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The men's concealer is having a moment. Honestly, it’s been a staple of many a GQ editor’s grooming arsenal for quite some time now. Whether you’re looking to cover up annoying blemishes and dark circles, or simply put your best face forward for a special occasion, there’s really no better skincare product for the job. Why? Although a decent moisturiser, face wash and toner may form the foundation of our morning bathroom routine, a concealer often proves the vital brightening touch. Especially when you’re accounting for last-minute hiccups, be they a breakout of pimples or the effects of having hit the pints too hard the evening prior.
Don’t just take our word for it though. As attested by the ever-swelling wave of new concealers that are specifically marketed toward blokes, this particular skincare secret is very much out in the open. According to Tom Ford, the reason for the surge in popularity of his concealers is down to the fact that we’re all spending more time in front of the camera than ever (be that the one built into a Macbook or otherwise). “I’ve learned the trick from being photographed and being filmed that if I use a little concealer in the corners under my eyes, and then a little translucent powder, the light can’t catch on any of the darkness when I’m on camera,” he says.
That sentiment is echoed by Danny Gray, founder of War Paint. "In the past couple of years, there’s been a big increase in men working on their skincare routines,” he says. “Dark under eyes is one of those things that good skincare alone can struggle to fully address, so I think concealer is a natural stepping stone in that routine and that’s why it’s such a popular product.”
How do you use men's concealer?
As with any grooming product, the key to properly applying concealer is to stick to the mantra of ‘less is more’. Perhaps most importantly of all, you want to be sure to match the shade of concealer to your skin tone. Don’t worry, we’ve been sure to select a range of products below that cater to all kinds of men’s skin with options such as Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Concealer being available in a frankly excessive range of 20 different shades. You’ll also want to bear in mind your skin type as well so that you’re looking after sensitive, dry and oily skin if that’s a recurring issue.
Once you actually have your chosen concealer to hand, first you’re going to want to make sure your face is clean and moisturised where possible. Then it’s a matter of taking a quick, small dab with your index finger and then gently applying the cream to any dark spots, zits or discolouration. Keep at the process until the product is properly blended in, and that’s pretty much job done. You by no means need to be a pro-level makeup artist to get the confidence-boosting results here. Just keep one of the options below kicking around in your gym bag and then have at it when the moment calls.
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Horace Concealer
Horace Concealer
- Powered by: Skin-softening emollients and Vitamin E
- Application:Stick
- Shades available: 7
If it's a convenient cover-up you're after, stick concealers are your best bet. Like all the other delightfully fuss-free products in its grooming range, Horace's concealer is easy to use: simply twist up, swipe on and consider your imperfections covered. Enriched with Vitamin E, its natural-finish formula is especially good at targeting tired-looking eyes – dabbed on with your ring finger it brightens dark circles and reduces the appearance of eye bags. Razor bumps and pimples are also easily masked by its smooth matte veil, and in a pocket-sized package it's one to keep handy for touch-ups on the go. £19. At horace.co
Dior Forever Skin Correct
Dior Forever Skin Correct
- Powered by: Hydrating iris, soothing wild pansy, and brightening and smoothing yarrow extract
- Application:Wand
- Shades available: 30
Achieving a flawless complexion is no easy feat, but some good grooming and skincare go a long way. Enter Dior Forever Skin Correct: a concealer loaded with a bunch of skin-loving ingredients to improve your visage from the inside out. Tackling rosacea or angry red pimples? Its anti-inflammatory pansy extract delivers a soothing layer of coverage. Dry skin? The fluid formula is enriched with hydrating iris that'll have you covered. Dotted under the eyes with the wand applicator, it'll also smooth fine lines, thanks to the inclusion of astringent yarrow extract. A superpowered skincare-makeup hybrid worth adding to your arsenal. £31. At dior.com, sephora.co.uk & selfridges.com
Glossier Stretch Concealer
Glossier Stretch Concealer
- Powered by: Beeswax, microcrystalline wax, cocoa butter, avocado and jojoba oils
- Application: Solid-wax in a pot
- Shades available: 12
Featuring adaptable mineral pigments that blend seamlessly into the skin, Glossier’s Stretch Concealer has been formulated with elastic micro waxes that move with your facial expressions instead of cracking or caking on top of your skin. A buildable corrector that covers everything from dark circles to blemishes and redness, it is pretty much undetectable and encourages a natural-looking finish. Hypoallergenic and ophthalmologist-tested, it is available in an extensive range of 12 shades which have been developed to enhance and brighten almost any skin tone. Made with skin-benefiting ingredients; beeswax and microcrystalline wax, which has a super-elastic consistency, avocado and jojoba oil, to nourish and prevent drying out and cocoa butter, a natural fat that promotes skin elasticity and suppleness. A solid-wax formula in a palette pot, it's applied by warming with your finger. £17. At glossier.com
