TRIED AND TESTED: I tried 7 new-ish concealers in 7 days to see if they live up to the hype.

Mamamia’s Tried and Tested series is your weekly review of the latest to hit our desks in beauty, health and wellness. You won’t find any #sponsored content here, just honest, relatable and independent advice. This week, Senior Lifestyle Writer Amy Clark road-tested seven new concealers.

Stop any random woman on the street and ask for her can’t-live-without beauty product, and every second one will say concealer.

That stat is entirely made up, but judging by how busy/tired we all are and the sheer volume of concealers on the market, I stand by it.

Side note – here’s how to cover under-eye bags like a makeup artist, post continues after video.

Concealer covers everything, from puffy under-eye bags and pimple explosions to sleepless nights (plural, always) and pigmentation.

And coming into summer is a great time to find a new concealer to love because no one wants to wear a full face of foundation in 30+ degree heat, do they? No, a touch of strategically placed and expertly blended concealer is exactly what the beauty doctor ordered.

To cut through the marketing jargon and shelves of products that look the same, I decided to try and document seven new-ish concealers over a week.

Here’s how that went.

*A note on application: I applied all of these concealers by dotting the product directly onto the skin with the supplied applicators (except for one, more on that later). I then blended in with a mini beauty blender. 

Monday: Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer, $38.

What the brand says:

"Meet the full coverage liquid concealer that doesn't cake or crack. This multitasking liquid concealer hides it all, from dark under-eye circles to blemishes and discolouration. The lightweight formula glides on smoothly with the unique cushion tip applicator, blending seamlessly for long-wearing, waterproof coverage."

What I think:

Having tried and loved the original Benefit Boi-ing pot concealer you're probably familiar with, I was very excited to try this liquid version. I love it so much and took so many photos of myself with it on because it made me look really, bloody good.

The product has a light consistency but there's some substance to it, and the slanted brush applicator looks a lot like a lip gloss applicator but it works because it's bendy and great for precise application. There's no fragrance to the formula and you can see the finish will be luminous as soon as you put it on. I also found it really easy to blend out despite its high coverage-ness.

Tuesday: YSL Touche Éclat High Cover Concealer, $70.

What the brand says:

"Instantly cover dark circles and create a naturally radiant complexion with this high coverage take on the classic Touche Eclat pen. Highly pigmented, this liquid radiant concealer instantly hides dark circles while a multi-active blend including ruscus extract, soothing Moroccan calendula extract and energising caffeine brightens for a wide-awake look."

What I think:

Up until I met this guy, I was one of the many people who didn't know YSL's cult Touche Eclat pen isn't actually a concealer, it's a highlighter! But so many people use it under their eyes, the brand decided to make a full coverage version. It's everything you hope it is and delivers what I'm calling 'lit coverage'.

I will never not enjoy the convenience of a pen, but be warned, this product is fairly runny for a concealer and does in fact come out when you click the bottom of the pen. (I'm including this detail for everyone who has ever spent ages clicking a pen waiting for stuff to come out.) The product feels cool when applied onto the skin and blends away into nothing, meaning you can build it up to the coverage you prefer. I've been using this a lot on 'no makeup' days under my eyes and around my nose over the top of a tinted moisturiser.

Wednesday: PhotoReady Candid™ Antioxidant Concealer, $19.95.

What the brand says:

"This concealer with medium coverage camouflages dark circles and puff, with a jolt of caffeine to help wake up tired skin. The formula includes a protective antioxidant, along with anti-pollution and anti-blue-light ingredients. It's the naturally flawless coverage you want—plus protection!"

What I think:

Leigh Campbell recommended this concealer on the You Beauty podcast when it first came out and I'm ashamed I didn't try it earlier. It comes in a funky tube with a bendy doe foot applicator, making it perfect for applying on the train or in the back of an Uber. The formula feels quite juicy and creamy, like it's covering and hydrating at the same time. Can also report: no creasing or flaking here.

