Hey there, beauty lovers! Today I’m diving DEEP into one of the most affordable concealers on the market – the Maybelline New York Cover Stick Corrector Concealer in Ivory. I’ve been testing this baby for weeks now and collecting feedback from dozens of real users to give you the MOST HONEST review possible. Let’s get into it!
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The Maybelline Cover Stick comes in that classic lipstick-style packaging we’ve all seen before. It’s nothing fancy – just a simple twist-up stick in a plastic tube with a clear cap. At first glance, it screams “drugstore product,” but hey, sometimes the simplest things work the best, right?
The Ivory shade is definitely on the lighter side with slightly yellow undertones, making it pretty ideal for fair skin tones. If you’re super pale like me, this should work well for you!
TEXTURE & APPLICATION
Let me be straight with you – this concealer has a VERY creamy texture. And I mean CREAMY! This is both good and bad…
The Good:
- Glides on super smoothly without dragging your skin (huge plus for under-eye application!)
- Blends out easily with fingers or a beauty sponge
- Has a moisturizing feel that doesn’t accentuate dry patches
- Works great for mature skin since it doesn’t settle into fine lines as much as matte concealers
One user who’s been using it for YEARS said: “I’ve been using this concealer for years now. Seems to stay on pretty well under my foundation. I double cleanse to remove it all.”
The Not-So-Good:
- The creaminess means it can be tough to target precise areas (like that tiny pimple)
- If you don’t set it with powder, it might migrate throughout the day
- The stick can get messy if you’re not careful
A makeup artist I spoke with mentioned: “It’s thick enough to smoothly glide over acne/red spots yet isn’t cakey.” That perfect balance is hard to find in drugstore products!
COVERAGE
For a drugstore product, the coverage is IMPRESSIVE! This stick provides solid medium-to-high coverage that can be built up without looking cakey or heavy.
It absolutely excels at:
- Covering dark under-eye circles (it’s a HERO for this!)
- Evening out redness around the nose
- Hiding discoloration and age spots
- Concealing minor blemishes
One long-time user shared: “I use it by the sides of my nose and over any tiny blemish I may have. I never apply it directly to my face – I swipe my finger across the stick and then pat it on wherever I need coverage.”
That technique is 100% spot-on! Direct application can deposit too much product.
STAYING POWER
The longevity is decent for a creamy concealer – about 6-8 hours depending on your skin type. If you have oily skin, you’ll definitely want to set this with a good powder.
One thing I’ve noticed is that it wears better when applied over foundation rather than directly on bare skin. It doesn’t crease as badly under the eyes when set with a light dusting of translucent powder.
A 71-year-old user mentioned: “I use this very sparingly on my upper eyelids. I apply moisturizer first, then this to just bring out my eyes a bit. Just a bit seems to brighten them up.”
VALUE FOR MONEY
At around $5-7 depending where you shop, this concealer is RIDICULOUSLY affordable compared to high-end options that can run $20-30+. For the coverage and performance, it’s honestly one of the best values in the makeup aisle!
I’ve had people tell me they’ve used a single stick for YEARS (though I wouldn’t recommend keeping makeup that long for hygiene reasons). A little goes a long way, so one stick should last you several months even with daily use.
THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: QUALITY CONTROL ISSUES
Now I need to address the BIGGEST complaint about this product. Many, MANY users report receiving the concealer broken in the tube or having it break shortly after starting to use it.
One frustrated customer said: “The last two times I purchased this, the lipstick concealer bullet is broken off, stuck to the top of the cap. I know things can happen in manufacturing but clearly this lot has issues.”
Another mentioned: “The last tube that I ordered ended up breaking off at the base after minimal use. It wasn’t like I was being rough with it, either.”
This seems to be a recent problem, with several users wondering if Maybelline changed the formula to be softer. The consensus is that while the product itself performs well, the structural integrity of the stick is questionable.
If you decide to try this product, be prepared to:
- Possibly receive it broken
- Handle it VERY gently
- Consider storing it in the fridge to firm it up if it’s too soft
WHO SHOULD USE THIS CONCEALER?
This concealer is perfect for:
- Budget-conscious makeup lovers
- People with dry or mature skin
- Anyone looking for good coverage of dark circles
- Fair-skinned individuals (the Ivory shade specifically)
- Those who prefer a dewy, natural-looking finish
A cosmetologist who reviewed it said: “Maybelline New York Cover Stick has great coverage, and is very moist. I used it everyday and have recommended it to many.”
WHO SHOULD SKIP IT?
You might want to look elsewhere if you:
- Have very oily skin
- Need something that won’t budge ALL day
- Prefer a matte finish
- Need precise application for tiny areas
- Can’t handle the potential quality issues
BEST TIPS FOR USING THE MAYBELLINE COVER STICK
After talking with dozens of longtime users, here are the best application techniques:
- Don’t apply directly to your face! Instead, swipe your finger across the stick and pat the product onto your skin with your fingertip.
- Layer it properly: Apply foundation first, then concealer, then set with powder.
- For under-eye application: Warm the product between your fingers first, then pat gently – don’t rub or tug at the delicate skin.
- For red spots: Use a small concealer brush to pick up product from the stick, then tap onto the area.
- To make it last: Set with a good translucent powder and consider a setting spray for all-day wear.
DUPES & ALTERNATIVES
If the breakage issues have you concerned, here are some alternatives in the same price range:
- e.l.f. 16HR Camo Concealer (less creamy, more coverage)
- L.A. Girl Pro Conceal (creamier, comes in a tube)
- Wet n Wild Photo Focus Concealer (more matte finish)
For a high-end alternative with similar creamy texture, many users mentioned Loreal’s Visible Lift concealer as a step up.
MY FINAL VERDICT
Despite the quality control issues, the Maybelline New York Cover Stick Corrector Concealer in Ivory is still one of the best drugstore concealers available. The coverage, blend-ability, and price point are HARD to beat!
PROS:
- Excellent coverage for dark circles and discoloration
- Creamy, moisturizing formula that blends easily
- Works well for mature or dry skin
- CRAZY affordable
- Available everywhere
- Doesn’t require fancy tools to apply
CONS:
- Serious breakage/stability issues
- Can be too creamy for precise application
- Limited shade range
- Not ideal for oily skin without setting
- Packaging feels cheap
Final Score: 7.5/10
Would I repurchase? YES… but I’d buy it in-store where I can inspect it first rather than ordering online!
YOUR TURN!
Have you tried the Maybelline Cover Stick? Did yours break? Any application tips I missed? Drop your experiences in the comments below – I LOVE hearing from you guys!
Until next time, stay beautiful! 💋
Buy on Amazon: Here
