WHILE I don’t think I look too bad for my 43 years, my eye bags have always been my number one pet hate.
I have three kids and a busy job as a writer, so sometimes I do feel tired. But no matter how much sleep I get, I feel my face looks permanently exhausted.
Lynsey tests Victoria Beckham’s £64 under-eye concealer, above before use[/caption]
She says: ‘I’d love to use this every day but in reality, I can’t afford to’, above after using the concealer[/caption]
I have tried all sorts to cover my dark circles including pricey concealers from top brands Charlotte Tilbury and MAC, plus all manner of eye creams and gels.
I even invested in LED face masks, under-eye gel pads and massage rollers to try to get rid of them.
But no matter how much I spend, those dark circles refuse to budge.
My go-to has become Maybelline Fit Me concealer. It’s cheap and cheerful but although it looks OK when first applied, it quickly wears off.
So when I heard about the revolutionary new concealer pen from Victoria Beckham, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one.
In tests, 100 per cent of triallers agreed it visibly improved the appearance of dark circles, without settling into pores and other imperfections. But, like most of Posh’s products, it doesn’t come cheap.
Costing an eye-watering £64 for 2.4ml, it begs the question: is any concealer really worth that much?
Right now, celebrity beauty brands are big business.
Earlier this week, The Sun revealed how actress Selena Gomez has become a billionaire, thanks to the success of her range Rare Beauty.
And there are many other stars, such as Rihanna, Kylie Jenner and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who all have their own successful make-up lines.
In 2019, VB decided she wanted a slice of the beauty pie and launched Victoria Beckham Beauty.
The Spice Girl, had previously dipped her perfectly manicured toes into the beauty market in 2016, when she collaborated with Estée Lauder and brought out a range of limited-edition skincare and make-up.
So far, Victoria Beckham Beauty is pulling in rave reviews and her Satin Kajal liners (£30 a pop) and Baby-Blade Microfine Brow Pencil (£32) are already firm favourites with beauty editors.
But this latest product launch could prove to be her biggest success to date.
The Concealer Pen, created with Augustinus Bader, the stem cell scientist and founder of his own skincare brand, comes in 16 shades and “light-to-medium coverage”.
It is packed with skincare heroes like Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, which is said to reduce wrinkles, and Polyglutamic Acid, which can boost moisture and elasticity.
Its special formula is said to “improve your complexion in four weeks”. Victoria says: “Imagine a concealer you need less the more you use it.
“The formula easily and quickly camouflages dark circles and spots, but the ingredient technology that is in The Concealer Pen is just as powerful as skincare.
“It acts as a super-nutrient for your skin alongside smooth, brightening coverage that’s not too oily or too drying.”
So, could Posh’s concealer be the answer to my puffy-eyed prayers?
It is very pricey but if it works, I’d be tempted to sneak this into my budget.
I ordered it online after taking the “match my shade” quiz on her website.
You enter the colour of other products you use and it gives you a recommended shade.
I worried that the “M2” shade looked too dark for me online but when it arrived it was perfect.
It acts as a super-nutrient for your skin alongside smooth, brightening coverage that’s not too oily or too drying
Victoria Beckham
It’s medium, with golden undertones. Victoria’s claims sound wonderful, but does it actually work?
The simple answer for me is: yes.
This product is actually seriously impressive.
Using the pen is straightforward and although many brands have done away with this type of click pen, I found it easy to use.
At first, you need to click the button several times until the concealer dispenses on to the brush.
Best one ever
For me, it took so many clicks before it came out that I actually began to worry my Pen was empty.
For best results, you should apply to well-moisturised skin, so I made sure to apply a good coat of a thick Estee Lauder moisturiser before using the concealer.
The brush applicator was fantastic, you could get right up under the lashline and I felt I could grip it well and carefully apply the product.
It was also easy to apply to the right area, which meant I didn’t feel like I was wasting any of this pricey product. I applied it not only under the eyes but also on the eyelid as that area too can sometimes look veiny and dark.
My eye bags are intense and I want them gone but in terms of coverage, this was quite light.
However, I was able to build it up to medium coverage without it looking too cakey.
It concealed the blue discolouration under my eyes and improved the look of my fine lines, too.
If it really will minimise them going forward, even better.
I’d love to use this every day but in reality, I can’t afford to
Lynsey
And if it does the job of a concealer and an eye cream, that makes it slightly more value for money.
The concealer has become a staple in my make-up bag.
It’s great to know it doesn’t only cover up my dark circles but also treats them and makes me look less tired.
It is without a doubt the best concealer I’ve ever used.
I’d love to use this every day but in reality, I can’t afford to. I will have to save this for special, or should I say Posh, occasions.
Expert make-up artist gives her verdict
MAKE-UP artist Lisa Coleman says: “I find the packaging frustrating as you can’t tell how much is left in the tube.
“The colour match online is also a little tricky. If you want to try this product, go to a beauty counter where you can be properly colour matched.
“It’s quite high coverage for under the eyes. It is definitely meant to conceal, rather than reflect light in the same way as a product like YSL Touche Eclat.
“A little goes a long way, so use it sparingly to avoid ageing the face. Overall, it was a great product, but there are lots of high street options, which cost far less and do the same job.
“Shop around and try some testers if you can before investing such a large sum of money.”
So is Posh too pricey? Try these High St versions instead
Rimmel The Multi-Tasker Concealer, £8.95, asda.com[/caption]
Lynsey says: ‘It has high coverage and really brightened under my eyes.
“It was easy to blend and effective at hiding blemishes and redness’
Max Factor Miracle Pure Concealer with Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, £10.99, boots.com[/caption]
Lynsey says: “It has quite heavy coverage, but the texture was thick and a little oily.”
Max Factor Miracle Pure Concealer with Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid, £10.99, boots.com[/caption]
Lynsey says: “It has quite heavy coverage, but the texture was thick and a little oily.”
L’Oreal Paris Infallible 24h More Than Concealer, £11, sainsburys.co.uk[/caption]
Lynsey says: “Fab concealer for the price. It gave a thick coverage, that lasted through until the evening.”
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer, £6.99, superdrug.com[/caption]
Lynsey says: “This one provides good cover-age, but it does tend to go a bit cakey, which then may draw attention to any creases. The tube lasts ages.”
