The beauty gurus at Nordstrom have been telling me to keep an eye on Dior. Big things are being predicted from the line, and Dior counters are popping up at Nordie’s stores across the US.
But with the exception of DiorShow Mascara, I haven’t had much experience with Dior, so I was curious about their other products. A few weeks ago I decided to try a tube of Dior Long-Wearing Moisturizing Concealer in Medium Beige ($27). Shannon Blunden, a fantastic makeup artist and the Cosmetics and Fragrance Manager at Nordstrom in Union Square, sold me on the product after using it to conceal my dark undereye circles. It also worked well on my eyelids as a shadow primer. Check it:
Undereye circles be gone, yo!
Shannon first discovered Dior concealer a few years ago doing wedding makeup on a bride who insisted upon using it for her big day. After seeing how well it worked, Shannon was hooked. It soon became the only concealer she would use on herself or her clients.
Dior concealer has a slightly thicker consistency than my go-to concealer, MAC Select Moisturecover. It’s also more heavily pigmented, which makes it a bit tricky to work with. Forget slap-it-on-and-go here.
Using the smallest little dab, I apply Dior slowly, layer by layer, and blend like crazy. It takes time to blend sufficiently, but rushing through the job will show lines of demarcation on your skin.
Applied correctly, Dior Moisturizing Concealer looks seamless. I can barely tell I’m wearing any concealer at all. It does take a lil’ bit of work, though, and you know me … lazy to the Nth degree. First using a layer of something like Laura Mercier’s Foundation Primer to “cushion” the product makes it easier to blend, and I found that a drop of foundation to the undereye area did wonders. When used to cover a base product, Dior Moisturizing Concealer becomes far easier to layer and blend.
Like the name says, the formula has supreme staying power without drying the skin under my eyes. After a few hours, some moisturizing concealers migrate into my fine lines like crazy. Dior does, too, but not as much as MAC Select Moisturecover.
The catch, unfortunately (there’s always a catch), is the limited shade selection. For now, there are only three colors to choose from: Light Beige, Medium Beige and Light Golden. The product is also heavily perfumed and smells strongly of baby powder. My sensitive nose protested at first, but the scent faded quickly.
At $27, it ain’t cheap, but you get a big tube. I found I only needed to use a few drops on my dark circles and guess that one tube would last me at least a year.
Because of how easily it applies, my tube of MAC Select Moisturecover still reigns supreme on super lazy days, but when time is not of the essence and I want to look my best, I’ll reach for Dior’s Moisturizing Concealer, fo’ sho.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Abi says
February 12th, 2008 at 11:44 amHey Karen!
Wow that concealer looks sooo good on you! I can’t even see it, and it looks like you got 12 hours of sleep. Something else to add to my LONG list of beauty wants, ugh. LOL 😀
have a sweet day, Karen!
EtherealPrey says
February 12th, 2008 at 11:46 amzomg, I’ve been searching for an uber awesome concealer for under eyes and haven’t found it yet! currently using the YSL touche thing. Not bad, but seriously pricey. I wonder if the Dior ppl will test it on my face before….
TUPRNUT says
February 12th, 2008 at 12:11 pmYour eyes look so fresh here. I’ve been using a Clinique concealer and it’s been just ok for me. I haven’t loved MAC’s concealer’s, so I may have to try this out… Thing is, there isn’t a Dior counter around here… I’d have to travel 2 hours to Indy.
I’m a NC 15/20… what would be your shade recommendation, if you don’t mind?
Allie says
February 12th, 2008 at 2:03 pmI have the same blending problem with most undereye concealers and highlighters. Lately I’ve been applying a tiny bit of eye cream a couple minutes before the concealer, and it goes on much easier.
PS- You look gorgeous! What else do you have on?
elyse says
February 12th, 2008 at 2:09 pmYou look absolutely beautiful!!! I have been really loving your look lately.
Karen says
February 12th, 2008 at 2:20 pmHi Abi!
My list of beauty wants never seems to end. 🙁 In addition to the Fafi Paint Pots, I’ve been wanting a bunch of Nars and Laura Mercier spring colors.
Hope your Tuesday’s been fine and dandy! 🙂
Karen says
February 12th, 2008 at 2:22 pmHi EtherealPrey,
I know if you go to Nordie’s you can usually snag a generous sample. 🙂 It’s a good idea to test it beforehand – seriously, it smells really perfume-y so I’m warning you now!
