Some of you may be familiar with the Smackdown segment here on the ShamFrip – essentially, I round up a number of brands within a particular category (brows, under eye concealer etc) and offer my verdict. Undereye Concealer Smackdown #1 was/is an insanely popular post on the blog so I’ve introduced the concept to the YouTube channel 🙂
Background info regarding my under eyes
I am 23, no real signs of ageing (yet). Normal to dry skin. Mild to moderate under eye circles, I do prefer a buildable coverage because a strong eye look often calls for it (in my humble opinion).
Other Smackdown Posts
…that you may want to check out!
Undereye Concealer Smackdown #1
Eyebrow Product Smackdown
Cream Eyeshadow Smackdown
Nail Polish I’m wearing in this video
Nil, giving the nails a break.
Complete List of Products Mentioned
NARS – Creamy Concealer in Custard
Maybelline – Fit Me Concealer in 20 Sand
Maybelline – Age Rewind Concealer in Light
Maybelline – Dream Lumi Concealer in Ivory
Dior – Diorskin Nude Concealer in 002 Beige
Make Up Forever – Full Cover Concealers
Ellis Faas – Concealer in S202
Clinique – Airbrush Concealer in 04 Neutral Fair
NB: Undereye concealers perform differently, depending on the face. I’ve tried to note skin tone and skin type when recommending or critiquing these concealers 🙂
Taking suggestions for the next segment! Give me all your favourite undereye concealer recommendations!
xxkarima
Hi Karima! Love watching your videos!
Just a personal note on the Nars one. I use it in my kit. I did struggle with it in the beginning, with clients that have dry skin. Works wonders on my oily skin, but I did get that dry ‘makeupy’ look on some people. TILL I bought the Kiehl’s Avocado eye cream as a prep. Also, I halved the amount of concealer I thought I needed. For people that need extra coverage, I buff in a teeny amount of LM Secret Concealer before applying the Nars.
I do agree about the shade range though, although it helps that I have all the shades to mix to get it right! Using the Avocado eye cream has made the Nars concealer indispensable for me (for eyes only). I will definitely look into trying out the Ellis Faas ones though! I wish they weren’t so expensive, and the online reviews of the bullet not dispensing product properly has me worried too.
Loved this video thank you! I use the Nars concealer and quite like it when I’m going for a more made-up look, otherwise I’ll use the Sephora brand Smoothing and Brightening Concealer, it sounds similar to the Maybelline Lumi. I don’t have an exact color match in the Nars either but I like my concealer a bit lighter than my skintone so it works fine for me. Can you do a blemish concealer smackdown next? I find those are the absolute hardest to get right. I use the MUFE Full Coverage now but I need to layer it on to get the coverage I need.
Also, any advice for how to avoid your concealed blemish area getting greyish and grungey once you apply contour/bronzer/anything on top of it? I always need to cover up some kind of acne situation right beneath my cheekbone and the area turns a strange muddy color when I apply bronzer, even applied lightly and blended well.
Hey Sar!
A facial concealing smackdown sounds like a great idea! I’ll get onto it 🙂
Hmm interesting question regarding the greyish blemishes. Are you setting the concealer well with powder? Translucent or coloured powder? Try both options and see if either produces a better outcome. Also have you tried multiple concealers products? It’s possible that the particular concealer you’re using is interacting unusually with the powder products.
xx
Love the video Karima 🙂
A suggestion for you next video:
Perfect Brown eyeshadows for skin tones? drugstore and high end. Looking for a flattering chocolate brown but so many are just off 🙁
Hey Jane 🙂
Most of the brown eyeshadows on the market and quite warm, perhaps you’d fare better with a cooler brown? Like MAC Mystery? Check it out 😉
xx
Hey hey Karima!
I love your blog and youtube channel. I think you are very inspiring girl.
On the concealer, you didn’t include the Make Up Store Cover All Mix, I believe you said it work pretty good on you.
Also, there is this brand call Makeup Atelier Paris and their waterproof gel foundation is veery pigmented and when used sparingly it works wonders but it’s pretty bullet proof too, and my skin is normal to oily.
Have a splendid day!
Yes, I do like the Cover All Mix, I’ll include that in the next smack down 🙂
xx
Hi Karima,
thank you for this review, please a eyeshadow palette smack down.
For my concern, I like “la touché éclat” d’Yves St Laurent, and the Laura Mercier when I need more coverage.
I have oily skin, and no really shadow.
I do love your blog, thank for doing this for us;
pardon my english, I’m french, I hope it’s undersandable
Hey Oxanne!
I’ll work on an eyeshadow palette smack down 🙂 Thanks for your suggestion.
xx
SorrLove your reviews, so genuine and informative. YouTube needs more people like you!
I couldn’t stop nodding when you were talking about the Nars concealer. I have it in the shade Vanilla (way too pink for me but I wanted to try this concealer so badly) and what a disappointment. Looks like I’ve applied flesh-coloured paint to my face! I use it exclusively under the eyes and blended with the Real Techniques deluxe crease brush. It looks ok.
