To continue with Busy Girl Hacks, let’s get down to business: concealer.

Concealer is THE beauty product, not just for the busy ladies but for every lady. You know the drill, long days, lack of sleep, waking up with circles that seem to get progressively darker and larger as the years add up. Hardly anyone’s immune.

I keep my beauty routine simple, just a hint of bronzer and blush, a touch of setting powder in the t-zone, and the star of it all: concealer. Because I choose to stay away from all foundations, BB and CC creams (they cause me to breakout), being able to depend on a good concealer to correct tone and hide circles is important. I expect one formula to handle both, because, really, who has the time for or feels like wasting money on two separate products?

I’ve been told many times, in the most exaggerated, life-or-death kind of way, that NOTHING compares to Clé de Peau Concealer. NOTHING. My first thought: Come on?!

In the beauty industry though, I’ve learned it really is recognized as the standard for stick concealers. Given there’s usually a reason for the hype surrounding products with a cult following, I was just too curious not to try it out for myself.

Full disclosure, this little beauty joy comes with a hefty price tag, as do all of the products in the line. In Canada, it retails for $95 before taxes. As well, it’s a challenge to track down. Often just when you think you have, you find it’s sold out. I bought mine from Saks, but Holt Renfrew also carries it.

At first, I was hesitant to write this article, but, after purchasing my third concealer stick, I was convinced I had to share. Never have I purchased the same concealer more than twice.

Stick formulas are known for being very heavy and difficult to apply. I tend to avoid any product that requires rubbing around my eye area, and stick concealers often need just that. Surprisingly, this formula is very gentle and requires only a light padding. It is also easy to layer for more coverage, which means I can use it on imperfections on my face, as well as under my eyes, meeting my expectation. Bonus: it also has SPF 25.

“So, is it worth the $100 price tag? ”

For me, it has been. I’ve come to a point where I never leave my home without tossing it into my purse. Each stick lasts four months, which means over my year of testing it out, I only purchased it three times. A year of coverage for $300? I’m sold.

With Love…

Marta