KEY POINTS:
Concealers come in three main types: to smooth out redness and uneven skin tones, to disguise under-eye circles, and to hide blemishes. Unless you're particularly troubled by spots and want a touch-up stick, most people need consider only the first two types. The skin under the eye is particularly delicate and also paler and bluer than the rest of the face, so it calls for a lighter touch and a concealer with light-reflecting properties. The T-zone area, where you're most likely to need to even out your complexion, needs a slightly heavier coverage, in a colour that blends with your skin tone and a texture that sits happily under your chosen foundation.
1 Yves St Laurent Touche Eclat (Radiant Touch) $74
The original wand concealer for under-eyes, now much copied. This retains countless devotees for the ease of use of its portable pen-style brush-tip applicator and because it minimises under-eye shadows. In five shades.
From leading department stores and some bigger pharmacies.
2 M.A.C Select Moisture Cover $40
Another sponge-tip applicator with a moist texture that dries matte. Blends well and comes in 15 shades.
From M.A.C Chancery and St Lukes and Smith & Caughey Newmarket
3 Estee Lauder Re-Nutrive Intensive Custom Concealing Duo in Light $82
Long-lasting cream concealer duo in a smart metal compact, allowing coverage of both the under-eye zone (with a pale pinkish tone) and facial trouble spots (a more yellow-based tone to combat redness). Feels good on the skin and has SPF 10.
From Estee Lauder stockists
4 Lancome Long Lasting Softening Concealer $58
This tube contains a fine, supple cream developed to blend easily. With light-diffusing properties and SPF 12 it's easy to apply and feels light but effective on the face.
From Lancome stockists at department stores and pharmacies.
5 Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit $72
A solid cream and loose powder combo from a makeup artist who rates concealer as a must-have in a range where colour matching is something of an obsession. Very portable, if a tad fiddly container, but does the business with its smooth texture. One of a number of options available from Bobbi Brown's knowledgeable consultants.
From Smith & Caughey Queen St and Newmarket.
6 Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Concealer $42
Another anti-dark circle concealer, this with a sponge-tip applicator for ease of use. Blends well, with a matte texture that lasts and helps minimise the appearance of tiny wrinkles. In three shades.
From Elizabeth Arden stockists.
HIDE AND SHOW
* Use facial concealer only where it is needed, most likely on the nose and inner cheek to knock back redness. Perhaps also a little on the chin and the centre of your forehead just above the bridge of the nose. Blend with your fingers or a sponge, then apply foundation.
* If your complexion is good, you may find concealer is all you need on a moisturised face, perhaps with a little blusher or bronzer to warm your skin tone.
* Concealer is an ideal base for foundation, smoothing out your skin and allowing you to keep foundation light.
* Dab under-eye concealer on in dots and blend carefully, without rubbing, taking care it does not leave pale circles and ensuring colour goes up to the inner-corner of the eye. Alternatively brush or sponge lightly on. Avoid anything cakey.
* Some makeup artists apply under-eye concealer after foundation and fix with a little powder, but many prefer to prepare the canvas first.
* Choose your concealer by testing it on your facial skin, not your hand which will be darker.
* A stick concealer is a handy makeup bag addition (Nars does an excellent one) for during the day touch-ups.