I like the Maybelline Age Rewind concealer but can’t find the lightest shade in the UK – a summer-exclusive concealer for me, which is a shame because I really like how fine the texture is and the easiness of application.
Some suggestions to add to your next smackdown: Benefit Boi-ing Concealer, Benefit Erase Paste, Mac Mineralize concealer (my all time favourite and only concealer I have ever repurchased – I have dry skin!), Origins Plantscription concealer (also love this one for dry skin but the shades are a bit naaahhh). Also you could include something by L’Oreal… aaaand I’ll stop now because at this stage you might as well go read the Sephora website.
And come on… you also need to include the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage 😉 Now that you’ve done the Clinique concealer!
Hey Chloe!
You’re not the only one who was underwhelmed by NARS Creamy Concealer, bummer isn’t it?
I was playing with the MAC Mineralize Concealer in store the other day and it interests me. How would you describe the coverage? It looked to be on the sheerer side?
I actually do like the LM Secret Camo (you mean the dry palette, yes?) and I prefer it for spot concealing, very little emollience.
xx
Hi Karima! I had the same thoughts about the LM Secret Camo, but than I saw Lisa Eldridge mix the 2 together (I have the Secret Undercover Pot) and that works miracles! Great coverage, stays put and it’s not detactable.
Hugs! Eva
Hey, Karima! I absolutely love everything you do and I think you look fantastic here. I was on the fence about a couple of these and you definitely helped me make my mind up.
Thanks x
My pleasure, Julia 😀 xx
i would like your take on the Tarte Maracuja concealer, I personally find it the best combination of coverage, finish, and wear. Great video, I would watch any smack down happily!
Agree about the Tarte Maracuja concealer – Karima, judging from your criticisms of the concealers you’ve reviewed so far, I think you’ll really like the Tarte. Another one which is similar is the Clarins Instant Concealer – it has slightly less coverage than the Tarte.
Really loved this video!
Thanks Murt, I’ll take a look at the Tarte. For whatever reason, Clarins counters in Australia don’t seem to stock the Instant Concealer but I’ll keep looking! xx
Tarte will come to Australia with the Sephora launch (EXCITED) so I’ll definitely check it out 🙂 xx
Hi Karima! Estée Lauder Ideal Light is hands down the best under eye concealer I’ve ever tried – texture and coverage are perfect. Love your vids X
Ooh! Thanks for your suggestion, I’ll check it out 🙂 xx
Hi Karima,
I have fair skin and major under eye circles. I am also over 40 so wrinkles are a concern. Try Amazing Cosmetics Concealer. It works!!
Wish I could colour match in person! I don’t think they sell it in Australia, grrrr. xx
For future smackdowns, a face highlighter one would be great – so many on the market that look similar. I like Chanel’s Poudre Signee but open to new options.
Concur with Dewi in Nars- it works for me in Chantilly, the palest, in very small quantities and over eye moisturiser. Otherwise it risks sinking into tiny lines I didn’t know I had. Looking forward to seeing another smackdown.
Thanks for the suggestion, I think a highlight smackdown would be fun! Thank you 🙂 xx
Can you try MAC’s new matchmaster concealer please??
I’ll take a look! xx
Hi Karima!
I love your smack down series. The next time if you end up doing an undereye concealor one again, may I suggest Lancôme’s Effacernes? I personally really like it, the sales lady suggested a perfect color, it wasn’t too peachy or yellow which I find undereye concealors sometimes can be. It’s really creamy yet pigmented at the same time. But just like a foundation, I’m always continuing to look for the perfect concealor…well aren’t we all?
Love from Montreal, Canada
Maybe a future smackdown topic could be on face powders? There are so many illuminating ones on the market now that they could almost be a highlighter… too overwhelming!
Hey Lisa!
The Lancome gets great reviews, definitely on my wish list 🙂 Face powders will feature in a future smack down 😉
xx
I love your smackdowns! I really trust your product opinions; everything I’ve purchased on your recommendation has been a winner for me. Lookin for the perfect undereye concealer is indeed frustrating. My current favourite one is Armani High Precision Retouch which I know you dislike because of the shimmer. I haven’t noticed any shimmer in mine, but I’m still intrigued by the Ellis Faas concealer. I’m a big fan of their foundation.
I know you’ve done a myriad of detailed foundation reviews, but a smackdown that compiles a summary of all your favourite (or least favourite) foundations would be awesome! A highlighter smackdown would be great too!
BTW what base are you wearing in this video? Your skin looks super glowy and pretty.
I’m so glad you like them! I really enjoy making these segments 🙂
The Ellis Faas is very nice, I’m wearing it today actually! I wish I hadn’t noticed the shimmer in the Armani Retouch, it was one of my favourites 🙁
I’ll be filming some foundation smackdowns soon, I’m thinking of categorising them into sheer/medium/full coverage? What do you think?
