seamlessly covers complexion irregularities. Use on face and under eyes.
RRP $65.00 Stockists: (02) 9931 8888
4. Giorgio Armani High Precision Concealer (for hard to reach places)
Specialising in diminishing dark circles, blemishes and signs of fatigue, the high precision applicator tip and easy glide formula smoothes away imperfections.
RRP $54.00 Stockists (02) 9931 8888
5. Benefit Confessions of a Concealerholic (complete concealer kit)
A compact kit that includes every kind of concealer you’ll ever need; brighteners, correctors, camouflagers- you name it, it’s got it! Complete with fool proof instructions. Be warned, you might even start skipping foundation after you have mastered using this nifty kit. Great for pros and beginners.
RRP $68.00 Available from April 18 2010. Stockists (02) 8353 5000
6. Shu Uemura Cover Crayon Concealer (for the girl on-the-go)
This easy-to-use double-ended pencil has a super soft and blendable texture for precise on-the-go general-purpose imperfection coverage. We love this under the brow bone to highlight the arch and as a pick me up in between visits to the beauty therapist for a professional eye brow shaping. Recommended for oily to combination skin types.
RRP $40.00. Available at selected David Jones stores nationally.
7. Benefit Erase Paste (targets stress and fatigue)
This creamy concentrated paste camouflages and brightens target areas such as dark circles, discolorations and flaws, to instantly ‘wake-up’ a tired complexion. The peach tone is perfect for expertly hiding grey and purple tones.
RRP $47.00 Stockists (02) 8353 5000
8. Bare Minerals Well Rested for Eyes (perfect with mineral makeup)
This super natural mineral powder concealer is perfect for brightening up tired eyes and concealing dark shadows around the eyes, nose and lips. Great for sensitive skin types.
RRP $79.00 Stockists 1800 808 993
