This Is the Only Glowy Concealer That Covers My Hormonal Acne

We put Makeup by Mario's SurrealSkin Awakening Concealer to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

As a person with persistent, ever-present hormonal acne, concealer has worked its way up to being the MVP of my makeup routine, tossing red lipstick and mascara to the wayside and proving its mettle as the absolute essential for my day. 

Seriously, though. When I say I don’t go anywhere without concealer, I mean it. I will not leave the house without at least some of my acne covered up, given that on any given day I have a few cysts chilling on my chin, lots of redness and scarring and some rosacea redness around my nose. This means I know my way around what makes a quality product—and I have majorly high expectations. But if there's any brand that can live up to my high hopes, its Makeup by Mario, so I put its SurrealSkin Awakening Concealer to the test.

About My Skin: Very Acne Prone

Here’s the TL;DR on my situation: Because I’m trying to get pregnant again, I can’t be on the medications—spironolactone and birth control—that give me the flawless skin I crave. Thus, my skin is an absolute battleground, especially during specific phases of my cycle. I’ve (kind of) accepted my acne issues until I can go back on my meds, but this means I really treasure a good concealer. 

And I’m not the only one. For many makeup fans, concealer is a tool used more to sculpt and brighten than something to cover up zits; when I watch or read reviews of products, I sometimes feel like those of us with actual bad acne are left out, especially when it comes to the trendy “glowy” finish formulas all over the market in 2023. Typically, any formula with a glowy or hydrating finish is a no-go for coverage for me, but if any brand could live up to my expectations, it’s Makeup by Mario. I’m devoted to a handful of their products, including the SurrealSkin Foundation, and frequently wear it along with my favorite concealer formulas.

How to Apply: With a Brush

The SurrealSkin Awakening Concealer can be used under the eyes, as a highlight or to cover up dark spots and blemishes. The brand recommends applying directly to the skin and blending with their small, sloped F5 Concealer Brush ($24).

The Results: Coverage That Looks and Feels Like Skin

I set up a few parameters when testing: coverage, blendability, layerability and longevity. Typically my routine is as such: concealer applied to problem areas (chin and nose), then spritzed with Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Spray ($38). If I’m wearing foundation, I’ll apply that atop the unblended concealer with a brush and blend them together, then set with a powder or powder foundation. If I’m not wearing foundation, I’ll blend in the concealer on its own and set with the aforementioned powder. (And yes, I wash my brushes regularly and don’t touch the applicator to any super active acne, in case you were wondering.) 

First things first: the coverage. I really love the fluidity of Makeup by Mario’s skin products and found this concealer exceptionally easy to wear on its own or layer with other makeup. When you have a lot of acne, it always feels like you’re caking on the products to cover it up, but Makeup by Mario’s products are formulated to still feel like skin even when you’ve applied a few layers, and I appreciate that. I never feel chalky or costumey, but rather like my skin can breathe. 

I’ve been wearing a few different shades while my summer tan fades, and none are too pink or too yellow, but rather perfectly formulated to neutralize redness and dark spots. When worn on its own and blended out with a fluffy brush, the coverage is almost good enough to pass as foundation.

My favorite thing about the SurrealSkin Awakening Concealer, though, is the applicator. The doefoot applicator is slim and elongated in such a way that I feel like a painter applying color to a canvas… the canvas of my acne. It allows me to easily cover larger swaths of discoloration in just a few seconds—key when you have a toddler banging on the bathroom door—but also to pinpoint little spots that need correction. While Makeup by Mario may (mostly) position this as an undereye concealer, it more than held up its end of the bargain with my zits, and I’ve found myself reaching for it daily. 

My only wish for the SurrealSkin Awakening Concealer is a little more longevity. Even with powder and setting spray, it faded a bit earlier than some of my other favorite formulas—despite the brand’s claim that it’s self-setting. That said, a full workday’s worth of wear is still pretty darn good.

Similar Products: You Have Options

A lot of buzzy concealers have launched in recent months. Here are a few options to try.

Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating & De-Puffing Concealer: From Lady Gaga's Haus Labs, the Triclone Skin Tech Hyrdating & De-Puffing Concealer ($32) brightens, blurs, conceals and de-puffs with the brand's signature ingredient, arnica. 

Kylie Cosmetics Power Plush Longwear Concealer: Kylie’s new concealer has a buildable satin finish and can be used for undereyes, contouring, highlighting and more. The Kylie Cosmetics Power Plush Longwear Concealer ($27) is crease- and cake-proof thanks to its plush formula.

Lancôme Care and Glow Serum Concealer: Lancôme’s latest concealer is part makeup, part skincare and has a glowy, natural finish with medium coverage. Like the Mario concealer, the Lancome Care and Glow Serum Concealer ($29) brightens, blurs and visibly lifts the undereye.