Tom Ford For Men Concealer
Tom Ford For Men Concealer
- Powered by: Bisabolol and caffeine
- Application: Twist-up-stick
- Shades available: 10
According to Tom Ford, “Fine grooming is the mark of a modern gentleman. It’s the way a man presents the best version of himself to the world”. The designer has always pushed the boundaries when it comes to introducing new innovations into the market, like a concealer formulated specifically for men; of which he was one of the first to do so. Designed to help camouflage redness, blemishes, under-eye circles or razor nicks, the practical twist-up-stick delivers a natural-looking coverage and has been formulated to seamlessly blend into the skin as it hides the imperfections. More a correctional colour cosmetic to be used in conjunction with your skincare regime, it does feature calming bisabolol, which actively reduces redness and irritation and a shot of caffeine, an antioxidant that regenerates, helps to tighten under-eye bags and protects the skin from damage. Now available in a wider range of pigments, there are ten shades to satisfy all skin tones. £36. At harveynichols.com, spacenk.com, sephora.co.uk & johnlewis.com
Fenty Beauty Pro Filtr Instant Retouch Concealer
Fenty Pro Filtr Instant Retouch Concealer
- Powered by: Glycerin, non-comedogenic dimethicone and skin conditioning emollients
- Application: Wand
- Shades available: 50
If you could trust anyone to formulate a concealer that gets your skin photo ready in a flash, it's Rihanna. The star's namesake cosmetic line has been making waves for its inclusive approach to beauty, from launching with a groundbreaking range of 40 shades (spanning the oft-excluded palest and darkest skin tones) to an array of tutorials aimed at destigmatising makeup for men. Famously worn on the Oscar's red carpet by award-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya, the Pro Filtr concealer fine-tunes your complexion with soft-matte coverage that hides all manner of ills. Transfer-proof, non-creasing and sweat-resistant, it's a cover-up you can rely on for all-day wear. Plus, its non-comedogenic formula means it'll camouflage pimples and blemishes without clogging your pores. £22. At harveynichols.com & fentybeauty.com
Clarins Everlasting Concealer
Clarins Everlasting Concealer
- Powered by: Organic quinoa extract, escin (from horse chestnut)
- Application: Tube
- Shades available: Eight
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Clarins skincare expertise has been put into play, with the development of this everlasting and life-proof concealer. A makeup/skincare hybrid, it promises 24-hour wear, high coverage and a matte finish. Super lightweight and fluid in texture, it features ‘Hold’ polymers (using organic oat sugars), known for their ability to increase the adherence of colour pigments to the skin; thus promoting a more even, natural-looking and full coverage. Available in eight shades, it has been formulated with organic quinoa extract, which hydrates whilst reinforcing the skin barrier, and boosted with escin (from horse chestnut) to help reduce the appearance of under-eye puffiness. A skin-tone-optimising complex, with pigments, pink pearls and soft-focus powders instantly blurs the eye contour, covering dark circles and illuminating the whole eye area. £23. At clarins.co.uk, johnlewis.com & sephora.co.uk
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
- Powered by: Light-diffusing and tone-balancing powders, multi-active botanical blend
- Application: Wand
- Shades available: 30
Developed by esteemed French makeup artist and photographer François Nars, the refined formula of this concealer gives your complexion a perfected, professional polish. Its creamy texture glides over blemishes, eyebags and scars, building natural skin-like coverage that looks and feels hydrated with a healthy glow. As it's enhanced by fine powders with light-diffusing technology, you can expect brightened dullness, evened skin tone and blurred imperfections wherever it's applied. Never appearing cakey thanks to its luxe lightweight consistency, it's best buffed into the skin with a brush for imperceptible camouflage – and because it's so easy to blend, even the makeup novice can give it a go. £20. At boots.com, lookfantastic.com & narscosmetics.co.uk
YSL Beauty Touche Eclat High Cover Radiant Concealer
YSL Beauty Touche Eclat High Cover Radiant Concealer
- Powered by: Calendula extract, ruscus extract and caffeine
- Application: Click-pen
- Shades available: 12
YSL’s iconic, original Touche Eclat, is and has always been the bestselling and most celebrated corrective concealer pen in the market; its one negative in respect to being adopted by us fellas is that it features light-reflective particles which in certain lights can come across a bit shimmery. This new and updated version of the original, Touche Eclat High Cover, is more man-friendly and as the name would suggest; been designed to offer even greater coverage. Available in 12 shades (vanilla to mocha), the fluid concealer, delivered through a click-pen, very effectively hides dark circles and corrects uneven skin tone as well as helping to fix imperfections, such as redness around the nose and blemishes. Lightweight and easy to blend, the silky-textured formula has been made with an anti-fatigue complex (comprising of ruscus extract, caffeine and antioxidant vitamin E) and soothing Moroccan calendula extract from the YSL Beaute Ourika garden. £27. At yslbeauty.co.uk, lookfantastic.com & feelunique.com
