August 2, 2011

Almay Wake Up Under Eye Concealer Review, Swatches, Photos

Almay Wake Up Under Eye Concealer is a new concealer that promises to conceal and depuff. Is it me or does every single new concealer that comes out promise to depuff under eyes?

Maybe they read my blog and realize I need a little depuffing action. Honestly, they NEVER work though. They might conceal the puff but not treat it.

Anyway, I avoided this particular concealer for a while since it’s a squeeze tube with a brush application. No likey the packaging. I knew it would prove messy and I was right but I decided to give it a whirl anyway as that “wake up” bit had me….anything that wakes my eyes up or promises to ends up capturing my attention easily.

Check it!


A concealer that contains cucumbers and minerals too depuff eyes and offers a well-rested finish.


The concealer comes in a squeeze tube and features a brush applicator for application plus there’s really no question that they have a rather nice formula on their hands here. It’s creamy, hydrating, and blends easily. In my experience most drugstore concealers in the US end up being very drying and don’t have a fabulous formula but Almay got it down right here.

But, that’s about the only thing they got right…!


Colors are a stronger yellow base (there are four total shades in all I believe) which is great for diminishing darkness under the eyes however pigmentation is very, very sheer. The formula is oh so creamy but it absorbs a little to easily and leaves behind very little coverage so my dark circles, fine lines, puffiness, and other woe that I’m looking to conceal is still very much an issue after a proper blending.

Secondly, I do find the packaging both messy and not particularly hygienic. The concealer is a squeeze tube which distributes product ok but sometimes too much comes out or too little, etc..you know the drill…things get messy quickly in this type of packaging in my humblest. Depending on how you look at it you might feel it’s not particularly hygienic either as the brush can’t be removed to be cleaned but you can of course, swipe onto a tissue after each use.


  • Those looking for a lighter concealer for smaller problems.
  • Younger eyes who aren’t in need of alot of concealing action!

  • Those with major dark circles or under eye woe.


Although the formula is a hit for me since it’s so creamy and lightweight, I do find the color payoff a complete miss. I have dark circles and other issues I want to conceal and this is simply to sheer to address those problems. Youthful eyes who aren’t in need of alot of concealing action might find this a treat to use or even those who like a lighter concealer however for those of us who need to haul out the big guns this will prove a very disappointing, useless concealer.

No likey.

Tried it?

Love it?

Leave it?

Share it!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  • Kim

    Thanks for the review, Muse. I have given up on concealer because I can never find a product that matches my skin well enough AND covers properly. The best I have found was the Urban Decay stick concealer. Do you have a favorite concealer(s)? I need one for undereye (to diminish puffiness too) and another for redness on my chin/cheek area.

    • Jennifer

      For years I used MAC’s undereye concealer until I became allergic to it. I went through many different trials and I found that Clinique’s All About Eyes Concealer works best for me. They also have a bigger colour selection than Almay. The packaging is clean, and a little dot under the eyes go a long way. I found the best way to apply this concealer is with a makeup brush first, then pat eyes with a makeup sponge to absorb any excess concealer (this reduces creasing), then brush Clinique’s loose powder to set the concealer.

  • Mango

    You should try the new rimmel concealer! I’ve heard rave reviws about it, too bad it has the same annoying packaging.

  • JoElla

    I have never been able to find a good color match with Almy.. and I am a yellow girl!

    I am kinda wary of the gentle clames they make.. I was on vacay beach.. I need to go back to the beach! Where is my free breakfast and I WANT MY FREE HAPPY HOUR NOW DAMN IT!

    sorry my bad.. I am still stuck in my WAAAAAAAAAAAAN back to real life snit LOL

    Anywho.. I bought one of those cute little travel size almy eye makep remover pads (great size for travel and oh so cute!) but OH MY GAWWWWWWWWWD they burnt my eyes horribly! Heck salt water didn’t blind me as bad!

    Oh now I am just babbling! HAHHA

    What I do when I am puffy, I wet some q-tips and throw them in the freezer for a few minutes, and roll them all over my eye area. It works like a champ!

    • the Muse

      LOL jo awww just back from vacay blues I understand ;-D I HATE those things! OMG they are awful! They give me trippy cloudy vision girl!!!!!!!!!!!!! I started doing that too girl! Love that tip!

  • Alyssa

    Muse:

    I, like yourself, get sucked into anything that promises to make my eyes look like a well rested 15 year old who has never been exposed to the sun– and no product I have found has delivered that except this one!

    I’m obsessed with it.. i honestly think it really works– i think the coverage is nice, i have had so many that take forever to dry and wind up cakey and greasy in the creases– basically slide off my eyeball– super attractive.

    With regard to the puffiness– I’ve done my research– and no topical treatment will make that go away because the fluid build up is internal– drinking a substantial amount of water as soon as you wake up and throughout the day will really help to combat the puffiness– i also keep two spoons in the freezer if i have to go somewhere and they are like baby pillows under my eyes– i slather on eye cream (so the skin doesn’t pull when the frozen spoon touches it)– vaseline also works quite well– and then i take the spoons and massage in an outward motion (very slowly) until I feel like my eyes look as close to normal as possible– its similar to the the metal icer used on boxers when they get punched in the face.

    sexy.

    good luck to you!

  • Lydda

    I started using this concealer summer last. At first, I have to admit, I didn’t like it. Just like the others, I found that it was hard to control the amount you squeeze out of the tube. The concealer itself absorb into skin too quickly. On the positive, the consistency was creamy/smooth and the color was exactly what I needed. After several months of good ol’ practice, I have to say that now I’m better at getting a more precise amount out of the tube. I liked the brush before, and now I like it even more. Although not for blending, it’s good for doting around the eye. I use my finger to spread it out, then a blending brush (foundation brush) to even it out. I’ve also started using eye cream underneath and found that this helps tremendously with making the concealer serve as a “true” concealer. So, having said all that, I have to admit that now, I can’t leave the house without this concealer. After a few trials and errors,I have grown to love, I mean really love, this concealer. It’s light, airy and does what it promises. I highly recommend this concealer, but you have to take the time to learn how to apply it correctly.