Let me cut right to the chase – I’ve spent the last several weeks testing out Maybelline’s Yellow Cover Stick Concealer color Yellow, and I’ve got THOUGHTS. If you’re looking for a straight-up, no-nonsense review from someone who’s battled dark circles for years, you’re in the right place.
First Impressions
This concealer comes in a simple lipstick-style tube that’s super portable and familiar to use. It’s about the size of a regular lipstick, and the bright yellow color is unmistakable when you twist it up. The packaging is nothing fancy – basic drugstore plastic – but it’s functional and easy to toss in your makeup bag.
Price-wise, it’s INCREDIBLY wallet-friendly at around $6, especially compared to high-end color correctors that can run $20+ for essentially the same concept.
What It Claims To Do
Maybelline markets this as a color corrector specifically for dark under-eye circles. The yellow pigment is supposed to neutralize purple/blue tones that make you look tired, creating a better base for foundation or regular concealer.
Real Talk: Performance
Coverage & Texture
The texture is creamy and relatively thick – DEFINITELY not a lightweight liquid formula. It glides on smoothly without tugging at the delicate under-eye area, which is a huge plus for those of us with thin skin in that area.
The coverage is pretty impressive for such an inexpensive product. It’s quite pigmented, so a little goes a long way. I found that just a few small dots under each eye was enough to make a significant difference in how visible my dark circles were.
It’s not a miracle worker though – if you have VERY dark circles, you’ll still need to layer a skin-toned concealer on top for complete coverage. But it does an excellent job creating that base layer that neutralizes the blue/purple tones.
Application & Blending
Here’s where technique really matters. If you apply it directly from the tube and try to blend with your fingers, you might find it a bit thick and prone to looking cakey. The best method I found was either:
- Using a small concealer brush to pick up product from the stick and then applying, or
- Dotting very lightly from the tube and then patting (not rubbing!) with a damp makeup sponge
Many reviewers mentioned it blends best right after moisturizing, and I 100% agree. If your under-eye area is dry, this product will cling to dry patches and look obvious.
Staying Power
For a creamy formula, the staying power is decent – about 6-8 hours before it starts to fade or crease. Setting with a light dusting of translucent powder definitely helps extend the wear time.
One interesting thing multiple reviewers pointed out (and I found true) – it actually does a good job covering bruises too! The yellow tone is perfect for neutralizing the purple/blue in a bruise.
The Good, The Bad, and The Broken
Let’s talk about the ELEPHANT in the room that came up in SO many reviews – this stick breaks easily. Like, REALLY easily. About 40% of the reviews mentioned receiving the product broken or having it break soon after first use.
I experienced this too – after the third use, the stick broke at the base without me twisting it up very far or applying excessive pressure. Frustrating, but not a total deal-breaker since the formula is still usable with a brush.
Many reviewers suspected this happens due to temperature fluctuations during shipping (especially in summer) or perhaps a formulation that’s too soft for the stick format. Either way, it’s definitely something to be aware of.
Best For…
This cover stick works best for:
- Light to medium dark circles
- Normal to slightly dry skin
- Those who don’t mind taking a little extra time to blend
- Anyone on a budget!
Based on the reviews, it seems to be especially popular with:
- Older users dealing with age-related dark circles and skin thinning
- People covering bruises or skin discoloration
- Those with fair to medium skin tones
Not Great For…
This probably isn’t the best choice if:
- You have very oily skin (several reviewers mentioned it doesn’t last long on oily skin)
- You have extremely dark circles that need heavy-duty coverage
- You have very dry under-eyes or fine lines (it can enhance texture)
- You want a quick, one-step solution (this works best as part of a layered approach)
Real User Experiences
What I found fascinating was just how LONG some people have been using this product. Multiple reviewers mentioned using it for 10+ years, with one person saying they’ve relied on it for TWO DECADES! That’s some serious brand loyalty in the fickle world of makeup.
One 60+ year old reviewer said they’ve been using it since they were a teen and it “still covers dark circles and stays put.” Many older users specifically mentioned how it helps with age-related skin concerns beyond just dark circles.
Several people with medical conditions that cause bruising or skin discoloration found this to be a lifesaver for covering those issues. One person who had fallen and broken their nose called it a “miracle product” for covering the resulting black eyes.
Pro Tips From Longtime Users
Reading through dozens of reviews, I picked up some great tips from longtime users:
- Apply VERY sparingly – “dotting” rather than swiping
- Use a slightly damp makeup sponge to blend rather than fingers
- Apply after moisturizer but before foundation
- Set with a light dusting of powder
- For extreme dark circles, layer with a skin-tone concealer on top
- Store in a cool place (some even mentioned keeping it in the refrigerator) to prevent breaking
One clever reviewer mentioned using it as a lipstick base to help lipstick last longer!
The Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Despite its flaws (mainly the breaking issue), this concealer delivers impressive results for its price point. At around $6, it performs as well as or better than many higher-end color correctors.
The formula hasn’t changed much over the years according to longtime users, which is both good (consistency) and rare (most brands constantly reformulate).
If you’re dealing with moderate dark circles and willing to take a little extra time with application, this is absolutely worth adding to your makeup routine. Just maybe buy two – one for home and one for your makeup bag – in case one breaks!
Rating Breakdown
- Coverage: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Blendability: 3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐½
- Staying Power: 3/5 ⭐⭐⭐
- Value for Money: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Packaging Durability: 2/5 ⭐⭐
- Overall: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Final Thoughts
This little yellow stick isn’t perfect, but it’s become a cult classic for good reason. It does exactly what it claims to do – neutralize dark circles – at a price point that’s accessible to almost everyone.
The fact that so many people have been loyal to this product for years, even DECADES, speaks volumes about its effectiveness. In a world of constant “new and improved” beauty products, sometimes the simple, reliable standbys are worth their weight in gold… or in this case, yellow!
Would I recommend it? ABSOLUTELY. Just be gentle with it, store it properly, and don’t expect miracles if you have very severe dark circles. For the price, it’s hard to find a better color corrector on the market.
If Maybelline could just fix that breaking issue, this would be a perfect 5/5. Come on, Maybelline – your loyal customers deserve a stick that doesn’t snap in half! 😉
Have you tried this concealer? Let me know your experiences in the comments below!
Buy on Amazon: Here
