Maybelline FaceStudio Master Concealer; Review & Swatches of Shades

Maybelline Face Studio Master Concealer

New for Spring 2015

Price: $8.99 for 12 ml

(approx $.75 per ml)

Maybelline has just released their newest concealer; Studio Face Master Studio Pro-Concealer promises to conceal under eye circles naturally and provide the ultimate full coverage.

StudioFace Master Concealer is Maybelline's first concealer in their "FaceStudio" line. It will sit alongside other FaceStudio products like their Master Hi-Light Blush & Bronzers and the also newly released assortment of FaceStudio primers.

Maybelline concealers can typically be hit or miss. They generally do a fantastic job with the formulas but the shades are often a little less than natural looking.

Maybelline tried a few new ideas with the Master Concealer but it may not be able to master all of your concealing needs...

Maybelline's Claims:

Maybelline New York FaceStudio Master Conceal is a master concealer. Maybelline New York's formula camouflages imperfections and dark circles with ultra-resistant full coverage.

• Laser-thin camouflaging concealer
• Ultra-concentrated formula and no buildup
• Camouflages flaws and dark circles with no telltale cover
• Full coverage, undetectable finish
• Maximum conceal
• No reveal

They don't really get too specific about the type of formula Master Concealer is, but they really seem to emphasize covering up dark circles (as oppossed to concealing blemishes), and that's probably a prudent decision.

The formula is incredibly silky, thin and lightweight so that part is true. Maybelline says that the concealer is "ultra-resistant" but based on just that description I'm not entirely sure what it's so great at resisting!

 Is it promising to be water resistant, transfer resistant, crease resistant, crack resistant or a long-wearing-type of formula? 

Packaging:

I don't think anyone will be able to say anything negative about the packaging for Master Concealer. The squeeze tube is opaque, doesn't over-dispense product and would be ideal if there were any unstable anti-aging ingredients. 

It also would be beneficial for those who have sensitivity to bacteria because it is one of the most sanitary packaging options. (Definitely an improvement from the sponge tipped applicator of Maybelline's Dark Circle & Dark Spot Erasers!)

Formula & Performance:
The formula for Master Concealer is a liquid of a medium consistency. It is thin and blends very well but it's not a watery concealer by any means.

The performance of the Face Studio Concealer is alot like many other concealers like Dior Star Concealer, e.l.f. Maximum Coverage Concealer or Revlon Age Rewind Concealer.

On it's own, it won't dry out much which is surprising since the main ingredient is Cyclopentasiloxane; a silicone which is often found in concealers but usually seen in ones that have oil-control properties.

Because of the nature of the ingredients list, many  people may find that the Face Studio Master Concealer is a great formula with a decent balance. It will provide some level of hydration but won't leave a greasy feel which means its probably best for use under the eyes.

Some many find it's suitable for use on facial redness but there are some emollients that may affect break-out prone skin negatively so use it on blemishes cautiously.

Creasing may be an issue if you use a heavy moisturizer and don't have dry skin. If you find that that's an issue you can always set it with some powder or setting product but on the plus side, any cracking in your concealer is pretty unlikely!


Shades & Coverage:
There are a total of 5 shades Master Face Studio available and they range from light to deep. The names are pretty straightforward with names like Fair, Light, etc. but they do run a hair darker than their actual intended skintone.

Fair is really a good option for those on the cusp of Fair & Light skin- if you have very fair porcelain skin you may find that Fair is too dark.

That being said, Maybelline did do a much better job than they have in the past with shade undertones. Most of the shades lean neutral to warm and should work for most people which is a refreshing change from previous concealers which oxidized and turned beige or pink.

Maybelline may claim that Face Studio will provide the "ultimate coverage" but it won't. It will build up to nearly full coverage but it's a pain and because the shades are "brighter" it may not look as natural after a few layers.

If you need clinical level coverage you should check out a greasepaint-type formula like Tarte Marcuja Creaseless Concealer or (for a cheaper option) try Wet 'n Wild's new concealer which is also fabulous.

Overall:

Maybelline Face Studio may not have created the "master" of all concealers but they did add a pretty good one to their collection. The shades have improved significantly and the performance is solid.

If you're looking for a concealer that just works but isn't overly drying, this may be worth trying.

Another huge positive is that Maybelline majorly upped the quantity of product they give you. You get 8ml of product which is a significant increase from the usual 4-5ml, yet the price is pretty consistent with previous Maybelline concealers.

***If you're looking for a similar formula to Master Studio Concealer but prefer something that hasn't been tested on animals consider Nars Creamy Concealer or e.l.f. Maximum Cover Concealer.***

Maybelline Face Studio Master Concealer
Swatches of Shades
010 Fair, 020 Light, 030 Light/Medium