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How-To: Conceal Under the Eyes

bellasugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:00:19 -0800

Whether it was a boozy late night or you inherited them from your Aunt Martha, dark circles under the eyes are often unavoidable. So, if you've been seeing the blues (or purples), I've got some easy directions on how to reduce the appearance of these unwanted tones below:

Choose the right concealer: Pick a color about one-half of a shade to one shade lighter than your foundation. Going too light will only amplify the area you want to conceal. Yellowish shades will work best for masking those bluish-purple tones. Try the cream-based Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer ($22) or Maybelline Cover Stick Concealer ($5.49).
Moisturize: Earlier, I shared with you some of my favorite makeup tips from Robert Jones, and among them, he says to prep the skin before concealing with a generous dollop of eye cream. Concealers are more dense than foundations and are formulated to cover, so you want to make sure that you're nice and hydrated to avoid cakey lines.

To see the rest of my tips,

Doing Drugstore: Almay Smart Shade Concealer

bellasugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:00:09 -0700

Color-changing cosmetics seem to be the big fad these days. Smashbox O-Glow, which changes from a clear gel to a pink cheek stain, gets most of the attention, but Almay is making a sizeable push for its own "Smart Shade" foundations, blushes, and concealers. The concept is pretty simple: The formula is white when it comes out of the tube, but it changes color when rubbed on skin.

Almay claims that it "transforms into your ideal shade," but watch the wording. This doesn't mean that the product magically senses your specific skin color and adjusts accordingly; it means that the end result will be a shade that should complement your skin. Don't be mislead into thinking that the product is that smart. (If such a result were possible, then Almay wouldn't need to make multiple shades, right?)

To find out what I thought of the concealer,

Coming Soon: Laura Mercier Undercover Pot Camouflage

bellasugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:00:12 -0700

If you liked what I had to say about Bobbi Brown's Creamy Concealer Kit then you'll be blown away by the new three-in-one Undercover Pot Camouflage from Laura Mercier ($34). When you flip open the lid on the first tier you'll find a moist, slick and easy spreadable Secret Concealer sitting side-by-side with a corresponding shade of waxy and hard-textured Secret Camouflage.

This combination is Mercier's favorite way to customize the perfect color for your skin tone. The Secret Camouflage is thicker and is used to contour, even out blotchiness and cover blemishes. After you apply it (using your finger or a brush), smooth on some of the Secret Concealer. The creamy and light formula provides full coverage while also brightening the area around the eye.

Now, let's not forget the final product in the pot — oh yes, it continues to get better. The bottom tier houses a Translucent Loose Setting Powder to ensure a smooth, long-lasting flawless finish. All of the products are oil-free and have been designed in a compact, travel-friendly package. Undercover Pot Camouflage will be available in the Flawless Face product range (for Fall) this August in four shades.

For a description of each of the color options,

Product Review: Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit

bellasugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:00:47 -0700

One of my best girlfriends lives and dies for her Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Kit ($32). She never leaves home without it and claims that the yellow undertone (apparently present in all shades) neutralizes her dark under-eye circles and hides her blemishes and broken capillaries flawlessly. With a strong recommendation like this one, naturally, I had to check it out for myself, and here's what I think:

Initially, I disliked having to deal with the two-step process. I felt there were plenty of concealers on the market that can get the job done just as well in half the amount of time. I thought the coverage was a little bit heavy, and that both the cream and the powder got caught up in the fine lines around my eyes.

However, after checking myself out all day long (yes, I'm vain, but this is my job, folks), I noticed that the powder worked well to mask my flaws with a shine-free finish. It didn't crease much, thanks to the oil-absorbing powder, and it left an undetectable trace on my face — making it seem like I have naturally perfect skin. I also love that it contains good-for-you moisturizing ingredients like vitamin A and vitamin E.

The small pot is chock full of product and will last you well into six months. It's available in 12 shades and should be applied using two separate brushes. Between this and Philosophy The Supernatural, I'm finding that mixing may be the key to getting killer results.

See reader reviews of this product and add your own here!

