Sometimes, when a product comes highly raved, there are 2 things that can happen – I can hate it or I can fall head over heels in love with it and declare us soulmates, BFFs, till death do us part. Ok, death is a bit extreme, but you get my meaning. Some products, you just want to use them forever and ever.
That’s me and the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer.
Well, these aren’t me with the concealer of course LOL! 😀
I bought it online on the strength of rave reviews from everywhere online (Arianne, I have to blame you too!). I just HAD to get it. You know how it is – herd mentality and all 😀 I have been disappointed quite often by many NARS products so I didn’t expect much from this. I picked up the shade Vanilla (Light 2), after hmming and hawing over the shade selection (ever tried to select your concealer/foundation shade online? Its bonkers I tell you!), again on the strength of recommendations from my online friends (thank you Tracy! What will I do without them?!)
Incidentally, I am quite consistently a Light 2 in NARS i.e. the 2nd lightest shade. NARS has Light, Medium and Dark and the numbers indicate the intensity. I wear their foundation in Light 2 (Mont Blanc) and now the concealer in Light 2 (Vanilla) both of which are yellow based with slight pink tones. I’d put them as being a little more neutral than other shades. I only hesitated to get Light 2 Vanilla because online swatches show it to be practically white. It isn’t the case.
So NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…
#1 I love thee for your creamy lightweight texture that feels like nothing on skin
The texture of the product is very light and very creamy. Will it suit someone with oily skin around the eyes? I don’t know. I don’t have oily skin around my eyes and I can’t help you there. The product spreads and blends very easily into skin and feels like nothing on. I use my finger to blend. It helps it set better and I never have to touch up.
#2 I love thee for having high coverage without looking cakey
The beauty about the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is the coverage. I have used many of these tube type concealers and quite often, I find that they thicken up and turn cakey. If they have higher coverage, they tend to be a bit thick. If they are thin and creamy, they tend to have light coverage. Well this one bucks the trend. The product is creamy yet the coverage is very good and it blends into skin like a dream. Best of all, it doesn’t budge. All day. Love!
#3 I love thee for hiding my dark eye circles, redness and blemishes
Before and after – this helps me fake having a good night’s sleep and better skin
The relatively high coverage really does conceal my dark eye circles very well. The shade Vanilla suits me perfectly although it might look a bit light at first instance, but once I blend it out, it is seamless. The slightly lighter shade also helps make the eye area look brighter without ever looking fake nor does it give the dreaded reverse panda effect.
I also found that it works beautifully to conceal blemishes too. I dot it over the worst of my pigmentation and I get it 80% concealed. If I have a pimple mark, I dot it on and blend it out and it’s concealed.
#4 I love thee for the radiance it gives to my skin
Radiance – not something I expect from a concealer, but this one fits the name perfectly. The product has no noticeable shimmer in it, but it gives a radiance to the skin that allows you to even use this to highlight and conceal lines. Raise your nose bridge by drawing a line down your nose and blending it out. Hide your laugh lines by dotting some product along the side of your nose and blend it out. It hides and highlights beautifully. I’ve even replaced my beloved Dior Skinflash with this, because this just does so many things so much better. That’s saying a lot!
#5 I love thee for the portability and ease of use
It comes in a slim tube and doe foot sponge applicator. This one goes everywhere with me. I mean it. Everywhere. I have gone back to using some other concealers but I always see the failings in them and am always disappointed one way or another. They are all too cakey, too sheer, too fussy… but the Radiant Creamy Concealer ticks all the right boxes.
I find the applicator easy to use. It does pick up a lot of product, so be sure to scrape it alongside the tube opening. Then, I just dot them where I need coverage, as you see above. Don’t over do it. It blends out very well so less is more. I start with one thin layer, then top up if I want even more coverage. That rarely happens.
