I am not a big face painter and, in fact, most days I barely wear makeup at all, using nothing more than Osmotics Inner Light (a no color foundation) and dabs of concealer wherever I am in need of camouflage. Given, then, that concealer is 50% of my makeup routine, I am always hunting for the perfect one. And my Five Best includes new finds such as Vapour and Kristen’s favoured Youngblood (see her tips on how to apply concealer effectively)

Vapour Stratus Instant Skin Perfector ($44).  This is a multi-tasking moisturizer, primer, concealer and no-color foundation. It comes in a stick form and  can be used all over the face, or targeted where some subtle camouflage - for acne scars, fine lines, uneven skin tone - is needed. I like the no shine, light reflecting, skin tone smoothing results. And just as good is knowing that I am putting mostly useful and nourishing ingredients on my skin. The bases are organic evening primrose and sunflower oils, plus there’s papaya and pumpkin (to put you in the mood for the holiday season, as well as being a great source of beta-carotene). Read the full review

Youngblood Ultimate Concealer ($30 in the TIA shop). It comes in five shades from “fair” through to “deep” – the “medium tan” works for my skin tone. I like the silky feel, it doesn’t look shiny and it is easy to layer, depending on how much coverage is needed. It lasts most of the day as well. Apart from polyethalene, the ingredients are either benign or helpful with vitamins E and C, honeysuckle (which contains saponins that synthesise hyaluronans for water retention), soothing allantoin and jojoba seed oil. Read the full review

RMS Beauty "Un" Cover Up ($37 in the TIA shop). This has become my go-to. It is natural concealer that is formulated to reveal and enhance healthy skin. "Un" Cover Up is a really good concealer - just about one of the best I have ever used - that is creamy without being greasy. Its coverage is subtle and yet cover it does (even men could use this undetected). It will cover zits, but is best for uneven skin tone or blurring broken veins. I use #22, a medium tint (which goes on lighter than it looks).  Formulated for sensitive skin. Read the full review.

Thebalm timebalm ($18). TIA writers love this. Its creamy consistency blends easily for coverage that lasts entire day. Skin looks glowing and it has the bonus of an anti-wrinkle formulation. Nonetheless, it isn’t for purists and contains a couple of parabens, A good product for the price though. Read the full review

Redpoint NOC-Out Cover-Up Compact ($37). Although ousted from my purse by RMS (see above) and definitely not for purists, Redpoint is efficient and has some anti-aging ingredients. This compact is based on the highly practical assumption that not all blemishes are equal. There are three different cover-ups within the compact: Red Guard for neutralizing thread veins, rosacea or an angry flush; Spot Cover deals with your average zit, freckles and age spots; Eye Disguise conceals dark circles. There are a handful of vitamins in each, plus mushroom extract and licorice.

Ingredients in Vapour: Organic/Bio Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Organic/Bio Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, Silica, Organic/Bio Cera Alba (Beeswax), Lysine, Sambucus Nigra (Elderberry) Fruit Extract, Organic/Bio Lecithin, Organic/Bio Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil & Organic/Bio Lecithin & Organic/Bio Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil & Organic/Bio Papain (Papaya), Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Essential Oils & Natural Fruit Essences, Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E), Boswellia Carteri (Frankincense)*, Organic/Bio Ocimum Sanctum (Tulsi/Holy Basil), Organic/Bio Nelumbo Nucifera (Lotus) Flower Petals

Ingredients in Youngblood: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Octyldodecanol, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Jojoba Esters, Polyethylene, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Allantoin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tocopherol, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

Ingredients in “Un” Cover Up: *Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, *Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, *Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopherol (non-GMO), *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, and may contain: [+/- Titanium Dioxide CI 77891, Iron Oxides CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499]*organic

Ingredients in theBalm: Tridecyl Trimelitate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dioctyl Adipate, Isoeicosane, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax (Carnuaba), Beeswax (Apis Mellifera), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Capric/Caprylic Stearic Triglyceride, C18 36 Acid Glycol Ester, Panthenol, Tribehenin, Ceresin, Glycine Soja Oil (Soybean), Linoleic Acid, Glycine Soja Sterol (Soybean), Phospholipids, Lauroyl Lysine, Folic Acid (Folate), Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Propyl Gallate, May Contain (+/-): Talc, Mica, Silica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides

Ingredients in Redpoint’s Redguard: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ozokerite, Kaolin, Polyethylene, PPG-12/SDMI Copolymer, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Phytonadione, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Impatiens Capensis Extract, Agaricus Bisporus (Mushroom) Stem Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton), Silica, Dimethicone, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Propylparaben. May Contain (+/-): Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77489, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140).