I laboured long and hard over this one. I mean, I absolutely loathe to tell you that you need another product to make a product work, but at the end, there was just no two ways about it. I had to use both the Anna Sui Eye Brightener and Spot Concealer together to make them work efficiently.
Actually one of them works better than the other on its own so it isn’t a nett loss :)
First, the Anna Sui Spot Concealer. There’s the signature Anna Sui rose scent in this. Not sure why its needed in a concealer but its there. It doesn’t last so that’s some brownie points in its favour. Mine is in #1 which is still a dab too yellow for my liking. Once blended out, its not too obvious, but it makes my skin look a bit sallow.
Its a Spot Concealer i.e. tailored to conceal spots, or to act on a spot of skin. Unfortunately, I just liked it best as an undereye concealer due to its slightly liquid texture. I have freckles so the biggest test of any concealer is to cover my freckles. This one doesn’t quite as you will see below. But if you want something to cover redness or very minor blemishes and light marks, this will work quite well. If you are very fair, not even #1 will work. I’m not all that fair, but I still found #1 a little yellow.
On the under eye area, this one works decently well to cover up dark circles. Problem is, it leaves the skin looking a little dull. You could tap some highlight powder over it but if you don’t have that, your other option is the Anna Sui Eye Brightener.
The Anna Sui Eye Brightener is what I’d like to call an illuminator. It comes in only one shade – 01 – but there is no “color” in a true sense. It has a bit of a sheen and acts as a highlighter on your skin. If you mix it with the Anna Sui Spot Concealer, what you get is a very nice concealer-illuminator-highlight that perks your skin up and make you look all bright eyed and bushy tailed almost immediately.
Happily for the most part, the Anna Sui Eye Brightener works well on its own or with other concealers from other brands. Use it anywhere you would use a highlighter, not just around your eyes. Brush some on your cheekbones or down your nose, or anywhere you see some redness. It covers up a little but it reflects light, without being shimmery or shiny and gives a lovely diffused look to the skin to con the eye into seeing beautiful glowy skin. Just what we need in makeup ;)
So there you have it. The Spot Concealer works well but it works better with the Eye Brightener. The Eye Brightener can stand alone so if you were to get just one item, let it be the Eye Brightener. Its more versatile :)
Cons: Spot concealer does not conceal pigmentation very well, Spot concealer colours tend to be too yellow and come in only 3 shades, Both are pricey
Have you come across products that need another product to make it work better? A 2 is better than 1 kind of product? I have actually gone a bit mad scientist and mixed 2 night serums together on a whim … and what d’ya know? 2 is most certainly better than 1! I’ll be sharing that recipe in the near future ;)
Have you tried either of these Anna Sui products? Do you have a preference for either?
Paris B
Both the Anna Sui Eye Brightener (1 shade only) and Spot Concealer (3 shades available) retail at RM83 at Anna Sui counters.
It looks naturally good on you! Haven’t come across products that need another to work, or maybe I give up when it didn’t work on me
I try not to give up – products go to waste otherwise. Unless it breaks me out then I kill it :P
Hada Labo Hyaluronic lotion? It’s so-so on its own and but layer any moisturiser on top and it shines. For me, most mascaras (other than the impossible to remove Japanese mascaras such as Fasio and MM) need Canmake quick lash curler so my lashes don’t point down and hide the any lengthening or volumising effect.
Thanks for sharing Mandy! Try the Shiseido Perfect Mascara – holds up a curl like nothing else!
Revlon Photoready and MAC Blot (or any other powder). The latter removes the sparkly bits and sets the foundation.
Ah! Great tip. I gave away my Photoready since the colour was too dark for me but if I get a lighter shade I’ll bear it in mind, and I’m sure it’ll help someone out there! I reckon using any matte or mattifying powder will do the trick.
I am using bobbi brown eye corrector and MAC Concealer… I had to combine both to get the desired effect, if not, my dark eye circle will stil be visible.
I guess I’m lucky I don’t have very dark circles :) Usually 1 layer of concealer does the trick but I like concealers that illuminate as well because it just looks so much better!
I am using T.Leclerc concealer, my very first concealer, works well for me. ;-) bought it when they were moving out from M’sia. Maybe can get it frm Strawberry net. But sometimes, you may need to chck out the real swatches b4 buying, as colour on the computer screen and the original product may differ…….
Thanks for that tip! I haven’t tried T.clerc’s concealer. I only have their Banane powder which is still pretty awesome stuff!
Not as adventurous when it comes to concealers, I tend to stick to a brand or two. I like using Lancome’s and Stage’s concealers. :)
I love the Lancome softening one! :D I haven’t tried Stage’s though. I wonder if they are running any sales… I’m always playing around with concealers for some reason. I guess I have a lot to conceal ;)
One concealer that really works for me is TimeBalm in Light/Medium. Blends perfectly to my skin tone and is thick enough to stay in place – but not so thick as to be difficult to spread. And it is cheap! Gotta love that! :D
Ahh… Time Balm. I’d been wanting to try that one too but I wasn’t sure about the fact it comes in a tub. I don’t quite like digging into tubs because it can get icky. Do you face a problem with that?