#6 I love thee for being the perfect shade for my skin
I wear the Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla – Light 2. I think it should be the same as your foundation shade. If you share my foundation shades (which you can glean from my various foundation reviews) then you too may be a Vanilla. I haven’t seen the others, so I can’t tell you what your shade will be so the best suggestion I have is to work out your foundation shade then look for a review from a blogger who has a similar shade. Trust me when I tell you that looking at the comparison swatches won’t help. I got terribly confused and almost ended up with one 2 shades darker. Reviews are the most helpful.
Also, this was swatched with a cleaned applicator and you can see just how creamy the product is and also the radiance it gives off. This little product would quite easily be used for me to conceal my whole eye and cheek area or 2 eyes. The coverage is very good, don’t over do it.
#7 I love thee for making my skin look smooth and radiant
I have read that it can settle into fine lines around the eyes so you may want to have a think about that. I don’t see it happening to me. If anything, it seems to smoothen the skin where I apply it and it just helps it look so much better. I dot it on only after foundation most of the time, so my foundation already does most of the concealing. I use this for additional help, if you may. If I use a BB or CC Cream, I will use it too just to add that oomph!
#8 I love thee for being an all in one concealer!
Notice I said I use this one for the undereye area and also blemishes? I started out using this on the undereye area. Then, one day I used too much product, so I blended it out further and noticed how well it concealed my blemishes. Interestingly, it doesn’t move anywhere despite it being creamy and sets to an almost powder, non budge finish. It’s wonderful because now, I only ever need ONE concealer to suit ALL my needs. Value for money, yo!
In a nutshell
The NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is for me, my Holy Grail of concealers. Ever since I got it, every other product fails to measure up in one way or another. This has thus far, been THE ONE for me and although it is pricey I’m not giving it up. I’ve had it since the early part of the year and I don’t see me putting any dip in this one yet. A definite repurchase, over and over.
Pros: Nos. 1-8 above
Cons: Pricey, May settle into fine lines around the eyes
Who will like this: Anyone still hunting down a good creamy concealer that can serve an all in one purpose for the under eye and blemishes, Anyone looking for a concealer that does not look flat and cakey on skin and infuses skin with radiance while doing a good job at concealing
NARS Cosmetics in Malaysia!
Normally, I’d end off by saying “I wish NARS was here so everyone can share my love for this product” but this time, I won’t because NARS will be in town come November this year! Hip hip hurray! 😀 Malaysian fans can look out for the store popping up in Pavilion KL come November with a few more slated to open after that. I know NARS colours will get everyone hyperventilating (ahem Orgasm anyone? :P) but I’m less of a fan of their colours and more of a fan of their base products.
So, I’m throwing this out there. I’ve tried quite a few NARS products in my time and some have been reviewed here but if you’d like me to give a quick run down of my thoughts on the products I’ve tried and used over the years before the store opens, let me know and I’ll line up a few reviews (which I should have done a long time ago, but never did due to inavailability) 🙂
Now, are you as in love with the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer as I am? If you have it, it will be helpful to have an idea of your foundation shades and the corresponding concealer shade you use, so it can help other readers out there!
I love it, as you can see from my breathless raves. I could toss out every single concealer in my drawer right now, and live with just this one. THAT’S how much I love it 😀
Paris B
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer comes in 10 shades Price: US$28/15ml Availability: Anywhere that sells NARS online (I got it from Kissandmakeupny) and soon at the NARS store in Pavilion KL from November 2013
Nars is finally coming!
I shall have orgasms while browsing their products and have a super orgasm when I make my purchases!
LOL!!! Evan you totally cracked me up this morning! 😀 Let me guess – you’re VERY excited yes? 😉
I could agree no more when i read this. This is my HG concealer too Paris! The moment i saw this in your instagram, i went and read on the raves and sold. It was sold out everywhere during then even in their website. The moment i spotted this at bkk i just went and grab it even though it’s 6am the SA was not there. haha! Although it’s a bit pricey, it worth every single penny we put in. One thing I really like on this concealer it doesn’t settles into my fine lines on my dry eyes. And it last for quite long for an undereye concealer.
