Brushes from the left: Laura Mercier Blending Brush, MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush, MAC 217 Blending Brush, Sonia Kashuk Crease brush
I kid you not, I just accidentally swiped a tube of MAC C-Thru Lipglass beneath my right eye because I thought it was my tube of MAC Select Moisturecover concealer, LOL! Yup…total concealer #fail. 🙂
Under-eye concealer has been on my mind, and under my eyes, a little more than usual lately because I haven’t been getting enough sleep (lots of late-night reading), so I’ve been carrying around some of my favorite concealers and concealer brushes wherever I go.
MAC Eyeshadow X 2 in Marche Aux Puces and MAC Fluidline in Dark Diversion on my eyes; MAC Powder Blush in Supercontinental on my cheeks (all are products from the new Styleseeker collection)
A few of my favorite brushes for concealer
I alternate among a few different brushes for concealer, but I’m partial to ones with domed or tapered heads, like the MAC 217 Blending Brush and MAC 224.
Sometimes, I’ll grab a dense, stubby crease brush. Sonia Kashuk made a limited edition one that I still use and love, but I also like her Large Crease Brush, which is still available and only $5.99.
MAC Mattene Lipstick in Delectable and MAC Lipglass in C-Thru on my lips (also from the Styleseeker collection); Illamasqua Rubber Brights Nail Polish in Serenity on my nails; the ring is from an old bottle of Avril Lavigne Black Star perfume (!)
The shape
A big factor for me is the shape. I like a smaller brush head that fits snugly into the nook under my eyes, so I can really get into the corners and just beneath the lash line, but a fluffy brush head can also come in handy, by evenly distributing product without leaving streaks behind.
Application
Now, how do I use these brushes? Well, if the concealer comes with a doe-foot applicator like MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer, I’ll apply the product beneath my eyes with it, and then use one of my regular makeup brushes, the ones I mentioned above, to buff and blend the product into my skin. Then, using a clean finger, I’ll gently pat it down, so that it doesn’t look like it’s sitting on top of the skin.
Alternately, when a concealer comes in a squeeze tube, I’ll apply a small amount to the back of my hand, and then pick that up with one of the brushes. And if the concealer comes in a jar, I’ll usually just swipe the brush across the pot.
Of course, all of this depends on how much time I have. I’m not above using my fingers when I’m really pressed for time, but I definitely prefer to use a brush, because I feel like the application looks more natural to me.
How about you? What do you use to apply concealer?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I love MAC 217 for concealing especially with liquid concealer but somehow I find the finish comes out better when I use my fingers. Once a MAC artist used the Studio Finish concealer on me with the 222 brush and the finish came out simply brilliant!
Thanks for the recommendations, Karen! I really need more 217’s in my stash! Keep thinking I should pick at least one more up because I use it all the time.
I use Bdellium 934 for concealer, though a lot of the times I’m lazy enough to just use my fingers… oops!
What color is on your nails? It looks gorgeous on you!
Hi Debbie,
That’s Illamasqua Rubber Brights Nail Polish in Serenity.
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/daily-beauty-cat/serenity-now/
Thanks for the tips. When ever I try to apply concealer under the eyes I look older than what I am, it settles in my fine lines maybe using a brush to blend will help. What eyeshadow are you wearing in these pics? It looks pretty on you. BTW there is an adorable dress at Anthropolie right now with cat heads all over it, I immediately thought of you. I would send a link but I’m not text savvy.
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for the heads up on the dress! I’ll see if I can find it.
As for the eyeshadows, I’m wearing MAC Eyeshadow X 2 in Marche Aux Puces from the new Styleseeker collection. Here’s a couple links:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/mac-makeup/mac-styleseeker-swatches-and-pics/
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/mac-makeup/more-mac-styleseeker-first-impressions-and-face-pics/
As for your concealer settling into your fine lines, have you tried setting it with a little bit of powder? That might help.
Haha, you’re too cute, Karen!
I have (and love) a 217, but I’ve never given it a try with undereye concealer — that’s definitely going on tomorrow’s to-do list! 😉 I usually use something closer to a 224, but it does seem a little too floppy at times.
Hmm, maybe something with a domed shape, Rae? The 217 works wonders…
never thought of using a fluffy brush! always used my fingers haha. need to try this 🙂
Fingers are great too…but try the fluffy brush! You might like it too. 🙂
I love the MAC224 for applying undereye concealer. Its fluffy and soft.
I also like this brush from the Sephora
http://www.sephora.com/pro-airbrush-concealer-brush-57-P313020
Its really soft too and it does give an airbrushed finish to the concealer!
Oh, that looks really good! I think I need to swing by Sephora before dinner to check it out!
I hope you like it – its soooo soft! 🙂
Hi. Just wanted to ask if you prefer the Sephora concealer brush to the Mac 224. I have a 217, which I use for eye shadow, and love. I thought about getting a second one for concealer. However, I’m curious re: the 224 and the Sephora concealer brush. Both look great.
