The 9 Most Flattering Concealers for Pale Skin
Greetings, fellow pale girls! You're among friends. I, myself, am one of the palest, freckliest people I know. (Who needs sunlight, right?) Generally speaking, I'm not mad about being pale. This wasn't always the case, but especially now, in 2017, people are finally warming up to the idea that there is more than one way to have a beautiful skin tone.
That said, there are a few downsides to being so fair. Aside from our susceptibility to sunburn, it is shockingly difficult to find concealer that works. There are so many concealer formulas that people rave about but that are off the table because the lightest shade still isn't light enough. Women with darker skin deal with a similar issue. (Check out our favorite concealers and color correctors for deep skin tones.)
Because we pale girls are not in the business of making our dark circles even darker, I went on a mission to gather the best fair concealers all in once place. Keep scrolling to find Byrdie editors' favorite concealers for fair skin!
According to another of Byrdie's resident pale girls, editorial assistant Katie McEntee, every pale girl should own a tube of this concealer, which comes in 20 impressive shades. "It is full coverage without being thick," she says. "It covers dark circles and redness around the nose, but it also has a brightening effect." Katie says she probably owns five bottles of this stuff—one in every purse.
This natural and ethically sourced product is Katie's "favorite natural concealer." It works especially well for covering dark under-eye circles. "It is full coverage and has a peach tint, so it's great at counteracting blue-toned circles," Katie describes. "And it has a thicker consistency, so you don't need to use much product."
Yes, great concealer for fair skin can be found at the drugstore. Drew Barrymore used this $9 pick from her makeup line for Walmart at this year's Golden Globes, and we were impressed by how well it worked to brighten up her under-eyes. The product applies with a convenient rollerball and is water-based for dry skin types.
Tarte makes some of my favorite pale-girl face products, and this hydrating concealer is my go-to of the moment. It's creamy, blends into the skin beautifully, and comes in 11 versatile shades. It does have a distinctive scent, which might irritate some users, but its blendable texture and brightening effects make it totally worth it to me.
Clé de Peau seems to have designed its dry concealer specifically for pale girls looking for top-notch coverage. It's the only concealer that Byrdie Beauty Director Deven Hopp uses. "It's an amazing product," she says. "It just covers really well without getting cakey or clumpy."
If you're into a feather-light texture, this pillowy-textured Nars concealer is worth a try. This is another of Katie's favorites. She says the product is "lightweight, goes on smooth, and gives moderate coverage." The formula is as creamy as its name promises, making it ideal for those with dry skin.
Don't have $70 to spend? Try this new solid concealer from Neutrogena, which sports a surprisingly hydrating formula. It's non-comedogenic, safe for sensitive eyes, and formulated with hyaluronic acid for extra moisture. It also applies smoothly and offers medium for coverage for those who prefer a more natural look.
Byrdie Senior Editor Hallie Gould says she would "be dead (or at least look dead)" without this under-eye concealer. "It comes in illuminating shades and color-correcting shades—I like to pair the two for under-eye circle double duty," she says. "First I apply a peachy shade to neutralize the blues and cover any darkness, then I follow up with the illuminating one to brighten and nix exhaustion from my eyes."
Fair-skinned celeb Lily Collins has relied on this concealer several times to achieve a flawless, awake-looking complexion. The coverage is natural but buildable and is waterproof for super-long-lasting wear.
What's your favorite concealer for your skin tone? Leave your recommendations in the comments below!