I’d like to preface this review by telling you that concealer is both my most-loved and most-hated beauty product. I wouldn’t dream of leaving the house without covering my prominent under-eye circles, and it is because of my dependence on concealer that I have come to hate the very idea of it. When it comes to the likes of foundation, mascara, brow gel, and lipstick, we really are spoilt for choice with formulas that cater to just about every need. However, when it comes to concealer, it seems almost impossible to find a formula that manages to live up to its primary promise: the art of disguise.
You see, my dark circles have made me somewhat of a concealer aficionado. I have tried just about every concealer under the sun, and the truth is that I can count on one hand the products that genuinely help cover my areas of concern. Finding a formula that’s thick enough to cover but manageable enough to blend is actually very rare, so much so that I have used the same concealer for over four years (Nars’s Soft Matte Complete Concealer, should you care). But this week, The Ordinary launched its own high-coverage concealer, and everything changed.
When The Ordinary first launched into makeup a few years ago with two foundation offerings, the beauty world went mad. Just like the brand’s iconic skincare line, the formulas promised high-end results for seriously affordable prices. I did give the foundations a go, but I remained unmoved. While I have been known to dabble in foundation wearing from time to time, for the most part, I don’t really like the stuff. Concealer, on the other hand, is something I can get behind.
When I first heard that The Ordinary was launching a concealer this time last year, I geared up to give it a go. In fact, it was probably the first concealer in years that I was genuinely excited to try. But when the world turned upside down last spring, so too did our hopes of an imminent concealer launch from The Ordinary. And while having to wait a year for it to hit the shelves was long, it’s finally here, and I can say with confidence that it was worth the wait.
Costing just £5, it’s safe to say that I have never in all of my life come across a budget concealer that disguises my dark circles quite like this stuff does. A liquid formula housed in a squeezy tube, it’s easy to work into the skin with fingers, and a little goes a seriously long way. When it comes to base products, I’m all about glow. Though, I often have to compromise on concealer and go for matte, long-lasting formulas, as they tend to have more coverage. The new concealer from The Ordinary, however, doesn’t have the crease-prone, chalky finish that so many others do.
After dotting the smallest amount under my eyes, my whole face was illuminated. It works into the skin like putty and really does stay put. Plus, in 36 shades (an impressively diverse offering for a debut concealer), finding a suitable option is remarkably easy. Taking only a few seconds to apply, the creamy formula blends into skin seamlessly but still delivers unrivalled levels of coverage, making it just as great for novices as it is for experts. In fact, it’s so great that I have found myself reaching for it every day since first trying it.
Its blendability makes it the perfect foundation substitute. For no-makeup makeup days, simply blot into areas that you want to disguise (my areas of concern are my dark circles, the redness around my nose, and the pigmentation and scarring on my chin), and it gives the illusion of almost total coverage. My only gripe? It didn’t do a stand-up job on active breakouts. It seems The Ordinary’s concealer thrives in areas of discolouration but doesn’t work particularly well at covering up active spots and blemishes.
Overall, however, I’m blown away. While it might not be quite as heavy-duty as some of my high-end favourites, for £5, it is definitely one of the best under-eye cover-ups I have ever come across. So yes, I’m pleased to report that The Ordinary is yet to break its winning streak when it comes to releasing seriously impressive formulas. I’m waiting with bated breath to see what’s next.
This creamy foundation feels like a second skin upon application and really works to even out irregular tone and pigmentation.
If you like that no-makeup finish, this super-lightweight base makes for a great skin veil.
If I could only pick one product to recommend from The Ordinary, it would be this. Niacinamide is something of a wonder ingredient when it comes to congested skin, as it manages to both calm inflammation and reduces blemish-causing bacteria while improving your skin’s moisture retention so it won’t feel dried out. The addition of zinc helps to repair any skin damage and boost collagen for plump, healthier-looking skin. I apply it to clean skin (before my moisturiser) on days when I have a major breakout and want to calm down blemishes fast.
I’ve raved enough about this caffeine-infused eye serum here, so I won’t go on about it. To put it simply, it’s a lightweight eye serum that genuinely refreshes and brightens the under-eye area when you’re looking tired. I apply it every morning after my other serums and before my moisturiser.
This is one of the first products from The Ordinary that I remember the beauty community going wild about. Unlike the brand’s other formula, it contains a mix of ingredients—hence its name—all chosen to nourish skin and restore radiance. Matrixyl 3000 might sound like something out of a sci-fi film, but effectively, it’s a complex that stimulates collagen production to plump up skin and reduce the depth of fine lines. For me, though, it’s a great basic serum that manages to be both hydrating and firming. I love using this as morning serum, as it sits really well beneath makeup.
If you haven’t heard of squalane, it’s an incredible hydrator that’s actually found naturally within our skin. This one uses a plant-based version to improve the skin’s suppleness by boosting its moisture levels. It has a similar effect to hyaluronic acid but actually does a better job of locking the moisture in the long-term. I’ll apply this over my other serums as final hydration step. Plus you can also use it on your hair to add shine and moisture.