Shiseido Men Targeted Pencil Concealer
Shiseido Men Targeted Pencil Concealer
- Powered by: Japanese camellia oil
- Application: Pencil
- Shades available: 3
Offering targeted correction for a fresher, healthier and more even-looking tone, Shiseido Men’s concealer pencil, is the ideal tool for men on the go. Formulated with deeply-hydrating Japanese camellia oil, it effectively reduces the appearance of under-eye bags and dark circles. Smudge-proof, it delivers instant results and can last without touch-ups for up to 8 hours. Because it has been specifically designed for men, it gives a smooth and matte finish and a subtle (undetectable), natural effect. Its solid-waxy pencil delivery system makes it easier to apply directly to the areas you wish to conceal and leaves a lightweight, non-sticky coverage which can be built upon as required. Available in three shades, another selling point is that it is easily removed with a regular face cleanser. £35. At shiseido.co.uk, escentual.com & johnlewis.com
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Concealer
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Concealer
- Powered by: Glycerin, caffeine and vitamin E
- Application: Tube
- Shades available: 20
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This multi-purpose concealer, a spin-off from Armani’s iconic Luminous Silk Foundation, conceals, highlights and even erases. An uncompromising formulation in a spectrum of 20 shades, it offers deep hydration for up to 24-hours in an ultra-fine, yet intensely pigmented formula, effortlessly concealing under-eye dark circles and redness. Enriched with glycerin and vitamin E to avoid drying out, caffeine to reduce puffiness and diminish the appearance of dark circles and amino acid-coated mineral pigments that camouflage without ever dulling the skin. Infused with pearls that lend radiance to the skin and bounce light to help further blur imperfections and fine lines, it is also ideally suited to more mature skin. Serving high coverage and highlighting properties, it is comfortable to wear and comes in a tube with a pointed tip for precise application. £35.50. At lookfantastic.com, selfridges.com & sephora.co.uk
Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Concealer
Huda Beauty Faux Filter Concealer
- Powered by: Sweet almond oil and Vitamin E
- Application: Doe-foot applicator
- Shades available: 29
Banishing dark circles, redness and discolouration with the flick of a doe-footed wand, Huda Beauty's #FauxFilter concealer is an easy fix for all kinds of imperfections. Aided by moisturising almond oil and vitamin E, its pigmented formula glides on for quick coverage of flaws, then sets to a silky matte finish that doesn't crease or settle in fine lines. The subtle luminous quality here keeps things looking skin-like – so you can layer up in confidence if you have bigger blemishes to cover – and it's available in 29 shades for a seamless match on every skin tone. Easily applied directly with its furry-footed wand, but for a filtered finish invest in a sponge and dab until it's seamlessly blended. £19.20. At boots.com, sephora.co.uk & cultbeauty.co.uk
Shakeup Cosmetics Eye Eye Captain Under Eye Concealer & Moisturiser
Shakeup Cosmetics Eye Eye Captain Under Eye Concealer & Moisturiser
- Powered by: Butcher's broom, calendula and hyaluronic acid
- Application: Rollerball-tipped tube
- Shades available: 4
A game-changing makeup/skincare hybrid line for men, Shakeup Cosmetics, was created to help streamline the morning maintenance routine. One of the first brands to explore this territory, it now sells one tinted moisturiser every five minutes. Its under-eye concealer and moisturiser is a hero within the range; formulated to reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness around the eye area. Available in four shades with colour correcting technology that covers a wider spectrum of skin tones, it also offers SPF 25 UV protection. Vegan-friendly and natural-looking, it has a soft-focus technology that blurs the appearance of wrinkles and camouflages skin imperfections. Alcohol-free and with a 24-hour moisture-delivery system, the liquid concealer is enriched with hyaluronic acid for day-to-night hydration. Antioxidant vitamin E and a Phyto-complex of butcher's broom, calendula, horse chestnut, liquorice and buckwheat, soothes and helps boost microcirculation. The metal rollerball applicator cools and massages to freshen up the eye area. £20. At humanery.com, superdrug.com & amazon.co.uk
Benny Hancock Concealer/Corrective Pen
Benny Hancock Concealer/Corrective Pen
- Powered by: Hydrogenated coconut oil, sodium hyaluronate
- Application: Click-pen
- Shades available: 4
Designed and developed by influencer, Benny Hancock, this brush-tipped click-pen corrector and concealer has been specifically formulated for men’s skincare concerns. Practical and easy-to-use, it offers no-nonsense and fuss-free even, natural-looking coverage and helps to soften the appearance of fine lines. Ideally suited to the more mature gent, it is the perfect pick-me-up when your eyes need a little extra help. Available in four shades, vegan-friendly and cruelty-free, it effectively conceals and corrects imperfections such as dark circles and stubborn blemishes. Made with hydrogenated coconut oil and sodium hyaluronate, it also keeps the peepers looking bright and refreshed; easily applied by brushing the lightweight liquid formula across the area of concern. £18. At humanery.com
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