Coming Soon: Lola Cosmetics Firming Sensation Tinted Eye Balm

bellasugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:00:21 -0700

Due out in stores this Summer is the newest concealer launch from Lola Cosmetics called Firming Sensation Tinted Eye Balm ($22). What makes this concealer different from the rest is that it's designed to moisturize, brighten, cover dark circles and it even helps heal blemishes — all without the use of oils, fragrances, or parabens.

They call it a refining concealer because it contains hyaluronic acid to keep skin moist throughout the day. It is also enhanced with redness-reducing chamomile, firming sesame protein, smoothing sesaflash, and anti-inflammatory ginseng.

It's weightless, spreads easily, and the best part of all is that it won't get caught up in those little fine lines around your eyes making you look older than you are.

It will be available in dark, medium, and light shades. I love how the container is filled right to the top without any smoke and mirrors that make you think you're getting a ton of product when really it's all packaging. I guess I'll have to compare and see if it gives my favorite new Philosophy Concealer a run for the money —that's the real test!

Product Review: Philosophy The Supernatural Concealer

bellasugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 08:00:59 -0700

No matter how good your genes or how much beauty sleep you get, the time will come when you need an undereye concealer. (And yes, I know some of you are 18 and bright-eyed and you don't need it. I was once one of you. Just you wait.) In my view, a good concealer should cover dark circles without looking masklike, it should go on without tugging skin, and it shouldn't settle into fine lines.

I've tried many concealers, and only a few live up to these expectations. That's why I'm so excited about Philosophy's The Supernatural concealer ($25). It's technically called "airbrushed color corrector," which accurately describes the look it provides. Three shades are available (light, medium, dark), and there are three colors within each compact. Now, this might seem unnecessary, but it's actually the thing that makes this stuff so brilliant.

The key to making The Supernatural concealer work for you is to use the included brush to apply color where you need it. For instance, I started by using the lightest shade on my undereye area, which evened out my skin tone but still left a little bit of my purple circles visible. Then, I dabbed a bit of the medium shade wherever I still saw the circles. A little blending, a tiny bit of the dark shade near the inner corners of my eye, and voila! Perfect coverage. The kind that makes you look naturally well-rested, like you're not wearing a lick of makeup. And it didn't take more time than my usual concealer routine.

To see a photo of the concealer in action,

New Product Alert: Lola Cosmetics Refine Line Concealer

bellasugar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Yesterday afternoon, I tried the newest product launch from Lola Cosmetics called Refine Shine Concealer ($22). What makes this concealer different from others is that it contains hyaluronic acid and brightening properties to keep your skin looking and feeling hydrated, smooth and even a little bit dewy.

It has a medium-to-thin creamy consistency (so it's not going to cover as thoroughly as, say, Time Balm concealer), but it will cover red spots and dark circles. Just the tiniest amount goes a long way. I find that it works best if I apply just a little bit of powder over anything red to ensure natural-looking all-day coverage. Lastly, it is available in five shades (from fair to mahogany) to match most skin tones.

2007 Sugar Awards: Best Concealer

bellasugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:00:00 -0800

This year's best concealer is actually an oldie but goodie. You voted Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage foundation as your favorite. I couldn't be happier since it's a product that I've really grown to love myself.

Its best quality is that you can blend the two shades together to create your own personal match. This is especially nice since your skin tends to slightly change color through the seasons. The coverage is great and the creamy consistency is easily blendable.

In case you're wondering, Cover Girl Invisible Concealer came in second place, and judging from your comments, a lot of you favored good ol' MAC, Bobbi Brown, and Benefit cream concealers as well. Thanks for all of your participation!

Best of 2007: Best Concealer

bellasugar — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:00:34 -0800

The one beauty product I can't live without is concealer. I suffer from uneven skin and blazing red blemishes. Concealer is my secret weapon, my confidence booster and my savior for a healthy-looking face. And thanks to the ever-growing popularity of colored concealers, now we can all blend and mend our daily imperfections. Vote below for your favorite concealer, and if it's not there, add your pick in a comment.

