So it’s election season again, and today I got one of those annoying robocalls that went a little something like this:
“Hello,” it began, “my name is MAC Pro Longwear Concealer, and I approve this message.”
“Uh… Hello?”
“The following is an automated poll with important questions about the upcoming election for mayor of your makeup bag.”
“What? Oh, I hate these things…”
“If you were to learn that my opponent, theBalm’s timeBalm concealer, was not the best thing to happen to womankind since men started waxing their butts and back, would you…
A. Immediately hang up.
B. Exclaim, “No way! I don’t believe it!” into the phone and run screaming naked out of the house.
C. Answer, “Really? Tell me more.”
D. None of the above.
“C.”
Truth is, I’ve been a big supporter of timeBalm concealer ($18), but MAC’s new line of medium-to-full coverage matte liquid concealers just might sway my vote. 🙂
MAC created them to conceal dark circles, spots and discolorations with a long-wearing, flawless, natural-looking finish.
The 16 available shades ($16.50 each), which come in a small glass bottle with a pump applicator top, dropped on counters last week with two other products, the Pro Longwear Lipcreme Lipsticks ($16) and Pro Longwear SPF10 Foundations ($29.50).
In a nutshell, this stuff works like a liquid version of timeBalm (I like it more than the actual liquid version of timeBalm). I’ve been wearing it in NW 30 lately (for reference, I’m an NC 35), to cover up my under-eye circles, and like timeBalm it thoroughly blocks out the dark areas without creasing, feathering, fading or settling into my fine lines.
Some full-coverage concealers can appear heavy and cakey on my skin, but Pro Longwear leaves an exceptionally smooth, seemingly natural finish that almost looks like I’m not wearing any makeup at all.
The stuff lasts a really long time, too. Yesterday I put some on in the morning after breakfast at 8, and it was still there, still working its magic, when I took my makeup off at 10 last night. That’s kinda awesome wear time, and it’s still fairly easy to apply and blend.
Pro Longwear could probably even run for higher office if it weren’t for one little skeleton in its closet…
The pump! The dang thing dispenses way too much product; it’s extremely touchy and hard to control. A wand with a doe-foot applicator, or even a tube, probably would’ve been better for this butterfingered girl, LOL!
Don’t get me wrong — I still love me some timeBalm, but I’ve always wanted to see it available in more than six shades.
Considering Pro Longwear’s wider range of shades for lighter and darker ladies and that it’s a little cheaper, to boot, it’s a tough candidate to beat.
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: I really 
this concealer, but I don’t dig the packaging. The touch pump has a hair trigger! Overlooking that, ladies with dark circles who need a marathon concealer that won’t crease, fade or transfer could be in luck. Available at MAC counters and maccosmetics.com. Grade: A-
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Rae says
September 23rd, 2010 at 5:14 pm*clutches chest* This kills me! I’m a huge, huge, huge timeBalm fan, but I’ve always wanted a liquid version. The catch? My skin totally can’t tolerate silicones, and this is full of ’em 🙁
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Jenn says
September 23rd, 2010 at 5:21 pmIt’s like MUFE packaging! D: And I’ve still got to finish my tube of Select Cover Up before jumping the wagon. 🙂
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Appu says
September 23rd, 2010 at 5:24 pmSeems good…a reasonably priced concealer that works!! Love your top, although I can see only part of it 🙂
Amber says
September 23rd, 2010 at 5:29 pmHaha, you write the cutest ledes!
Definitely not in the market for concealer after way-overbuying my MUFE concealer (I bought a new one because I was *sure* the open one was going to run out on vacation in June…nope, still using the old one!), but I am really, really curious about the foundation.
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Kerry says
September 24th, 2010 at 3:22 pmCan I just say that I’m in love with the fact that you wrote “ledes”?
I’m gonna just take a guess that you’re in the media world. 🙂
On another note — thanks for this post, Karen. I HAVE to check this out!!
Amber says
September 24th, 2010 at 8:36 pmHaha, nope — engineer!
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dani@callitbeauty says
September 23rd, 2010 at 5:47 pmahh, sounds like something my (very) dark circles need! thanks for the review, i can’t wait to try it out :).
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Tracy says
September 23rd, 2010 at 5:54 pmWow this looks pretty good. I’ve been using Select Moisturecover because it doesn’t cake, but this looks like better coverage. Might have to pick this up when I go get me some Venomous Villains1
Madelynn says
September 23rd, 2010 at 5:55 pmJust so you know, there is a liquid TimeBalm now. :]
Karen says
September 23rd, 2010 at 5:59 pmYup, I know. I tried it and don’t like it as much as the original.
