@tarte cosmetics
I haven’t written about concealer in a while, but a new discovery has, very happily, forced my hand. I’d been meaning to try Stay Woke Concealer (£21, 5ml) by Uoma (an independent, black-owned makeup brand) for ages, but a previous experience with another of their products had left me cautious in selecting a colour. I found that everything in Uoma runs a shade darker than most brands, which is no hardship when factored in and shouldn’t be an obstacle in trying what is a superlative concealer. An opportune browse in Selfridges gave me a better look, so I went for Fair Lady T1 and I’m so thrilled with my purchase that I’ve just ordered a spare.
Stay Woke is creamier than most, and blends perfectly, brightening greyness noticeably, before staying exactly where you want it (no chasing around the face, waiting for it to sit still). The finish is what I’d call flexible: it moves comfortably with an expressive face and doesn’t crack or cake, even on dry skin. It’s my dream concealer.
Shape Tape is Tarte Cosmetics’ bestseller, and deservedly so. Also in a wand package, the concealer itself has a thinner consistency than the Uoma, but as much coverage. Less creamy, it has a somewhat longer-wearing formula (it’s also waterproof) that oilier skin types may prefer, but, as a dry type, I’ve certainly been happy.
I wish Tarte would launch in the UK, other than on QVC, where product lineup is limited. But the latter does stock all shades of Shape Tape Contour Concealer (£20, 10ml, vegan), so fill your boots. Tarte’s own website is comprehensive and well worth a look, if only for the more accurate shade descriptions (I bought three concealers to test and each was, in the flesh, as described). However, there’s a pricey £8 shipping and customs fee to the UK unless you spend £40 or more (bump up with Breezy Cream Bronzer, £29 – happy to help).
My best high street concealer discovery is e.l.f.’s Hydrating Camo Concealer (£5, vegan). It’s not the highest coverage in town (around medium), but it does have a lovely wet, fresh-feeling formula that doesn’t cause that horrible flat chalkiness you get with others as the day wears on. The shade range is good (23), with differing undertones, and I like the fatness of the wand, for speed – plonk on to under-eye circles and blemishes, and blend outwards with a domed, fluffy brush.
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