Product Review: Physicians Formula Conceal Rx™ Physicians Strength Concealer

I have twice recommended Physicians Formula's Conceal Rx™ Physicians Strength Concealer in my blog (here) and (here), so it feels like it's high time to write about it (especially in light of the previous post)! As I have mentioned multiple times, my acne is absolutely terrible-- and I mean teenager-in-puberty terrible. Even when my skin is relatively clear from breakouts, it's hard to leave the house without makeup because of my dark acne scars. Until last year, I assumed that the only way to cover up skin imperfections was loading on foundation; not only was this bad for my skin, I was wasting a lot of foundation and getting poor results.

Luckily, my time spent lurking around beauty sites gave me the advice I needed to sufficiently cover up these marks. I had never used concealer before, so I had no idea which brand to choose; it was all about experimentation! I was afraid of spending a lot of time (and money) before finding the right product... fortunately, I quickly found the perfect solution in Physicians Formula Conceal Rx™ Physicians Strength Concealer in Soft Green.

Let's check out the company's description and claims, found here:

• "Maximum coverage concealer formula that glides on smoothly to conceal blemishes, scars, birthmarks, age spots, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation." YES. I spread the concealer very thin and couldn't believe how well my acne and scars were  hidden.
• "Concentrated formula lasts up to 12 hours!" YES. Not once has my concealer worn off and failed me. If you have a good foundation to wear it under, it will work as long as your foundation does. The good thing is that, if your foundation does wear off, you're not left with strange green spots on your skin; the concealer blends with whatever foundation you use.
• "Hypoallergenic. Fragrance-free. Non-comedogenic. Oil-free. Dermatologist approved" YES. My combination skin had no issues with this concealer; this is especially important, because you will often times be using this over breakout zones.

Besides the AWESOME coverage, my favorite thing about this product is that a little bit truly does go a long way. I have been using the same tube five days a week since this September, and there's still plenty left. My only advice is to let the product sit for a few minutes on your face before you apply foundation (I do my eye makeup in between!) This way, you won't overspread your already thin layer of concealer and maintain great coverage.

In short, this product is one of my top five store bought beauty essentials. You can find it in Soft Yellow, Fair Light, and Natural Light as well, depending on your needs.

Price: 8/10 ($8.95 on their website for .49 oz)

Coverage: 9/10

Overall: 9/10

Which Concealer is Best for Your Spots?

How many of you have clear skin? I mean perfectly clear skin, the kind that you wear without a makeup mask when you walk out the door? The kind of skin that looks more photoshopped than a L'Oreal or Armani ad? I'm guessing 99% of you reading it A) don't have this sort of skin, and B) don't know anyone over the age of fourteen who does. And guess what? It's okay. Even with a flawless beauty routine, our skin is the victim of our lifestyle, our genetics, and our environment. Acne, lack of sleep, sun, and age all work together to make our skin look less than its best. Luckily, one of makeup's many tricks is covering the spots and pigment inconsistencies on our skin. While a simple foundation can do the trick for the most minor of blemishes, sometimes we want a little (or a lot) more coverage. Not all of these 'imperfections' are created equally, and for a really perfect look, they shouldn't all be correctively covered equally. So, what kind of concealer works for what problem? To answer this problem, we use the color wheel.

To minimize redness, go with a green concealer

I have awful acne (and awful acne scars), so I can tell you this from experience: foundation (or neutral concealer) usually won't give you the coverage you really want. For bad redness, nothing beats a mint green concealer like Physician's Formula Conceal Rx™ Physicians Strength Concealer. 

To warm up bluish-purple spots, pick a yellow concealer

Bruises, dark acne scars, and dark circles under your eyes can really throw you off your game. A yellow concealer can really help, but make sure it's not too bright; try to pick one with a slightly orange tinge to achieve the best results.

To perk up sallow skin, grab a light purple concealer

Sure, putting purple on your face seems a little weird, but as long as it's a light color it can REALLY even out those yellow tones. Think of it as the converse of yellow concealer. It can take care of those yellow bruises with no problem! A lavender concealer is especially important for those of us with yellow or olive skin colors; when your skin is looking sallow or those under-eye circles are more yellow than bluish, this is your best answer.