One of my top beauty woes are my genetic dark eye circles. It took me years to realize and accept that I’ll probably have to live with them for the rest of my life. Acceptance also made me more daring. The old me, who hated makeup, was forced to try out different natural and mineral makeup brands to conceal my I-had-just-been-punched-in-the-eye sort of dark circles. My eye concealer journey started with Joppa Minerals.
Joppa Concealer Powder (Medium)
Ingredients: Magnesium Myristrate, Titanium Dioxide, Sericite Mica, Boron Nitride, Iron Oxides, Zinc Oxide, May contain Ultra Marine Blue and/or Violet.
Unlike other mineral powder concealers I’ve tried, this one doesn’t dry my eye area as much since it turns slightly creamy once applied. I also like how it’s almost enough to disguise my unsightly greenish dark circles. The shade would have been perfect if only the tint was a bit more yellowish. However, it tends to cake within the folds of my upper lids so five minute after application, I always give the lines a mild smudge using my ring finger. The icky caking problem made me consider the Tinted Concealer Base.
Joppa Tinted Concealer Base
Ingredients: Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil, Mango Butter, Olive Squaline Oil, Red Raspberry Seed Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Sericite Mica, Iron Oxides, Boron Nitrade, Magnesium Stearate, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Vit. E and Pink Grapefruit Essential Oil.
I initially bought this hoping that the tint and coverage would be heavy enough to be a stand-alone concealer. Blame the lazy me–I just don’t have enough time to go through all the concealer blending in the morning. But after receiving the product, I realized that the tint is too light and definitely unsuitable for my greenish dark circles. The texture is like a tacky mousse which can be quite a turn-off at first.
Base + Concealer Powder
I don’t quite dig the texture of the base. It reminds me of natural sunscreen products which usually ball up when over rubbed. But somehow, it helps to improve the staying power of the powder while moisturizing the skin. Having the base also seems to boost the coverage of the powder so I don’t have to apply as much which, in a way, prevents caking. Unfortunately, it’s still a trial and error bit for me. Although having the base minimizes the possibility of caking, it doesn’t totally prevent it. As I write this post, I’ve got a few white lines on the folds of my upper lids. So unsexy! The concealer duo can be used to cover other imperfections, too, but I’ve only tried them on my eye area.
Toss or Keep?
The Joppa Powder Concealer retails for US$13.00 (1.4 grams) while the Joppa Tinted Concealer Base for US$8.50 (1/8 oz). Both can last forever so I find the prices reasonable. The powder even comes in sampler size and price, too, so it’s worth the try if you’re planning to hoard Joppa stuff anyway. But the caking is really a bummer! Since I’m desperate and I need the non-overkill coverage–I can’t go overboard since I don’t wear foundation most of the time, just eye concealer–I’ll keep the duo until I find a better concealer. I might try the Yellow Powder concealer later to see if it can disguise my panda eyes better.
Are you already following the Eco Beauty Secrets Facebook Page? If yes, please drop by often so you’ll keep receiving updates conveniently via Facebook. Only active visitors get regular updates on their wall–that’s the new Facebook rule.
But if you’re not a fan yet, well, head on over and please click “like” on the EBS wall! ^_^
Concealer is definitely a must for me too as I don’t wear any fondations at all. I find it sufficient enough to even cover some pigmentations or spots on my face. So far, I have yet to try or find any good natural makeup as it is limited here in Malaysia. The brand that I’ve always like for concealer is from Bobbi Brown.
I think I’ve only tried Bobbi Brown once but it dried my eye area. The skin around my eyes is incredibly thin and very prone to dryness and crinkles.
I’m searching for a good, relatively more natural concealer ’cause it’s something I’m sure I’ll use a lot, lol.
The effect looks quite good if the “before” pic really reflects how your dark circles look before. I’m a bit surprised tho, how come it looks darker on your eyelids than on the under-eye area? — usually dark circles are more prominent on the under-eye area. But at least you don’t have eyebags, that’s a great consolation! (That can’t be concealed with anything!!)
Hi Polly, it’s weird, right? Even my sister’s dark circles are darker under the eyes. Mine’s heavier on the upper eyelids. My high school friends used to tease me that I looked like I was wearing eyeshadow all the time. My dark circles are quite hard to conceal and they turn greenish-black whenever I lack sleep/super tired.
I rarely get eye bags, I’m more prone to sunken eyes due to my features.
Hi!
I’m new to concealers but I think I found one that I like that doesn’t dry out the thin and sensitive eye area. It’s Lancôme Teint Miracle Instant Retouch Pen. Rather pricey but it’s good stuff. http://www.lancome-usa.com/TEINT-MIRACLE-INSTANT-RETOUCH-PEN/1000512,default,pd.html?dwvar_1000512_color=1&start=1&cgid=makeup-concealers
Have a lovely day!
Hi Jenny, thanks for the suggestion. I’m eyeing the Jane Iredale concealer almost like that of Lancome’s–included it in my Christmas wish list. Will probably buy it soon since I really prefer liquid concealers and been hearing lots of raves about Jane Iredale.
I’m as lazy as you are. Most of the time, I just use a tinted sunscreen. But the problem is that my ever present panda eyes will always follow me everywhere!
Judging from your photo, the coverage of the product seems quite good. I hope to dabble in mineral makeup and other natural makeup products one or two months later. Right now, my purse (or rather my heart) is bleeding because of too many visits to clothing stores…
Haha, I think it’s because both of us are more of skincare junkies. We spend more time and money on skincare.
The coverage is alright, better than others I’ve tried but it appears better on photo than in real life. I really hate the caking problem, though!
Also on my “to find” is my holy grail under eye concealer..too creamy and it sticks to creases making me look 75, too powdery and it dries things out. Can’t win. This one looks fairly nice, and also looks like it did a bit of brightening.
PS: Your “dark circles” aren’t all so dark
Trust me, my dark circles are much worse on some day.
Hmmm, I think Joppa might not work for you ’cause it gives serious creasing problems.
I think I’ve got the same problem like you, I tend to get creases easily but when I use something more powdery, it dries my eyes. Now, I’m testing another brand. It’s a liquid concealer from Jane Iredale.