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The 6 Best Concealers For Mature Skin And How To Use Them
From magic wands to classic cream, here are the very best concealers - tried and tested.
For many of us, a concealer is our desert island must have - able to knock out dark circles, blemishes and redness at the wave of a wand. But with so much choice available, knowing where to find the best concealers for mature skin can be tricky.
As we age, what we want from a concealer is likely to change too. ‘When skin matures, it loses elasticity and ability to retain moisture, so ideally you should choose a concealer packed with skincare; hydrating, firming and plumping qualities will all help,’ explains make-up artist Andrew Gallimore.
The Best Concealers For Mature Skin, Tried And Tested
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Victoria Beckham Beauty By Augustinus Bader Concealer Pen
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How to find a concealer for mature skin
‘Look for something which is medium-coverage but light in consistency, which you can use sparingly if you don’t need a high level of coverage, and one which self-sets, so you don’t need to powder,’ says Gallimore. ‘Also avoid anything too heavy or oil based, as you don’t want it to “melt” too much and settle in fine lines.’
As for finding your shade, ‘match the product to your face, not the back of your hand or neck,’ advises Gallimore. ‘And do look at it in good light, preferably daylight. Most brands do tend to have a correlating concealer shade to your existing foundation choice, which does make it easier to find your match.’
How to apply concealer to mature skin
When it comes to application, be precise. ‘If the product has an applicator remove a little of the product first, apply the concealer exactly where you want it, then pat it lightly with your ring finger to blend it and push it into the skin, or use a sponge to “pat and roll” it smooth,’ explains Gallimore.
As for the concealer or foundation first conundrum, there are nuances. ‘It’s personal preference,’ adds Gallimore, ‘but if you wear a tinted moisturiser or very fluid foundation, I’d say apply concealer last, as the wet foundation can disturb the concealer. Also, I feel like once you’ve got a bit of foundation on, you may feel like you don’t need as much concealer.’
Ahead, the best concealers for every mature skin type, tried and tested
How We Test
All the concealers in this tight edit have been put through their paces. We consider the ingredients used, the finish, texture, and coverage of each formula. We then observe how each one performs on mature complexions and how well it lasts.
Estée Lauder Futurist Soft Touch Brightening Skincealer
Just what you would expect from this superior skincare company, a concealer full of skincare (vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and collagen boosting complex) that also takes advantage of their long wear know-how to stay in place all day long – all without sinking into pores and lines or caking.
We also love the smooth texture, that glides onto skin to create a wonderful brightening effect too – and which overtime goes someway to making sure your own skin looks glowing.
Product specifications
| Shades: | 30 |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Buildable-coverage, plumping, skincare benefits |
MAC Studio Radiance 24hr Luminous Lift Concealer
Anyone who remembers MAC Studio Fix is probably about the right age to get on board with this new concealer version which is excellent on mature skin.
Imagine an extremely easy-to-use concealer with enough slip to be worked gently around the eyes, around the nose and mouth, but still with enough grip to stay that way for 24 hours – without any signs of creasing.
The formula comes with medium coverage, that can easily be built up, and plenty of good skincare ingredients (including niacinamide, vitamin c and hyaluronic acid) so that over time you should need less of this wand trickery in the first place.
Product specifications
| Shades: | 44 |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Hydrating, glow-giving, medium coverage |
Sculpted by Aimee Brighten Up Under Eye Liquid Concealer
Worth the visit to the store for the brilliant colour-matching service, because this wand really is some kind of magic for undereye brightening. The soft focus, lightweight finish makes the medium-coverage sit beautifully on skin, for hours too, without any sign of creasing, greying or caking.
While this works around the face, and covers up blemishes like a dream, with its gently blurring and brightening, this is especially good for under eye perfection.
Product specifications
| Shades: | 16 |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Lightweight, soft-focus, medium coverage |
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
A cult classic, and favourite amongst British beauty editors, this creamy wand is a favourite one-fits-all concealer. Its flexible texture makes it a reliable and resourceful friend, whether you need to cover spots, brighten dark circles or take down redness around the nose and mouth.
Expect flawless, and most definitely, brightened skin. The finish works on all skin types, with enough grip for combination skin and ample gloss for drier types. You’ll want to rely on this cream a lot, so it’s worth the trip to the counter to get the colour match absolutely spot on.
Product specifications
| Shades: | 29 |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Medium, buildable coverage, with a radiant diffused finish |
Victoria Beckham Beauty By Augustinus Bader Concealer Pen
Great skincare and camouflage in one, at just a click-click of a pen. According to Beckham, ‘you need less the more you use it,’ thanks to the added Augustinus Bader signature TFC8 skincare super nutrients that overtime will work to smooth lines, helps hyperpigmentation and erase dark circles. What we can tell you about in the short term is that this superfine concealer liquid goes on, and blends in, to skin, beautifully – and sensitively too, with a flexible formula that neither drags, dries, or overload, already fragile skin. We also love that this 8-hour long wear crease-proof coverage doesn’t end up caking in and around lines as the day wears on.
‘I really love the Victoria Beckham Beauty Concealer Pen,’ adds Gallimore. ‘It’s easy for precision application, its brush tip allows you to pin-point a pimple or swipe lightly under the eye, and it’s packed with skin care excellence of Augustinus Bader and so great on mature skin.’
Product specifications
| Shades: | 16 |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Spot concealing, skincare benefits |
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Serum Concealer
The concealer that means you don’t have to have to choose between good eye cream and good cover up, this liquid skin gloss is full of active ingredients, including hyaluronic acid and ceramides, to recondition the skin you’re hiding. Part highlighter part concealer, mineral pigments are so fine that they give skin a definite glow, or ‘look of health’ until you get there.
This lightweight serum formula is so adaptive that it’s hard to get wrong, even for the most cack-handed amongst us (me included), but for absolute precision use the pointed tip for targeted blemishes, and the curved side to brighten and highlight features, particularly the under-eye area.
Product specifications
| Shades: | 24 |
|---|---|
| Benefits: | Serum-based, brightening, easily blended, medium-coverage |
Katy Young is the Group Luxury Beauty Director, overseeing the print beauty sections of both ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar UK. Whether sharing her opinions on the latest wave of eye creams that make the cut, deep diving into ethical beauty brands or ‘bathing’ her aura, Katy is a one-stop-shop of expert beauty knowledge.
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