Wake up tired eyes with these must-have beauty buys – including a £6.99 concealer that banishes dark circles
FINDING The One when it comes to beauty products is hard, even for someone who does it for a job.
There are so many different formats, formulas and shades out there that it can be difficult to find something that looks good and lives up to its claims – so it’s no wonder that when we do, we stick with it. But what happens if they are discontinued?
When cosmetics brand Becca announced it would be closing this year, I went into mourning for its iconic under-eye corrector, then began trying to find an alternative.
The Becca Under Eye Brightening Corrector has been my go-to for years, as the peach hue banished any blue/green tones and rendered dark circles invisible in seconds, while the creamy texture meant it layered well under liquid concealer.
- Bobbi Brown Creamy Corrector, £18, John Lewis - buy
I’ve struggled to find a single dupe that does as good a job, but in terms of consistency and coverage, Bobbi Brown Creamy Corrector, £21.50, comes very close. Plus, it’s available in 15 shades (compared to Becca’s two), so caters to more skin tones.
- Nars Radiant Creamy Color Corrector, £21.60, Look Fantastic - buy
Nars Radiant Creamy Color Corrector, £24, is also great at cancelling out the shadows and is easier to blend thanks to the liquid formula. But, be warned, if you’re particularly pale (like me) even the lightest of the four shades might be too dark.
- Sleek Makeup Lifeproof Colour Corrector in Ditch Dark Circles, £6.99, Boots - buy
Sleek Makeup Lifeproof Colour Corrector in Ditch Dark Circles, £6.99, does a similar job and makes quick work of erasing unwanted tones for a fraction of the price, but is only available in one shade.
- Clarins Double Serum Eye, £56, House of Fraser - buy
For best results, prep is key. Use Clarins Double Serum Eye, £56, to hydrate the area. The eye version of the brand’s bestselling serum smooths creases and adds radiance as well as moisture.
- Milk Makeup Sunshine Under Eye Tint + Brighten, £26, Cult Beauty, Buy
For those no make-up days, when you still feel like your peepers need a pick-me-up, I’m loving Milk Makeup Sunshine Under Eye Tint + Brighten, £26. The glass rollerball cools skin on contact, while its squalane, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C packed formula contains light-reflecting pigments to brighten the area.
- Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Brighten Up Concealer, £15, Boots - buy
Finally, you need a great concealer to cover your corrector, and I can’t rave enough about Sculpted by Aimee Connolly Brighten Up Concealer, £15. It doesn’t crease or settle into fine lines, looks natural and stays put all day.
Just as I found my arsenal of alternatives, Smashbox announced that it will be carrying the original Becca formula, in an extended shade range, from March 2022, as part of the Smashbox Loves Becca partnership. At least I’ve got options should it get discontinued further down the line...
THE BEAUTY PANEL
What’s the best shampoo for grey hair when you also have a dry scalp? Angela, Bolton
After growing out my own greys since the start of the first lockdown, I’ve had plenty of time to try out different products, and I’ve found that natural, organic formulas work best for me. They’re often gentler, so will be great for your dry scalp. I love the John Masters Organics range, but to help get rid of any flakes, try The Body Shop Ginger Scalp Care Shampoo and Conditioner, £7.50 each. To keep the colour silver and remove any yellow tinges, I use Maria Nila Sheer Silver Shampoo, £21.95, every other wash.
DO YOU HAVE A BEAUTY PROBLEM? email our panel at be[email protected]
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