It’s getting more challenging to cover my under-eye circles and other dark or reddish areas on my face. My skin is paler than ever, from aging and from avoiding the sun. But I also have a reddish tint around my mouth, nose and eyebrows. First-world problems, I has them.
I am researching the best concealers for over-50 women. For me that means:
- Easy to apply
- Not too thick or sticky,
- But thick enough to provide great coverage and last 8 hours,
- And comes in the palest shades,
- And not the price of a car.
I’ve found excellent reviews for the concealers below, but I’d love to get your input. Would you choose one of these, or do you have a recommendation of your own?
- Dermablend Quick-Fix Concealer Stick. I have their foundation for serious cover ups, but it’s too dark for my eye area. So I am considering the yellow-based Ivory shade. I know this brand covers really well.
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| Dermablend Quick-Fix Concealer Stick, $25 |
- Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit. Her makeup is all good for me, and the colors will work. She gives terrific makeup advice for midlife women, too.
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| Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit, $35 |
- NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. The sales associate at Sephora recommended this one. Love the colors and the applicator, but I wonder if it’s heavy-duty enough.
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| NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, $29 |
- L’Oreal Paris Visible Lift Serum Absolute Concealer (needs more names). A drugstore brand that scores high marks from users.
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| L’Oreal Absolute Concealer, $13 |
Do you have a favorite?
Have a wonderful Wednesday, and stay fabulous,
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I have to agree with StillBlond – the Bare Minerals makeup is amazing! I too have rosacea and this makeup has even my skin tone, removed blemishes, and shrink my pores. Plus the color blends while allowing my skin tone to show.
OK … I am going to start this with I have WASTED $1000's of dollars on crap … dark circles are a hereditary issue in my family so I have to constantly fight it. I have tried the most expensive to the cheapest and of course everything in between. This past year being on TV several times a month and always looking tired, I became quite aggressive about finding a "cure". I changed up my routine 2 months ago and I can't even tell you how HAPPY I am with the results! First of all I changed how I am moisturizing, I started using mink oil (it has a slight woody smell) but I saw a change in my under eyes, back of hands and neck within 3 days! I put it on right after I shower, when my skin is wet … it absorbs almost immediately, it is Amazing! Then once I got the under eyes hydrated, I tried Loreal "True Match" the concealer, it does not get dry, cakey and settle into the fine lines.
i've seen Rimmel at CVS.
Caffeine and alcohol are often implicated.
I am clueless about concealer, I just wear foundation -lancombe- to cover the red . Can you do a post on how to use it , when you pick the one you want, please
I love Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer (another long name) in Neutralizer 102. They have other normal colours like Ivory, but the Neutralizer colour works really well for me. http://www.amazon.com/Rimmel-London-Blemish-Concealer-Neutralizer/dp/B004LXON7I
I just purchased the L'Oreal Visible Lift . . . and I love it. I also bought the under-eye dark circle concealer and it also works very nicely. I do like the L'Oreal better than the Garnier dark circle concealer that I tried in the past.
Hi Patti! You know I am super pale. The best concealer I have ever found is Bare Minerals Mulit-tasking Concealer (it only comes in Bisque and thats what you will need). I have Rosacea, fine red lines, whatever and you cannot see them at all when I am wearing this. MAKE SURE TO BUY the brush that they recommend with it. AN absolute must.
I also use Bobbi Brown and absolutely live it!
thanks, Michelle – there's a Macy's on my way home from work : >
I'm having good luck with Urban Decay's 24/7 Concealer Pencil, in the lightest shade CIA. (I'm an NC15 in MAC.) This pencil is a cinch to use, is creamy but stays put, and has lots of pigment for good coverage. It needs to be sharpened (and UD's sharpener Grind House is expensive), but I've used mine a dozen times without needing to go near the sharpener. You can use the point for tiny areas, or just roll it on its side to cover a wider area quickly. I never would consider UD a brand for old ladies like me ;), but I'm really happy with this concealer!
My go-to concealer is Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Concealer, color Light Intensity 1. Like you I have very fair skin and don't go out in the sun. I don't use this every day, only when I want to look "gorgeous"— i.e. deal with the dark spots at the corners of my eyes and various other bits. It's a tiny bottle with a felt applicator. A little dab will do you, then you can pat it around. I use it on top of regular foundation. I bet if you go to your local Macy's or Macy's equivalent they will be happy to give you a demo, and you can pick your right shade. Hope that helps.
