13 Best Long-Lasting Concealers That Don’t Budge or Fade Leave a comment

I used to be the kind of person who would nip into the office bathroom post-lunch to make sure that my makeup was still looking as fresh as it did first thing, and combat any fading patches or smudges with a touch-up or two. These days, however, like most of us, I simply don’t have the time for such self-indulgence. Instead, I need to put my makeup on once and trust that it will last through school runs, meetings and last-minute deadlines. And if I do happen to catch my reflection in a passing mirror? Then I can only pray that some of my morning handiwork is still in place. The problem right now is that while I used to rely on setting powders to improve longevity, now that I’m in my mid-30s, my oily skin is becoming dehydrated in places too. That means that I’m dealing with makeup either sliding south by lunchtime or clinging to emerging fine lines and dry patches. Either way, it isn’t ideal.

For me, concealer has to be my desert island beauty product. While I love a natural look, there’s no denying that I feel much more confident and polished when I’ve covered over my hormonal breakouts and stubborn dark circles. My tick list, therefore, is rather long. I need a long-lasting concealer that will grip without caking, smooth without settling, and stay put through work days, running after my kids, and late-night deadlines. So I made it my mission to test the best formulas on the market—those which promise serious staying power without sacrificing that real skin finish—to find out which ones can truly deliver.

With so many concealers on the market, I was keen to know exactly what I should be looking for when choosing a long-lasting formulation. Thankfully, celebrity makeup artist Tania Grier was able to steer me in the right direction. “I have quite a variety of concealers in my kit, but when I need longevity, I reach for one with high-quality skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, as this makes such a difference,” explains Grier. “The texture is important too—if it feels greasy, then it’s probably not going to last, and it might make your mascara or eyeliner run too. I’d avoid anything too slippery and look for formulas that take a bit more effort to blend, as that’s a good sign that it has staying power.”

And as for applying your concealer, Grier suggests letting it “marinate” on the skin for a minute before blending. “Start by applying a thin layer and blending it out quickly, then go back in with a couple of dots where you need more coverage and leave it alone for around 60 seconds until the texture thickens,” she explains. “Now blend it out with your fingers or a good blending brush. This technique guarantees better coverage every time and longevity.”