I'm Parting Ways With My Foundation for This More Natural-Looking One-Step Option.

      Working as a beauty editor sometimes feels like donning a different persona after the school run. While I am drawn to products—I can't resist the charm of a high-end moisturizer or lustrous lip gloss—I engage with very few of them in my everyday life. When I'm at my desk, immersed in writing, researching trends, and testing for beauty awards, my workspace is filled with the best perfumes, high-tech serums, and cutting-edge skincare devices. However, outside of work hours, my beauty routine competes for attention amidst packing school bags, organizing an endless array of toys, and addressing questions about the origins of the universe at the crack of dawn. (Answers on a postcard, please). The reality is, with two young children, I’ve lost the luxury of sitting down for an uninterrupted full makeup application. I know I'm not alone in this. Almost everyone I know from all walks of life has been adopting a more minimalist approach to beauty in recent years. Yet, here’s my reality: while a simplified makeup routine has come out of necessity, I can't help but feel a bit undone when I leave home with just my natural skin. As someone who frequently battles acne breakouts, when my skin isn't behaving, I yearn for the coverage a full foundation used to provide. Fortunately, there’s a solution: the "foundcealer."

      What Is a Foundcealer?

      “Finding a concealer that also functions as a base can be a game-changer, whether you're short on time or just want to simplify your routine,” says celebrity makeup artist Tania Grier. Essentially, a foundcealer is a multitasking concealer that allows you to target specific areas rather than slathering foundation all over your face. For me, that means applying it to blemishes and dark circles, while you might use it on spots of redness or hyperpigmentation. By leaving parts of your skin bare, you can achieve a fresh, radiant, and even complexion while still blurring over any areas you’d rather keep subtle. Plus, it’s quick to apply and can eliminate the need for traditional foundation, reducing the contents of your makeup bag.

      How We Chose

      I personally tested all the foundcealers on this list, evaluating them based on their coverage (in my case, covering a significant stress-related breakout and dark circles due to disrupted sleep), comfort on the skin, versatility across different facial areas, and their range of shades. I also consulted makeup artist Tania Grier for her expert recommendations and reached out to my network of fellow beauty editor friends for their suggestions too.

      Best Foundcealers

      Best Overall: Merit Beauty The Minimalist (£34)

      Best for a Natural Finish: Erborian Super BB Concealer (£27)

      Best Multitasker: L'Oréal Paris Skin Ink Foundcealer (£15)

      Best for Brightening: Rimmel Multi-Tasker Wake Me Up Concealer & Foundation (£13)

      Best for Customisable Coverage: TirTir Glide & Hide Blurring Concealer (£13)

      1. Merit The Minimalist

      Best overall foundcealer

      Merit

      The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick

      If you value speed in your makeup routine, Merit Beauty is the way to go. Their complexion stick has become an essential emergency item in my handbag. From its inception, this innovative stick was designed to eliminate traditional foundation and instead allows for targeted application. It works effectively for blemishes as well as under the eyes—just apply and blend with your fingers. (I must confess, I also have an affinity for the Merit Blending Brush.) The finish is natural; it won’t completely hide angry spots, but it reduces redness and softens skin discoloration, leaving me feeling more polished.

      Pros: Easy to apply precisely, Buildable, Natural finish

      Cons: Drier skin types may need a rich moisturizer or oil beforehand

      2. Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

      Best for glow

      Nars

      Radiant Creamy Concealer

      When I look particularly exhausted in the mornings and need a reliable concealer, this one from Nars covers all the bases. No wonder it's the #1 concealer in the UK. With a multi-active botanical blend, it has a wonderfully rich texture that effortlessly hides everything from redness to dark circles. Impressively, it provides medium to full coverage without appearing cakey. I would happily use this all over for its naturally glowing finish.

      Pros: Medium to full coverage, Extensive shade range, Fresh, radiant finish

      Cons: Can appear cakey on active breakouts

      3. Erborian Super BB Concealer

      Best for a natural finish

      Erborian

      Super BB Concealer

      Despite its name as a 'BB Concealer', this product offers significant coverage without appearing heavy on the skin. It features a lovely serum-like texture enriched with brightening niacinamide and ginseng, giving the sensation of applying skincare, which d