AshBash says
September 23rd, 2010 at 5:57 pmi very much need to try this and the foundation!
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Arianne says
September 23rd, 2010 at 6:21 pmOh baby. I want one. I love my TimeBalm too, but I experience some slippage with it before the end of the day. This one sounds like a must try! 🙂
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Kajal Couture says
September 23rd, 2010 at 6:27 pmOooh I love this too! And I agree the product is great but the pump is kind of a downer. I guess I could live with it though because I like the concealer and there is so much in the container it will probably last awhile even if it dispenses a lot.
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Dawn says
September 23rd, 2010 at 6:37 pmHi Karen
I’ve tried TimeBalm Concealer, but haven’t had good results – It’s very dry and becomes caked/flakely in my eye area. Have you ever had this problem? If used elsewhere, it cakes and settles into my pores. My skin is on the dry side, so I wondered if that’s the problem.
DJ says
September 23rd, 2010 at 7:12 pmKaren, you’re the best. This post was hilarious.
Also, my BB concealer is running low, and I was considering TimeBalm but I think you’ve sold me on this. My MAC store is gonna love me tomorrow…
makeup morsels says
September 23rd, 2010 at 7:38 pmLike liquid TimeBalm you say?! You’re definitely not the first one I’ve heard complain about the dispenser though, that’s a bit annoying. Still, if this can work miracles on my dark circles, I definitely want to try it.
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MAUI says
September 23rd, 2010 at 7:56 pmsee, i live for great concealers because i need them!
i’ve always wanted to try TimeBalm but the 6 shades definitely stomped me. Instead, i bought Boing and Erase Paste by Benefit cuz i know i’m always their darker shade, lol!! As for MAC, i have select cover-up in NC42. It’s great but can get very greasy on my oily skin after like 2 hours even with powder.
i MIGHT give this Pro Longwear A GO!
Geez, this on going search for the best concealer will never end, LOL!!!
Thanks, fellow makeup addict 😉
Myr says
September 23rd, 2010 at 8:19 pmI’ve got dark triangles rather than circles. Ha! They are just in the inner corner of my eyes. Very annoying and difficult to cover up. I planned on getting timeBalm this weekend, but now I am on the fence. I currently use Rx Concealer by Physician’s formula.
Melissa W. says
September 23rd, 2010 at 10:04 pmAaaah, I want this. I wish it didn’t have a pump, but I can forgive that if the formula is fab. I’m terrified of MAC stores though.
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amy says
September 23rd, 2010 at 11:45 pmI would love to try this because I am almost finished with my MAC Studio Sculpt concealer. I think I will like the pump dispenser.
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hunny bunny says
September 24th, 2010 at 12:07 ami swatched it at my mac counter and was soooo sad about the pump, it was enough to cover my whole freakin face. It seemed like it had a decent amount of coverage for a liquid concealer too 🙁
Mariah says
September 24th, 2010 at 1:13 amI know this may sound like a silly question, seeing as it’s called ProLongwear… but how does it do with staying on? Like, how would it work on oily eye areas? I have SUCH a hard time getting my concealer to stay, I have to use eye primer! (And Time Balm creased on me like a mofo!)
Agnes says
September 24th, 2010 at 1:57 amhmmmm…. im very tempted to switch over! time balm has done me good but since school started again, my dark circles have gotten considerably worse and i think i might need something stronger to combat my dark circles! im hoping this is the solution im looking for!! 😀
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Jana says
September 24th, 2010 at 3:29 amOOH! I tried this a couple of days ago at the MAC store in Sydney. If it wasn’t $35AUD I would have bought it straight away! .. *SIGH* girls got to start saving!
laurie says
September 24th, 2010 at 5:16 amI totally agree! Great product so far..but ugh, the pump! BTW loving the Pro longwear foundation as well….
Nina says
September 24th, 2010 at 5:50 amI almost bought this that night I was at the launch but decided I would wait for reviews. Im glad it got your seal of approval — I have a sample pot (from a set) of Erase Paste and I find it a bit too tacky for my liking.
Will def check this out!
Kim says
September 24th, 2010 at 6:09 amIt does brighten you up, but I’m going on record saying that I think your dark circles look much worse to you than they do to anyone else. You don’t look baggy at all to me. 🙂 Don’t take that as a criticism, though. I’m well known for saying “can’t you see that my right eyelid is drooping? I look like Forest Whitaker!!!!”. People generally lean in and look really closely, then frown, shake their heads and walk away. I don’t know what’s wrong with their eyesight! 🙂
G says
September 24th, 2010 at 7:20 amHere’s an idea – when you pump it out use a little glass jar like the MAC samples jars (ask them to give you one) When I tried it too much came out so I told the MUA to get a little sample jar – we pumped into that & used a brush from that & theres enough left for the next day or so.