If you’ve never tried retinol before, or your skin tends to be irritated by it (like mine is), then this low-concentration formula might just be up your street. While stronger doses tend to cause me to break out in a red rash, this 0.2% formula offers all of the benefits of tacking blemishes, reducing dark spots and softening skin without the irritation. I apply a small amount to my skin at night a couple of times a week and follow with a nourishing moisturiser.
Straight up, this is a great dupe if you’re a fan of the Drunk Elephant Marula Oil but can’t justify the £61 price tag right now. It’s rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, and does an amazing job of creating that radiant, dewy skin look we all want. For me, this is too rich to use daily, but I’ll smooth a couple of drops onto my skin once or twice a week at night as the final step in my routine, and I’ll apply it to the ends of my hair after washing.
Making the most of the truly brightening properties of vitamin C, The Ordinary has added it in its purest form—L-Ascorbic Acid—to this lightweight lotion. Combined with hyaluronic acid, it hydrates for plumper skin, improves uneven skin tone and fights dark spots and creates a more luminous complexion. I apply this at night and always wake up to brighter skin. You might feel a slight tingling as your skin gets used to it, but don’t worry—this is quite normal with vitamin C products.
I’ve already spoken about the fact that everyone I know with great skin uses argan oil but it’s particularly beneficial if you suffer with chronically dry or flaky skin. This one from The Ordinary is 100% organic and cold-pressed and can be applied directly to your skin and hair to restore strength and add lustre.
My skin loves salicylic acid—so much so that I use it on a daily basis in some form or another. My application method of choice tends to be in a toner but this 2% salicylic acid treatment is incredible for the low price point. It offers up gentle exfoliation to unclog pores and clear away congestion as well as witch hazel to calm and soothe active blemishes.
I didn’t use this exfoliating treatment for a long time because I was a little scared. First up, I wouldn’t recommend that anybody new to acids or with sensitive skin uses this. But if you’ve dabbled in acids before with good results, then give it a go. At just £6, this treatment offers up the same kind of results as an actual facial. You apply it to clean, dry skin and leave for 10 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water to reveal brighter, clearer-looking skin. The AHAs exfoliate the top layer of the skin for improved radiance, while the BHAs work beneath to clear pores and diminish congestion. I’ll use this about once a week when my skin is looking dull and tired. I’m always amazed at how much better my skin looks afterwards. I’d recommend using this in the evenings and using an SPF the next day to keep your skin protected.
During one particularly desperate period with my skin, I paid a horrific amount of money to see a private dermatologist, and I left with an even more costly prescription for a multitude of topical ointments. I discovered this affordable azelaic acid when looking for an alternative to the expensive one prescribed. A natural antioxidant, azelaic acid is an ultra-gentle ingredient that protects the skin, brightens tone, improves texture and minimises blemishes. After a few weeks of using it, I noticed that old acne scarring was reduced and my skin looked all-around clearer and healthier. I apply it every morning after my serums. Sometimes I’ll use this as my moisturiser step, and on days when I’m feeling dry, I’ll follow with a heavier lotion. I always use an SPF when using this product, as it can leave your skin more sensitive to the sun.
My skin loves lactic acid, and while this formulation is available in a stronger 10% Lactic Acid option, this 5% version does the job perfectly. It gently removes dead skin cells to reveal brighter, softer skin, and stimulates cell regeneration to improve pigmentation and scarring. The addition of hyaluronic acid improves plumpness and bounce so your skin looks instantly more radiant. I use this every other evening after cleansing.
A huge hit amongst beauty editors, this affordable hyaluronic acid proves that you don’t have to spend a lot for a hydration boost. This oil-free one is enhanced with vitamin B5 to enhance performance and sinks quickly into skin to plump fine lines, deeply hydrate and smooth the surface of your complexion.
The star of the show here is glycolic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid that does an amazing job of exfoliating the skin. Although there’s always some risk of irritation when using acids, this solution also contains Tasmanian pepperberry, ginseng and aloe vera to soothe skin at the same time. I apply this two or three times a week in the evening. I pour a small amount onto a cotton pad and sweep over my skin, making sure to avoid the delicate eye area.
This is a less-than-sexy thing to admit, but when I stopped taking the contraceptive pill last year, I had about three months of my hair shedding insane amounts. I was so worried I’d end up going completely bald that I was looking for solutions everywhere. The Ordinary wasn’t my first port of call—this is the only hair product in the brand’s range—but it worked. When applied directly to your head, it penetrates your scalp to stimulate the hair follicles and encourage growth and healthy strands. Maybe it was my hormones falling back into balance, or maybe it was this, but either way, after about four weeks of use, my hair looked fuller and healthier. When my hair was really shedding, I applied this to my scalp daily at night—there’s no need to rinse out. Now I use it once a week as a topical treatment.
Credit: Original article published here.The post This Is What I Really Think of The Ordinary’s £5 Concealer appeared on My Celebrity Life.