I’ll cut to the chase: NYX’s Bare With Me Concealer Serum ($9) is skin care-meets-makeup at an insanely affordable price point. We typically see these types of complexion-friendly hybrid products in the luxury category, but this stuff? Not only is it an exceptional hydrating concealer, it’s also under $10 and available at the drugstore.
In 13 shades, this water-based liquid concealer is an absolute dream for dryer skin types and blends beautifully with or without foundation. Tremella mushroom, one of the formula’s star ingredients, is known as the “hyaluronic acid of the mushroom world” thanks to its ability to hold 500 times its weight in water (hello, hydration). Other standouts include cica (aka Centella Asiatica) extract, which soothes skin and combats redness, and green tea, which offers antioxidant protection and hydration while fighting inflammation.
I used the concealer under my eyes to cover my congenital dark circles. For context, someone once asked me if I had black eyes when they saw me without concealer, so that’s what we’re working with. The periorbital zone (aka the area under your eyes) tends to be an area in which the wrong concealer can be really obvious, because caking, creasing, and dryness can all visibly “age” the delicate skin. To combat this, finding a concealer with ample hydration is critical. This one fits the bill, and goes on as seamlessly as a skin-care serum while providing enough coverage to really brighten this part of my face.
In addition to using the product to cover dark circles, I’ve also used it on blemishes and rosacea-induced redness on my nose, and it handled each area beautifully. Added bonus: I love that I can wear the concealer on its own without feeling like I have to put on a full face of makeup. It melts so easily into the skin and has such a natural finish that I don’t feel like I need to break out the foundation (score). A little bit of mascara, cheek stain, lip oil, and I was on my merry way. It’s a perfect everyday concealer for a no-makeup-makeup look, but could also easily be incorporated into full glam.
Don’t just take my word for it: reviewers are raving about this stuff (it’s got thousands of 5-star reviews on Amazon alone). One user even called it “Life changing,” and a “new holy grail,” saying that until Bare With Me was in the picture, “I have never been able to get a concealer that actually concealed my extremely dark circles.” Another says, “This is by FAR the best concealer I’ve EVER had the pleasure of using.”
Though I’ve had luck with a shade match, the one concern other users seem to come up against is limits to the shade range/undertones. But if you find a match… you’ve won the golden concealer ticket.
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