Dana says
September 24th, 2010 at 7:27 amI completely agree! I love the new pro longwear concealer, but doesn’t MAC realize that a product that goes such a long way should have a better container to allow the users more control?!
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Deb says
September 24th, 2010 at 9:55 amI can just see myself overpumping, too. At least it’s not SO expensive that you cry a little every time a tiny drop is wasted–I’m looking at you, Laura Mercier foundation! But I’ve been looking for a good concealer, and I may have to get this when I hit up my MAC counter tomorrow!
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Julieah says
September 24th, 2010 at 11:31 amha! i love the makeup robocalls for the election season. Karen, you are hilarious and that’s why I read your blog every day.
Elysha says
September 24th, 2010 at 1:26 pmI’m really excited about this because I went to Sephora asking for Timebalm and they didn’t have it…so now I know there is something better, less expensive and more accessible at the MAC store! 😀 I’ve never really heard anything excessively good about their concealer….just like most concealers, “it’s alright, but not a miracle” seems to be what people say. I have some pretty hardcore dark circles and I have to put orange underneath because my concealer just won’t do the job….. man it’s like one of the biggest problems in the makeup world….they can’t seem to REALLY fix this problem.
Katrina says
September 24th, 2010 at 2:05 pmOh boy, I am going to have to try the new concealers. If they can cover my dark circles I’ll be seriously impressed
Elle says
September 24th, 2010 at 8:23 pmOoh, I like. I’ve been trying to move away from my TimeBalm because it’s been caking on me like crazy for some reason and went back to my MAC Select Coverup (think that’s what it’s called…it’s in a tube) and that’s been working but hasn’t been staying long enough on my skin. Time to go to Nordie’s and put my triple points to use 🙂 Thanks for the review Karen!
Steph says
September 24th, 2010 at 10:04 pmHey Karen,
I was wondering if you would recommend this concealer for people with oily skin. Let me know if you can! Thanks.
Christy says
September 24th, 2010 at 10:41 pmOOhh, I need this! I don’t sleep enough, so dark circles are always present. I use MAC Select Cover-up at the moment, but I think I’ll give this a shot once I’m done.
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inaya says
September 25th, 2010 at 3:17 amwhen is the international release date for this?
Alexandra says
September 25th, 2010 at 10:43 amIs this limited edition ? If not i might try it once i have used up my current concealers 🙂
jac says
September 27th, 2010 at 9:20 pmhow does this compare to studio sculpt (which i wear in nw30)?
i am really curious 🙂
simplystephy says
November 7th, 2010 at 5:14 pmI definitely agree this concealer is BOMB! It covers everything so smoothly, I just wished it had a better pump, (so much product just comes out). I actually dispensed a few pumps into this little mac jar that i have and it seems less wasteful!.
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Michele DiCola says
February 11th, 2011 at 3:03 pmKaren I am confused, if you weren’t that crazy about it why did you give an A – ?
I teach so an A- is PRETTY GOOD GRADE!
I might try it however, I am not crazy about the pump myself.
Have you tried the Cover Girl with the wand? It is the best for dark circles!
Try and get back to me.
Michele
Karen says
February 11th, 2011 at 4:23 pmHi Michele,
I actually love the product. If you read the last paragraph I say that it’s great, but the pump sucks. Haven’t tried Cover Girl concealers in a long time. What’s the name of the one you like?
Daphne says
June 6th, 2011 at 10:32 amHi Karen.
Would you recommend this for darks spots as well??
Please do let me know.
I’m using time balm right now, but I find it works better for dark undereyes but not dark spots, acne marks or blemishes. I find that Time Balm on my oily/dry/combination face doesn’t stay as long as I want it to.
Thanks.
Bun Bun Makeup Tips says
February 14th, 2012 at 2:07 amHow does it perform on spots and discoloration? And pimple scars and acne? Would you recommend this or timeBalm?
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charjoyfebre says
June 29th, 2012 at 3:27 amMy skin is oily, acidic and acne prone skin. Do you think I can use it as foundation to cover under eye circles, discoloration, acne/pimple marks without being oily, cakey, thick or greasy? Will this last all day or at least 10 hours? I tried Revlon Colorstay Oily/Combination Foundation but after 6-10 hours my under eye circles and acne marks are visible.