By Maria Camila Henao, 19, reporting on the hidden-gem concealers that brighten eyes and cover spots
Until recently, I wasn’t very captivated by the idea of makeup. Sure, I watched a few YouTube videos, bought my basics, and even wrote about a couple of cool products, standouts in the fight against summer-in-Chicago humidity and chipped nail polish. But back in the days when I was getting my beauty sleep, it never went any further than that. However, as I started my freshman year of college, my sleeping schedule became increasingly hectic. As in four hours-of-sleep hectic.
Now I’m a sophomore, and especially while I’m working a part-time job, too, the sleepless trend seems to be here to stay. Plus, prominent under-eye circles are in my family. My mom has them, my cousins have them, and my grandmother has them. I realized I was reaching for my concealer more and more throughout the day, and that it just wasn’t doing the job anymore.
So I began expanding my collection and found a few favorites that do the job for me (when I’m doing too many jobs). Here are some accomplices in a successful coverup, whether it’s under-eye circles or the occasional blemish:
“Stay All Day Concealer” by Stila ($23). On the higher end, this is my bright-eyed pick. Most of the shades have a peachy undertone, which is what makeup artists suggest you use around eyes. It does stay all day, as long as you set it with a powder. It’s creamy, not too thick, and it doesn’t settle into the lines under my eyes.
“Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer” by Maybelline ($9). You can ignore the age-rewind part. I’m 19, I do. But this is my drugstore favorite for really brightening under the eyes. The applicator is convenient, and the formula is great. I also tend to use this to highlight my cupid’s bow, my cheekbones, and my eyebrow arch.
“Even Better Concealer” by Clinique ($19.50). The rich and creamy potion is definitely great for winter, when my skin gets more sensitive and dry. I love this concealer because it gives really high coverage, and you barely have to use any product at all. Although it can go on thick, it’s fairly easy to blend out. This is the concealer I find myself repurchasing the most, because I can also use it all over my face for spot correction.