I’ve used YSL touche eclat and it does NOTHING for me. It barely held up through the day and didn’t cover jack squat.
Karen says
February 12th, 2008 at 2:27 pmHi Tuprnut,
Two hours is a long way for some concealer, girlfriend! 😉 For you’d I’d go with the light beige or medium beige (depending on if you’ve got a tan or not), rather than light golden (which sounds more yellow). Beige usually means there are some pink tones, and I learned from a MAC artist a long time ago that even if you are an NC (more yellow undertones, which I am too), you’ll still want to go with NW (more pink) for your concealer. At first I was skeptical but now I am a believer.
Karen says
February 12th, 2008 at 2:30 pmHi Allie,
Thanks for the tip. 🙂 Do you have a favorite eye cream?
Oh, as for the other makeup, hmm, I have it all written down at home (so I’ll add more specifics when I get home from work) but here’s what I remember:
-Chanel foundation
– Laura Mercier Loose powder
– MAC Eyeshadows: Kid in the crease, Woodwinked on the Lid
– MAC Cream Color Base in Pearl underneath Woodwinked on the Lid
– MAC Blacktrack on upper lashline
– Shu Uemura false lashes on upper lash line
– Blush?
– Dior lipgloss
🙂
Karen says
February 12th, 2008 at 2:30 pmThanks Elyse! 🙂
What colors have you been into lately? Hope you’re having a groovy Tuesday!
Breezy says
February 12th, 2008 at 2:46 pmYaaay, that’s one of the concealers I actually use in my stash of concealers. I feel like I’m doing something right, seeing you write about it Karen! I do the same and put some primer on first and I acutally use an orangey base concealer first and THEN go over it with the smallest amount of the Dior concealer and thanks to you I se it with Laura Merciers brightening powder and I swear it works friggen wonders.
BTW you look awesome in the pic! 😉
bushra says
February 12th, 2008 at 2:55 pmok, that looks good. any chance of a before shot? i have serious dark circles and this products looks really good right now.
Karen says
February 12th, 2008 at 3:01 pmThanks Breezy! 🙂
It’s amazing how little you have to use of the Dior, right? Just dots and you get so much coverage.
What base concealer do you use? Share with the class!
Karen says
February 12th, 2008 at 3:02 pmHi Bushra,
I didn’t take any before pics that day. But typically mine look like this:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/product-review-laura-mercier-secret-brightening-powder-in-2/
bushra says
February 12th, 2008 at 3:05 pmoh, ok. trust me, those ain’t dark circles! but i’m going to give this product a shot none the less. finding the perfect concealer is my own personal make up quest!
Karen says
February 12th, 2008 at 3:09 pmOHHHH that was a GOOD DAY. When I don’t get any sleep it is not pretty.
Have you tried Amazing Cosmetics concealer? They sell it at Sephora. My friend has hard core dark circles and she swears by them. I haven’t purchased it yet – one tube is $40, yowza!
bushra says
February 12th, 2008 at 3:11 pmsounds good, sephora left the UK a few years ago but i’m sure i could source it elsewhere, thanks!
Karen says
February 12th, 2008 at 3:13 pmYou’re welcome! There’s like, eight shades, so you’ll get more variety than the Dior. I remember the consistency being slighter thinner but it being very pigmented. Good luck!
Hessah says
February 12th, 2008 at 5:08 pmWoW Karen.. you ara glowing in that pic..
Kelly says
February 12th, 2008 at 5:43 pmKaren, you look flawless! Gorgeous like usual…i might have to look into that but the price will hurt my wallet–however, it may be worth it. You’re the best Karen!
Karen says
February 12th, 2008 at 6:35 pmThank you, Hessah! 🙂 Hope you had a good Tuesday!
Karen says
February 12th, 2008 at 6:36 pmHiya Kelly,
I know, it’s kinda pricey. Well, try it out first and if you dig it (it’s one of those either you’ll love it or hate it products) then know at least that it’ll last you F O R E V E R. Seriously, the smallest lil’ dab will go a long, long way! 🙂
May says
February 13th, 2008 at 6:30 amYou look so gorgeous, Karen! And I love that pinky-peach-coral eyeshadow on you!
