CONCEALER - LIGHT-REFLECTING

Unlike the more matte type of concealer (which you can read about here), these are just the ticket for blending into skin to brighten under-eye shadows as well as concealing the creases under eye bags and wrinkles/lines/furrows; the light-reflective particles literally bounce light back from the skin, creating a soft-focus effect. One tip we’ve learnt is to apply concealer over foundation or BB cream because they will give some camouflage and you may need less concealer than you think. Although we wouldn't usually recommend light reflecting products for spot concealing (as opposed to matte versions here), several testers did use for this and were very happy.

GOLD AWARD and BEST NATURAL Tropic Illuma Light Diffusing Concealer (2)

A second Gold Beauty Bible Award for this best selling, multi purpose product, which comes in nine shades from very fair to very dark. As well as concealing darkness around and under your eyes, the creamy, light-diffusing formula gives you your glow back (down to natural mica), they promise. Plus ingredients that include collagen-boosting algae extract, squalane (from olives) to hydrate and vitamin E to nourish and plump skin so it looks and feels smooth and silky. You can also use it as a subtle highlighter, the brand suggests: under the brow bone, on top of the Cupid’s bow or along your cheekbones. Or even as a primer to give a hit of luminosity before applying foundation. It will stay put but won’t dry or migrate to any creases or laughter lines, they promise.

£18 - click to buy 

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘10/10. If you're looking for an amazing concealer, this is the one for you.  Covers perfectly, blends in beautifully and conceals dark shadows perfectly – it really brightens them. It's incredible! I'm very impressed. It’s brilliant as a brow bone highlighter and fantastic as an eye shadow base. Doesn't dry or cake at all. Blends so well you couldn't see I was wearing concealer and really went the distance – didn't need touching up. I’ve had compliments on my make-up wearing this. I love this concealer; it's been such a great discovery’ • ‘A great product, I used it mostly on dark circles, in the corners of the eyes and on small blemishes. I never usually use concealers as I find them very cakey, or if I attempt to blend a little they completely disappear. However, this was great! I will be looking at buying this again once I’ve used it all’ • ‘Brightened up the corners of my eyes; I usually use a small bit of highlighter to do this but I didn’t need to when using the concealer. Although it didn’t make my eyes “pop” as much it still gave me a fresh faced, more awake look. It also enabled me to clean up the eyebrow shape while giving a lifted effect to my brow bone. A great all rounder, good for covering dark circles and highlighting, also covering blemishes’ • ‘perfect for under eye; really brightening, looked really natural; not heavy or cakey and lasted all day. A friend mentioned I looked less tired. Really good product’ • ‘I wasn't expecting much from this concealer when I first applied to the skin, as it felt so 'light'. However, the coverage is lovely and it really brightened up the under-eye area. It also worked really well as a base for eye shadow and really helped the staying power of my eye make-up’ • ‘It really helped using it around my eyes. When doing the one eye, I could tell it made me look more awake than the other side of my face without product. I found this very useful and it definitely made my eye shadow last longer when wearing it’ • ‘It looked very natural and drying at all - it felt quite moisturising on the skin. It made my eyes look much less tired and the colour match for me was great. It went the distance and lasted all day, this surprised me as it's a very “light” product and I didn't expect the coverage to be so good’ • ‘I love this product; the coverage is so good and matches my skin tone perfectly.  The product gave an illuminated look and my under eye area looked fresher. The concealer works well as an eye shadow base and my eye shadow blended well over the top and stayed put. An easy to use light-reflecting concealer, that is very versatile.’

£18 - click to buy 

SILVER AWARD Skin in Motion BLEND IT Sweatproof Concealer (Medium)

The brand was started by London-based make-up artist Gia Mills who’s also a super keen marathon runner, cyclist and yoga bunny – with a side order of adventure racing and dragon boating! Gia discovered that 75% of women in a Sport England survey were put off exercise for fear of being judged over their appearance. Thus this specialist range of make-up and skincare – although you certainly don't need to be a fully paid up member of Gia’s fraternity to enjoy the products. This vitamin E-infused formula nourishes and corrects and came from Gia’s own concerns with rosacea on her cheeks. Three adaptable shades in a little mirrored compact; our testers trialled Medium. And the range is cruelty-free, vegan and paraben-free.

