Conceal Series - Mënaji Camo Concealer

USEFUL FOR: CONCEALING, LIGHT MOISTURISING

Concealers for men are a tricky thing, as it does require a bit of skill. Over the years, products which are both easy and effective have stayed in my set, and in the first for this series, I will be looking at what was then a breakthrough product for men, the first ever male concealer: the Mënaji Camo.

The product is packaged in a tube, like a chapstick. It is pretty stealthy for most men, sitting on the bureau or in the work bag. The product amount has varied over the years, when first purchased it was 7 grams, but in the latest versions it has gone up to 10 grams. The formulation has also changed, a bit more on that later.

To apply, rub the product onto your finger, dab and blend onto the face as needed. Blending is easy, as the product is very emolient. Coverage is medium, and it is buildable after allowed to set for 10 mins. The colour closest to my skin was Magnum Bronze. There are 2 other shades: Light and Medium.

Effect:

After done with concealing, the product feels smooth, but it is shiny on the skin. For men's skin, which tend to be usually oily, this can be problematic. From personal experience, it does get progressively greasier throughout the day, so I resort to using this only in winter or during travels to colder/drier climates.

Alternatively, a tissue can help to lift that layer of shine and mattify the skin. Because the product is very emolient, (oil is its first ingredient), building up the coverage is tricky. The product must be half-set, before the second layer can be applied. Otherwise, the product will move and the prior concealing will be disturbed.

This also means that a fine brush might be needed for closer applications. Personally this is a hassle, but it does give greater results.

The first formulation features Jojoba Oil as the main ingredient. This is good news for men especially with dry spots that flake. It means that dry areas will remain moisturised and concealed throughout the day. In the later formulations, the main oil is Grapeseed Oil, along with 3 other additional fruit and seed oils. Silica (Silicone) is also in the newer formulation, so the product is smooth and has better filling properties, much like a primer.

The product works best for old acne marks, razor nicks, but if you have greenish or purplish under eye circles, a colour-correcting concealer might be more suitable.

All in all, the Mënaji Camo Concealer is an average product. It does its job but its formulation does make it problematic for user with oily and acne prone skin. Because it is oily, the product will need to be applied after a few hours, as the coverage will slip. The form factor and application is probably its best feature, making it a good starter product for guys incorporating concealers into their grooming routine.


www.menaji.com/products/conceal/camo-concealer

MANDESCRIPT REVIEW