BeautyTalk says
February 13th, 2008 at 9:26 amI also use MAC Select Moisturecover and while it’s great, it doesn’t give me the coverage I truly need for my hideous dark circles. I will try this and also the Laura Mercier Brightening Powder.
P.S. I’ve added you to my blogroll. I love your writing!
RVAfashionista says
February 13th, 2008 at 9:43 amKaren, you’ve really got me lemming for the Dior now… I’m just waiting for a counter to miraculously appear at my local Nordies! 🙂
kia says
February 13th, 2008 at 9:54 amwow karen you look absolute gorgeous~ i agree the peachy coral (that you say you made out of woodwinked and kid?) looks amazing on you. the falsies took this neutral day look to glam! thanks for sharing.. ughh add to my ‘karen recommends list: LM secret brightening powder, now this Dior!!’ LOL!! you applied the falsies yourself? way to go!
Breezy says
February 13th, 2008 at 10:13 amHey Karen, Ok so since you shared awhile back on how pink concealer is supposed to counteract the blue undereye thing — well I did some more reasearch since I’m a concealer junkie lookin for my next big fix and I found a couple of youtube videos from the makeup artist on The View Eve Pearl and she says the same thing with some great examples, she sells her own online but anyhow– I found some on another site that is ridiculously cheap its called Ben Nye – and I got it in Mellow Orange lite. It’s like 4 bucks or something. I think its used for stage makeup so a tiny bit goes a long way and covers ridiculously. You’ll seriously look like a model with this stuff and the dior.
Karen says
February 13th, 2008 at 1:06 pmThank you, May! 🙂 They are a combo of a few MAC classics. Hope you’re having a great week so far!
Karen says
February 13th, 2008 at 1:07 pmHi BeautyTalk,
Thanks girlfriend! You’ll love the LM Secret Brightening Powder, seriously…it’s one of those change-your-life products 🙂
Karen says
February 13th, 2008 at 1:08 pmHI RVAfashionista,
LOL, I know, right? I’ve got my eye on the eyeshadow quads and a few lipglosses … ahhhhh! Seriously, if you ever need someone to be your makeup enabler I am *always* here for you 😉
Karen says
February 13th, 2008 at 1:10 pmHi Miss Kia!!!
Yeah, that’s Woodwinked, with Pearl Cream Color Base beneath, on the lid. Seriously, try this combo, it’s freaking amazing in real life! I can totally see you rocking it. (Oh, and Kid in the crease!).
Whatcha been up to lately?
Karen says
February 13th, 2008 at 1:11 pmOHHHH BREEZY! You are my hero. I’ve heard good things about Ben Nye so now this just gives me an excuse to snag some stuff.
The fight against dark circles rages on! 🙂
ayayan says
February 16th, 2008 at 7:24 ami loveeee this look!
peachy colors (kid and woodwinked..right?) look really good on you.
Karen says
February 17th, 2008 at 8:16 pmThanks Ayayan! Yep, that’s Woodwinked on the lid (with Pearl Cream Color Base underneath) and Kid in the crease. Have a great week! 🙂
Holly says
January 21st, 2009 at 10:03 pmHello, fellow concealer-fan! 🙂
I have always had a battle with not only dark circles, but dry under-eye area as well.
I have tried every concealer-eye cram combination known to man, and I’ll tell you what I like best:
–Shiesedo benefiance eye cream — it’s the creamiest I’ve ever used
–Laura Mercier creamy conceler
–Dior SKINFLASH. This stuff rocks. It’s super creamy, much creamier than YSL’s concealer pen. But because it’s lighter coverage, I often (and this kills the laziness!) is to put it over my Mercier concealer.
So yes, many steps. Oftentimes, I skip the Mercier and just do the skinflash due to time. Have you ever used these products? Also, what do you think is the best under-eye primer? The brands that I know of who make them include Clarins, Smashbox, and Dr. Perricone.
Thanks!
Holly
Karen says
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:29 amHi Holly,
Hello back at ya, my dark-circled friend! 🙂
Out of all of the products you listed I’ve only tired LM’s concealer. I liked it but felt that I needed more coverage. Have you tried Dior’s Anti-Cernes concealer? It rocks! I just wish they had more colors, le sigh.
For primer, I end up using either my LM oil-free primer or Too Faced Shadow insurance. I like Tarte’s Clean slate, too.