As it’s the new year, you might think this column would focus on new routines, new products, or the classic “new year, new you” vibe. In fact, that’s more or less what I wrote about last year in my very first column for The Irish Times. This year, however, I thought I’d lean into reality.
For me, the new year always brings a certain heaviness. Everyone I know is tired, overspent from the festive season, and sick of trudging through the dark, cold weather. We’re not exactly feeling our best – and maybe we’re not looking our best either.
One of the most important make-up products I own to combat both the tiredness and the desire to present myself in a way that defies the realities of the new year is concealer. Not necessarily a new concealer, but the best concealer – the one that’s worth its weight in gold. The one that covers and conceals, brightens and smooths, and almost magically makes you look like a fresher, more rested version of yourself – and someone who’s absolutely not exhausted from the festive season.
Curious, I put the question to Instagram: What are your all-time favourite concealers? The ones you panic about running out of, the ones you’re never without, and the ones you recommend to everyone. The responses did not disappoint.
Every concealer suggested is either currently in my make-up collection or has been until recently. All are known for their excellent formulations, ease of use, and longevity. So, without further ado, let me introduce you to four of the best concealers, for both the under eye and the face – any one of which will help you glide through this often taxing time of year.
Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Luminous Matte Liquid Concealer
There are concealers, and then there’s the Huda Beauty Faux Filter Luminous Matte Liquid Concealer (available in 29 shades, €31 from Boots). It’s a repeat star in this column and something I’ve raved about online so often it’s almost embarrassing. This is the concealer to reach for when you want full, long-lasting coverage that hides everything yet still looks like skin. It’s buildable too, and when paired with the brand’s famous setting powder, it reaches photoshopped levels of perfection.
NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Concealer Serum
For a dewy, lightweight, your-skin-but-better option, look no further than NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Concealer Serum (available in 13 shades, €14.99 from Boots). This skincare-meets-make-up hybrid is an utterly excellent (and affordable) choice, and packed with skin-loving ingredients to help reduce the appearance of dark circles over time, including, cica, green tea and tremella mushroom. The thin, serum-like formula can be applied in seconds and works equally well with fingers, a brush, or a sponge.
Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer
When you need heavy-duty coverage not just for under the eyes but the face too, there’s nothing quite like NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer (available in 30 shades, €34 from Brown Thomas). With its slightly thick, creamy consistency, it acts like a mask for blemishes and dark circles – and it has some of the best longevity of any cream concealer I’ve used. As it’s a drier formula, however, a touch of eye cream is essential before applying it around the eyes.
This week I’m loving ... Kash Beauty Sculpt Stick Highlight
I swatched Kash Beauty Sculpt Stick Highlighter (€18.95 from Brown Thomas) in-store a few weeks ago and was blown away. This ultra-pigmented, incredibly creamy highlighter stick glides onto the skin like nothing I’ve used in recent memory. The sheen it leaves is intense – almost light-reflective – yet it’s not greasy or sticky. If you love cream highlighters, this one will have you hooked.
