This cult-favorite concealer promises bright, crease-resistant coverage with a natural radiant finish. Here is how it really performs on under-eyes and blemishes, plus the exact techniques that make it shine.
Overview
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is one of those products makeup artists and everyday users keep coming back to. It delivers a flexible, medium coverage with a softly radiant finish that looks like skin, not makeup. The formula is creamy without feeling greasy, blends quickly, and layers well with most foundations and powders. Housed in a sleek, frosted tube with a doe foot applicator, it is easy to control and travel friendly. The standard size is generous for an under-eye concealer, and the shade range spans a broad spectrum of depths and undertones, which helps more people find a close match.
What sets this concealer apart is balance. Many full-coverage concealers can look heavy or flat under the eyes, and many luminous formulas fade or crease by lunch. Radiant Creamy finds a middle lane. It brightens, has enough coverage to neutralize typical discoloration, and maintains a natural sheen that keeps the under-eye area looking alive. It is not a heavy-duty camouflage for severe darkness or textured blemishes, but it is consistently reliable for everyday use.
In practice, it performs best for the under-eye area and areas of mild redness around the nose and mouth. On raised blemishes, it looks smooth but may not fully erase strong redness in one pass. If you prefer a natural skin finish and want a single concealer that can move from under-eye to spot work with minimal fuss, this is a strong candidate.
Who it’s for
Choose NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer if you want a medium, buildable under-eye concealer that brightens without looking dry or mask-like. It is a good fit for normal, dry, and combination skin, and for anyone who appreciates a satin to radiant finish rather than a flat matte look. If your dark circles are mild to moderate, this will likely cover enough on its own. If your circles are more intense or deeply blue or purple, it pairs well with a thin peach or orange corrector underneath.
It is also a smart everyday pick if you need one concealer to handle several tasks. A brightening shade can lift the under-eye area, while a second shade that matches your skin tone can handle redness and minor discoloration elsewhere. The formula blends seamlessly over skincare and under powder, so it works for fast routines and touch-ups.
You might want to skip it if you want ultra full, matte coverage or a completely self-setting formula. Very oily under-eyes or prominent creases can still experience movement unless you set it with a light, precise layer of powder. If your skin is very dry or flaky, some prep will be necessary to keep it smooth.
How it feels and performs
Texture is creamy, cushiony, and easy to spread. It does not feel watery, yet it avoids that putty-like thickness common in heavy concealers. On application it has a touch of slip that helps it glide, then settles into a satin finish with a gentle, light-reflective sheen. There is no shimmer or glitter, just a soft radiance that helps diffuse shadows.
Coverage is medium and buildable. One thin layer blurs darkness and redness while letting skin show through. A second thin pass increases opacity without clumping, as long as you avoid overloading the eye area. The product plays well with fingers, brushes, and damp sponges. Fingers tend to give the most seamless melt for under-eyes, while a small brush offers precision for spots.
Under eyes, it is forgiving. It does not immediately sink into fine lines, and the radiance helps keep the area looking hydrated. That said, almost every concealer benefits from strategic setting, and this is no exception. A light press of micro-fine powder on just the crease-prone zones improves longevity by several hours without dulling the finish. If you over-powder, it can look a touch dry, so err on the side of less.
On blemishes, tone and texture matter. It covers mild redness and flat marks well. On raised pimples or very red spots, it may need a tiny bit of green or yellow correcting, or a thin color-correcting primer just on the spot, before a small tap of concealer. Because the finish is radiant, it can catch light on raised areas, so set those spots with a trace of powder to reduce shine and match the surrounding matte foundation.
Wear time is solid for a radiant formula. Expect 6 to 8 hours under the eyes before any touch-up, longer if you set lightly and avoid heavy emollient eye creams directly under the product. On oily skin or in humid conditions, you may notice slight fading by late afternoon. It does not contain SPF, so flashback is minimal in photography when shade and undertone are matched well.
Fragrance is not noticeable, and the product feels comfortable throughout the day. Removing it at night is straightforward with a gentle cleanser or makeup remover. As with any eye-area product, avoid rubbing and use a soft cloth or cotton pad to lift it away.
How to use for best results
- Prep lightly: Apply a small amount of eye cream or gel moisturizer to hydrate, then wait 2 to 5 minutes so it can absorb. For very oily lids or under-eyes, skip rich creams and use a lightweight hydrating serum instead.
- Choose the right shades: For brightening under the eyes, select a shade close to your skin tone or up to one shade lighter. For spot concealing, use a true match to your skin tone so it disappears into foundation.
