'I used to be obsessed with this $77 viral concealer — and then I found a $7 dupe.'

Oh, how I would love to be one of those people who use La Mer creams, Chanel nail polish and Giorgio Armani makeup without a second thought.

Sure, as a beauty writer, I've tried all the viral products from the most luxurious brands. But thanks to the ever-increasing cost of living, I've never actually repurchased any of them.

Instead, I've made it my mission to find dupes that work just as well, but at a fraction of the price.

For example, I found a $25 dupe for the $242 SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum (read about it here), a $26 version of the $255 SK-II Facial Treatment Essence (read about it here), and a $29 moisturiser that's better than the $300 La Mer Crème de la Mer (read about it here). In short, you could say I'm a dupe aficionado — or just seriously stingy.

Watch: Erin Docherty tries the lube makeup trick… and it works. Post continues below.

The same thing happened with concealer. After purchasing the much-hyped Giorgio Armani Luminous Concealer and absolutely loving it, I knew I had to find a more affordable alternative. I tried all the usual suspects from pharmacies and supermarkets, but, honestly, nothing really compared.

That was, until, a happy accident. In an effort to qualify for free shipping when placing an online beauty order, I randomly added a cheap $6.80 concealer to my cart — and it turned out to be just as good, if not better, than the Armani one I was obsessed with.

Enter: The Saem Cover Perfection Tip Concealer.

More than six years later and I'm still reaching for this product every day. Here's everything you need to know about the award-winning concealer that manages to rival one of the most viral luxury products on the market.

Firstly, what is the Giorgio Armani Luminous Concealer?

If you've ever gone searching for a great concealer, chances are a professional — or countless glowing reviews — pointed you toward the Giorgio Armani Luminous Concealer.

Here's the product in all its glory:

Image: Giorgio Armani.

Much like its cult-favourite sibling, the Luminous Silk Foundation, this concealer has earned an esteemed reputation amongst makeup artists, celebrities and everyday users alike.

The medium-coverage liquid concealer has a lightweight, luminous finish that blends seamlessly across the face. The formula includes skin-loving ingredients like caffeine and vitamin E to brighten and reduce dark circles, plus glycerin to deliver long-lasting hydration. It's suitable for all skin types and has buildable coverage to suit a variety of needs.

The catch? It's pure luxury — at $77 a pop, it's definitely not a budget-friendly option.

What is The Saem Cover Perfection Tip Concealer?

If you're into K-beauty, you might already know The Saem. The South Korean cosmetic brand rose to fame in the country's fiercely competitive beauty scene with its Cover Perfection Triple Pot Concealer — a cult favourite that, in my experience, rivals the NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer… and $34 cheaper (you're welcome).

Their success didn't stop there. The Saem's Cover Perfection Tip Concealer — their best-selling liquid concealer — has won major beauty awards (no easy feat in Korea), sold over 4.7 million units, and boasts a 95.9 per cent repurchase rate and a 99 per cent customer satisfaction score.

In other words, it's not just good — it's amazing.

The formula ticks all the right boxes, too. It has a creamy yet lightweight texture that spreads easily, it delivers seamless coverage for dark circles, redness, dullness and blemishes, and it's easily buildable without caking or creasing. Additionally, the formula is infused with glacier water to help maintain moisture and includes reflective powder to leave your skin looking naturally healthy and glowy.

Image: Supplied.

Where can you buy The Saem Cover Perfection Tip Concealer in Australia?

Thankfully, Korean beauty is now super accessible in Australia, both online and in-store. You can find The Saem at retailers like Amazon, YesStyle, Nudie Glow and KBeauty Australia, just to name a few.

But if you've read any of my previous beauty articles, you'll know my favourite place to shop is Lila Beauty. They consistently offer the best deals and their shipping is lightning-fast. At the moment, you can grab a 6.5g tube of The Saem concealer for just $6.80 (usually $8.90).

For comparison, the Armani concealer contains 0.4 oz of product (about 11.34g) for $77 — meaning it's around 6.5 times more expensive per gram than The Saem version.

And sure, 6.5g might not sound like a lot, but trust me — a little goes a long way. Even with daily use to cover multiple areas of my face, one small tube usually lasts me a few months.

The Saem Cover Perfection Tip Concealer: Review

Given that a concealer literally plays the role of covering imperfections, the majority on the market often contain denser and thicker ingredients (like oils and waxes), which can block pores and contribute to more breakouts. 

That's a major no-no for me. I have combination skin (an oily T-zone and dry cheeks) that's hyper-sensitive and prone to clogged pores. Over the years, I've learnt the hard way that many products just don't agree with my skin, especially those loaded with fragrances or harsh chemicals.

But after getting my hands on a tube of The Saem concealer six years ago, I can confidently say my skin absolutely loves it. It feels lightweight and looks natural, the coverage is easily buildable without creasing (even around my deepening smile lines), and it actually makes my skin look more hydrated, even when I apply it over flaky, red acne spots.

Most days, I skip foundation entirely and just spot-conceal with The Saem. For someone who has always been very self-conscious about imperfections, that says a lot. 

And, I've even managed to convert my grandma, mum, sister and a bunch of friends — none of whom have looked back since making the switch.

Without the concealer (left) vs. with a very light layer of the concealer (right). Image: Supplied.

As for downsides, there is one I have to point out: the shade range.

Since The Saem is an East Asian brand, the shades do lean lighter. At present, they offer 10 different shades, from Ice Beige (#0.5) through to Tan (#3) — though to be honest, Tan is more of a deep neutral beige if you ask me. 

For reference, I have fairly pale skin and find Natural Beige (#1.5) suits me best.

That said, The Saem also offers some great colour-correcting options. There's a Brightener for the under-eyes, a Contour Beige for shaping, a Green Beige to neutralise redness and a Peach Beige to camouflage dark spots on fair to medium tones. I use all four regularly in my makeup routine.

Here are all the shades available:

Image: Lila Beauty.

By comparison, Armani's Luminous Concealer comes in 20 shades, catering to a wider range of skin tones and undertones. However, they can be hard to get your hands on as they seem to sell out on a regular basis.

Is The Saem Cover Perfection Tip Concealer better than the Giorgio Armani Luminous Concealer?

If you have the budget for Armani, go for it. It's a stunning product and you won't be disappointed.

But if you're after something just as good, for a fraction of the price, you can't go wrong with The Saem Cover Perfection Tip Concealer for $6.80. That's literally the same, or less than, one coffee. 

And let's be really honest — no one's going to look at your face and know what brand concealer you're wearing anyway.

Have you tried The Saem or Giorgio Armani concealer? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Feature image: Supplied.