Review: MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NW35

Overall, I consider my skin to be in pretty good shape, so even though I love to wear makeup, I also feel equally comfortable going out wearing only lip balm. But the only issue that's bothered me for years has been my dreaded dark under eye circles. They're not extremely dark, but they're dark enough to make me look tired.

I'd tried a concealer once that sucked and looked really unnatural so I was always afraid them, but I recently got fed up with them, and decided to go to a MAC store for some professional help.

One of the makeup artists decided that the best concealer for me was the Select Cover-Up, which MAC's website describes as "liquid camouflage for skin." And we decided that the NW35 shade suited me best.

Price of

MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NW35

A 10ml tube costs $16.50.

Claims for

MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NW35

www.maccosmetics.com also claims that the concealer is texture free and virtually invisible. It's supposed to blend in, brighten and lighten dark areas, erase spots, and even out skin tones. It can be used pre-foundation or alone.

Color of

MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NW35

NW35 is a creamy sandy beige color that I would've never tried on my own because I assumed it was a couple of shades too light and creamy for my skin tone (I have a caramel colored skin tone similar to Rihanna's or Beyonce's). But, it turned out to be less milky, and slightly darker and more golden than it appeared in the package.

NW35 matched my cheeks and parts of my under-eye area that isn't affected by the dark circles and it blended in well. The color isn't heavy or opaque, so the coverage was light so Select Cover-Up didn't make my dark circles disappear completely, especially at the darker inner corners of my eye, but it made them look lighter.

The MAC concealer also contains light reflectors which also brightened my under eye area a couple minutes after it set.

Overall, even though there was a still a faint shadow underneath my eyes, I was pleased with the coverage of this concealer. My circles faded so my eyes look refreshed, but the effect was natural not perfect and flawless, which would have looked weird.

Texture of

MAC Select Cover-Up Concealer in NW35

Select Cover-Up is a liquid concealer, and the tube it comes in has a tiny opening and all I need is the smallest drop because it spreads out and gives me enough coverage. The texture of it is great, it's very light and water so it feels like I'm applying a moisturizer. But once it's full absorbed it feels exactly like my skin, only a bit smoother.

The Cover-up looked seamless against my skin, it blends in completely and looked natural. I didn't have to worry about it looking cakey or heavy so it looked great even when I wore it without foundation.

It lasted a full day, and didn't settle into the fine lines under my eyes. It can be applied with the fingers, but I found that I got the best results when I put it on with a concealer brush.

In the End...

I'm really glad I bought this MAC concealer, it's a very good product, and it wasn't outrageously priced. I'd recommend it for concealing minor dark under eye circles and tiny red spots or blemishes. For anything darker, try a MAC concealer with heavier coverage. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.