PS: I’m in my late 40s and really need something that makes the concealer (under my eyes) look airbrushed.
Thanks!
I usually apply concealer with my fingers. I have the 217 brush but I had never thought of using it to conceal my undereye area. I will definitely try that tomorrow, thanks for the tip!
You’re welcome! I hope you like it. 🙂
I have a short handled 217 from a travel set and was using that and an ECO tools concealer but I got the new Chanel concealer brush and absolutely love love love it♥
Oh, that’s cool! Did you get any of the other Chanel brushes?
I had all the old Chanel ones – but I”m old – so my Chanel brushes were very old – LOL so i started buying some MAC’s and I love them also. When the new Chanel one’s came out I started buying one at a time – I bought almost all of them now – the only ones that I do not have are the Powder and the small angle for brows. I love them all.
I’ve never thought about using brushes like that to put on under-eye concealer! I’ve been using the Sigma concealer brush to apply my Bobbi Brown Corrector… Do you think the brushes you mentioned will work well for that concealer too?
On a random note, I almost applied Bare Study on my under-eye circle this morning… Clearly I don’t have enough sleep! I really need to stop these late night reading..
Hi Angel,
Yup. The fluffy ones like the 217 would probably lay down a lighter layer of product compared to the stiff crease brush. It really depends on how much coverage you want. 🙂
You know I love late night reading! What are you reading these days?
Ok great! I will definitely have to try that! I find that I use too much concealer when I use the flat stiff concealer brush, so hopefully using a brush like 217 will fix that problem!
Right before bedtime is my favourite time of the day to read! I just finished Insurgent, and now I’m trying to finish the series A Song of Ice and Fire, but that’s going quite slow haha. Do you have any book suggestions? I’m looking for some good books to read and would love to hear some suggestions! 🙂
Great tips! Have you tried the sephora pro concealer brush? It’s amazing!
Hi Nadia,
I haven’t! Do you use it with liquid concealers?
I use it with the laura mercier creamy concealer. It gives a really nice finish 🙂
I have the Sephora Pro concealer brush and love it too! That’s what I use every day.
I am such a makeup cavewoman. Any liquid product is applied or blended with my fingers. It’s a bit sad and I feel really guilty every time I see all your awesome brushes. 🙂
Fingers are great too! I find that they give a really natural finish, especially if you take the time to work the product into the skin.
Thanks, Karen. I feel a little better now. 🙂
love both the 217 and 224, the perfect undereye concealer brushes!
And your nail polish is amazing! Is it Illamasqua? I have one nail polish by them, its a bright florescent yellow called “Rare” and its just the perfect amount of neon!
http://statigr.am/viewer.php#/detail/243734647564856885_2670954
Def want to try your color out tho 🙂
I have switched my drag makeup from MAC Full Coverage to a blend of MAC ProLongWear Concealor colors covered by a layer of MAC Matchmaster foundation and I have four 224 brushes and three 217 brushes. I LOVE LOVE LOVE them both and need more 217 brushes because I always end up short at weddings and events. If any of you cover a large surface area (like I do with my beard area) in ProLongWear concealor, I also recommend the 130 brush. It is technically a foundation brush but the synthetic fibers really buff the product in similar to the way the 224 does.
FYI, Kare-kare, you look totes adorbs. That eyeshadow duo looks pretty good on your skin tone and your skin looks flawless.
I don’t wear concealer that often (but I’m searching for a new, moisturizing undereye concealer at the moment), but when I do, I just use my fingers. I find that when i use a brush, it really accentuates dryness. I need the heat of my fingers to really melt the product into my skin
Can you share how you applied the eyeshadow? Thanks!
I have the sudden urge to buy all the makeup brushes you like for concealing! :p
I like to use fingers usually but I definitely go for same types of brushes if I do use brushes
I have a concealer brush two concealer brushes; on from Sephora and one from Ecotools. I never use them to apply concealer. I use them to apply cream eyeshadows, like L’oreal Infallible. When I use concealer, I dot the concealer under my eyes with the little applicator that it comes with. Then I lightly pat the concealer in with my finger.
On an unrelated note, your blush looks amazing!
I know that ring. Avril lavinge parfum 😀
I’m going to have to try one of these brushes and see how it works. I am the WORST concealer-applier, and I usually skip it altogether (even though I def. need it!).
omg Im just so in love with your nail POLISH!!
On myself I always use my fingers. On models I use a brush, though, usually MAC’s 195 concealer brush. I usually use cream concealers.
That look is beautiful on you 😀 and great for summer
I was using Sonia Kashuk’s Domed Eye Shadow Brush from the Kashuk Tools line. But now I go back and forth between that and the Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush. They really aren’t similar at all, and I was surprised to love the RT brush. Just depends what kind of mood I’m in.
they are all lovely brushes. Buffing brushes always give such smooth finish!
Karen your polish is gorgeous! What is the brand? Stp
MAC 217 and MAC 224 are 2 of my favorite brushes from MAC. Great advice by the way!!!