Changing Concealer

I raved about the Collection Lasting Perfection concealer for years, and bought countless tubes of the stuff. I just loved its coverage. I don't look for much else in a concealer because I use a primer to help with ease of application and crease prevention. Then, in January this year, MUA were offering 50% off their entire range, so I decided to add the Cover & Conceal concealer to my basket for just 75p (normally £1.50). It's now been my daily concealer for 8 months, and I'm still on the same tube (it seems like it's never ending!). I tried the Collection one again a few weeks ago, and although great for blemishes, I hated it for redness and under my eyes. I found it so thick and cakey! I'm not used to it after using MUA's light-medium coverage variety. MUA's isn't perfect, though. Like I said, it has a light-medium coverage, so it isn't great at concealing blemishes. It also has a dewy finish, which I don't want around my oily eyes, so I have to set it with a powder. Both concealers have faults (in my eyes, at least), but they work well together. The Collection one for blemishes, and the MUA one for the rest of my face.

I do want to find that perfect all round concealer, though. One that has a high enough coverage to conceal spots, but not so high that it looks cakey on the rest of my skin. I'd also like it to have a normal/matte finish so powder isn't necessary. Do you have any recommendations? I've heard Bourjois and Maybelline have some good offerings.

ELF Maximum Coverage Concealer in Porcelain

 

I was running out of my trusty Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, so thought I'd add ELF's latest offering to my basket while ordering. You get 20ml for £3.75, which is amazing! I wasn't sure if the lightest shade, Porcelain, would match my skin tone, but it does. It's perfect for the fair skinned among us! I really like the packaging. It's simple, but sleek. It's more hygienic than a doe foot applicator, but you have to be careful not to squeeze too much out because you can't put it back in! The formula blends well, doesn't look cakey, and leaves a dewy finish. Some people may think it would give a matte finish because of the 'oil free' claims, but it doesn't. If you have dry skin, it's great, but you'll have to powder if you have oily skin, like myself. The slight problem I've had with this product is that it creases on my eyelids, even after blotting, priming and powdering. You may be able to avoid this if you let it dry for a few minutes. I don't have the time, or patience, to look down for a few minutes in order to avoid my eyelids creasing though, especially in the mornings! I cannot comment on how long it lasts because I use a primer under my make-up, which I suggest you do too if you want your make-up to apply better and last! The main aspect I look for in a concealer is coverage. This concealer has a medium-high coverage, I would say. Now, this is where I have to disagree with a claim it has. It claims to cover tattoos. How can it cover a tattoo if it can only just cover a blemish? I tested it below:

No, I don't have a rubbish tattoo on my hand - It's just a pen marking for demonstration purposes. The first photo shows just the pen, the second photo shows 1 layer of the concealer, and the third photo shows 5 layers of the concealer. Yes, it has covered well, but I think any product would make a substantial difference with 5 layers on. I also think it would take many more layers to completely cover (it's more noticeable in real life).

Overall, I like this concealer, but don't love it. It could so easily be a great product though, which is annoying! I like the packaging, the amount of product you get, the price, and the coverage is okay. However, I would prefer it not to crease on my eyelids. Also, I think it's an extreme claim to say it covers tattoos. If that's the case, every other concealer I've tried covers tattoos too, with tons of layers!

Will I repurchase? Most likely, if placing an order anyway. I won't actively seek to repurchase it though.

Benefit's Conceal It Stick

"Oh Louise, really? Another blimming Benefit review?!"

I'm sorry! I had to!

So everyone knows Glamour magazine were (and still are if you can find any) giving away a free benefit pencil with July's issue. I chose the It Stick:

I'll just dive straight into this because you've probably had enough of these reviews!

Pros:

• Creamy
• Blends well
• Medium coverage
• Lasts well (I accidently went sleep with the concealer on and when I woke up, it was still had good coverage)

Cons:

• This isn't a con for me personally but I'm sure it is for other women. This stick only comes in one colour supposedly to suit all skin tones. Well as you can see it is very light and will not suit all skin tones. I have pale skin so it is the perfect colour for me but anyone darker will find this hard to use.

Would I re-purchase? I might buy another Glamour magazine because for £2, this is a decent concealer but I would never pay the £17 price tag.

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Shop

^ I'm replacing the word 'Haul' to 'Shop' because... well it makes more sense :)

There's been so many posts I've been wanting to do but without a camera, I can not :( A few reviews can be done by using internet photos but most require swatches and my own photos to show you the products. I'm saving up now so hopefully will have a camera soon.

Rimmel's Stay Matte Dual Action Concealer £4.99

Collection 2000's Lasting Perfection Concealer £3.99, on offer for £2.99

Collection 2000's Waterproof Longer Lash Mascara £2.99

Avon's Arabian Glow Clearly Shadowed Eye Pencils £5 each, on offer for £3 each. I've already gone through a blue one of these and loved it so I thought I'd get every colour :) I already have a review on these but am not going to post until I have a camera because I want to show you how beautiful they look.

Reviews to come in the next week :)

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