Smashbox 24Hour CC Spot Concealer

Where I got it : I saw good review by Beautypedia’s team on Youtube did a first impressions with this concealer and also the good review by Beautypedia’s team, I was on the hunt for this! Just my luck, about 2 weeks later, I saw this on sale on Onceit and I got it for $29.95. RRP is $44.00. My order was placed on on 12/12/15 and it arrived on 17/12/15 – super fast!! Update 4/1/16: I bought another shade (Light/Neutral) from Onceit again. This time it was only $19.95 for some strange reason and it was only for this shade. The other shades were still $29.95. I literally order last night and it was delivered this afternoon – CRAZY!! 

What I got: This is Smashbox 24Hour CC Spot Concealer in Light/Medium. A first-of-its-kind concealer that instantly covers dark spots, sun spots and post-acne marks, while fading the look of them in as little as 4 weeks—so you’re actually concealing and treating all at once!  Imperfections have met their match! This concealer is waterproof and sweat- and humidity-resistant, but the real kicker? It lasts for a full 24 hours—so it truly is practically permanent, thanks to Photoset Polymers created with medical-grade liquid bandage technology, which adheres and bends with skin. The result is a studio-grade concealer that just won’t quit.

1. Conceals dark spots, sun spots and post-acne marks for a full 24 hours
2. Treats and fades spots over time—see results in just 4 weeks
3. Waterproof, transfer-proof, sweat- and humidity-resistant
4. Full-coverage formula
5. Targeted coverage with micro-precision applicator

How I find it: I have watched a couple of reviews on beauty blogs as well as Youtube on how people use them, tips and tricks, pros and cons. I am fully aware that this is super fast drying and the staying power is amazing. However, since this is super fast drying and full coverage, I did notice people having a bit of a hard time finding the perfect shade because it is so hard to blend. So the first time I used this, I applied my usual primer/base, then  I use this first before anything else. The instructions recommends to use the precision applicator to dot directly onto the spot (sunspots, discolorations and post-acne marks – do not use it on active breakouts!!), then wait 5-10 seconds and blend away! So I focus of 5 spots each time, then by the time I finish dotting them on the 5th spot, it has already been 10 seconds. Then I start blending the 1st dot, 2nd dot.. so on. It works this way, but I think I might reduce that to 3 dots because my blending is a bit on the slow side..  Whatever you do, don’t apply it to over 10 spots at the same time because you  won’e have enough time to blend before it dries down!  This Light/Medium shade is not my perfect shade, in fact it is quite dark for my skintone. I think I would either be Light of Light/Neutral. Then I just my usual concealer for any larger areas of post-acne marks and dark circle, then my foundation to even out everything. Under the foundation, the wrong shade doesn’t really show up anyway because it is so lightweight.

Overall: This CC Spot concealer is truely something different and new! I loved trying it out and will be using this more often! It is really full coverage so you only need a little bit of the product and just blend the edges out. See how it covers the mole on the back of my hand! (Please excuse the wrong shade though.) I love the lightweight formula and the precision applicator – it is really easy to apply and does not waste products. However, since the formula is quite runny, you need to pretty much clean the screw cap areas every 2nd use because it seems to flow out  and will get everywhere :(. Very long-lasting formula as well, even though I didn’t’ use it for full 24 hour, but I have oily skin and it stayed on the whole day if I haven’t touched my skin. Update 4/1/16: I bought Light/Neutral and it was a much better shade for me! It is lighter than light/medium so it suits my skin better. I also did a little staying power test – I applied the concealor on the back of my hand, let it dry then put it under running water and tried to rub it – hardly budge and still stays on my skin! To remove, I had to use a oil cleanser or duo-phased eye makeup remover which still needs a bit of work.

So here are my tips:

1. Go one shade lighter you think you are (the shades runs a little darker I think).

2. Work fast, apply to areas and blend before moving onto the next area.

3.  Use only on smaller areas like post-acne marks, moles, sunspots and blend well.

4. Do not go for a second layer – one layer is quite full coverage, you may find it a bit drying on the skin and it will look a little cakey.

5. Wear it on bare skin – under foundation for best and full coverage.