Quick answer
The affordable hero of this tutorial is the Wet n Wild Incognito All-Day Concealer, which costs about $5 at Ulta. It delivers matte, medium-to-full, buildable coverage that still feels lightweight, and Nikol's verdict is enthusiastic: it wears beautifully, feels comfortable rather than heavy or greasy, and can even stand in for foundation on warm, humid days. She says it is doing a better job than some full-price foundations she has tried.
Key takeaways
- The product: Wet n Wild Incognito All-Day Concealer, roughly $5, in shades Light Beige and Light Honey. Matte, mega-lasting, medium-to-full coverage with shea butter, licorice root extract, and mango seed butter.
- Three uses in one: conceal at your shade, highlight one to two shades lighter, or contour one to two shades darker.
- Concealer-as-foundation: for spring and summer, spot-treat the most pigmented areas instead of applying full foundation, for a lightweight, breathable finish.
- Do eyes first: Nikol applies eye makeup before base so any fallout or mistakes are easy to clean up.
- Set to last: in humid climates, a light translucent pressed powder under the eyes keeps medium-to-full coverage in place.
Happy Friday, everyone. Nikol is kicking off a holiday weekend and, as she reminds her viewers, the best way to hear about sales and new launches first is her curated, no-spam newsletter, where she shares news she does not post on YouTube, the blog, or Instagram. Today's video is a full makeup tutorial built around a single question: can a $5 drugstore concealer really carry a whole look? The short answer is yes, and here is exactly how she does it.
What is the $5 concealer, and does it actually work?
The star is the Wet n Wild Incognito All-Day Concealer, about $5 at Ulta. On paper it checks every box Nikol looks for: mega-lasting, matte, medium-to-full coverage that is still lightweight, blendable, and "concealing with no detection," meaning it should stay invisible even in bright sunlight. The formula includes shea butter, licorice root extract, and mango seed butter, so it feels creamy and richly pigmented rather than dry.
She bought two shades, Light Beige and Light Honey (Light Honey reads a touch warmer), and applies it in a triangle under the eyes and down the sides of the nose. On skin it feels creamy and comfortable, never greasy or slippery, and it blends out easily with a buffing brush or even fingertips. Her honest first impression: for the price, it performs like a much more expensive product.
How do you use one concealer three different ways?
One of the reasons this concealer earns its spot is versatility. The same tube can conceal, highlight, or contour depending on the shade you choose:
- Conceal: match your skin tone and apply where you need coverage.
- Highlight: choose a shade one to two shades lighter than your skin.
- Contour: choose a shade one to two shades darker than your skin.
That means a single $5 product can quietly replace three items in your bag.
Can a concealer really replace foundation for summer?
Nikol's favorite trick here is using the concealer as a foundation. Instead of a full face of base, she spot-treats the areas that need it most, hyperpigmentation, a stubborn blemish, freckles, then blends everything out for an even, lightweight finish. This is ideal for hot, humid climates like her home in South Florida, where heavier foundation tends to melt. She stresses that she can get away with lighter coverage because of consistent skincare: regular exfoliation, vitamin C, and daily sunscreen. Here is the order she follows:
- Prep with a moisturizing primer (she uses the Bobbi Brown Face Base), then an under-eye serum.
- Apply sunscreen. She uses Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40, or a mineral option like La Roche-Posay SPF 50 for sensitive skin.
- Prime the lids with an eye primer to neutralize discoloration from the lash line to the brow bone.
- Do eye makeup first (cream shadows here, such as Tom Ford Opal and Platinum), so any fallout or mistakes are easy to clean up.
- Spot-apply the Wet n Wild concealer where you need coverage and blend it into one seamless base.
What products finish the look?
With the base set, Nikol builds a soft, polished finish that leans on a few Nikol Beauty favorites alongside her other picks. For color, she taps on a Palm Beach cream blush, which melts nicely over the creamy concealer base. She then sets the under-eye area with a lightweight translucent pressed powder, important in humid weather to keep medium-to-full coverage from moving.
On the eyes she uses Chanel mascara and a soft Chanel bronzer for dimension. For lips, she lines with the Graceful Waterproof Lip Liner, then wears Revlon "Pink in the Afternoon" (famously Audrey Hepburn's shade in Breakfast at Tiffany's, more of a peachy pink) topped with a touch of gloss. To finish, she mists on Supergoop Defense Refresh SPF 40, which works as a setting spray, refresher, and reapplication of sun protection through the day.
The bottom line
You do not need a luxury budget for a beautiful, long-wearing base. The $5 Wet n Wild Incognito concealer holds its own as a concealer, a highlighter, a contour, and even a warm-weather foundation, especially when you pair it with good skincare and a light setting powder. It is proof that price is not the point; performance is.
Ready to build your own lightweight summer routine? Explore our face makeup and color correctors, add a cream blush for mature skin, and browse our best sellers for more Nikol Beauty favorites.
Frequently asked questions
What is the $5 concealer in this video?
It is the Wet n Wild Incognito All-Day Concealer, which Nikol bought for about $5 at Ulta in the shades Light Beige and Light Honey.
Can you use the Wet n Wild Incognito concealer as a foundation?
Yes. Nikol uses it as a lightweight summer foundation by spot-treating pigmentation, blemishes, and freckles, then blending everything into an even base instead of applying full-coverage foundation.
What coverage and finish does it give?
It gives a matte finish with medium-to-full, buildable coverage that still feels lightweight, and it is designed to stay undetectable even in bright light.
How do you use one concealer to highlight or contour?
Go one to two shades lighter than your skin to highlight, or one to two shades darker to contour, using the same product you use to conceal.
Why does Nikol apply eye makeup before her base?
Doing eyes first means any eyeshadow fallout or mistakes can be cleaned up easily without disturbing freshly applied concealer or foundation.
How do you keep the concealer from moving in humid weather?
Set it with a light translucent pressed powder, especially under the eyes, so medium-to-full coverage stays put in heat and humidity.
