Sali Hughes on beauty: the best undereye concealers for over-35s

The most common makeup question asked by women over 35 is this: what’s a good undereye concealer that won’t make lines and wrinkles look cakey and dry? I’m getting to them, I promise. But first, I must say that prep is key – dry, flaky skin will only look more so under makeup, so undereyes should first be hydrated and smoothed with a good, moisturising skincare routine. Only then can a concealer get on with the business of brightening and camouflaging.

Givenchy’s Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Concealer (£37) is my most recommended for fortysomethings and beyond, regardless of skin type. It’s perfectly balanced in that it’s moisturising and softening, but not so much so that it slips and slides and doesn’t deliver on lasting coverage – it has just enough heft. It works as well on the face as it does under eyes and stays fresh looking all day.

More moisturising for drier types is Dior’s Forever Skin Correct (£35). I’ve used this for years and it’s a rare beast: a concealer offering full, lasting coverage without exacerbating dryness. The shade range is particularly well considered, too. If you’d like the coverage/moisture ratio weighted towards the latter, Glossier’s Stretch Balm Concealer (£22) has a texture so buttery and comforting that it almost feels like eye cream. It has less pigment than those above, but if dark circles aren’t a huge issue for you, that won’t matter. 

Offering a little more in the way of both coverage and moisture is NYX’s excellent Bare With Me Concealer Serum (£9.99). If you don’t mind the pump bottle (not my favourite), the texture is gorgeous – lightweight, fluid and spreadable. The finish is smooth, flattering and very natural-looking. It’s a great and well-priced concealer for anyone.

Those blessed with natural oil around the eyes may find these unduly moisturising and wish to focus more on blur. Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer (£31) is superb (and by far her best to date), packing in heaps of coverage – a little goes a very long way – and a soft, matte finish without heaviness or dryness. The effect is pretty on all but especially, in my view, on mature skins with a little more texture to contend with.

Finishing is very important. I reject the outmoded preaching around never using powder on ageing skin. Nonsense. Modern powders help not hinder the effort. Coat a small, fluffy brush lightly in powder and tap over concealer to set and prevent creasing.