I've heard good things about that brand, thank you. xo
I use Bobbi Brown Tinted Eye Brightener .. works well ( I don't have really dark eye circles ) and bonus .. it looks like they changed the twist up pen/brush to a doe foot applicator – yeah!
Monica, http://www.pear-shaped-gal.com
Tell us which one everyone recommends!!
I use MAC Select Moisturecover (similar to the Nars one above) and apply it with a sponge, especially under my eyes. It has a little light-reflecting to it, so bounces off my circles. So I tell myself! For red, I actually use a green-stick – it negates red.
Oh, no – that sounds itchy as well.
That's two personal thumbs up for BBrown – thanks!
Thanks Anja, I will look these up!
I go with the yellowish undertones too. xo
this one is a classic favorite!
YSL Touche Eclat is magic. It has an illuminating effect that not only conceals but produces a rejuvenated look. The dispenser is a long cylinder with a brush on the end and a small amount is dispensed with a click. It comes in several shades.
There is an accompanying product Le Teint that is a foundation like no other.
I am very skeptical of hype, have tried tons of gloppy concealers over the years and this product works. Pricey, perhaps, but worth every penny and a little goes a long way. Very portable as well and easy to use.
I don't have any brands to recommend, I'm afraid; I use a under-eye brightener, and a heavier concealer for blemishes/redness, but just supermarket/cheap brands. I always look for pale shades with a yellow base, anything too pink looks ridiculous on my complexion. Good luck, hope you find what you're looking for! xxx
The redness you describe on your face might be Rosacea. You might want to talk with a dermatologist as there is a prescription cream that might help if that is the issue. Also, some types of foods and other things can trigger episodes of redness.
I've used the Bobbi Brown concealer set! It's fantastic!! I've been trying to go with more natural cosmetics and therefore I'm currently using products made by a small Canadian online retailer. I like what I'm using well enough…but Bobbi Brown is definitely a best product!
For me it's IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye. I also use their Celebration foundation, which comes in a slightly moist cake, not a liquid. Both are super wonderful for 'mature' skin. No settling into lines, no caking, beautiful coverage. Best I've used. I used Clarins products in my fifties, Lancome in my forties. Loved those as well.
Boy, this couldn't be more timely for me. I've had redness on my forehead for a month that's making me super self-conscious. (I think it's a plant toxin like poison ivy.)
I also have a host facial boo-boos to cover, the most challenging three scars from MOHS surgery for skin cancer. I use Bobbi Brown, however mine comes in a stick form (like a tall lipstick.). I've had it forever and am almost out. I'm thinking she has changed her formula. We'll see soon enough. I also have a fair amount of redness on both cheeks.
; )
Do you think Lots of Wine can cause the read around the nose too? 😮
Hi Patti, never commented, but this is a topic near & dear to my over-50 heart! I've got really dark circles and allergic/sensitive skin, so I have limited options. Also, my skin is dry, so I prefer a moisturizing concealer. The last several months I've been wearing Laura Mercier's foundation and concealer. I like them both, they feel 'weightless' on my skin. Applying the concealer with a brush (the rep taught me the right technique!) really makes a difference. It's the best I have found to date that I can tolerate. Her line has a couple different concealers – I use the creamy one in the small, round pot. Seems to be a good color range. Good luck in your search!
I think Boi-ing concealer from Benefit is one of the best concealers ever, and it has a pale shade I love, plus it lasts for long time ! This one is perfect for spots and redness. Instead, for my under eyes circles, I use Erase Paste, always from the same brand. Hope this was helpful ! Kisses
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I must admit I don't really use concealer. Just a super light BB cream by Maybelline on my face that acts as a 30 SPF.
I too have red around the nose… I blame it on my love of martinis ; )
I'll be interested to see what people write though since I will probably need to start using an under eye concealer in the next few years.
bisous
Suzanne
I use the exact Bobbi Brown concealer that you have pictured here…and i love it! Best one I have ever used. I take a fan brush and sweep it through the powder to put some highlighter around my eyes at the tip top of my cheek. I highly recommend it! Since Bobbi is our age, she brings great products for us!