The product does have a light 'makeup' scent, but it's probably the easiest to apply and blend of all the concealers I tried. A great one to pick up from the chemist if you're looking for a cover-all product that can do under the eyes and over pimples.

Thursday: Fresh & Flawless Conceal & Contour Concealer, $13.95.

What the brand says:

"This multi-purpose, creamy full coverage concealer banishes unwanted imperfections, while also doubling as the perfect cream contour or highlight to add into your contour regime!"

What I think:

A few weeks ago, I said great things about Australis' new Fresh & Flawless foundation and I'm inclined to do the same for this concealer. There's nothing particularly spesh about the product's packaging, applicator and scent (this one has the strongest 'makeup' scent of the ones I've tried), but you can't go past the finish and stay-ability for the price.

You can expect decent coverage with an opaque but luminous finish, and again, I felt extra photogenic wearing this one. It's also vegan and cruelty-free and one of the best concealers under $15 full-price I've used.

Friday: Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Concealer, $44.

What the brand says:

"A medium to full coverage concealer that glides on easily whilst hydrating and blurring imperfections for a natural finish that lasts up to 12 hours. This concealer seamlessly covers under-eye darkness and blurs imperfections for crease-free coverage with a soft-focus filter and weightless feel. The fresh-looking 12-hour finish is also crease, sweat, water, humidity and transfer-resistant."

What I think:

Laura Mercier are known for their lightweight, soft-focus filter base products so I was expecting a lot. Getting colour-matched was an in-person job because the product comes in 22 shades with different undertones, but gee it was worth it.

This concealer is everything it promises to be. Full coverage. Weightless. Natural finish. Crease-proof. The product didn't need touching up throughout the day and resisted the urge to sink into fine lines around my eyes. Again, photographs really well. There is a bit of a scent, but overall, I will be using this concealer again. And again.

Saturday: L'Oreal Paris Infallible More Than Concealer, $29.95.

What the brand says:

"A full coverage concealer with a natural matte finish. Super blendable formula with a large doe-applicator for all over application. The high pigment elastic formula gives you the ultimate full coverage finish with a totally lightweight feel. Enjoy ultra long-wear with an undetectable finish that doesn’t crease or settle into fine lines."

What I think:

I'll admit, this has been a staple in my beauty bag for longer than a day. I picked it up from the chemist when it first came out and I continue reaching for it because it's so versatile. It well and truly delivers on its marketing promise of being 'more' than a concealer.

The thick, cover-all product can do under eyes, pimples and redness. I also mix it in with an oil on the back of my hand and blend out with a beauty blender like a foundation. It's also got a big, fat brush for maximum swipe-age. The finish is more on the matte side, which I like so as not to shine a big ole spotlight on my chin blemishes.

Sunday: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Vanish, $49.

What the brand says:

"Charlotte’s Magic Vanish colour correctors neutralise and smooth to cheat and conceal pigmentation and brighten the appearance of your under-eye area, for a flawless-looking complexion. The buttery, feather light compact formula magically colour corrects the appearance of various intensities of pigmentation."

What I think:

OK, this is not strictly a concealer. Sue me. What it is, though, is a under eye corrector that doubles as a concealer for fair skin tones. There is nothing more satisfying than the creamy texture of this product, which makes it so easy to blend in.

It instantly brightens and the finish gets better the longer you wear it. You will need to set it with a powder because it doesn't have the staying powder of a traditional concealer, so I pop some translucent powder over the top to make sure my under-eye bags don't eat it for morning tea. If dark circles are your main concern, this is the product for you.

A final note...

All of these concealers are pretty great and I'll likely use all of them again for different reasons. And if I've learnt anything from my concealer adventure, it's that one in two women are right about concealer. It's life-changing.

Do you have a great concealer recommendation? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Mamamia's Tried and Tested series drops every week. Want us to trial and review a product or treatment you've seen everywhere? Easy, just send an email to submissions@mamamia.com.au. 

You can catch up on more from our Tried and Tested series here:

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• TRIED AND TESTED: I let a stranger massage the inside of my face for an instant facelift.