£17 - click to buy 

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘10/10. This has got to be my favourite product.  It is so versatile and blended in very easily with my skin tone covering blemishes, dark shadows and looked so natural. It lasted all day but needed a top up for evening. It defined my eyebrow line and I think that it is a multi-use concealer everyone should have, as it is so good’ • ‘Very easy to apply and blended like a dream! Fabulous coverage of tired eye area in one application – looked perfectly natural. A fantastic concealer, one of the best I’ve ever tried’ • ‘I've tried so many concealers over the years, from high end brands to lower price point ones, but have always been disappointed with how they've performed for me. So, I was slightly sceptical with this one to be honest, but from the moment I felt the texture of it on my finger, I dared to hope that this one might be different. All I can say is 'wow' this is a game-changer for me in terms of concealer.  It is so light in texture and feels quite fluid, which makes application so easy.  It's buildable and just feels and looks so natural on my skin.  I haven't felt the need to re-apply the product during the day as it stays put really well. The shade is perfect for me, which is also a bonus as I've struggled to get a decent match previously.  It doesn't sit in my lines, as it isn't a heavy formula so it glides over the skin. So pleased that I was given the opportunity to try it - thank you Beauty Bible! ’ • ‘I really enjoy my normal concealer but will be switching to this. Very easy to use, once I got the technique right, and fantastic staying power. Very natural, brightening, hydrating, stayed well and didn't need to touch up during the day. Works nicely as a highlighter too’ • ‘I liked how it absorbed into the skin and covered my dark circles and also blemishes’ • ‘fabulous for brightening qualities and great under the eye area to cover dark circles and add a pop of radiance.’

£17 - click to buy 

BRONZE AWARD Trish McEvoy Instant Eye Lift (01 and 02)

The brand entered two shades separately and both gained high – and almost equal - scores. From the brand founded by legendary make-up artist Trish McEvoy, this promises to transform the under-eye area by banishing darkness while instantly brightening. It also reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles, sagging and puffiness, the brand promises. Trish’ signature Triangle of Light technique has become a byword in beauty circles for the absolute best way to apply concealer to this area. You just create an upside down triangle under each eye with the wand applicator, then pat gently into skin until blended, using a ‘laydown brush’ or your ring finger. Wear it alone, over eye cream of under foundation. It’s oil-free, vegan, free from phthalates & sulphates and longwearing. The product comes in three shades: 01 Light to Medium, 02 Medium to Tan, 03 Tan to Deep. Two different panels of Beauty Bible testers trialled shades 01 and 02. See their Comments below.

£40 - click to buy 

OUR TESTERS’ COMMENTS:

‘10/10. I love this product! I couldn’t believe the difference it made to my under eye look. I used the product under one eye initially so that I could compare. On the first day I used this, my hairdresser complimented me on looking radiant. It blended nicely and easily, and made the area look lighter, smoother, illuminated. I didn’t feel this was drying nor did it cake. This simply works. My friend tried it and bought it’ • ‘I described this as a “miracle face lift in a bottle” to my sisters! At a friend’s wedding my sister did my eye make-up and used this - everyone wanted to know what the wonder product was!! I don’t want to be without it now!’ • ‘this is less about coverage, and more about brightening and lifting the eye area. I don't have dark shadows under eye, just subtle lines. This lightened and brightened the under eye area and really did give such a lift’ • ‘this applied as a liquid but when blending felt more like a powder but it wasn’t drying and my under eye area felt hydrated. During the day it did not cake at all, which was really impressive or sink into my fine lines at all. I did not need to touch it up Even after a long draining day at work • ‘A brightening concealer that feels really light on the skin but gives good coverage hiding all the late nights and signs of ageing! The applicator wand was nice and narrow which made it easy to dab on and get under the eyes; I blended it out with my fingertips but you could use a brush. I would buy this as it hid my dark circles and fine lines, and just brightened and lifted my eyes’ • ‘10/10. I didn't know I needed this but it's now a hero product.  I adored it under my eyes, no caking whatsoever and gave a luminosity that really did reflect the light very naturally. It's perfect’ • ‘Very easy to apply with the sponge wand, brightened and smoothed the area, giving a lift and glow – radiance. Soooo moist and non-drying. I didn't need to touch it up at all but I did because I liked using it. YES! I would buy’ • ‘It advised to do an upside down triangle under the eye. I dabbed 3 spots in a triangle and blended with my finger, which was really easy. I saw a dramatic difference. I also used it as a brow bone highlighter and an eye shadow base too. I would buy it for the enhanced but natural look it gave’ • ‘I am amazed at the results! It literally does what it says on the tin. My eyes look brighter and more awake than ever. It also helps blur the look of fine lines, giving my face a lifted effect. I love that it banishes the look of darkness and fatigue. It’s quickly a must-have in my beauty routine. Highly recommend! ’ • ‘It really gave a nice even look and blended well on top of foundation not like a heavy coverage concealer looking “made-up”. The finish was more translucent and natural-looking.’

£40 - click to buy