In this video I’m wearing Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation, which is a new favourite. They have some olive shades which is WIN!
xx
love these videos, very informative.
Have you tried Lancome lancome effacernes waterproof protective undereye concealer?
I have a good luck with this one.
I actually haven’t tried the Lancome but it’s been on my wish list 🙂 Next smack down 😉
xx
Hey Dewi 🙂
I’ll try the NARS + Kiehls combo, but the shade range will always be problematic for me :-/
FYI: Ellis Faas recently redesigned the bullet mechanism and I hear that it’s much improved. Thankfully, I haven’t had any issues with mine yet 🙂
xx
Hi Karima! Hope you’re doing well 🙂 I believe we have the same insanely hard to match complexion (light-medium that leans more to light with olive undertones). I am extremely picky with concealer because if I look in the mirror and can see creasing in my fine lines (I’m 21…that shouldn’t be an issue but definitely is with almost all concealers) I will get the urge to take off all my make up. That being said, I have looked into several of your recommendations due to the similarity in skin tone and have adored them all and would like to pass along a recommendation I am thoroughly confident in. My can’t live without product aside from mascara is my IT cosmetics bye bye undereye concealer in neutral medium. It is emollient, insanely pigmented, never ever creases and can be taken down into the cheek area near the nose to disguise redness flawlessly. I usually go sans foundation since discovering this product since I mostly focus on covering my undereye area and redness. Please try it! I am sure you will love it
Hey Andrea!
I can relate, pale olive shades are SO hard to match! I’ll take a look at the IT Cosmetics, it’s tricky to find in Australia but I’ll search! Thanks for your suggestion 🙂
xx
First off you’re a life saver!! I’m currently hunting for a magic do-all under eye concealer due to lack of sleep/shift work finally taking a toll on my under eye ares. I’ve never really needed one before as my foundation + eyelid primer used to be enough to hide any dark areas but now I definitely need something stronger! TL;DR I was going to buy the NARS Creamy Concealer in Custard as well but didn’t want too shell out the $$, so thank you for the review!
As for the Smack Down posts transitioning to youtube I think it’s awesome 🙂 for future SD posts I think maybe primers or face powders would be great.
Bambi x
Hey Bambi 🙂
Lots of people love the NARS concealer, mebbe get a sample if you can? Didn’t work for me but y’know, always down to preference 😉
Lots of smackdown ideas, I’ll get right to it after exams finish (argh!).
xx
Hi Karima,
Have you had a chance to try the Viseart correct, contour and camouflage palette? I’ve been wondering if their concealers are as good as the eyeshadow palettes.
Hey Anastasiya!
I have been playing around with it, very interesting. Very emollient and has some level of translucency so it kinda works well buffed into the skin like a foundation, but doesn’t work as well for intricate spot concealing.
I don’t think I’ll be contouring with it (I like very ashy contours and by comparison, the shades are quite warm) but I’ll continue to experiment 🙂
xx
Try Make Up Store Reflex Cover in Medium. I can’t live without mine. It’s good because it is not high coverage but moisturizing and light reflective. Good packaging and perfect pink toned color.
I’ll take a look, thank you! x
Foundation smackdown please.
Soon, hopefully! x
i’m a huge concealer junkie and loving the ellis faas, nars radiant concealer & touche veloutee at the moment. i do have a rather dry under eye area though.
would LOVE to see these included kevyn aucoin sensual skin enhancer (even though its technically a foundation), giorgio armani maestro concealer, Guerlain Issima Precious Light Rejuvenating Illuminator, RMS Un-Cover Up #22, Miracle Skin Transformer Treat & Conceal Eye & Face, By Terry Touch Expert Advanced, Chantecaille Bio-Lift Concealer, La Prairie Light Fantastic Cellular Concealer, Lancome Effacernes, Helena Rubinstein Magic concealer. my current lemmings at the moment.
would love to see a loose facial powder smackdown as well. :))
I’m trying to give the Touche Veloutee another go, since I did love it once upon a time 🙂
The Kevyn Aucoin SSE doesn’t work so well under the eyes in my experience, just a little too thick and prone to creasing but I do mix it with other products occasionally.
I went by the GA counter to try get some Maestro concealer but I was so overwhelmed by the strange shade range, I can generally pick my tone with my eyes closed but it was so tricky!
I’ll take a look at some of those concealers 😉
xx
Have you ever tried the Koh Gen Do Liquid Treatment Concealer? I have personally never used it before, but it seems to meet your preferred standards: clicked pen, emollient formula, etc. There are an insufficient amount of online reviews and the shade range sucks, but judging from your skin tone, I think you’ll be able to get a match. I wish you good luck on this never-ending concealer journey.
Please do an eyeliner (specifically liquid/gel) smackdown. I consistently have problems with it transferring to my slightly hooded lids or just flaking away – particularly if I do a wing.