Benefit Fake Up Concealer Review & Swatches

The new Benefit Fake Up Crease-Control Hydrating Concealer ($24) will be available this March in three shades. I happen to be a huge fan of Benefit concealers particularly Boi-ing which has played a very important part of my early twenties concealing adventures. When I heard Benefit Fake Up Concealer was launching I immediately couldn’t wait to get my hands on it and play!

Hydrating concealer? Check I need some of that considering how dry my eyes are! Crease-control? I need that too please! Thanks every so much.

So what’s the verdict on Benefit’s newest concealer?

Benefit Fake Up Concealer might look like a fancy little lipstick in its silver tube with pink accents but it’s all about the concealer my friends. Although I have an aversion to any sort of concealer that comes in a tube as I instantly think “dry formula!”, Benefit proves me wrong about all the things I thought I knew about concealer sticks!

Available in Light, Medium, and Dark shades this concealer features a core of creamy concealer surrounded by a moisturizing solid serum with Vitamin E and apple seed extract.

I was a little worried about the surrounding moisturizing stick as it actually outweighs the concealer. I want as much coverage as possible and the moisturizing stick that surrounds the concealer core is way bigger in size. This worried me as I thought perhaps I wouldn’t really get much concealer under my eye as I applied and more moisture. But…it actually works and evenly distributes concealer which is combined with the clear moisturizing stick. It actually melts into skin on contact and the texture of the concealer stick starts to melt a little as you swipe. The best technique here is to swipe directly from the tube under eyes and blend out with fingers.

I actually felt it was TOO moisturizing. That’s odd considering I always feel like I need as much moisture as I can possibly get under my eyes. I wouldn’t recommend this if you have an oily eye area as it’ll prove a little greasy and oily. Even under my drier eyes I felt like the texture felt very greasing. I’d highly suggest setting with powder for the best finish after application as this mattifies the area. The finish feels a little too dewy to the touch and never truly “dry” without a little powder to set it.

The concealer is sheerer but builds up to medium coverage. I wish it was a little brighter, my best shade was medium as light was too pale however, it didn’t really make my eyes look brighter and less tired. It did conceal minor darkness, finer lines, and puffiness. I just wish it eased the tired look from my eyes the way my trusty It Cosmetics Concealer does.

Benefit Fake Up has a tendency to fade rather quickly. You’d have to blame that on the creamy, highly moisturizing formula. Any makeup that is this moisturizing won’t wear well for long. Again, I recommend powder to set it. I personally use Skin Food Salmon Brightening Powder applied with my Bobbi Brown Dual Ended Concealer Brush. Without powder coverage lasts about three hours sometimes four with powder I can get a full eight hours.

I think Benefit’s design of a hydrating concealer is ideal for a more mature eye as it combats dehydrated skin and provides sheer to medium coverage in a single swipe. The moisturizing aspect is the key selling point here. I’d avoid it in the Summer (even if your eyes are dry) as it might prove a little too heavy with a shorter wear in warmer months. I also wouldn’t select this concealer if you have oily eyes, it’s just too rich for those with oily skin.

Overall, I liked the idea of Fake Up more than I liked the actual product after trying it. I think it was a little too moisturizing for me which ended up making it feel very heavy and almost greasy. I think it’ll get on famously with a more aging eye than my own. Granted, I have fine lines, puffiness, and dryness…but I realize those aren’t as intense as I thought after trying this concealer. This is definitely geared towards a more mature eye area which is experiencing crepiness, dryness, and deeper, heavier lines.

Benefit Fake Up Hydrating Concealer launches this March from Benefit Cosmetics.

Do you want to try it?