MA Beauty Expert: The Art of Concealment – New Skin Cover-Ups

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Donna Macdonald, GoLocalWorcester Beauty Expert

Beauty farewells are never easy, especially if the product was perfect for YOU. I had to kiss my favorite concealer goodbye when the Big Bad Cosmetic Company sounded the death knell for it recently. I complained and railed against it as any good concealer addict would. My Holy Grail cover-up had met all my criteria: simple, non-drying, and no mascara-running. But time heals all wounds and I’ve moved on. What I’ve serendipitously discovered is that concealers have changed a lot since I started plunking down my rubles on the Holy Grail – they now come in lots of new formats. My lowly little pot of concealer was decidedly low-tech in comparison. I’m back from the test lab (OK, my bathroom) and here’s my sampling for you to consider:

Crayons to Concealers

L’Oreal’s Super-Blendable Crayon Concealer has a tip that allows the most precise application. For fuller coverage, just color in. The crayon blends smoothly and made my face look like the perfect artist’s canvas. Super easy to use and fun to handle. Ulta

Tube It

OK, this one’s going to set you back about $70 but it’s truly amazing. Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer is especially awesome if stubborn raccoon eyes are your daily morning nightmare. I love the lipstick tube application which covers beautifully but oh so gently – absolutely no dragging. This concealer has earned a coveted spot in my handbag. clédepeaubeauté.com

Double Duty

One compact, two pans seemed complicated so I was leery of trying Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage. But this customizable concealer system obliterates blemishes, scars, and discolorations. High levels of pigments achieve eight hour concealment because one of the two formulas sets the concealer for long-lasting cover. Now I don’t mind the extra step one bit. Macy’s

Two-fer

No one ever really liked the shampoo/conditioner combo, right? But you will love Clinique’s Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer. Who knew I could get rid of my aversion to the dual-products-in-a-bottle with this creamy flatterer? It gave me light-reflecting coverage of every flaw, even the imagined ones. I know. I couldn’t believe it either. Nordstrom

Out Damn Spot – a few tips

A special brush for the job makes a big difference in spreading the wealth into tight corners such as the edge of the eyes and the sides of the nose. Get the seamless Midas touch from perfect blending. Use just a dab on small spots and smooth lightly with the fingers. Check first and then add more if necessary. And remember, if my favorite concealer hadn’t been whisked away in the dark of night, I never would have discovered these great new cover-ups. And if the Big Bad Cosmetic Company steals away one of your beloved beauty aids forever, try not to rant too much. Just move on.

Donna Macdonald is a freelance writer who enjoys covering topics of interest to women, especially fragrance, style, beauty. She has also written marketing material for a women's book that hit the New York Times Bestseller list and netted her an up close and personal discussion on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Donna currently writes her own personal blog, alovelyinconsequence.blogspot.com where she also writes about issues close to a woman's heart. Donna believes that when a woman finds beauty in the world, she will find beauty in herself.

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