Dark circles show up at the worst times. A late night, a long flight, or one stressful week can leave your under eye area looking tired. Most shoppers then hunt for a concealer that hides everything without costing a fortune.
The Catrice True Skin High Cover Concealer sits at roughly seven dollars, promises full coverage, and claims 18 hours of wear. That sounds almost too good for the price.
So I bought it, wore it, sweated in it, cried in it, and watched how it behaved by hour ten. This review covers the real texture, the shade problems, the dry patch issue nobody mentions in ads, and the exact skin types that will love it. Keep reading before you add it to your cart.
In a Nutshell:
- Price to performance is the headline. You pay around seven dollars and get coverage that competes with concealers priced at twenty five dollars or more. That value ratio is the single strongest reason to buy it.
- Coverage builds instead of blasting. One layer looks light and skin like. Two layers cover mild circles. Three layers cover stubborn blue tones and blemishes. You control the intensity, which beginners will appreciate.
- The finish is soft matte, not dewy. Oily skin and combination skin get the best results here. Very dry skin will notice texture unless you moisturize well first.
- Staying power is genuinely strong. The formula is waterproof and transfer resistant. It survived a full workday, a workout, and a humid afternoon in my testing without sliding into my smile lines.
- The shade range is the biggest weakness. Fourteen shades sound decent, yet deeper skin tones and very fair neutral tones still get squeezed. Some shades also lean noticeably warm.
- Fragrance is present. Sensitive eyes may react. If parfum bothers you, this is not your concealer.
What Is Catrice True Skin High Cover Concealer?
- HIGH COVERAGE, WATERPROOF FORMULA: The waterproof formula practically melts into the skin without settling into the fine lines, yet still provides outstanding coverage. Ideal for normal to dry skin types, the Catrice True Skin High Cover Concealer pairs perfectly with our True Skin Hydrating Foundation!
- NO MASK-LIKE EFFECT! This longlasting, matte and natural finish with hyaluronic acid moisturizes for up to 18 hours and combines excellent coverage with a lightweight texture and optimal care.
Last update on 2026-09-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
Catrice is a German makeup brand founded in 2004. It built its name on low prices and surprisingly good formulas. The True Skin High Cover Concealer belongs to the brand’s True Skin family, which also includes a hydrating foundation.
The product is a liquid concealer in a small tube with a doe foot applicator. It holds five milliliters of product. Catrice markets it as high coverage with a matte and natural finish, plus hyaluronic acid for moisture that lasts up to 18 hours. The formula is vegan, oil free, alcohol free, paraben free, and cruelty free.
The brand’s main promise is coverage without a mask like effect. That phrase gets repeated on the packaging and the website. It means the concealer should hide discoloration while still looking like skin instead of paint.
In practice, the product targets three concerns: dark circles, blemishes, and redness. It also works as a base for cream contour or as a light spot foundation on good skin days.
Unboxing Experience: What Arrives in the Box
The delivery is simple. The concealer arrives in a slim cardboard sleeve with the shade number printed on the side and the bottom. Mine came undamaged with no leaks, which matters because thin tubes sometimes crack in transit.
Pull the tube out and the first thing you notice is weight. There is almost none. The tube is soft plastic with a matte white body and a clean black cap. It looks more expensive than seven dollars, though it will not survive being crushed at the bottom of a bag.
Unscrew the cap and the doe foot applicator comes out. The applicator is small, flat, and slightly firm, which gives you control over tiny spots like a blemish or the inner corner of the eye. It does not scoop up a huge blob, so waste stays low.
The first squeeze released more product than I wanted. Squeeze gently. The tube has no stopper, so the pressure travels fast. After three uses I learned the right amount.
Texture and Formula Breakdown
The texture is thin and creamy. It feels closer to a lightweight fluid than a thick paste. On the back of the hand it spreads easily and does not drag.
The ingredient list explains the behavior. Water sits first, followed by talc, dimethicone, and dicaprylyl ether. Talc is the reason the finish sets matte and stays put. Dimethicone gives the silky slip that helps it blend. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate add the moisture Catrice advertises. Tocopherol, a form of vitamin E, sits further down the list.
Isododecane and trimethylsiloxysilicate are the transfer resistant workhorses. These are the same film formers used in longwear liquid lipsticks, which explains the waterproof claim.
Parfum appears near the end. Iron oxides and titanium dioxide provide the color.
Honest note: this is not a skincare hybrid concealer. The hyaluronic acid amount is small and sits low in the list. Treat it as makeup with a mild moisture boost, not a treatment product.
Coverage Test: Does It Really Hide Dark Circles?
I tested the concealer on three areas: blue toned under eye shadows, a healing blemish, and redness around the nose.
The first layer surprised me by looking sheer. That is not a flaw. The formula is built to layer. A single pass gave a fresh, slightly brightened look that read as natural skin. Anyone with mild discoloration can stop there.
