MY DESERT ISLAND BEAUTY PRODUCTS by YOU’s beauty director.
IS THIS CONCEALER WORTH THE HYPE? YES!
Honestly, I think I’d quite happily take a break, rely on coconuts, and let the elements do their worst. As long as it wasn’t for too long. My daily rescue, however, is simple: concealer. Well, I say daily, but oddly I can sometimes forget how crucial it is to making my face look brighter and less weary. So much so that I usually claim bronzer to be my essential and do indeed apply it daily, feeling wan without it. But sometimes I realise that I’ve gone for weeks without wearing concealer. Then, each time I return to it, I get an ‘aha’ moment and realise what a fool I’ve been for neglecting it. I think these lapses occur because all too often I find concealers disappointing – they become gloopy during the day. And almost any time that I get my make-up done professionally, they apply so much of the stuff that it looks heavy and fake and puts me off wearing any for a while.
But that’s the joy of beauty products: technology moves us forward – and the next-gen concealers are game-changers. First up is Charlotte Tilbury’s new Magic Away Liquid Concealer (€30, brownthomas.com). Is it worth the hype? Short answer: yes. It’s lightweight, but still covers (if you have really dark circles you may feel that it’s
not enough), it doesn’t drag on the skin, gloop, cake or settle in lines. Available in 16 shades, it brings light to the eye area and makes me look cheery. Plus the tapered sponge applicator is good for getting right into the corner of the eye. I’m also keen on Illamasqua Skin Base Concealer Pen (€24.50, illamasqua.com), which comes in seven shades. It glides on, almost like a super-lightweight foundation, and gives decent coverage with a matt finish that’s a ringer for your own skin. Much like Tilbury’s, it lasts and doesn’t crease or cake. Although the metal applicator may look a bit off-putting, it’s actually nice to use – cooling on the eye area so it’s gently de-puffing while you apply.
An honourable mention should also go to Nars for its Soft Matte Complete Concealer (€30, brownthomas.com) – a wonderful skin finish in a pot that comes with a choice of 16 shades. I really rate it and if nothing else had come along, I’d have happily been wedded to it for some time.
If you want more serious coverage, look no further than Too Faced Born This Way Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer (€29, debenhams.ie). It’s pretty much everything its name says it is and gives good coverage from only a small amount of product – I use the tiniest daub and it’s job done.