How-To: Cover Up Your Acne

bellasugar — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:00:05 -0800

Almost everyone gets acne, but that's pretty cold comfort, isn't it? Dealing with spots is enough of a hassle, so covering them up shouldn't be. As I was cursing a particularly stubborn cystic spot this morning, I thought you might like to see how to cover up your pimples. So for my step-by-step guide—including pictures—

Inside the World of Prescriptives Custom Blend

bellasugar — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 09:00:00 -0700

On Monday, I had a real treat. Prescriptives invited me to Bergdorf Goodman to try its Custom Blend service. Now, this is different from Colorprinting. Colorprinting involves finding out which tones your skin has, then choosing existing products within the appropriate family. The Custom Blend service involves working with a makeup artist to create a precise foundation, concealer, lip gloss and/or powder—specifically created to match your skin tone.

My makeup artist was Matthew Garber, who I highly recommend seeing if you're in New York. He's fun, funny and very easy to work with. We decided to do a Custom Blend foundation ($62) and concealer ($32). To find out how it went, and to see pictures of the process,

Product Review: Josie Maran Cosmetics

bellasugar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 08:00:26 -0700

As I wrote earlier, Josie Maran Cosmetics is a new, eco-friendly cosmetics line from the model Josie Maran. It features organic ingredients and is free of fragrance, parabens, and petrochemicals. The treehugger in me loves these ideas, but my inner beauty obsessive wants cosmetics that work well, too.

A lot of natural cosmetics I've tried just don't deliver good color or texture, but for the most part, that's not a worry with these products. In fact, one of them is superior to a lot of non-organic lines I've tried. For the full review and some color swatches,

Get The Most From Your Makeup: Concealer

bellasugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 13:59:47 -0700

You may think that concealer is simply for covering up blemishes, red blotches and under-eye circles, but you're not giving it nearly enough credit. A good cream concealer can also double as so much more!

For example, it works well as an eyeshadow primer. Just dot a little bit on your lids with your fingertip, blend well and set with powder. Then apply your shadow (for best results, use powder shadows) to a flawless canvas.

Also, it can work as a base on your lips if you plan on wearing dark lipstick. If you apply it just beyond your lip line as a fantastic reverse lip liner. This is a little trick that makeup artists have kept secret for ages. Having product around your lips acts as a barrier and prevent your lipstick from running, but it keeps the color even making your lips stand out. For more ideas on how to get the most from your makeup, keep reading!

Bellissima! Duri Hot Ice Nail Polish

bellasugar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 09:58:46 -0700

Don't you just hate it when you take off your nail polish to find that it's completely turned your nail base yellow or stained? Here's a quick fix. Duri Cosmetics Nail Polish in Hot Ice ($3.99) is a pale greenish-bluish nail polish that can double as a base coat, so any pre-existing tarnish that you have on your nails and toes won't distort your new color.

The concept is similar to tinted foundations, and colored concealers where the slightest tint neutralizes any discolorations. I love this idea, especially now that all these bright reds, raspberries, dark blues and blacks are back—all of which tend to leave stubborn, unwanted traces behind.

Quick Quiz: Which Concealer Was a Tool of "Devil"?

bellasugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 10:00:30 -0700

Everyone raves about the fashion in The Devil Wears Prada, but of course, I couldn't help but admire Anne Hathaway's flawless skin. I've done a little sleuthing to find out which concealer was used on set. Think you can guess?

Wednesday Giveaway! Sephora Cooling Cover Stick

bellasugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Do you, like us, obsessively inspect your skin in the mirror, and at the site of a new blemish, wrinkle,or age spot, lament, "Why? Why me?" Sephora is here to tell you exactly that. From the "whys" to the "hows" to the "what-ifs," they're answering all of your frequently asked questions—even those you're embarassed to ask. Even better, every day we're giving away one product to help you implement their expertise.

Today's question: How can I minimize the puffiness under my eyes?

The answer: The eyes are needier than the rest of the face. The skin surrounding them is extremely thin, so it's the first place to show signs of aging (read: fine lines, crow feet), not to mention the everyday problems of dark circles and puffiness. Your solution? The 1-2 punch of a treatment and concealer that target your specific eye concerns.

To fight puffiness, treat with Kinerase Under Eye Rescue or Shiseido Benefiance Pure Retinol Instant Treatment Eye Mask. Follow with Sephora Cooling Cover Stick in Moyen 02 or Clinique All About Eyes Concealer in Medium Beige. Ta-da: Less puff!