Hi Cynthia, I’m glad to know this concealer is one you love too! I had been wanting to share it for so long but kept putting it off. Took me all of 4 months haha! I do agree that it is a little hard on the wallet but then, something this good is so worth it. Not really bothered to try another after this 🙂
Hey Cynthia! Do you remember how much it’s being sold in bkk?
Butting in: It’s 1200 Baht 🙂
wow! your blog really made my day because i’ve been waiting for NARS since forever! i am obsessed with their blushes, lipgloss, and velvet lip pencils! <3
Happy to have made your day, Charm 🙂 Yes, do look out for the opening towards the end of the year. I think we’d start hearing more about it very soon 🙂
Damn. When I first tried it out at Mecca, it felt a bit thick to me which is why I put it back. It’s that good?? I gotta try it again. Might get one when in Europe. I’m hoping to get that Collection 2000 concealer a lot of bloggers like and rave about. And then this NARS one. One face, lots of areas to conceal apparently 😛
It is, Tine! You do have to scrape off the product before applying to the skin and I use the dotting method because this way I don’t end up using too much. Also, if you’re using on the under eye, 2 dots is more than enough because it spreads to such a wide area. It does feel a bit thick, which is why you do need to use only very little and spread it out 🙂 I read a blog that said she found this one better than the Collection 2000 but then I haven’t come across that one 🙂
PB!!!! That’s the best news I’ve heard ALL YEAR! *Squeeeeee* Am a major Nars fan heh heh!
Eeeeks, this concealer looks and sounds lovely! I’m currently using a liquid concealer as well from MAC (more for the relative affordability as compared to luxury brands), and it does it job. Can’t wait to finish that to try this!
Haha I remember that you are! Great to know it’s finally here so we can mess about at the counter eh? 🙂 I haven’t tried the one from MAC although I remember it does get raves. I don’t think it’s super cheap either is it?!
Eh… t’was about RM 78ish. Not TOO cheap but… it’s lasted me for 8 months and is going strong!
Makes it value for money! 😉
I can’t wait to get my hands on this. Tee hee hee 😀 😀 😀
I think you’ll love this 😀
Have you ever tried Christian Dior Skin Perfecting Hydrating Concealer? If yes, how is this compare to Nars’?
If you mean the one in the tube, yes I have Wynnce 🙂 Here’s my review right here. Dior also has one in a tube with a doe foot applicator but I haven’t tried that one, if that’s the one you mean. As for how it compares to this one, well, let’s just say I haven’t quite bothered to use any other concealer since I discovered this one from NARS 🙂 The Diorskin Nude one is a little thin by comparison and works well on the undereye but not for blemishes. So that would be the primary difference.
I’ve been wanting to pick this up but the shade I want is sold out every time I check >.< Glad NARS is opening soon locally so I don't have to depend on swatches online. There are definitely hits and misses when it comes to NARS, but I'm loving its eye primer and blushes 🙂
Yep! It’ll be very useful to check the product colours at the counter because it’s so deceptive online! Did you try checking kissandmakeupny.com? I just checked and the shade is always available there. I get my NARS fix from there most of the time 🙂
Good to hear that NARS is opening here locally so I can see for myself what the fuss is about. Might want to check out that concealer too when it does… Do you know if it’s a stand alone, or a department store counter?
LOL I think it will be a curiousity for a while, just like Sephora was for most of us 😀 It is also available in Mecca in Australia so you can take a look there too when you’re there. I believe it will be a standalone store. No mention of it being in a department store.
Paris!! I lurrrvee thee for bringing to me the best news on a Monday morning!! I literally squealed in office when I read that it’s coming to our shore!!
Haha glad to have made your morning, Irene! One of the more exciting news to hit the local makeup scene in recent times since Sephora I think 😉
I am so excited for NARS to finally hit Malaysian shores! =D I have been eyeing their Radiant Creamy Concealor and this review has just confirmed that I need it in my life! Hurray!
