Thursday, May 23, 2013

Review: Mac Pro Longwear Concealer



Hi everyone, I've been a bit absent on here for the past week or so due to illness, as I did mention in Monday's post. I had a nasty bout of the flu, which knocked me for six a bit, and it's only today that I've been feeling back to myself and have got the energy to get on here and get back to blogging. I'm glad to be back, as I do hate leaving this little corner unattended. Normal service shall now resume!

I often complain about the dark circles I have under my eyes, and while they are hardly a severe example they do tend to put a dampener on my day in the mornings. I've tried countless concealers and eye creams, and while I have now discovered the Elemental Herbology Eye Elixir, which has worked very well for me in terms of darkness and puffiness, I was still on the hunt for that perfect concealer. Previously, I had been using Benefit Erase Paste, which I did quite like for some while, but essentially I began to notice that it was sinking into and emphasising fine lines just beneath my lower lash-line, and let's be honest, nobody wants to have to contend with that in their twenties. I had often wondered if the level of coverage Erase Paste gave was all there was - it's quite a thick paste, but still I could see the darkness through it.
So, on a fairly recent trip to Mac, I thought I would ask for some advice, having never tried their range of concealers in the past.
I was recommended the Pro Longwear Concealer, which is designed especially for the under-eye area. It comes in a small glass tube with a pump dispenser on the top - something which I quite like as it seems far more hygeinic than dipping your fingers into a pot or jar. The only down-side on that score is that often, one pump is too much, so you can end up wasting a bit of product here and there.
I was surprised to be recommended the shade NC30, which is a shade darker than my NW25 skin (I'm still unsure whether I'm really supposed to be an NW or NC, as I'm yet to find the perfect shade for me in Mac products). Anyway, I have always been of the belief that it was wise to go for a lighter shade under the eyes, since you are trying to counteract the darkness. However, the assistant very kindly applied some of the product for me, and I was astonished to see how much better a job it did of concealing my dark circles. It seems to me that using a lighter shade under the eyes only serves to highlight the problem, and if you're not careful you can easily end up with reverse panda eyes. Saying that, some people seem to swear by this method, so as usual, I suppose it's down to personal preference.
The concealer itself is a liquid, not unlike the Pro Longwear foundation in consistency, and blends effortlessly into the skin when applied with my Real Techniques setting brush (maybe not its intended purpose, but it works for me!). I find  the lasting power to be really good, even more so when I dust a small amount of powder over the top to set it - after eight hours it still looks pretty good, but it does depend on whether or not I've been absent-mindedly rubbing my eyes throughout the day or not, which does happen on occasion!
Overall I'm really pleased with this concealer, and I don't think I've ever been able to say that about any of the others I've tried. I'm going to stick with it, as used in conjunction with the afore-mentioned Eye Elixir, I'm finally feeling better about my dark circles and don't have that moment of despair in the mornings any more.

The Pro Longwear Concealer comes in at £14.50 for 9ml, and is available from the Mac store here.

What are your favourite under-eye concealers and creams? Have you ever tried anything that worked really well for you?

xx

18 comments:

  1. I've just posted about my under eye concealers as you can never have too many! Never tried this one though but it sounds lovely - great review! X

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    1. I will check that out then, always on the lookout although at the moment I'm actually quite happy with this - first time for everything!xx

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  2. I've been looking and trying so many different concealers for my dark circles but I've never found anything that noticeably did anything. I even bought a Bobbi Brown concealer hoping the higher price tag would make a difference (it didn't)
    I think I'll have to give MAC a go - as if I never thought of MAC before!
    Thanks for the review :)

    cllrs.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I'd definitely recommend this one, hope it works for you! Let me know if it does :)xx

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  3. I'm about to start a concealer series on my blog...

    My favourite has to be the Estee Lauder Creamy Concealer - great for under eyes that are also prone to dryness!

    Tania Xx

    http://taniad5786.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I will definitely pop over for a look at that then - still on the lookout for a good one for blemishes. The Estee Lauder one sounds lovely, will pop that on my to-try list for when this one runs out :)xx

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  4. This sounds good! I'm still using the collection one everyone went through a phase of loving but it creases so I might have try this next :) x

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    1. I've actually still never tried that one, I thought it wasn't meant to be that good for under the eyes? Not sure I've heard mixed thoughts on that, I do need a good one for blemishes though so will have to pick it up eventually!xx

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  5. Hi,

    Great review, i used to own the exact same concealer but i found that when i pumped the concealer, too much was being dispensed (sneaky mac!) i have found a better concealer, i use maybellines fit me in the shade 20 and i loves it! have you tried this one? i recommend that you do :)

    Zara (Bows and Pearls)

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    1. Yep, the pump is quite annoying in that sense, if I've got blemishes then I'm ok as one pump is just about right for under both eyes and a couple of those, but if not then it's such a waste xx

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  6. I got this MAC concealer a few months ago and has been included in my daily makeup routine. I like everything about this concealer except the pump. Always pump too much out and really a waste not to be able to use up all.

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    1. Yep, so annoying isn't it :( But I also hated the Erase Paste jar as I've got fairly long nails and would always end up getting product under them, yuck! Should have used a spatula really :-/ xx

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  7. Glad you're feeling better Mel - flu bugs knock the socks out of you so take it easy! I have a whole host of concealers going on at the moment - should really do one big post! Just bought the Bare Minerals brightening concealer so going to give it a whirl. This Mac concealer looks like a good one though and if its so long lasting will have to try this one out at some stage! xx

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    1. I don't think I've ever seen the Bare Minerals one, sounds intriguing!
      Feeling much better now thanks :)xx

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  8. I've heard some lovely things about this concealer, I should have had a closer look last time I stopped by MAC
    Amy xx
    A Little Boat Sailing

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    1. I'd definitely recommend it if you have any under-eye issues :)xx

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  9. I have heard so many great things about this concealer! I need to steer clear from MAC because I know that I will be tempted to buy it.

    I am currently loving the Benefit Fake Up concealer. It has great coverage, I just wish it would last a bit longer.

    Great post :)

    Salli
    xxx

    www.embracingtheenchanted.blogspot.com

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    1. Ha, it's a good investment though - anything that covers up dark circles is worth it as it becomes an every day staple. I want to try Fake Up, I've heard good things - shame it doesn't stay put long though xx

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