The most frequently asked questions I've had throughout my decade-long career as an editor have all revolved around concealer, which is handy considering I'm a concealer addict. Since my early teens, I've suffered from hereditary dark circles, circles that, no matter how much sleep I get or water I drink, insist upon staying. Over the years, I've been able to make my peace with them thanks in no small part to the discovery of brilliant concealers, which help me to blend away most of their effects. I've road-tested countless concealers in my search to uncover the formulas that work best. While there are a couple of long-standing concealers that'll forever have a place in my makeup bag, I'm always up for trying new finds, just in case I happen upon something great.
While talking to my friends at ASOS HQ, my interest was piqued when they revealed that one of their top five best-selling beauty products throughout lockdown was a £5 concealer I hadn't tried before. After our conversation, I started to see the concealer—Revolution's Conceal and Define Concealer—all over social media. So I thought I better try it to see what all the fuss was about. I'm no beauty snob. Much of my beauty collection consists of high-street and (as our American colleagues would say) drugstore buys. But I was interested to see how this frugal concealer would measure up against the products I love and use daily.
Without further ado, scroll below to read my honest review of Revolution’s best-selling Conceal and Define Concealer.
Before applying Revolution's Conceal and Define Concealer in C3.
What I Liked: Let's talk cost. Currently, the most expensive concealer in my makeup bag costs £38. Do I genuinely love it? Yes. Can I justify buying it regularly? No. Revolution's Conceal and Define Concealer costs £5 and, on paper, does the same job. Who can argue with that? Coverage-wise, you can't ask for much more. It helped eliminate my dark circles with a minimum amount of product, which went a long way in the process, so it's not a concealer you'd necessarily burn through, particularly if, like me, you've streamlined your beauty routine during lockdown.
What I Liked: As with all of my go-to concealers, this one has a doe-foot applicator, which I find gives the smoothest application (during lockdown, I've tried concealers with brush and sponge applicators, which continuously leave me unimpressed), and it's incredibly long-lasting to boot. When it arrived, I applied a small amount to the back of my hand to swatch the shade. When it came to washing off, it took a bit of effort to budge, so I was eager to see what the results when I wore it would be.
With Revolution's Conceal and Define Concealer in C3 applied to the left half of my face.
What I Liked: I touch my face a lot throughout the day, but this concealer remained in situ and looked freshly applied until, in the early evening, I removed it with my cleanser. What also sets this concealer apart is its extensive colour range—there are 49 to choose from, which makes it one of the most diverse concealers I've come across. And finally, I like that the brand is committed to being cruelty-free, something you would think every brand ought to be in 2020. But alas, this just isn't the case.
With Revolution's Conceal and Define Concealer in C3 fully applied.
What I Didn't Like: I'm fully aware that this is down to personal preference, but I'm not enamoured with the matte finish. Though, I know some of you will be. If that's the look you prefer, this concealer is definitely for you. But I like my concealers to have a slightly dewier finish. Still, I'm impressed at how lightweight the concealer felt on my skin, considering its matte full coverage.
What I Didn't Like: I'll admit I was completely overwhelmed trying to find the colour to match my complexion, as it's difficult trying to colour match online. After much deliberation, I ended up opting for shade C3, and I still don't think I got it right. Naturally, this a problem that's currently being faced by many beauty brands, as there are significantly fewer opportunities for potential customers to get hands-on with the product via in-store testers, something I consider critical when looking for new base products.
Had we been living in "normal" times right now, I'd have preferred to make my way to either Superdrug or Boots, both of which are Revolution stockists, to see the colour spectrum first-hand. I would then handily top up by way of my regular ASOS orders. However, this is where the price, once again, proves critical. I can't tell you how much money I've spent on beauty products over the years that have wound up being underwhelming. £5 isn't to be scrimped at by any means, but its affordable price tag, in my eyes, makes it less of a gamble.
Wearing Revolution Conceal and Define Concealer in C3 (£5), Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blusher in First Love (£30), and Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye Mascara (£26).
Overall verdict: If matte base makeup is your thing, you'll love this concealer. The shade range is what I, and everyone else at Who What Wear, love (and also need) to see. This level of diversity should be standard in the beauty industry. Why wait for other brands to play catch-up when Revolution is already there?
SHOP REVOLUTION'S CONCEAL AND DEFINE CONCEALER
If you're a fellow concealer addict, let me introduce you to a few of my favourite options for all budgets.
SHOP MY CONCEALER WARDROBE
Perhaps my all-time favourite concealer, this is the one I reach for on the daily. It really is the creamiest and lightest formulation I've tried.
This is the £38 concealer I mentioned at the start of my review. I've already written hundreds of words on why it's so great, but essentially, it gives you a glow that you previously only thought existed in a filter.
It might look different to the tube you once knew, but rest assured Collection's Lasting Perfection Concealer is just as brilliant as you remember it—and for £4 no less.
I use this brilliant cover-up underneath my CC+ Cream (£32) (also from It Cosmetics) to give a flawless finish. Be warned: A little goes a long way, and while it might seem thick, when blended, it has a lightweight finish with just the right amount of sheen.
Laura Mercier’s Secret Camouflage Concealer (£27) is one of the best out there, but solid concealers just aren't for me. So I tried this liquid iteration and was converted in an instant.
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