This year at Urban Decay HQ, spring is a season of covert concealers and secret government agencies — or so it seems, based on the cool code names given to these new 24/7 Concealer Pencils ($18 each).
CIA, DEA, FBI, NSA, ATF, DOD, KGB and MI6? Those are some heavy hitting acronyms right there.
The first four — CIA, DEA, FBI and NSA — are repromotes of Urban Decay’s existing concealer pencils, with the same formula, but dressed in new packaging, while the other four — ATF, DOD, KGB AND MI6 — are new additions to the line designed for darker damsels/covert spies.
Last weekend I worked with the ATF, DOD and KGB on a very important case involving my dark under-eye circles and skin imperfections on my face. I directed ATF, a mid-toned dark golden beige, to take out my dark circles and dispatched DOD (a warm, dark tan) and KGB (a dark golden caramel) to work on my face.
Was the operation a success? Well, yes and no.
These guys are soft! — and creamy, but I mean that in a good way. 🙂 I like the way they feel and what a cinch they are to apply. The formula sinks right into my skin and doesn’t look like it’s just chilling on top.
24/7 Concealer Pencils from the left: CIA (a light creamy ivory); DEA (a light peaches and cream); FBI (a light medium beige) and NSA (a medium beige); $18 each
24/7 Concealer Pencils from the left: ATF (a medium, dark golden beige); DOD (a dark, warm tan); KGB (a darker golden caramel) and MI6 (a deep cocoa); $18 each
Swatches of the 24/7 Concealer Pencils from the left: CIA, DEA, FBI, NSA, ATF, DOD, KGB and MI6
But none of the shades I tried are spy-caliber experts in disguise. They don’t quite offer enough coverage to fully conceal the purple beneath my eyes or cover my dark post-acne discolorations, although they do make a noticeable difference, and when I tried to up their opacity by adding a few more layers, they started to look a little too thick.
I also noticed that when I didn’t prep my skin first with primer and then set it with powder, the formula faded after 3-4 hours; when I did, though, they lasted much longer.
If your secret agency is looking to recruit a new operative able to provide light-to-medium coverage, these creamy 24/7 Concealer Pencils should serve as effective new hires. Just be sure to partner them with primer and powder to prep and set; otherwise, you may find yourself having to reapply every few hours.
PRICE: $18 each
AVAILABILITY: Available now online at urbandecay.com, and coming soon to Sephora, Ulta and select Macy’s stores
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
For more on the Urban Decay Spring 2012 collection, check out…
- Urban Decay Spring 2012 Is Drawing All Writers With Lots of Pretty Pencils
- Lovechild and Apocalypse Walked Into a Bar… No, It’s Not a Joke. They’re Urban Decay’s Newest Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Colors
- The Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils in Demolition, Perversion and Woodstock Are Giving an Encore
- Urban Decay Spring 2012
2012: The Year of the Dragon…and Yoga
I need some deep breathing relief, so I’m off to yoga in a few. I sure hope I come back in a better mood and with the knots in my back untied.
How’s it going out yonder way? Tell me something good that happened to you today.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
DalaLuz says
I would love to try these! Any chance you would be willing to part for the concealers too light for you. I wrestle with a load of enemy forces trying to pull my under eye area over to the Dark Side, and I desperately need a Luke Skywalker with light saber.
Heidi says
Starting a new JOB tomorrow, so that’s exciting! I’m nervous, of course… it’s been so long since I worked, but I’m feeling positive. Life is looking up!
Look at Tabs, working on his fitness! So cute!
Claire says
I start a new job on Monday- I know the feeling! Good luck Heidi!
Heidi says
Thanks! Same to you!
Laura says
Love your blog 🙂 I wish your website had a way to search by the grades you give — I’d love to be able to see the concealers, foundations, etc. you’ve marked with a B+ or above.
Anna Merkel says
I second that! Great idea!
Jen says
Whoa. The first three look almost identical in the picture (CIA, DEA and FBI), and DEA, FBI and NSA look almost identical in the swatches. o_O
Oh, what the heck. The next three look really close, too. Maybe I just have a hard time distinguishing subtleties of color. 😛
artemis says
yeah, they seem identical at first :)) subtle differences
Sunny says
I’ve been pretty bad about using concealers, because whatever I do they always make my eyeliner (on my lower lash line that is) melt, and if I use them on my acne I’m worried they’d break me out again! Also, I haven’t progressed to using a foundation/concealer brush yet, so I’m just blending using my hands… That’s why I thought these would be promising, but apparently they don’t last long enough!
Love your yoga mat and Tabs who is sitting on it!
Since it’s Wednesday morning here I’ll tell you something good that happened to me yesterday: the boyfriend took me to my favorite pizza restaurant (as a belated celebration of Orthodox Christmas), and I received a swap package containing MAC Woodwinked and Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess in the mail!
Nika says
I love your concealer posts! Then I always know which ones not to get. 😀 Thank you Karen!
Stèphanie says
I would love to try these.. just wished they didn’t fade after 3 hours..
Nina says
i had salad for dinner – spinach, mushrooms, grape tomatoes and hardly any dressing. that’s my good thing for yesterday!
those concealer pencils are nifty — and the names made me giggle!
artemis says
i knew they we’re bad 😛
PinkGlitter says
I used to use their liquid concealer and wasn’t a fan. I love almost all of their other products though!
Ruchita says
Wow, that’s a lot of acronyms! I might pass on these, because I definitely need more coverage.
In other news related to kitties and yoga – my sister-in-law got me this cute Yoga Cats calendar for Christmas. 🙂
Karen says
Hi Ruchita,
If you need a lot of coverage, you might really like the MAC Prolongwear Concealers. They’re my go-to for both under eye and face stuff.
How cute is that calendar! I better hide it from Tabs… He’ll be jealous that he didn’t get asked to pose. He does a fierce downward dog. 😉
Happy Wednesday!
Chris25 says
I think I’ll stick with my Bobbi Brown concealers.
We’re picking up the new fur baby tonight! Yay! My boyfriend is thinking of naming her Ariel or Echo. He’s so indecisive, those names will probably change within 2 hours. 😛
Kim says
I don’t have a go-to concealer, mostly because I’m lazy. Not because my eyes don’t sometimes need help. 🙂 I’m getting a sample of Cover FX Conceal FX Camouflage concealer with my Sephora order so I’m sure I’ll be giving it a whirl. Btw, my Mia 2 should be in today – I’ll let you know how it goes (after that 24 hours of charging thing). 🙂
Something good that happened today? I got a new customer who picked up one of our new lines for their catalog/website. I actually did a little girly clap and hop while saying YAY! 🙂
What was your good thing? How is yoga going?
Nitzia Chifundo says
Hi
I have really bad under eye dark spots, I have tried so many concealers and none of them truly work for me. Do you have any recommendation? Or maybe I need a better foundation…Im a little desperate here 🙁