The second layer changed things. My darker inner corner faded to a soft neutral tone. The blemish lost its red halo. By the third layer the coverage reached genuine full coverage, and the blue tone under my eyes disappeared completely.
Redness around the nose took one layer only. The concealer neutralized it fast without patchiness.
The weak spot is the blemish itself. The formula covers color well, yet it does not hide raised texture. A large pimple still looks like a bump, only beige. No concealer fixes that, so treat this as a color tool rather than a texture eraser.
Top 3 Alternative for Catrice True Skin High Cover Concealer
- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer: America's Number 1 Concealer; Erase the look of dark circles, correct the appearance of redness and brighten the look of dull skin. Can be used in multiple shades to contour and highlight.
- Anti-Aging Concealer: Turn back time with this anti-aging under eye treatment concealer infused with Haloxyl; Say bye bye to the look of fine lines, blemishes, redness, and dark circles, and hello to a radiant, well rested, refreshed looking eye area
Last update on 2026-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer
- HD Photogenic Concealer: This concealer covers blemishes, imperfections, skin discoloration, dark circles under eye, and is safe for all skin types; can also be used as a contouring concealer to sculpt chin and cheekbones
- Color Correcting Coverage: Available in 23 shades including color correcting green, yellow, and lavender, providing natural to medium coverage on all skin tones and types; Also suitable as a contouring concealer to sculpt chin and cheekbones
Last update on 2026-09-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
NYX Professional Makeup HD Studio Photogenic Concealer Wand
- CREASE-PROOF COVERAGE: The e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer is a long-wear liquid concealer that provides crease-proof full coverage while hydrating your skin. The shade Light Ivory is light with golden beige undertones.
- NO MORE UNDER-EYE CIRCLES: This nourishing product covers up imperfections and under-eye circles while delivering a boost of hydration to your skin.
Last update on 2026-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!
e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer
Shade Range: Will You Find a Match?
Catrice offers fourteen shades in the True Skin line, numbered rather than named in some markets. The shade numbers run from 001 through 094, which creates confusion because the numbers are not sequential.
Fair and light skin tones have the most choices. Shades like 001 Neutral Swan and 002 Neutral Ivory cover the pale end well. Medium tones get solid options in the 015 to 032 range.
Deeper skin tones get the short end. The range thins out noticeably past the mid tones, and the deepest options may still pull too light for rich deep complexions. This is a common drugstore problem, yet it deserves to be said plainly.
Undertone accuracy is mixed. Several shades lean warm or peachy. If you have a cool or neutral undertone, read the shade descriptors carefully. Swatching in store beats guessing online.
My tip: buy one shade that matches your skin and one shade slightly lighter. Mixing gives you a brightening effect without a gray cast.
How to Apply It for the Best Result
Application decides whether this concealer looks great or cakey. Start with moisturizer. Give it two minutes to absorb. Dry skin grabs this formula fast, and that causes patchiness.
Dot a small amount in a triangle under the eye or directly on the spot. Use less than you think you need. Then blend with tapping motions.
A damp makeup sponge gave me the smoothest result. A dense brush worked second best. Fingers worked well for blemishes because warmth softens the product.
Do not drag. Dragging lifts the product and leaves streaks.
Wait about thirty seconds, then judge the coverage. Add a second layer only where you still see color. Spot layering beats full layering because it keeps the finish thin.
Setting powder is optional. The formula sets matte on its own. A light dust of powder in the crease area stops any movement during a long day. Skip heavy powder, since it flattens the natural look Catrice advertises.
Wear Test: Checking the 18 Hour Claim
I wore the concealer for a full twelve hour day, twice.
At hour four it looked identical to the moment I applied it. At hour eight it had settled slightly into one fine line under my right eye, though nothing that read as creasing from normal conversation distance. At hour twelve the coverage was still there. Color did not oxidize or turn orange, which is a common drugstore failure.
I also ran a water test. The formula held up against rain and sweat during a workout. It is genuinely waterproof, not water resistant. Rubbing your eye will move it, so avoid that.
The 18 hour claim is technically plausible, but I doubt most people wear makeup that long. Call it a solid twelve hour concealer with good margin.
One caveat: removal takes effort. Regular cleanser was not enough. I needed an oil cleanser or a balm to lift it completely, and residue around the lash line needed a second pass.
What It Does Not Do Well
Honest reviews name the flaws, so here they are.
Dry skin sees texture. The formula sets matte and clings to any flakiness. It accentuated small dry patches under my eyes during colder weather. Heavy moisturizer helped, but it did not eliminate the issue.
Mature skin with deep lines will want to set carefully. The product is thin, yet a heavy hand plus fine lines equals visible settling by evening.
Fragrance is a real problem for some users. Parfum near the eye can sting sensitive eyes. Contact lens wearers should test cautiously.
The tube has no pump or stopper, so product squirts out too fast. That wastes money over time.
