We've Been Waiting for This Concealer for a Long Time…

By Adele Chan

“I’ve been using this concealer for 8 years, and for 8 years, it’s the best concealer I’ve ever tried.”

I’ve been using the Clé de Peau Beauté concealer since 2010; it was introduced to me by a fellow beauty journalist from the Singapore media. And the irony is, we were at a press event; it was the launch of a Lancôme concealer, and while we were testing the new product, this person whispered to me: “The Clé de Peau one is so much better…” After that event, I secured my very-first stick, and have been using this one product religiously for the past eight years. So no offence to Lancôme here, or any other beauty brand; but Clé de Peau’s concealer is really very, very good. And I know that there are other really good concealers that you can buy from pharmacies and department stores — and I’ve tried many of them — but CDP’s one is still the best. To be fair, I do like the ones from Benefit, and many makeup artists swear by YSL’s Touche Éclat Radiant Touch pen (which I think is less a concealer, and more a highlighter). Also, can I just say that Lancôme may not be known for their concealers (at least in my opinion), but I think they have some of the best cushion compacts in the industry.
So why is CDP’s concealer the one I insist is best? It’s the texture. The concealer comes in a cream stick format that is not too soft, but melts into skin upon contact. I asked one of NYLON’s editorial interns, Natalie, to take a swipe of the product and tell me what she thinks; she was surprised that it had such high coverage for something so lightweight. And that’s the typical impression for this product; it feels so light upon application, but makes imperfections disappear. And you need only very little product at any one time.
 
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And as much as I can try to describe the experience of using this concealer, it is really the kind of product that you need to go feel and test for yourself. There are Clé de Peau Beauté counters at Takashimaya, Isetan and Tangs, and the boutique is at Mandarin Gallery. Don’t be intimidated by their thousand-dollar creams; just head to the makeup section, and go straight for the concealer. Pick it up and swipe it with your finger; all I’m saying is, once you actually feel the texture, you’ll consider buying it. And we’re talking about a concealer that costs just over a hundred dollars here. Did that price take you by surprise? Yes, that’s a normal reaction to a hundred-dollar concealer (especially since Maybelline’s award-winning, sold-out on counters when it first launched concealer, is $19.90 at Watsons).
Unsurprisingly, I was posed this question on Facebook: Are NYLON readers the right audience for a concealer from Clé de Peau Beauté? I say, why not? If someone is willing to spend money on a beauty product, my advice is always to save up and get that one item that works well, and that lasts a long time. But of course for a product like this concealer that is obviously expensive, one needs a bit more convincing to even consider it. Here’s a story: years ago when we held our first beauty awards, this concealer was one of the nominated products. I passed it on to one of our designers then — someone who had never tried this product before, so it would be a fair, unbiased opinion. Then a year ago, she wrote this on my Instagram post:
 
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This girl was in her early 20s when she first tried this product, and has probably hit her seventh stick by now (Ying, am I right?). So I do maintain, good, working products don’t have age boundaries; although the expensive ones will have you thinking twice before parting with your hard-earned cash for. But really, invest in a concealer; it can take years and fatigue off your face. I use this concealer for dark rings, sun spots, freckles, red marks, and blemishes, and Kim Kardashian uses this to contour her face — to each their own.

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(L-R): Ivory, Almond, Beige, Ocher, Honey, Mocha
 

VERSION 2.0

This month, a new version of this concealer launches on counters. The Clé de Peau Beauté team knows I am a fan of the original, and was worried about my reaction to the new formula. I’m pleased to say that it is every bit as good as the first one, but with an even lighter texture. I don’t know how the brand did it, but they improved on a product that was already the gold standard in its category. The press release says that this new formula includes SPF 25 PA+++ to protect the delicate undereye area from premature-aging, and it now features a blend of oils which allows the concealer to glide onto the skin effortlessly. There’s also Illuminating Treatment Powder in the formula that conditions and smooths out skin texture, and since it’s available in 6 shades, the product doubles up as a highlighter and contour stick, too.
I enlisted one of the best, and most honest makeup artists I know, Greg-O, to test out the new formula and texture on our model Jing Xie.
 

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STEP 1

Starting with the shade Ivory, Greg-O picked up a tiny amount of product with his finger and patted it gently around her undereye area. A thin coat is all that’s needed to make her visible dark eye circles disappear.
 

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STEP 2

With the same shade, he used a Sigma F68 Pin-Point Concealer Brush to conceal sunspots and red marks before applying the concealer around her nose and on the centre of her forehead to even out her complexion.
 

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STEP 3

Now that we’ve achieved the perfect base, Greg-O begins to contour her face with the shade Mocha. He advises using your fingers or a makeup brush to apply the product just below the cheekbone, under the apples of the cheeks and blend it out well. Remember to blend within the hollows of the cheeks! Using a brush, he then contours lightly around her hairline as well.
 

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STEP 4

Now he contours the nose. Sticking with the shade Mocha, just use the finger (or a brush, if you prefer) to apply a touch of concealer next to the inner corners of the eyes, and take it down the side of the nose. A small amount of concealer is easier to work with, and will help you achieve a more natural look.
 

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STEP 5

Finally, the concealer can also be used to highlight the face. With the shade Beige, Greg-O dotted the product on our model’s forehead, down her nose bridge, and under her eyes to draw light and radiance to those areas. He completes the sculpted look by adding a light touch of concealer on her chin, cupid’s bow, and the top of her cheekbones.
At the end of our photoshoot, I asked him what he thought about the new concealer, and he had this to say:

“It’s [the original version] known as the queen of concealers. And this new one is buildable, light-weight and it covers! It gives a natural feel without having much on; yet you can still achieve a flawless finish.”

 


HAIR & MAKEUP
Greg-O
MODEL
Jing Xie from Ave Management
Shot on an iPhone X.
 
Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer, $105. Available now in 6 shades at Clé de Peau Beauté counters at Takashimaya, Tangs, Mandarin Gallery, and Isetan Scotts.