Hurray! Watch out for it in November, so there’s lots of time between now and then to save up for a nice big NARS haul? 😉
Naughty PB again! Now can’t wait to try this when NARS comes a calling.
Btw, I did buy the RMK eyelash curler. You are right as usual. Value for money!
There’s a tag on youtube that says “Youtube made me buy it”. I think I’m going to write a list of stuff that says “PB made me buy it”!
LOL! That would be funny (and cool!) On the upside, I only go stark raving bonkers about the ones I really love and that I think most will 😀
Woohoo! Glad you love the RMK lash curler too! It’s the one I use everyday 😀
Wah! NARS is finally coming to Malaysia. Thanks for the heads up. I have been on the lookout of a better concealer and will definitely give this a go 🙂
Yep! Keep your eyes peeled for the store opening in November 🙂 I swear is the best concealer I’ve ever used so far so I do hope you will like it too!
Wow the coverage is fantastic!! I want this! waiting for november now..its a great news 🙂
btw any idea on the how much would be their prices in RM when launched? I definitely need to start saving 😀
No idea yet, Parita. I was told it won’t be far from the original price so expect prices that are higher than MAC but lower than luxury brands like Dior and Guerlain. That said, I asked the approximate price of the new Radiant Creamy Foundation and was told that it might be about the price of a Dior foundation so expect something like RM150 and this one should be less than that. Blushes maybe about RM100 or so. Just guessing 🙂
Yep, I was very surprised the first few times I used it, so the learning curve is there but once you get the hang of it, it looks pretty flawless 🙂 Planning a trip here at the end of the year, Parita?
Oh yes..most probably planning for Dec..lets see..hubby is working in KL so will be doing frequent up and down 🙂
Ah I see! I remember you were living here once 🙂 Yes, the NARS store should be open by then 🙂
I love it too…. I pair it with Giorgio Armani Peach corrector and it gave a flawless n not cakey texture….
Mmm that’s very interesting Ivone! I haven’t used the GA corrector but I’ll bear it in mind 😀
I so want to try this now! The coverage is fantastic and it looks so natural on.
It’s absolutely fab, Gio! I hope you have the chance to give it a go 😀
You’ve convinced me! will be ordering my next concealer from Nars!
Hahaha! It was all that raving wasn’t it? 😉
AHAHA this made me smile! So, let me get this straight-you love this or what? 😛
I’ve been loving it more and more myself, as long as I’m hydrated enough! Thanks for the mention my friend! It’s kind of awesome having friends that are the same shade, hey?
LOL No doubt, Tracy, I love it 😀 Thanks for telling me I should go for Vanilla else I’d have hated this, then what eh? 😉 Glad it’s working out for you now, I remember you were a bit ambivalent about it before
I would be scared too if I had to choose the shade online. But I’m going on a weekend to London in 2 weeks so I will definitely check it out in person. It looks perfect for me. 🙂 We will see about the shades as I’m palest of the pale.
That’s lovely, Sue! Do enjoy your visit to London and I hope you will like this concealer too! There is only one shade more pale than this which is Chantilly so I don’t know if that’ll be pale enough! But good luck 🙂
I have heard things about this one. But I don’t use concealer on a daily basis, so not on to it yet. Am thinking of picking up the NARS eyeshadow primer first. Are you on that already?
I am so glad NARS has gone on to Malaysia! So happy for all of you, because NARS is lovely. Easily my current favourite brand. I am slowly, but surely hoarding the blushes. And I LOVE NARS sheer glow, but they have my exact shade. The lipglosses are good. So are the lipsticks and lip stain jumbo pencil. And they definitely have some good eyeshadows. I even love it down to its eyelash curler!!
I’ve heard the NARS eye primer is very good but I don’t use eye primer at all so I won’t be trying that one 🙂 I’m pleased to have it available here too. We don’t have the prices yet but I’m told it won’t be too astronomical, so that’s quite promising. There are lots of hits and misses in the brand for me, but it’s good to have it in our backyard 😀