The applicator is small. Covering a wide area takes several dips, which slows down a rushed morning.
Shade matching remains the biggest gap. Deep skin tones are underserved. Warm leaning shades also limit cool undertones.
Finally, this is not a brightening concealer. It hides color, but it adds no glow or radiance.
Price and Value: Is Seven Dollars a Real Bargain?
At roughly seven dollars for five milliliters, the cost per milliliter beats almost every concealer in the drugstore aisle. Comparable options from Maybelline and NYX sit between nine and thirteen dollars. Premium concealers from Nars or Kosas start near thirty dollars.
The value argument is straightforward. You get longwear coverage, waterproof performance, and buildable finish for the price of a coffee and a snack.
Longevity of the tube matters too. I used mine daily for roughly two months before the level dropped noticeably. That works out to a few cents per day.
There is a catch. Because the shade range is limited, you may buy the wrong shade first and buy again. Two tubes cost fourteen dollars, which still undercuts one premium concealer.
Verdict on value: this is one of the strongest price to performance ratios in budget makeup right now. If the formula suits your skin type, nothing at this price does the job better.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent coverage that builds from sheer to full in two or three thin layers
- Very low price at around seven dollars, which beats most drugstore competitors
- Genuinely waterproof and transfer resistant through sweat, rain, and long workdays
- Lightweight texture that does not feel heavy or sticky on the skin
- Soft matte finish that suits oily and combination skin very well
- Vegan, cruelty free, oil free, alcohol free, and paraben free formula
- Small precise applicator that works well for spot coverage on blemishes
- Color stays true and does not oxidize into an orange tone
Cons
- Not hydrating enough for very dry skin, and it highlights dry patches
- Contains parfum, which may irritate sensitive eyes
- Shade range of fourteen leaves deeper skin tones with few options
- Several shades lean warm, which limits cool undertones
- Tube has no stopper, so product dispenses too fast and gets wasted
- Needs an oil cleanser or balm for full removal
- Does not disguise raised texture on active blemishes
- Applicator is small for covering wide areas quickly
Who Should Buy This Concealer?
Buy it if you have oily or combination skin. The matte finish and film forming ingredients keep everything locked down through heat and sweat. This is a strong summer concealer.
Buy it if you want full coverage at a low price. The layering ability means one tube serves both natural days and full glam days.
Buy it if you are a makeup beginner. Buildable formulas are forgiving. You can add slowly instead of fixing a heavy mistake.
Buy it if you need waterproof makeup for a wedding, a long shift, or a humid climate.
Skip it if your skin is very dry or flaky. A hydrating concealer like the e.l.f. Hydrating Camo will serve you better.
Skip it if you react to fragrance in eye products.
Skip it if you have a deep skin tone and cannot find a match. Buying a close but wrong shade wastes money and creates an ashy look.
Final Verdict: Catrice True Skin Review 2026
The Catrice True Skin High Cover Concealer earns its reputation. It delivers coverage, wear time, and a natural matte finish for a price that feels unreasonable in a good way. For oily and combination skin, it competes with products costing four times more.
The flaws are real but predictable. It is not hydrating enough for dry skin. The shade range is too narrow at the deeper end. The fragrance excludes sensitive users. The tube design wastes product.
My score sits at 4.3 out of 5. The point I removed comes from shade limitations and the dry skin performance, not from the formula quality.
If you want one affordable concealer that survives a twelve hour day without creasing or turning orange, put this on your list. Prep your skin with moisturizer, apply in thin layers, and tap instead of dragging. Do that, and you get a result that looks like good skin rather than makeup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Catrice True Skin Concealer full coverage?
Yes, but it builds. One layer gives light to medium coverage. Two or three thin layers reach full coverage. That gradual approach helps you avoid a heavy, cakey look.
Does Catrice True Skin Concealer crease?
It resists creasing better than most budget concealers. Light settling can appear in fine lines after eight or more hours. A small amount of setting powder in the crease area prevents this.
Is this concealer good for dry skin?
Not the best choice. The matte finish clings to dry patches and can look slightly chalky. Moisturize well first, or choose a hydrating formula instead.
How many shades does it come in?
Catrice offers fourteen shades. Fair to medium tones have the widest selection. Deep tones have fewer options, which is the product’s main weakness.
Is Catrice True Skin Concealer waterproof?
Yes. The formula uses film forming silicones that resist water, sweat, and transfer. You will need an oil based cleanser or a cleansing balm to remove it fully.
Does it contain fragrance?
Yes. Parfum appears on the ingredient list. People with sensitive eyes or fragrance allergies should patch test before using it near the eye area.
Is Catrice True Skin Concealer vegan and cruelty free?
Yes. The formula is vegan and the brand is cruelty free. It is also oil free, alcohol free, and paraben free.
How much does it cost?
The price sits around seven dollars for a five milliliter tube in most markets. Prices change by retailer and region, so check current listings before buying.
