In the last week we’ve seen the #nomakeupselfie phenomenon explode on social media and raise pots of cash for cancer charities. The original intent of the craze wasn’t actually to support cancer charities despite the #beatcancer hashtag. In fact, it all had a deeply narcissistic feel until clever cancer charities hijacked the hashtag for their own fundraising purposes. Aswell as money, the selfies raised that thorny old non-issue of whether women have to wear make-up to look beautiful (of course not) and got people ruminating on whether going make-up-free was a courageous move (that depends on the woman).
Speaking as a woman who feels that bit more confident wearing make-up, I know when I’m looking tired and baggy of eye nothing cheers me up faster than a great concealer. (I think it’s safe to say a fair few of those #nomakeupselfies were helped along by a sneaky dab or three.)
Matte concealers are good under the eyes, around the sides of the nose and work well dabbed over any blemishes. Benefit have created a concealing empire, and Ease Paste (€27.50) is still tops for the eye area. Estée Lauder Double Wear Concealer ( €25) will provide a touch of illumination and has no truck with dark circles, while Maybelline Fit Me Concealer ( €8.99) provides lighter, sheerer coverage.
Just make sure that you don’t get carried away. Use a light touch – concealer all too easily cakes and settles into lines. A tip from the pros: make sure not to plaster the product directly under the eye or it will crack. Apply your concealer a smidgen below the area you want to conceal and blend upwards.
And don't confuse concealer with highlighter. Concealer will block out shadows, while hybrid products (such as YSL Touche Éclat ) will provide much less coverage and instead rely on light reflection to brighten up the eye area. While we're on the subject, the famed Aldi Lacura highlighter pen has been discontinued. Bah.
Set your concealer of choice with a light dusting of powder and – ta-dah! - you’re ready for your #nearlynomakeupselfie. I won’t tell if you won’t.
THE PRODUCTS
Clarins Instant Concealer (€24)Aloe vera and caffeine enrich this highly effective formula that counteracts dark colour under the eyes. Tap three tiny dots under each eye and pat in gently.
Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer (€33.50)Moisturising duo that covers and sets in one go – good for drier skin. Pat it over eye cream for an instant lift.
Catrice Camouflage Cream (€3.49)
Don’t let the price fool you: this is heavy-duty, effective and covers everything from broken veins to under-eye shadow. Waterproof when set with powder.
Mac Pro Longwear Concealer (€20)
Available in more than a dozen shades this fluid concealer lasts for up to 15 hours and blends easily with foundation.
AISLING LOVES . . . Burts Bees Almond & Milk Hand Creme (€11.95, 57g)
A cult classic for a reason. It should be renamed “hand balm”: so rich it is almost solid, and a little goes a very long way.
