I am convinced Tiktok sleuths can find out anything. Show them the corner of a bottle, and for sure, they’ll find out which product it is—exactly how the internet found out that Hailey Bieber kept using a certain serum concealer—Lancôme’s to be exact, identified by its slender white cap.
Vogue’s Favorite Serum Concealers
The Rhode founder and certified trendsetter that she is, Bieber’s long been on the serum concealer train. I rewatched her last Beauty Secrets video from 2022, where she whipped out the Kosas Revealer Concealer. “I love that it’s creamy, hydrating, and leaves just this dewy finish on the skin,” she says moments before swiping the product on. I can imagine that she shares a similar sentiment with the aforementioned Lancôme—to perfect her signature glazed donut complexion. And smart on her part, per celebrity makeup artist Buster Knight, “Serum concealer is not only more fluid in texture, but more of a hybrid between skincare and makeup. The pigment tends to be lighter, so it’s perfect for someone who doesn’t want heavy coverage and wants the benefits of moisture while wearing.”
As such, the formulas tend to have ingredient lists that read off like your favorite serums and face creams. Per pro makeup artist Lauren Martinez, expect things like “hyaluronic acid to help bind water to the skin and glycerin to help keep the skin moisturized throughout the day” in these concealers which can “help prevent the skin from looking dry and cakey throughout the day.” Martinez adds that these nourishing agents can also help brighten and heal the skin too—perfect to veil breakouts or dark spots where skin is most sensitive. And of course, with the hydrating properties in mind, serum concealers are great for those with dry skin (or simply require a bit of extra moisture in the wintertime).
Serum concealers, as the name suggests, are more fluid- or liquid-based than some of the creamy pigments you might be accustomed to; and often apply better with the fingers than your arsenal of brushes and sponges. “I like to dot the concealer on and then wait about 20 seconds for it to ‘set’ before tapping it into the skin,” Martinez explains. If you prefer not to use your fingers to blend, Knight recommends a Beautyblender.
