I Reviewed Nars' Radiant Creamy Concealer and Said Goodbye to My Dark Circles

We put Nars' Radiant Creamy Concealer to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

We’d like to think we have nothing to conceal, yet a blemish or lack of sleep can put a serious damper on our complexion from time to time. While we might feel there aren’t easy solutions to our beauty woes, concealer is actually one of the best products to conquer a bevy of concerns in just one application. I put Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer to the test only to find out that it was the coverage I'd been missing all along.

Ahead, I’ve mapped out every single detail of this genius product along with the best ways to apply it for a long-lasting finish.

About My Skin: Dark circles and redness

I tend to wear makeup at least 5 days a week and usually opt for natural looks when I am working or out and about. I always wear some kind of foundation or skin tint, along with concealer, cream blush, bronzer, highlighter, brow gel, and mascara. Concealer plays a big role in my daily routine because I have dark circles and broken capillaries around my nose. My skin tends to get red in that area, and I always apply concealer to even it out.

My dark circles are one of my top concerns, and I never go without wearing concealer under my eyes, either. Brands that I reach for often are Cle de Peau, Armani Beauty, RMS Beauty, and Kjaer Weis. 

How to Apply: Fingers, sponge, or brush

There are a few things to know before applying this concealer to ensure you get the very best coverage and results. The texture can be thick if you apply too much, so it’s best practice to apply small dots on the areas you want to cover and then work your way up from there as far as blending goes. The next part to understand is that different tools will give you different results. For instance, if you blend this concealer with your finger, you won’t get as smooth of a blend if you use a brush or something like a Beautyblender sponge. I found that using brushes or a Beautyblender sponge was the best way to blend this concealer all over the face and in more delicate areas, too. 

Apply a small amount to the face and blend out lightly until you get the coverage you want. Since this concealer has nice buildable coverage, you can slowly move your way up without it looking too cakey. If you have oily skin or concealers tend to crease on you, set the concealer with a translucent powder (loose or pressed is fine) to help avoid any unwanted creasing. 

The Results: No more dark circles

Everything I wanted to be covered, was covered.

For the most part, the concealer held up all day and didn’t crease on me. There were a few times I noticed it was wearing off, but that was towards the end of some very long days. I was impressed with the level of coverage just a small amount of concealer gave me and would wear this instead of foundation on days where I just want to even out my skin and problem areas. 

The Value: Worth every penny

This concealer retails around $30. You can approach this concealer in a few different ways, which make the value of it more enticing when utilized as a multi-use product. When used to conceal blemishes and problem areas or as a very light foundation, it is priced fairly for the coverage it gives and how easy it is to blend. 

Similar Products: Options at all price points

Covergirl Clean Fresh Hydrating Concealer ($13): A super budget-friendly product, this concealer prides itself on a lightweight formula, buildable coverage, and a nice dewy finish. Coconut milk and aloe extracts give this the radiance it boasts about, and it’s safe to use this concealer on any problem area. 

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer ($27): Promising 16 hours of full-coverage wear, Tarte’s Shape Tape Concealer helps features appear lifted along with a crease-proof formula that holds up through the day. Shea butter, mango butter, and licorice root help retain moisture and boost skin’s complexion. 

Bobbi Brown Instant Full Cover Concealer ($32): With fewer shades than Nars, this highly concentrated concealer delivers a lot of o coverage for very little product to problem areas such as dark circles and blemishes. The claim is one swipe is all it takes to cover anything to your heart’s content.