This $12 Concealer Hides My Dark Circles With 1 Swipe
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The new Revlon ColorStay Skin Awaken Concealer is a bargain at only $12.
The concealer has a sponge-tip applicator and claims to hide blemishes and brighten discoloration.
One editor tested out the formula and loved the natural-looking results.
I want my concealer to look natural while simultaneously being full coverage — a high bar, I know. I don’t like wearing heavy makeup, but if I’m going to try to conceal something — like my bluish undereye circles, post-inflammatory acne marks, or present pimples — then I want them gone.
It can be hard to find one concealer that does it all so I often end up using two different products: one for under my eyes and one for covering blemishes on my chin and cheeks. Still, I’ve never given up my mission of finding ones that can check both of those boxes, and the new Revlon ColorStay Skin Awaken Concealer ($12) does just that.
The concealer promises to cover, brighten, and hydrate for up to 24 hours of wear. It has a sponge tip for easy application and offers buildable, natural-looking coverage with a lightweight feel. The formula contains caffeine (hence “awaken” in its name) to help address puffiness and tired-looking skin, and vitamin C to help brighten dark circles and spots.
I was excited to try the Revlon ColorStay Skin Awaken Concealer because 1) it’s a bargain at only $12 and 2) the sponge-tip is one of my favorite application methods for concealers. Unlike twist-ups, all you have to do is give the tube a squeeze and the product starts to flow from the sponge tip. Its small size also helps get right under your eyes and with spot correcting discoloration. Out of the tube, the formula itself is thick and creamy — and so pigmented that one little dab completely covers the area it’s applied to — but it blends to a smooth finish.
When I first gave it a try, I used the shade 005 under my eyes and 001 on my face and dabbed a few dots where I wanted to cover. I used a damp makeup sponge to blend the concealer, but I’m sure you’d have no issues using your fingers or a brush instead. It was easy to achieve an untraceable, natural-looking finish without the pigment completely disappearing into my skin, which can be hard to find. For the spots on my face and my dark circles, one layer was plenty to get the coverage I wanted — something that not many concealers can pull off.
Once the formula dries (which is seconds after you blend it), it doesn’t move around or crease, and even without powder, it holds up its transfer-resistant claims. Nine hours after application it still looked good and hadn’t settled or turned patchy. Although it did crease a little under my eyes, I’ve never found a concealer that doesn’t and this one creased significantly less than most products. I even wore Revlon’s ColorStay Skin Awaken Concealer under a face mask for a dinner date and none of it rubbed off on the inside of my face mask. It’s safe to say this concealer has earned itself a permanent spot in my daily makeup routine.
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Shoppers Have Spoken—This Is the Best Makeup on Amazon
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The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, and—most commonly—changing up our look. While others are hitting the squats and going into the salon for a pixie cut, why not start slow and steady with a cozy winter manicure in a color that feels new to you? It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot. From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that’ll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring.
Achieve the Ultimate Après-Ski Outfit in Just Three Steps
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You have to pack (and often purchase) a lot of gear for a ski trip, no matter if it’s a week-long vacation or weekend escape. From bulky ski boots to large pieces of outerwear, hard-to-pack helmets, and your actual equipment (skis, poles, and snowboards!), there are too many items on the checklist to count. And after mindfully maneuvering (stuffing) your suitcases and duffles with these sporty necessities, there may not be much room left for the most essential items of all—the gear and garb for those very important après-ski outfits. And even if you don’t plan on skiing at all, you can achieve the look in these three easy steps.
Photo: Getty Images
Double-Duty Ski Sweaters
To start, a stylish ski sweater will do just the trick when it comes to layering up for a few runs in the morning and stripping down for a few fireside hot toddies in the afternoon. Save room by packing sweaters that do double duty both on and off the slopes. Sunny powder days in America’s West would pair perfectly with a retro-inspired zip-front chevron knit jumper. Meanwhile, a Fair Isle turtleneck can help combat Vermont wind chill in style. And a graphic argyle pattern knit will look right at home in the Dolomites and Alps. No apres-ski outfit is complete without one.
Tory Burch merino fair isle sweater
Khaite Molly intarsia cashmere funnel neck sweater We Norweigans fair isle merino wool and cashmere-blend turtleneck sweater
Isabel Marant Felder jacquard jacket Nili Lotan Helene fair isle wool sweater
Photo: Getty Images
Slopeside Salopettes
The second step is choosing the right bottoms. While leggings are a nice nod to a sporty look to pair under sweaters, properly insulated pants made for snow will keep your legs and body extra warm for any wintertime activity, be it snowshoeing, walking, shopping in the resort village, hanging out in the lodge, or passing the time at the apres-ski hot spot. We recommend a bibbed salopette, which has a similar fit to flared trouser and has all of the essential technical details of a proper snow pant. Whether you wear the overall straps up or down, they’ll certainly look chic with one of those aforementioned ski-ready sweaters.
Goldbergh Phoebe Salopette ski trousers Erin Snow Kris eco-shell striped ski pants
Ienki Ienki ski bib pants Mackage Gia bonded fleece ski salopettes
Perfect Moment Isola racing pants Halfdays Carson bib Pants
Photo: Getty Images
Alpine Accessories
Last but not least, top off your ski look with mountain-ready accessories. You can add a pair of heritage leather blinders from Carrera for half the price of a lift ticket; plus, it comes with a sporty elastic strap. Or keep your head and ears warm with a retro-inspired beanie or ear warming headband. And what better way to hold a hot drink than in a pair of fuzzy mittens?
Chamula fair isle merino wool beanie Carrera 1022/S square sunglasses
Moncler 57mm clear shield sunglasses Jacquemus off-white Les Moufles mittens
A shopping guide to … the best women’s blazers
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Whether it’s to jazz up a simple outfit – or add substance to an evening one once we start socialising again – a blazer means business, and can be paired with trousers or skirts, jumpers, blouses, even camisole tops.
Gingham adds an extra layer of fun to a blazer – and purple is one of the colours of the season, too. Coloured cord is also sought after, and Boden’s jacket in baby pink brings a slice of classic Americana to any outfit.
Opting for a leather blazer requires a bit of thought. Think about the trousers, shoes and top you’re going to pair it with. In terms of the blazer itself, go with a classic, base colour from which you can grow your outfit. Finally, if in doubt, black is always the answer.
Lauren Cochrane
Buy it
Gingham, £40, onki.com
Combine this summer-style print with a polo neck for winter.
Pink cord, £100, boden.co.uk
Worn with a white shirt, colourful corduroy is anything but stuffy.
Black leather, £290, arket.com
An oversized style looks edgy with cropped trousers.
Rent it
Burgundy silk by Dolce & Gabbana, £78 for 4 days’ rental from mywardrobe.com
Try styling silk with wide-leg trousers and a camisole top.
Silver, by Anouki, £25 for 4 days’ rental from rotaro.com
Pair a simple black dress with a statement-style print.
Peach linen, by Theory, from £49.86 from selfridgesrental.com
Perfect for daywear, yet casual enough for the evening.
Thrift
Striped, by River Island, £15 from thrift.plus
Back to school is a strong look – wear over a preppy V-neck jumper.
Green silk, £38, allaboutaudrey.co.uk
Double-breasted works well over a slip dress.
Suede, £65, rokit.co.uk
Channel the 1970s and wear this over a jumpsuit.