I have something controversial to say: If I have good concealer, I don’t need foundation. This has been my go-to beauty hack for years; I love natural-looking makeup, so double the coverage isn’t necessary. Two things need to happen in order to use concealer as foundation successfully; you need to find the right formula, and it has to be a perfect skin match. My preference is more matte and blurring types of concealers because they last longer on the skin and look like skin. Anything with a wet texture or dewy finish will not last.
I’ve found a few favorites over the years; the internet-famous Tarte Shape Tape has been a go-to since my college years, but one that I think is even better is the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer. I could go on for days about this concealer; it blurs, depuffs, and is easy to build up without getting a cakey result. The formula is truly *chef’s kiss* and it’s available for $32 at Sephora—in 31 shades.
Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer
Sephora
I tried the Haus Labs concealer after falling in love with their Triclone Skin Tech Medium Coverage Foundation with Fermented Arnica. If I’m going to a wedding or celebrating some type of special occasion, I’ll be wearing this soothing foundation because it gives the prettiest skin-like finish. The concealer is very similar and perfect for everyday wear. Both are great at cancelling out redness and if I’m dealing with flakey skin or an eczema breakout, the formula isn’t going to settle into the texture and emphasize it.
The concealer makes the skin look like velvet: rich-looking, glowy, pristine, and free of imperfections. The formula truly gives second skin, which is exactly how I want my makeup to look. If I have a lingering blemish, one spot of concealer will mask it and blur the area so it’s less noticeable. If I feel like rocking a bright, flawless under-eye one day, this concealer will deliver that. I love that I can use it for both natural makeup looks and full glam moments.
The Haus Labs line has such a great shade range, which is why I love using the concealer as foundation because I can get a perfect skin match. It’s common to reach for a concealer that’s a shade or two lighter to highlight the face, but when it’s used as foundation, a perfect skin match is key to keeping the look seamless and natural.
Shoppers describe the coverage as “flawless,” “long-wearing,” and “creaseless.” Another in their 40s calls this concealer a “holy grail” and raves the formula “doesn’t settle into fine lines.” Shop it for $32 on Sephora and others like it, below.
Tower 28 Beauty Swipe All-Over Hydrating Serum Concealer
Sephora
Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
Amazon
Dior Backstage Concealer
Sephora