Almay Concealer & Brightener

I received the Almay Smart Shade Concealer & Brightener to test out a while ago, but it took me a while to figure out the best way to use it and whether I liked it or not. Some of the reviews that I read  compared it to the Bobbi Brown Corrector and Creamy Concealer. I own and love the Bobbi Brown Corrector and Concealer, so I was really excited about the idea of a drugstore dupe for them. 

When I first swatched the Almay concealer I was a little unsure about the texture of the product. It is definitely a different texture and consistency then I expected it to be, and it's not creamy like the Bobbi Brown concealer/corrector that I've seen it be compared to. I initially found it pretty difficult to work with, but a couple weeks ago I tried applying it with my Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush (which I usually use to blend out concealer) and discovered that I really like it when applied by patting the concealer on with this brush.  The consistency of the product is pretty thin and goes on quite sheer, but I like the colours and way it applies with the Real Techniques brush. For me it does not work well alone to conceal under eye circles, but it does work well on redness. I like to use the yellow/peach toned side on any red areas like around my nose or on any spots that I have, and I apply it before my foundation. I pat the pink toned side on my under eye area to brighten it up and cover up any blue-ish dark circles. Again, I use the brightener under my foundation. I've even tried the pinkish side down the bridge of my nose as a highlight. The Almay Concealer and Brightener also works a lot better once you soften up the product by using it a few times. 

When you read the description of the concealer/brightener on the Almay website it is described as a "correcting duo". They suggest to use the brightener to highlight your features, and the corrector "to minimize redness" and "correct discolouration". I think the product lives up to this description. Just don't expect medium or full coverage.  In the end I do like it, but it's not my first choice for an under eye concealer since I'm always running on lack of sleep. The coverage of the Almay concealer/brightener is pretty sheer, but is good for those days when I don't need a lot of makeup. 

Have you tried the Almay Concealer/Brightener? What did you think? What is your favourite concealer? 

xo Ashley