To enter today's giveaway for a Sephora Cooling Cover Stick in Moyen 02, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday, July 25, and we'll announce the winner on Monday. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. Congratulations to PoignantTuna, who won yesterday's giveaway for a Cosmedicine Opti-Mologist Eye Cream with Light Diffusers!

Monday Giveaway! Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen In Candle Light

bellasugar — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Today's question: How can I make my eyes as bright and youthful as possible?

For fine lines and crows feet, treat with Prevage Eye Anti-Aging Moisturizing Treatment or Fusion Beauty Liftfusion Micro-Injected M-Tox Transdermal Eye Lift. Follow with a concealer that adds radiance, such as Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer or Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen. From there, the "eyes" will have it.

To enter today's giveaway for a Dior Skinflash Radiance Booster Pen in Candle Light, leave a comment in the comments section below by 5 p.m. PDT / 8 p.m. EDT Monday, July 23, and we'll announce the winner on Monday. Please, only ONE comment per person; duplicate comments will be discarded, so commenting more than once won't up your chances of winning. You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account. For all of the rules and regulations, click here. And congratulations to this weekend's winners: Mystifyd83, who won a Sephora $50 gift card; and Achristi, who scored a container of Caudalie Beauty Elixir!

Cool Concealer Corrector Palettes

bellasugar — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:01:00 -0700

These cover palettes are more than just cute and colorful—they're essential tools of the trade. Each shade serves a different function. Purple brightens while hiding age spots and sun spots, green neutralizes redness, tan camouflages, and yellow masks dark circles. You first heard me talk about this genius concept in a post about the T. Le Clerc Corrector Palette. Believe it or not, I'm almost done with mine and so I've been exploring some more concealer palettes that are new to the scene. I can't wait to hear what you think! Also, for more more individual concealers I love, click here.

Sephora Concealer Palette ($6) is a small-sized solution for any of your many skin emergency needs. It contains four different creamy concealers and a small sized brush for blending away on-the-spot flaws!

For one more cool concealer corrector palette,

Bellissima! Jean Paul Gaultier Tout Beau Sharp Eyes Kohl Pen & Concealer

bellasugar — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 12:00:04 -0700

Goody! Another double-duty beauty product! I just can't get enough of two-in-one products. They take up less space and somehow make me justify that it's okay to buy something new because of the "value" I'm getting.

Check out this dual Tout Beau - Sharp Eyes Kohl Pen & Concealer by Jean Paul Gaultier ($24). I didn't even know that he made makeup; did you? What's fab about this product is that it's a concealer on one end and a kohl liner on the other. Both products work together to create a gorgeous and flawless looking eye!

The pen is available in two combos: black liner with a tawny (yellowish-brown) concealer or brown liner and a fair (very light) concealer. For images of the two variations,

Beauty Marked! Waterproof Makeup

bellasugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 06:00:00 -0700

Just in time for Summer, I devoted our latest Beauty Mark It challenge to the myriad of waterproof makeup available nowadays. Not just the old-reliable mascara, but also eye shadows like this Lola Cosmetics SocialEyes Gel Eye Colour, plus liners, cheek colors, and foundations that stay put through Summer swims, sweat, and smudges. (To learn what a Beauty Mark is and how to make one, click here.)

Gruaig_rua and Mademoiselle totally rocked this challenge, finding everything from waterproof concealer to a lip gloss that's a favorite of models. And as Missmargot pointed out, waterproof makeup requires a good makeup remover.

I've assembled all of the waterprof makeup beauty marks in a handy widget, so you can just use the arrows on the upper right to scroll through the Beauty Marks! If you want to learn more about a product, just click on the link. Nice work, everyone!

