Essential Concealer: The Key to My Glowy Routine (Because Overhead Lighting is a No-Go!)

As one master diva once said, I find overhead lighting to be atrocious. The glaring lights in the women’s restroom at the Vox Media office are a prime example of this. It was under these unflattering lights that I discovered my go-to concealer of two years was no longer cutting it.

I noticed creased undereyes and a splotchy chin, making it evident to anyone who glanced my way that I was definitely wearing makeup. Naturally, I *am* almost always wearing makeup, but I prefer it to look like I’m just effortlessly radiant and awake. Fortunately, I had a new concealer in hand to try out: Tower 28 Beauty Swipe All-Over Hydrating Serum Concealer ($22).

Tower 28 Beauty Swipe All-Over Hydrating Serum Concealer

Price:

$22

$22 at Sephora

For a concealer to earn a permanent place in my makeup routine, it must meet several criteria: hydrating ingredients (preferably, hyaluronic acid), easy blending for a flawless finish, whether applied with a brush or fingers, and it must not cling to any dry patches. While no makeup product is flawless, this concealer comes remarkably close. For me, it ticks all the boxes.

I expect my makeup to perform: to make my skin appear healthy, even, and radiant. The hyaluronic acid in this formula keeps my skin—and especially my undereyes—hydrated and bouncy, while lysine helps fend off dryness throughout the day. This concealer is so impressive that I handed it to a friend at a wedding when she needed to cover her dry undereyes.

I’ve heard some users claim it separates too easily and lacks long-lasting coverage, but I have not noticed that at all. In fact, the coverage on my chin, where I typically have redness and dark spots, looks just as good in the bathroom mirror at 5 p.m. as it did at 8 a.m. While it’s a challenge for any product to fully prevent undereye creasing due to fine lines, this concealer does surprisingly well. A bit more rest might help, but on those days when my fatigue is evident, this concealer certainly saves the day.

Typically, I prefer a different concealer for covering spots or blemishes, as I like to use a lighter shade under my eyes, but when necessary, this one effectively disguises stubborn areas.

I apply this concealer in various ways. Initially, I outline my brows using a smooth, blended line of concealer. I usually place a small dot on the back of my hand, then use a thin brush to create the brow line. It blends beautifully on my eyelids and undereyes using either a fluffy brush or my fingers. A makeup sponge may also work, although I prefer not to use it currently.

You can find the Tower 28 Beauty Swipe All-Over Hydrating Serum Concealer at Sephora.

My Rating: ★★★★★