When I first heard about Vincent Longo’s Illumina Concealer Pencil, I really didn’t know what to expect. I’d heard it was a double-sided pencil with concealer on one end (to mask imperfections like dark circles and pimples) and an illuminator on the other (to highlight and brighten dull skin).
I’d never used pencil concealers before, always assuming they’d apply like many other pencils do — too matte, thick and waxy. A few years ago I had a bad experience with a pencil illuminator, Benefit’s Eye Bright. It was far too chalky for my taste and looked unnatural on me. That, coupled with my preconceived notions about pencil concealers, and I wasn’t expecting a lot from Vincent Longo’s.
But alas, I was wrong. Vincent Longo Illumina Concealer Pencil turned out to be a nice surprise.
Product: Vincent Longo Illumina Concealer Pencil
Use: To cover dark circles and skin imperfections
Price: $32.50
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: B
Under-eye dark circles are no joke, ladies, and right now mine are terrible because I got about two seconds of sleep last night. I was up late watching a terrible 2005 remake of 1979’s The Amityville Horror, starring Ryan Reynolds, blech! This morning I needed a concealer to cover my dark circles.
When I look for new products to address beauty problems, I begin by looking for ones that are easy to use. It’s a well documented fact that I’m hella lazy, so, if something requires more exertion than dotting a liquid concealer under my eyes and blending with a finger, I won’t even attempt to go there.
Illumina Concealer Pencil’s gel-based formula gives it a slippery texture that glides on smoothly. Using it was a little like applying a silky lipstick under my eyes. Because the product applies smoothly and feels so lightweight on my skin, I half expected it would fail to camouflage my really dark purple I-got-two-seconds-of-sleep-last-night circles. I was wrong.
The concealer end concealed my dark circles, and the illuminator end brightened up my eyes. Honestly, the concealer didn’t fully hide the circles like my favorite heavy duty concealers are able to — Make Up For Ever Lift and MAC’s Select Moisturecover — but under most circumstances, it would do a fine job. It’s a great concealer for days when I only need light coverage.
The shade I have, codenamed Dark #3, is yellow with red undertones. To use it I applied the concealer end of the pencil to the inner corners of and directly under my eyes. Then, I added a few dots of the illuminating end on top of the concealer and blended with a finger. In the future, if I’m feeling motivated and have my jar of Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder #2 handy then I’ll add a layer of it on top to “set” the concealer. That should help increase its staying power.
I’m a bit of a concealer freak, so I actually have different concealers for various functions. Illumina Concealer Pencil is one I’ll use for “casual” days, like when I meet the girls for Sunday brunch, hit the gym with El Hub or if I’m just lounging at the beach. I plan to bring it with me the next time I go on vacation, which I hope will be sometime soon. Calgon needs to take my ass away, like, yesterday.
Whatcha got going on today? Brunch with the girls? Spending time with the boy or les babies? Whatever you’re doing today, I hope it’s fun.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
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my circles have recently become much more noticeable, and purple-y (I think due to allergies). This sounds promising! I might have to pick up LM”s secret brightening powder soon too since you rave about it. We were out helping a friend celebrate her b-day at the martini bar last night, so today is bummy pj, tv, and laundry day.
Thanks for the review Karen. I’ve never tried any pencil concealer before, where can I pick one up? I’m a bit reluctant when it comes to buying concealer online. Is it true that we’re not suppose to touch concealer as the oil on our finger causes oxidation?
It’s been pouring mad here in SoCal. Trip to Rite Aid, Fresh and Easy, and Best Buy are the only events of the day. At least I’ve satisfied my HIP eye shadow itch =)
Hi Amanda,
How fun! Birthday + martini bar = a good Saturday night. And Sundays are the best days to have bummy PJ and laundry days. 🙂 I ended up puttering around on Sunday, but I finally made it out of the house to go to an art store with El Hub, then to a coffee shop and a book store. We ended up going to a Puerto Rican restaurant in the neighborhood afterwards. It was so yummy!
I hope your Monday is off to a good start.
Hi Lea,
Head on over to Sephora, they should carry Vincent Longo products. It’ll give you a change to test the colors and the texture…hopefully it’ll have enough coverage for ya.
As for touching concealer with your fingers, I’m not sure what role oxidation plays. I see makeup artists face cream applying products with fingers all the time so I figure it’s a personal preference thing. As long as your hands are clear I don’t think it’s a big deal. 🙂
Happy Monday!
Hi Karen! I picked up the Vincent Longo concealer as well. So far I like it but it’s still not enough to 100% cover my circles but I’m pairing it with my vast collection of concealers and it definitely makes most of them blend a lot better. I’ve stumbled upon your blog before but I’ve officially added you to my blogroll now, congrats on your WWD award!
Hi RVA Fashionista 🙂
Thank you for saying HI and adding me to your blogroll AND for the congrats!
I too, have a vast (and rapidly growing) collection of concealers. I have still yet to find one that really rocks my world. Do you have any faves?
I’ve still yet to hit concealer holy grail. My current concealer “routine” is Revlon New Complexion as a base and then I pair The Body Shop Flawless Skin Protecting Concealer on top with the Vincent Longo one. I generally don’t use a lot of foundation, I just mix Clinique City Block and Revlon Color Stay Active Light Makeup together and then add concealer under eyes and on blemishes as needed. Of course I top everything with a dusting of loose powder!
Hey RVA Fashionista,
Have you ever heard of Becca stick foundation? Surprisingly it’s really easy to use and it’s the one I reach for on my five-minute-makeup days. I always thought stick foundations would be work but I barely have to exert any effort at all when I use it!
Oh, this weekend I picked up a Dior concealer (as if I needed another one!). It was highly recommended by an excellent makeup artist and I’m wearing it today. I think that I haven’t quite figured out the ration of product to use, though, because it’s highly concentrated and kinda hard to work with. But I think that’ll just take some time. Have you ever used Dior before?
I remember my whole stick foundation craze in my high school years, I remember trying ones by Maybelline and L’Oreal. I know Beauty Addict is a HUGE fan of Becca but no where around here sells it and I checked Sephora’s site and from what I remember, they’re no longer selling it so all their stuff is on sale. I haven’t tried Dior yet, though I’m hearing we actually might get a Dior counter at my local Nordstrom which would be fabulous! I only go to Sephora unless I absolutely have to, I generally check Nordies first because I have “the golden ticket” a.k.a. the employee discount. 🙂
Hi RVA Fashionista,
Ahhh, the employee discount! Gotta love that. I’ve heard from the big beauty wigs at Nordies that Dior is going to blow up in the next year. Apparently the line is gaining a lot of popularity.
I am really heartbroken that Becca is no longer being sold at Sephora. They still sell it on dermstore, though, in case you are interested. 🙂