Review: Drug Store Concealers For Pale People
It has been extremely well documented that I am of the pale persuasion. Also, I use a couple products that make me extremely sensitive to sunlight, so I’m basically a vampire who has to wear a sun hat to go check the mail. Don’t hate. It’s a way of life.
When it comes to makeup, it is extremely difficult to find foundations and concealers that are my shade. I’m fair skinned with pink undertones, and I’ve found that most drugstore concealers (i.e. those that are most affordable) tend to have yellowish undertones and end up looking too tan for my skin.
But, I have yet to be deterred on my course to find the perfect concealer for my fair face. Every time I go into my local CVS I find myself perusing the new concealers and foundations. Below are a few results of my recent attempts to find my holy grail of concealer.
Rimmel London: Match Perfection Concealer – $4.97
London Rimmel has some of my favorite drugstore products – I won’t buy any other eyeliners. I picked up this concealer hoping those pale Londoners would make my day. This product is a bit different than the concealers below in that it is both a concealer and a highlighter. I knew as I walked up to the checkout that this wouldn’t be ideal for covering up acne or hyperpigmentation, but I thought it would be great for under my eyes and on my cheek bones.
It applied pretty well and I was actually pretty pleased with it later as I walked out the door to film a video. But, then I saw the video I shot – it looked like I had two orange circles around my eyes where I had applied the product. For some reason it wasn’t noticeable in the mirror, but those high def cameras don’t lie!
I won’t be purchasing this again.
Almay Wake Me Up Concealer – $5.39
Almay has one of my favorite pressed powders, so I was optimistic that this under eye concealer would be all of the things the package promised.
I’m not wild about the applicator, but I am a fan of the actual product. Like the London Rimmel 2 in 1, this isn’t meant to be used on blemishes, it’s only for the under eye area. I have pretty oily skin, so without a primer it wears off by mid afternoon. But applied with a primer it stays in place and keeps my eyeballs looking awake and refreshed.
The color was a little dark, but once I put foundation and a bit of powder on it was just fine. If they made it a shade lighter I would definitely repurchase.
Elf Concealer – $4.00
One fine Wednesday after work I was perusing my local TJMaxx for discounted candles, as one does. As I approached the checkout I noticed a bin of final-clearanced beauty items. I couldn’t resist. I came across this concealer and because I am intrigued by anything with the words “ivory” and “full coverage” on the label, I threw it in my basket. Plus, it was $1.50. I didn’t want to lose money on this!
Well folks, I won’t be purchasing this again. It’s no where near my color and honestly I don’t know who thought this was even remotely “ivory.”
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer (110) – $6.99
I first heard about this from makeup artist and YouTuber GossMakeUpArtist. He raved about it being a great drugstore concealer for under eyes and most blemishes. He’s never steered me wrong before and I figured I’d give it a whirl. Guys, listen to GossMakeUpArtist! This is my current favorite concealer for my entire face.
I actually really like the entire Maybelline Fit Me line including the foundation stick. I particularly recommend it if you have oily skin.
What’s your favorite drugstore concealer? Any tips for a pale girl?
October 11, 2013 @ 8:04 am
I am not a blogger and I don’t have a website. I am a talented make-up artist who has been in this industry over 10 years. Finding that pure pale color with a pink undertone is my daily struggle. It is not that I am the palest of them all, although I am close. Also I do not even have pink undertones. However, colors will oxidize to deepen the shade and pull yellow on my skin like none other. It is odd since my skin is not oily either! So I look for colors that are beyond pale with a pink undertone to get my shade of palest yellow on earth 🙂 With all of that said, tarte concealer from Ulta in the lightest shade with a translucent setting powder, the new cameo shade tinted moisturizer from Laura Mercier, and the foundation from M.A.C. Studio Fix Fluid NW10 have been my best picks so far. No they aren’t drug store, but even in the department store the struggle is real!
October 11, 2013 @ 8:59 am
Thank you so much, Elisa! I’ve heard really good things about the Tarte concealer as well as the Kat Von D line. I’ll definitely try the ones you mentioned!
April 14, 2015 @ 1:37 am
I too am a pale lady with pink undertones, but unfortunately for me, the entirety Maybelline skin makeup is far too yellow for me. I bought the Fit Me concealer in Light, but the yellow cast is too intense and makes my under eyes look ridiculous. Just a heads up for those that absolutely cannot wear yellow toned products.
April 14, 2015 @ 10:13 am
Thanks for that info! 😀
May 29, 2016 @ 10:39 am
I personally LOVE Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind concealer (retails anywhere from $7-10)! I have a strong, pink undertone, so I use the brightener as my actual concealer. The application is flawless and the formula blends nicely into the skin. Maybelline recommends using it for the under eye area, but it does work for blemishes and redness (I would recommend using a powder on top if you have oily skin like me). If you have a warm undertone, you should use the neutralizer. Awesome, affordable product for pale or light skin!
July 13, 2016 @ 9:41 pm
Maybelline does it again! I haven’t purchased any of their stuff for years but I know when I used to buy nothing but they were the only ones that had a foundation that didn’t make my pale skin look orange (I can’t remember the name of it but it was that long ago I don’t think it even exists any more) at least I know I can still turn to them now 🙂
February 11, 2017 @ 3:50 pm
Hi Bridget, With the Maybelline Fit Me – did you try both light and fair – which color do you prefer? Also have you tried NYX ?
March 11, 2017 @ 7:25 pm
Ah… Maybelline is too dark for me. The hunt continues.
May 16, 2017 @ 7:27 pm
Maybelline is to dark for me as well :/
December 16, 2017 @ 9:39 pm
Maybelline fit me in 10 is darker than 15 weird. So if you tried 10 and it was a tad dark go for 15 it is indeed lighter and it should be better, but I myself want a brighter under eye. Also I can recommend getting Physicians Formula compact powder it has different colors swirled in it but when you put it on top of your concealer that’s too dark or not bright enough it definitely lightens it up 100 times promise. It bascially has a white cast to it it’s in the shade translucent and it literally helps so much!