Custard Cover

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer seemed slated to be perpetually out of stock. Every time I stepped into Mecca Cosmetica and enquired about it, I left empty-handed. When I finally managed to take home a tube after months of intermittent searching, rather than feeling triumphant, I was almost underwhelmed. I mean, how good could a concealer really be that justified that kind of persistence in tracking it down?

One of the major selling points of the Radiant Creamy Concealer was surprisingly, the price. It retails for $35 at Mecca Cosmetica, which isn't that far off the US price of $29 (with tax and currency conversion, it's almost the same). I'm not sure why NARS has decided to price the concealer the way it has, but I'm hardly complaining. In comparison, NARS Sheer Glow is $68 here compared with $45 in the US, while an eyeshadow duo is a whopping $55 compared with $35.

For the longest time, I convinced myself I needed the second lightest shade Vanilla, but I finally came to my senses and accepted I'm not as pale as I want to be, so Custard it was. The reality is I fall somewhere between those two shades, but I suppose with concealer, I'd rather go for something slightly darker than lighter. I don't use concealer to brighten any darkness under the eyes (which Vanilla might be a better choice for), but mainly to cover up blemishes or redness. I find Custard matches well with NARS Sheer Glow in Fiji. If I opt for a paler base (like when I mix a bit too much of CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation in Buff Beige with Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in Soft Beige) and don't blend the concealer well enough with the surrounding skin, the mismatch between the two can be obvious, particularly in natural daylight.

As for the actual product, it does live up to the hype. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Sand is a decent drugstore dupe (very similar packaging and texture), but the NARS is superior in terms of coverage and longevity. What I love most about the Radiant Creamy Concealer is that you can dab it onto problem areas with your fingers and it doesn't immediately smear and smudge all over the place. I find with other cheaper concealers like the Maybelline Fit Me or Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer, I have to take extra care and usually use a brush to lightly stipple over my spots/scarring so that the product evenly covers and disguises the blemish. With the NARS, the concealer covers at first instance and adheres to the skin even when you dab over it. It sets well and lasts the whole day.

You only need a small amount each time, so I imagine the tube lasting quite a while. A few touches of the Radiant Creamy Concealer instantly rescues skin that looks a bit rough and in need of some perfecting. Even placed over foundation that's faded and slipped off at the end of the day, it doesn't look cakey. A new makeup bag staple.