While trying to figure out how to write about concealers, the editors that make up the Into The Gloss team came to realize that there are, simply, too many. There are concealers for zits, obviously, but there are also concealers for brightening, concealers for contouring, concealers for your concealers when they're feeling a little self-conscious... “You can’t just tell someone to go buy a concealer,” they realized. “You have to tell them what kind of concealer to buy.” After this epiphany, the varieties started to feel overwhelmingly limitless. Not least because of differences in individual skin types. Also the method of application, product packaging, specified use, and area of the face all must be accounted for. When you think about it all at once, that’s a lot of concealer to sift through.
In an attempt to cover them all, those ITG editors (whom you love so much; they love you too) came up with a little list. They’d like to call it “All the types of concealers for all the types of skin for all the types of occasions.” Or something along those lines. Voilà:
Illuminating + Moisturizing
The concealers in this category double as color correctors and in some cases, even highlighters. They're oil-based so they go on smooth and their brightening qualities make them the perfect candidates for wearing under the eye. If you have dry skin or are looking to wake up the face and balance redness rather than really cover up, try something like Glossier's Stretch Concealer, RMS Beauty's "Un" Cover-Up, or Nars' Radiant Creamy Concealer. There are the non-concealer products—like YSL's Touche Éclat—that go here too.
Tacky + High Coverage
Next are the stickier, thicker, more mattifying formulas. These are ideal for blemish concealment and oil control. Think products like the Clé de Peau Concealer, Nars Soft Matte Concealer, or the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage. They're not going to be ideal under the eyes or on drier skin types. But they are going to hide the raging hormonal breakouts coming through on your chin this week.
Soft + Veil-Like
For the person who's not really a concealer lover there exists this category, comprised of two words that sound really nice together and which falls somewhere between the first two. Products include stuff like By Terry Terrybly Densiliss Concealer and Koh Gen Doh Maifanshi Moisture Concealer. Each one covers, but doesn't feel heavy or sticky or flaky. Instead, it glides on easily.
Sheer + Fluid
If you're adept with a brush or even your fingers, a concealer that's more of a liquid might be your best bet. That's just what we have here. What's nice about something as fluid as W3ll People's Bio Correct Multi Action Concealer or Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer is that they can be worked with—either sheered out for the most natural effect possible, or built on for foundation-like coverage.
Photo via ITG.
