Correct, Not Cover: Why We’re Swapping Concealers for Colour Correctors
Jas is the former Senior Content Specialist at Adore Beauty. A beauty admirer turned certified addict, she brings a sharp editorial eye and pop-culture pulse to everything she creates. Her words have appeared in The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and Broadsheet. When she’s not producing viral content or podcasting about skincare, you’ll find her thrifting for vintage treasures or binging Bravo (strictly for research, of course).
Mark my words, this year my beauty (nay, life) mantra is “less is more”.
The centuries-old adage has been embraced by many a minimalist over time. Yet for this maximalism-loving writer? Rarely.
That said, like many in recent weeks, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the year that was 2023–considering what served me, and perhaps more importantly, what didn't.
Unsurprisingly, compiling a list of the latter proved considerably easier.
T’was a big year after all. And truth be told, I grappled with insecurities and battled moments of self-doubt.
Navigating creative spaces where one's work intertwines with identity presents its own set of challenges (hello, imposter syndrome).
Hence, at the top of my ‘outs’ list (i.e. all the habits/mindsets I want to leave in 2023) are negative self-talk and limiting beliefs. And at the top of my ‘ins’, skin first, makeup second.
While adopting this philosophy is often easier said than done, the rise of no-makeup makeup and skin-friendly formulas makes embracing my skin–blemishes and all–much easier.
That’s why I’m trading in heavy-handed concealers and foundations for colour correctors that let my skin look like… well, skin.
They’re also an excellent mask for dark circles, pigmentation and redness.
So if you’re considering a similar shift, keep scrolling for my top four colour-corrector picks.
1. Huda Beauty #FAUXFILTER Color Corrector.
If you’re a minimal makeup lover or embrace bare-faced beauty, it’s time you met this clever little colour corrector by Huda Beauty.
Enriched with active skincare ingredients like niacinamide and vitamin C, the creamy colour corrector helps neutralise pigmentation, dark circles, dark spots and uneven skin tone.
In addition to their existing five shades, Huda Beauty recently released two new pink editions that offer the same brightening effects as their concealer by the same name, but in a much thinner, lighter formula.
Here are some other features to note:
- Sweat, crease and transfer-proof.
- Sheer coverage that’s long-wearing.
- Vegan, cruelty-free and non-comedogenic.
Here are some Adore Beauty customer reviews:
"Talk about pigmented!! I use a small dab on a concealer brush and that does both eyes. This will last ages, and isn’t thick so there’s no caking like with some of the pot colour correctors."
"Honestly this is one of the best color correctors I've ever used. It's so good that you can even use it on its own without topping it with a concealer. You only need a dot or two to correct your discolouration. So the product will last you a really long time." - Maddy.
2. Ole Henriksen Banana Bright+ Vitamin CC Stick.
I always intend to get seven or eight hours of sleep per night, but sometimes life (and my overthinking brain) gets in the way.
Hence why this colour-correcting stick is a must-have.
Enriched with an energising cocktail of vitamin C, caffeine and light-reflecting pigments, this multi-tasking stick wakes up sleepy eyes for those times when your alarm simply won’t cut it.
Its creamy formula applies like butter and blends seamlessly into the skin with just a few gentle finger taps.
Here are some other fast facts:
- Instantly brightens while helping to improve dark circles over time.
- Easy-to-use stick format in a lipstick-sized tube that’s ideal for travel.
- Smoothes the look of fine lines and wrinkles for a smoother, consistent base.
- Available in three shades: Banana (for purple dark circles), Apricot (for blue and purple) and Pumpkin (for blue).
Here are some Adore Beauty customer reviews:
"Love this corrector super creamy and makes under eyes look instantly bright." - Jess.
"Makes under eyes glowing and bright instantly. It makes it look healthy and feel healthy." - Gabriella.
3. Embryolisse Radiant Complexion Cream Rose Glow.
This pink-tinted beauty has been flying relatively under the radar since its launch last year, but I’m here to make a case for it as a must-have complexion cream.
Like a lot of Embryolisse’s products, the Radiant Complexion Cream is a multitasker.
It’s formulated with 96% ingredients of natural origin that revitalise and plump up skin to leave it feeling hydrated and silky-soft.
It also features natural rosy pigments and illuminating pearls that enhance the skin’s radiance for a healthy glow, making it an ideal primer (as seen in my selfie above!) or brightening moisturiser for no-makeup makeup days.
Here are some other interesting facts:
- Helps neutralise dullness and dark circles.
- Goes on pink but blends out for a subtle rosy effect.
- Contains hyaluronic acid, silk tree extract, shea butter and sunflower seed oil.
- Universal shade developed with a makeup artist to suit all skin types and tones.
Here are some Adore Beauty customer reviews:
"I got this product as a sample and it does exactly what it said. I was a bit off put by the tinted factor but once I put it on it made my skin so glowy and look refreshed. It moisturises the same as their moisturising concentrate which I also loved." - Bri.
"Gives the most beautiful glow, nice cream I wake up with glowing skin." - Jasmine.
4. Make Up For Ever HD Skin All-In-One Palette.
If you want to take your colour correcting a step further, consider this your cure-all.
The creamy complexion palette has been a top pick since its launch last year and for good reason: it unifies, conceals, corrects and sculpts in one.
In its 12 shade selection are four specifically designed to conceal and correct, with different undertones to cater to warm, cool and skin types.
The MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Palette is blendable and buildable, with a lightweight feel and natural finish.
In other words, it’s everything you could possibly want in your makeup kit.
Here are some other things worth noting:
- Packaged in a sturdy, closeable case that’s ideal for travel.
- Available in two shades: H1 for light to medium skin tones, H2 for tan to deep (pictured).
- Includes 3 foundation shades, 4 concealer/corrector shades, 2 blushes, 2 contour shades and 1 highlighter.
Here are some Adore Beauty customer reviews:
"I’m pretty novice when it comes to makeup and all the different products, but this has been a game changer. I love the compact design of the palette, good for on-the-go.
It’s great to have an all-in-one with various products and shades that can easily be customised to your skin tones. Sheer coverage but definitely buildable, makes achieving that skin-like makeup so much easier. 100% worth the $$" - Bella.
"Long time liquid foundation user, novice when it came to highlighting, contouring, concealing etc. This palette is the perfect tool for me.
Not only does it have multiple foundation shades to mix and match depending on season/level of fake tan lol, but it has colours to minimize redness and dark circles.
It's a perfect all-in-one, especially for someone like me who is learning to play with it all. Absolutely LOVE the dewy, youthful finish it gives me. My staple."
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