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We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.
Body concealers are foundation for the body. Whether you’d like to cover up tattoos or skin imperfections, these concealers are highly pigmented to get the job done. Simply grab your favorite applicator, usually a brush or beauty sponge, and build coverage as necessary. Once you achieve the coverage you want, body concealer stays put throughout the day without the need for powder. Top-quality body concealers are even waterproof, so they won’t sweat off during workouts or in warm weather.
If you’re considering body concealer, then you’ll need to compare features to find the right one to match your coverage needs. And just like foundation or concealer for the face, you’ll need to identify your skin tone and undertone to find the perfect shade match.
Our buying guide has everything you need to know when shopping for body concealers. For our top five body concealers on the market, see the matrix above.
Body concealers have a slightly different ingredient list than facial concealers and foundations. Not only are body concealers formulated to be long-lasting, they’re also designed to wear on the body. The skin on your face is much thinner and more delicate than the skin on your body. The skin on your body has a completely different level of moisture and amount of hair, and it even scars differently.
While full-coverage foundations and concealers offer buildable coverage on your face, they’re still far too sheer for your body. As a result, body concealers often have thicker, more opaque formulas to adhere to the body better and last longer. The best formulas are still breathable and non-comedogenic, however.
Body concealer hides hyperpigmentation, whether it’s from birthmarks, scars, acne, tattoos, vitiligo, spider veins, stretch marks, or psoriasis. Coverage is buildable, so you’ll need a few layers and a bit of tweaking to achieve the coverage you want. Darker colors, like black tattoos or purple bruises, require more concealer. Mild discolorations, such as light acne scarring, may be effectively covered with one or two strokes and a bit of blending.
Like facial concealer and foundation, body concealer comes in several different formulas.
Matching body concealer to your skin color is the main challenge you’ll encounter when shopping. You’ll need to find a brand that carries shades that match your skin tone, and not every brand has a wide assortment. Those who are very fair or very deep will have the greatest difficulty finding their match. However, given the consumer demand for more shade choices, manufacturers have taken note. As a result, brands are regularly expanding their shade selection to be as inclusive as possible.
Remember to also take your skin’s undertone into account when selecting a shade. Those with warm skin will want to pick yellow-based body concealers, while those with cool skin will be better served by pink-based concealers. Neutral skin tones should look for body concealers with a neutral undertone, an equal mix of yellow and pink tones.
You’ll need to choose an appropriate applicator to get the most out of your body concealer. For the most part, liquid and cream formulas do well with brush and sponge applicators, while stick and solid formulas fare best with brushes or fingers. Spray application is obviously the easiest, though you may need a spray tan mitt to evenly spread out the product.
Color correctors can be used separately or in conjunction with body concealer. At first glance, color correcting palettes look like cream eyeshadows, with colors like green, purple, yellow, and orange. But what they really do is neutralize opposite colors on the color wheel.
If you have a dark purple scar on your leg, you can layer body concealer until kingdom come, but a faint discoloration will probably remain despite well-built coverage. In this case, if yellow color corrector is applied over the purple bruise, the colors neutralize each other. When color corrector is followed with body concealer, the bruise will be nearly indetectable.
It’s not unusual to find deluxe body concealer sets that include color correctors. These sets are ideal for those with multiple pigmentation concerns as they’re a cost-effective way to cover all your problem areas with a full range of colors. You’ll also need less body concealer when you layer it over a color corrector.
For $10 to $20, you’ll find some standalone color correcting palettes and travel-size body concealers. Coverage and quality will vary, and these body concealers are likely best for those who only have mild pigmentation concerns.
Body concealers between $20 and $40 include effective concealers with a reputation for full coverage and long wear times. They mostly come from special brands dedicated to camouflaging discoloration as well as high-end beauty brands with dedicated lines for face and body coverage.
If you spend between $40 and $60, you’ll get the best body concealers out there. These include standalone coverage products as well as deluxe sets that include color correctors, primer, and setting powder.
Q. Are all body concealers waterproof?
A. No, only some brands offer waterproof body concealers. With that said, there are a number of body concealers that are designed to hold up to moisture exposure. These are often marketed as “sweatproof” or “pool-ready.” They won’t necessarily last through full immersion in water, but they will take some rubbing and soap for total removal.
Q. I got a tan, and now my body concealer doesn’t match. What are my options?
A. If you frequently self-tan, it’s a good idea to invest in a body concealer shade to match your tan shade. As your tan fades, you can blend your darker shade with your lighter shade so that you always have your perfect match.
Q. My body concealer shade was discontinued, and it was a perfect match. Now what?
A. Contact the manufacturer. They may be reissuing the shade under a new name for marketing purposes. If not, they can help you choose the closest shade in their current collection. You can also try jumping ship to another brand to find a sister shade.
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