Bellissima! T. LeClerc Corrector Palette

bellasugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 14:08:21 -0700

This T. LeClerc Corrector Palette ($37.50) is more than a pretty kaleidoscope of pastels. It's also a terrific product to own all year round. Each pastel shade is actually a concealer with a specific purpose, such as covering dark circles, evening out blotchiness, or masking redness. To read about the specific functions of each of the colors,

User Review: Michelin on Boots No. 7 Radiant Glow Concealer

bellasugar — Thu, 10 May 2007 06:00:55 -0700

Last week, I told you about the U.K. brand Boots coming to Target, so it seems fitting that our first-ever user review on BellaSugar is a Boots product. TeamSugar user Michelin posted this review of the Boots No7 Radiant Glow Concealer ($12.99) in the Beauty Product Junkies group this week, and I liked it so much I just had to share it with you guys. (Write your own reviews in the group, and I might post yours on BellaSugar too!) Here's what Michelin had to say:

I'm only 18, but I have dark undereye circles. (Thanks Mom!) I like more natural-looking makeup, so I've gone through a million different concealers trying to find one that covers well without looking too heavy. For a long time I was lusting after Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat, but at $38.50, it was a little out of my price range for a concealer. When Target got in the new Boots line, I was so excited to try this that I went out and bought it right away.

For the rest of Michelin's review,

New Product Alert: Eve Pearl Blush & Cover Combo

bellasugar — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 09:15:55 -0700

Eve Pearl Magic Salmon Concealer, $40, contains two concealers and one peachy colored blush! It's light and oil free so it won't clog your pores, it is silicone based so it glides on smooth and it contains Vitamin E and antioxidants to nourish your skin. It is also formulated to help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and is available in travel and standard sizes. Here's how to use it:

Use the lightest shade as a highlighter and a primer on your eyelid.
Use the medium color as an under-eye concealer and to cover imperfections. This is Eve's most famous shade!
Use the darkest color as a cream blush, a lipstick or as a shadow!

You Sexy Beast, Part I

bellasugar — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 06:11:22 -0700

Take a walk on the wild side with these beastie beauty treats! Makeup is supposed to make you feel pretty and sexy. Maybe these leopard inspired goodies will help bring out the animal in you too! Get down, get funky, get loose. Roar!

Pink Leopard Bronzing Powder, $30, is more than just a bronzer. It contains four neutral brown, golden and pinky shades that when applied to your cheeks covers the spectrum as a highlighter, blush and bronzer. I just love this funky leopard pattern and the colors are gorgeous.

For one more beastie beauty treat,

Conceal With A Click

bellasugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 06:11:22 -0800

I'm a big fan of these amazing "click-able" concealers because they are mess free and come with an attached brush that makes application and blending super easy. There are of course about a gazillion of these on the market right now, but here are a few of my faves. Some are old and some are brand spankin' new!

Kanebo Concealer, $30, is great for concealing dark circles, blemishes and scars. It's also formulated to help hydrate skin (great for wrinkles) and improving skin texture. The brush is made from delicate hair so that it can be used on sensitive eye areas.

Dermatologists agree that this SPF 15 silky smooth formula is tops. They voted it 'Healthiest Concealer of 2005' in Health Magazine! You can also use this concealer to highlight your t-zone and on the rim of your lips to make your lipstick pop. Available in three shades: light, medium and dark.

For more amazing click-able concealers,

Back to Basics: The Best Concealers

bellasugar — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 04:26:55 -0800

Since we are always writing about the next best thing premiering on the market, we can't overlook that sometimes, some of the best colors and products are the oldies but goodies. In this installment of Back to Basics: The Best Concealers, we are going to take a trip down memory lane to show you a few of my old time favorites. I can't wait to hear what you think! To read about my other Back to Basics posts click here.

Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage Concealer, $28, has won countless beauty awards. Reason being is it totally covers up dark circles, pimples, red spots and also brightens your eyes. What's cool it is contains two shades so you can blend them together to create the perfect shade for your skin all year round. Also, a little goes a long way, so it'll last you quite a long time. Available in six color combinations.

To see a couple of more of the best concealers,

Erase Imperfections With the Twist of a Pen

bellasugar — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 13:29:12 -0700

Concealer pens help neutralize unseemly blue and purple tones under and around your eyes. Generally, they are a little bit brighter than regular concealers, so that they can instantly lighten up this delicate area. To use, just click these little pens to release a small amount of concealer into the applicator brush. Apply directly to the dark or puffy area under the eyes and blend or pat with your fingertips or a concealer brush. Here are a few of my favorite pens on the market.

Chanel Pro Lumiere Correcteur Professional Finish Concealer is a new velvety-smooth liquid concealer that delivers seamless coverage. The brush-on applicator makes for neat and easy application and is available in five different shades. Buy it here for $38.

To see the rest,