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8 best concealers for blemishes

Hide spots and even out problem areas with a hard-working cover-up

Wednesday 29 May 2019 16:51 BST

Those prone to the odd pesky spot will know the difficulty in trying to get a concealer which hides it subtly yet completely. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best on the market.

While liquid-based, light-reflecting concealers can be good for under-eye areas due to their rehydrating qualities, a solid or stick-based concealer can be better for blemishes. You’ll get better coverage and the fact they are drier means they will stay put in the face of oils in the affected area.

Concealer can come in different colours, and the main ones to look out for here are yellow based ones that will help even out skin tone, while a green-based option can help reduce redness.

When covering spots, put a tiny amount on either a small brush or your fingertip and dab on the spot gently. Concealers are also a great choice for masking any discolourings or redness. We’ve tried and tested a range to bring you the best to camouflage a breakout.

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

1. Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit: £25, John Lewis

This yellow-based, creamy concealer is first applied to the spot, and then set with the sheer powder that evens out the concealer and keeps it in place. We found it stayed put for a good twelve hours, which is no mean feat. It comes in an impressive 15 shades and is a good one for fairer skins as the palest one comes with a white powder (as opposed to the yellow-based one you get with the others). Containing Vitamin A and E, it’s gets points for keeping skin nourished too.

2. Eve Lom Brilliant Cover Concealer: £30, Space.NK

This compact cream concealer with a small mirror is ideal for touching up on the go. It’s easy to build up depending on how much coverage is needed and provides a natural-looking, matte finish that lasts all day. While it sits at the expensive end of the spectrum, we reckon it is worth the money for its staying power. Best applied with a brush.

3. Soap and Glory Kick-Ass concealer: £10, Boots

In this good-value three-in-one, you get a concealer for spots, another for under-eyes, and a pressed powder to finish off, which helps to even out the colour and seals the product in to make it last all day. It comes in a useful compact with a mirror and a sponge, but we wish there were more than two shades to choose from.

4. BareMinerals Correcting Concealer: £21, Boots

This creamy product contains natural ingredients, such as lemon peel extract, which helps to brighten the skin and decrease dark spots. If you experience a breakout while on holiday this is also a good option due to the SPF 20 rating. The coverage is thick enough to camouflage blemishes, without appearing cakey or feeling uncomfortable. Available in eight shades.

5. NARS Concealer: £19, NARS Cosmetics

This stick concealer is easy to apply by putting it straight on to the spot. Start with a minimal amount and then build it up depending on how much coverage you need and it will see you throughout the day. It also contains Vitamin E, so it will help moisturise the skin, avoiding dryness. There are nine shades to choose from.

6. Smashbox 24 Hour CC Spot Concealer: £20, Boots

This long-lasting concealer is essentially a CC cream, so it’s good for colour-correcting as well as disguising spots. For the best results, apply a tiny amount using the micro-precision applicator, wait five to 10 seconds and then blend into skin. Available in eight colours.

7. MAC Studio Finish Concealer: £15.50, MAC

We found this creamy concealer disguised the angriest of spots, without clogging skin. Apply with a finger or thin brush. The SPF 35 makes it a good choice for those enjoying a bit of sun, and it comes in 15 different shades.

8. Benefit Boi-ing: £17.50, Boots

You get 30g here, so it will last you longer than some of the others on this list. This creamy and moisturising product comes in five shades and lasts for most of the day. For best results, dab onto the area with your fingertip and pat outward to blend evenly.

Verdict

For us, the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer comes out on top because it disguises any redness and stays in place all day thanks to the handy powder.