I May Be Sleep-Deprived, but At Least I Don't Look It
Written: Jul 20 '08
Product Rating:
Pros: Compact, sleek packaging, effective, velvety when applied
Cons: Now I need concealer every day to feel polished
The Bottom Line: While Mac Studio Stick Concealer probably won't work for people with oily skin, it is effective for unsightly circles and fine lines under the eyes.
meagandowney's Full Review: Mac Studio Stick Concealer
I started a new job about a month ago and as if on cue, my baby started waking up in the middle of the night the weekend before my first day. I picked up Mac Studio Stick Concealer on a makeup spree at Macy's shortly thereafter, when the dark circles under my eyes began to spread.
I wear foundation, but in the hot summer months I don't like to cake it on. I haven't worn concealer since I was a teenager, but as they say, a baby changes everything. I bought this hoping to create the illusion of an energetic employee. I chose NW20 with the help of the sales associate and paid around $15. Even though the baby is sleeping through the night now, I've been using this concealer every weekday since I purchased it.
This Isn't Your Average Concealer
My concealer experience has been restricted to gooey concoctions with applicators that are similar to what you'd find in lip gloss. I bought CoverGirl and Maybelline products at pharmacies when I was young and didn't need it. Now that I do have a need for it, I'm glad to have a big girl "studio stick" that doesn't drip or cause me to apply too much. A few dabs do me, and the dabs are dabs as opposed to gobs.
The product twists up and down from the base like a lip stick, though it's slightly longer and thinner than most lipsticks. The signature black and silver packaging may be difficult to find in the depths of my black purse, but the lid stays on tight. Can't say the same for many of the products in my purse - it's a jungle in there.
The stick has a slightly oily sheen on the stick itself, but it applies with just enough malleability to rub it in and set dry. Again, I've been using this on 90 degree days in July and this hasn't melted on me. I also don't need to reapply at all during the day. Coverage lasts until I wash my face or sleep with it on. I have started to use makeup remover more often because I'm also using Mac eye products, but this washes off easily with a simple cleanser and water.
Probably Not the Right Product for Oily Skin
If you match your color correctly, you could probably skip the foundation and just do a powder to even out your skin tone. I only use this under my eyes. It is certainly effective, but I can't comment on covering up blemishes because those thankfully disappeared for the most part after pregnancy. I would not recommend this for oily or acne-prone skin because of the sheen I see on the stick. I have normal to dry skin that is somewhat healthy, but I am beginning to see more fine lines, especially around my eyes. I like the fact that this concealer minimizes those without creating weird makeup lines from smiling.
Overall, I would recommend Mac Studio Stick Concealer for minimizing small imperfections on the delicate skin under the eyes. Fifteen bucks may seem a bit steep, but I have barely made a dent in my stick which has a small enough circumference to only apply exactly where I need it. I suspect I'll be using this for many months to come and with the climbing prices of cheaper brands, I'd rather pay for something once that works.
Lightweight yet creamy. A stick concealer that fuses natural-looking colour with a high-comfort, vitamin-enriched formula. Provides direct on-the-spot...More at Nordstrom
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