If you’ve spent any time watching Lisa Eldridge’s YouTube videos over the last decade, you’ve probably seen her do "the thing." You know, the part where she takes a microscopic brush, barely touches a bit of heavy-duty concealer, and dots it onto a single blemish until it literally vanishes into thin air. It’s mesmerizing. It’s also, honestly, a massive pain to do yourself if you’re rushing to get out the door.
That’s basically why the Lisa Eldridge Pinpoint Concealer exists.
It isn't just another tube of goop with a giant doe-foot applicator meant to be smeared in triangles under your eyes. In fact, if you try to use it like that, you’re going to hate it. This is a very specific, almost surgical tool disguised as a makeup pencil. After years of watching her fans struggle to find the right tiny brushes and high-pigment pots to mimic her technique, Lisa finally just put the formula into a 1.5mm lead.
But here is the thing: people are still confused about what it actually does. Is it a concealer? Is it an eyeliner? Is it worth $34 for roughly the amount of product you’d find in a travel-sized mint? Let’s get into the weeds.
Why the Pinpoint Concealer is a polarizing little pencil
Most concealers today are designed for the "Instagram face"—lots of product, lots of blending, lots of coverage. This pencil is the total opposite. It’s built for "micro-dosing" your makeup. The core idea is that if you cover the 5% of your face that actually has a spot or a broken capillary, you don’t need to cover the other 95% with a heavy foundation mask.
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The texture is a bit of a trip. It’s a creamy gel that feels like a high-end waterproof eyeliner when you first "scribble" it on. But because it’s a self-setting formula, it dries down fast. Like, really fast.
The "Dryness" Myth
I’ve seen a lot of people complain that this pencil is too dry. Honestly? It kind of has to be. If it were super emollient and greasy, it would slide right off a blemish the second you blinked. The formula uses a blend of synthetic waxes and methyl trimethicone—a volatile silicone that evaporates quickly to leave a budge-proof film.
If you have a crusty, healing blemish, this will cling to it. That’s just the reality of matte, long-wear products. But on a standard red spot or a flat bit of pigmentation? It’s basically unclockable.
Does it work under the eyes?
Generally, no. Lisa herself has said she’s still working on a dedicated under-eye concealer. The Lisa Eldridge Pinpoint Concealer is a high-pigment, soft-focus matte formula. If you have deep-set shadows right in the inner corner of your eye, you can use it to "lift" that specific shadow. But if you try to draw a big circle under your eye and blend it out, it’s going to look heavy and probably emphasize every fine line you didn't know you had.
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Mastering the "Scribble and Tap"
The mistake most people make is trying to be too perfect with the application. They draw a perfect circle over a spot, and then it looks like a polka dot on their face.
Lisa’s advice is actually to "scribble" it.
- Don't over-prep: If your skin is swimming in facial oil or a heavy moisturizer, the wax in the pencil won't "grab" the skin.
- The Micro-Scribble: Apply the pencil directly to the spot, but don't make a perfect circle. Keep the edges irregular.
- The 3-Second Rule: You have a tiny window before this stuff sets. Use your ring finger to tap the edges. Don't swipe. Just tap.
- The "Shadow Lifting" Trick: This is the pro move. If you have a deep nasolabial fold or a "marionette line" that creates a shadow, you can use a shade slightly lighter than your skin to draw a tiny line inside the shadow. It acts like an eraser.
The pencil tip is only 1.5mm. It is incredibly small. You can actually target a single broken capillary on the side of your nose without getting makeup on the surrounding "good" skin. That is the "Pinpoint" magic.
The shade range and the "Olive" struggle
Finding a match in this formula is actually easier than with a liquid. Because you're using such a tiny amount, it blends into your natural skin tone more readily. Currently, there are about 20 shades.
A big win for the brand is how they handle undertones. If you’ve ever felt like every concealer turns orange or pink on you, you’re probably an "olive." Lisa’s range is famous for having actual green/grey undertones in shades like 2.5 or 8.
Pro Tip: If you're covering a red, angry pimple, don't go for a shade that's too light. A shade that matches your skin's depth or even has a slightly more golden/olive undertone will neutralize the redness better than a pale, pinky shade will.
Is it actually worth the price tag?
Let's talk about the 0.04g elephant in the room.
This product is expensive. For $34 (or £27), you get a very small amount of pigment. If you are someone who likes to do a full-coverage face every day, you will burn through this pencil in a month. It’s just not cost-effective for "blanket" coverage.
However, if you are a "minimalist" who only wears a skin tint or just sunscreen, this pencil is a game-changer. It’s the only thing I’ve found that truly stays put on my chin through a whole day of wearing a mask or talking.
Why it's a "bag" essential:
- No tools needed: You don't need a brush.
- Built-in sharpener: There’s a tiny sharpener hidden in the base (pull the bottom cap off) so you can keep that 1.5mm precision.
- Waterproof: It’s been clinically tested to be sweat-proof and waterproof. It’s basically a tattoo for your blemishes.
The Reality Check: Who should skip this?
This isn't for everyone. If you have very oily skin and you don't like setting your makeup with powder, you might find that the pencil still slides after a few hours.
Similarly, if your main concern is large areas of melasma or redness (like rosacea across the whole cheek), a pencil is the wrong tool. You'll end up "coloring in" your face like a crayon, which will look textured and cakey. Stick to a liquid like the Seamless Skin Foundation or a creamy pot concealer for those bigger jobs.
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But for that one annoying hormonal spot that pops up every month? Or the tiny red veins around the nostrils? There is nothing better.
Actionable steps for your best skin
If you're ready to dive into the world of pinpoint concealing, start by looking at your face in natural light. Most of us think we need way more coverage than we actually do.
- Audit your current kit: Do you have a concealer that actually matches your skin, or is it two shades lighter for "brightening"? For pinpointing, you need a 100% match.
- Check the base: Try using the pencil over just a light SPF. You'll be surprised how much better it looks when it can actually fuse with your skin texture.
- Find the sharpener: If you already bought it, please go pull the bottom of the pencil off right now. Most people don't realize the sharpener is there, and a blunt tip ruins the whole "pinpoint" experience.
- Layering: If a spot is really red, do one thin layer, tap it, let it set for 20 seconds, and then do one more tiny dot right in the center.
The goal isn't to look like you're wearing great makeup; it's to look like you have great skin. And honestly, this little pencil is the closest thing to a "delete" button for blemishes that exists in the beauty world right now.