This Viral Concealer Covered My Dark Circles And Fine Lines For 12 Full Hours—And Through A 3-Mile Run (2024)

Being a beauty writer, I have a really hard time answering questions like "what's your favorite drugstore shampoo?" or "what vitamin C serum should I use?" Yes, I know a lot about the top picks in nearly every category, but I try so many that I rarely have a personal go-to. That is, until I tried the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer.

Here's the thing: I have four kids—all under the age of six—plus a full-time job and limited childcare. I basically don't sleep, so those dark circles under my eyes are ever-present. I also have deep-set eyes, which casts even more shadow on the under-eye area. Not to mention, I'm quickly approaching 40 years old, so fine lines and wrinkles are starting to show up. At this point, I really need a concealer for mature skin.

Needless to say, when I was asked to review the wildly popular NARS Radiant Creamy concealer, I jumped. The product has more than 9,000 five-star reviews on Sephora, with users raving about its "amazing" coverage and staying power. It's also billed as being one of the best options for people with dry or mature skin—both things that pertain to me.

Why The NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Is Worth It

At $32 a pop, this is no drugstore concealer. But, if you ask me, it's a worthy splurge. The formula comes in a whopping 30 shades, and finding my perfect match was a breeze, thanks to the brand's online shade finder. Plus, it not only expertly masked the dark circles under my eyes, but also made the area look instantly brighter and more radiant.

Unlike other concealers, the formula has a mineral-tone balancing powder that works to color-correct the area, not just mask those dark circles or a blemish. Previously, I was using two different products to achieve that kind of color-correction (the OLEHENRIKSEN Banana Bright Eye Stick and a concealer), because—yes—this step is key if you want a flawless look.

The product also has a light-diffusing mineral powder that helps blur the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, plus even out skin tone. (That's where that highlighter-like look came from!) And, finally, the ingredient list also boasts a botanical blend—magnolia bark extract, grape seed extract, and vitamin E—to hydrate, firm, and even nourish the skin, which makes this pick more of a skincare product than your average cosmetic.

How I Used The NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

To level the playing field, I used the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer the same way I test any other concealer. I applied it after washing and moisturizing my face first thing in the morning—around 7 am. I did not use my usual color-correcting stick, but rather swiped the concealer right onto my tired eyes to see how well it could perform on its own. Then, I added a little blush and a touch of mascara before heading out the door to drop my kids at school before heading out on a 3-mile run. When I returned, I did a few hours of writing and rounded my day out with some playground supervision and dinner prep before washing off my makeup for the day around 7 pm. In total, a 12-hour wear test.

Here's my honest opinion of the product overall:

It's Easy To Apply

I love the wand on this mascara. The doe foot applicator makes it really easy to get product exactly where you want it, which isn't always possible in such a small area of the face. I was able to very precisely dab product right up into the corner of my eye for full coverage.

The Formula Is Silky, But Not At All Runny

The consistency on this concealer gets an A+ from me. It's the perfect Goldilocks scenario—silky and lightweight, but not runny. It truly glides on like butter and doesn't settle into fine lines or wrinkles.

It Provides Excellent Coverage

Upon application, I was instantly impressed with how well the formula covered the dark circles under my eyes. The skin tone not only looked even, but everything appeared brighter and more luminous.

It Wears Well Throughout The Day

I peeked in the mirror a handful of times throughout the day to see how well the formula was wearing. Could it hold up to daily activity? Turns out, even my daily jog wasn't enough to make this long-wear concealer budge. I finally started to see signs of fading around 3 pm, which was a good eight hours after application. I also tend to rub my eyes while I sit at my desk, so that could have contributed to any premature wear. (The brand claims the product lasts up to 16 hours.)

The Bottom Line: Is the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Worth It?

One word: Absolutely. I would gladly spend the money to buy another tube of this concealer once I've used every last drop—and believe me, I will. I love that it has color-correcting capabilities, limiting the amount of products I need to use when doing my makeup every morning. I also appreciate the hydrating ingredients in the formula that make the consistency so silky. This was also a huge plus for me, since my skin skews dry and I have some signs of aging around the eyes (hi, crows feet!). Not to mention, I was very impressed by how bright and awake my eyes looked for hours on end. What more could you want?

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