Clinique Airbrush Pen Concealer | Dispel Undereye Darkness Lightly
What you’re seeing is a “repurchase”. I had one of these Clinique Airbrush Pen Concealers a few months back and used it up way too quickly before I could review it because I used it almost every time I went out for 2 months. I was born with dark circles. Seriously, I must’ve had some late nights in mom’s womb or something because as far back as I can remember they showed up in photos regardless of whether I slept well or not. I also hated that people were always asking if I slept well or if I needed to rest when I was completely fine. I thought I was being led on yet again only because of Lisa Eldridge’s magic and her pleasant product pushing hypnosis, but in fairness to her so far not one of her recommendations have ever disappointed. Now I totally get why she prefers THIS PARTICULAR ONE by Clinique compared to dozens of pen concealer/highlighters out there. The concealing formula truly has some heft and coverage, not just micro luminosity. It does work using some light reflection but not the sort using shimmer that gives ugly flashback in photos. In short it’s got a level of acceptable “flashback” that you need.
If I’m not mistaken the current retail price from local Clinique counters is Php1050 or Php1150. The only con with this is locally (why again!!? in NYC they have 4 shades up to a really deep one) they only sell one shade Light 03 which would match of course me, a MAC NC30 girl (a yellow toned fair to medium shade). Don’t let them sell it to you saying “it’s universal”. Don’t ever accept that sort of “universal shade” sales talk when it comes to concealers and foundations unless it’s a chemically adjusting formula. If it’s not your shade it is simply not your shade. I guess the closest product with many shades that has a similar thin liquid formula for covering dark circles (no light reflection perk though) in a non-cake-y way is MAC Pro Longwear concealer. I hate the packaging of the MAC one though, the small pump which gives too much, if that product was in pen form it would be perfect and similar to this, so Clinique wins over that because of packaging for me, and because the only shade they sell here is my shade, thankfully. I got my second one with some saved up Rustan’s GCs. The product comes through from a brush tip on top after you twist and click at the bottom. It takes awhile for the product to come out when you first open it, but once it comes through it dispenses a bit more steadily with each twist. Read more to see my before and after shots plus a photo taken several months back with flash at a music gig I attended.
What has been a breakthrough for me with this product when it comes to undereye concealing is that I’ve realized if you can find a product like this that covers well and yet has a more THIN consistency you have a huge chance of next to no creasing under the eyes being possible. A slightly creamier/thicker one that also works well for everything is the NARS Creamy concealer, but when I need a bit of light reflection to help dispel some extra darkness I have, this one works better. Cake concealers are better off for spots unless you’re doing full on heavy theater or showbiz makeup. I simply like to sweep a little bit of this concealer in a smile shape on the lowest edge of my dark circles (not starting near the lashline, bottom going up) and add a little more on the inner and outer corners of my eyes. My simple method of working it in with fingers once applied is to repeatedly and evenly pat it in with fingers till it blends in with my skin,
I’ve also applied it around the corners of my nose, around the corners of my mouth, the top of my lip, and on my brow bone. As you can see it brings more light to the face in a flattering non-shimmery way.
I also have a photo of myself when I was out with friends at a certain gig in Ortigas several months back. It’s a no fuss, no filter, mobile photo with flash. All I have on here is the concealer and a hint of mineral powder I believe to combat shine, if it wasn’t mineral powder it was merely a very light tinted moisturizer. As you can see, nearly no trace of dark circles at all, and even with flash it looks believable.
I really feel sore about this only being available locally in this one shade LIGHT 03, it really is a marvelous formula, thin yet packs a punch with coverage. For the rest of you girls out there who aren’t medium-fair with golden undertones I told the Clinique team myself that I wish they’d bring in the airbrush pen shade range I saw in NYC. I spotted four shades when I was there and I’m partly regretting that I didn’t get the darkest shade for my work kit (I was on a limited shopping budget), including a definite medium tan and deep shade. If you are the same shade as me (Clinique light 03/macNC30) I highly recommend this if you’re frustrated with eye bags (it’s not for zit concealing, remember this has some light reflection)…this one will not solve puffiness though, if you have puffy eyebags it’s best to go with something more matte. Have any of you tried this Clinique Airbrush pen concealer?