- Dot with intention: Place one to three small dots at the inner corner where discoloration is strongest, a small dot at the outer corner where shadows deepen, and a tiny dot along the trough only if needed. Avoid covering the entire under-eye with a thick layer.
- Blend in thin layers: Tap with a fingertip to warm and merge, or use a small fluffy brush to diffuse edges. If you need more coverage, add the thinnest second layer only where darkness peeks through.
- Spot conceal smartly: For redness, use a fine brush to place a pinhead-sized amount only on the discolored area, then feather the edges. If a blemish is raised and shiny, set it with the lightest veil of powder to tone down the radiance.
- Set selectively: Press a whisper of micro-fine translucent powder on the inner and outer corners and any crease-prone areas. Use a puff or small brush and barely-there pressure. Leave the flatter part of the under-eye a bit more luminous.
- Lock and refresh: If you rely on setting spray, mist from a distance so droplets do not create splotches. Midday, tap a clean finger over any creasing to re-smooth, then add the tiniest touch of concealer only if needed.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Natural, radiant finish that brightens without shimmer
- Medium, buildable coverage that stays flexible and skin-like
- Blends easily with fingers, brushes, or sponges
- Broad shade range with varied undertones
- Reliable under-eye performance with crease control when set lightly
- Works for both under-eye and light spot concealing
Cons
- Not a full-coverage camouflager for severe discoloration
- Can crease on very oily or very lined under-eyes unless set precisely
- Radiant finish can highlight raised blemishes if not toned down with powder
- Can look dry if over-powdered or applied over heavy eye cream
Final verdict
Is NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer the cult favorite under-eye fix it is made out to be? For most people who want bright, believable coverage that lasts the workday, yes. It walks the line between coverage and realism better than many formulas, which is why it remains a staple in artist kits and everyday makeup bags. It softens shadows, evens tone, and keeps the under-eye area looking alive rather than flat. The trade-offs are straightforward. If you want ironclad full coverage or a dead-matte, self-setting finish, this will not be your top choice. If you are managing prominent creasing or very oily under-eyes, you will need precise application and a careful set. For everyone else, it is an easy win that earns its reputation.
If you try it, start with the minimal-dot method, choose a near-skin tone for under-eyes instead of going too light, and set only where movement happens. That simple approach gets you most of the benefit with the least product, which is exactly how this formula was designed to shine.
See also
If you are not sure which issue to target first, this breakdown by concern can help you pick the right strategy for darkness, redness, or breakouts, and how a single product fits into that plan: Concealer by Concern. For stubborn shadows, learn how to correct, conceal, and set without buildup in this focused guide to under-eyes: Makeup for Dark Circles. And if you are comparison shopping, see our picks in Best Concealer for Dark Circles to find formulas that brighten fast yet stay crease-light.
Dry under-eyes change everything, so if flakes or tightness are your main issue, start with the tips inside Best Concealer for Dry Skin. To extend wear and keep that radiant finish intact without caking, brush up on the chemistry and use cases of mists in Setting Sprays 101.
FAQ
Does NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer work for dark circles without a corrector?
For mild to moderate darkness, yes. One thin layer brightens and softens shadows while keeping a natural finish. If your circles are deep blue or purple, add a sheer peach or orange corrector under the concealer only at the inner corner and trough, then apply a thin layer of Radiant Creamy over top and set lightly.
How do I stop this concealer from creasing under my eyes?
Use less product, concentrate it at the inner and outer corners, and avoid flooding the entire under-eye. Let your eye cream absorb first, then blend with a fingertip so the edges melt into skin. Set only the crease-prone zones with a micro-fine powder pressed in with a puff, not swept on with a fluffy brush. A quick tap to re-smooth at midday can refresh it without adding more product.
Can I use it on acne and redness without looking shiny?
Yes, with placement and powder. Dot the smallest amount only on the discoloration, feather the edges with a small brush, then set that spot with a trace of powder to reduce shine. If a blemish is very red, a touch of green or yellow corrector under the concealer helps you use less product and keep texture flatter.
How should I choose my shade and undertone for under-eyes?
Pick a shade close to your skin tone or at most one step lighter so it brightens without looking stark. Match undertone to your foundation for a seamless blend. If you are between shades, go with the one that disappears into your cheek or jaw in natural light rather than the one that looks brightest in the mirror.
How does it compare to fuller-coverage matte concealers like Shape Tape?
Radiant Creamy offers medium, buildable coverage with a satin to radiant finish, so it looks more skin-like and typically feels more comfortable under the eyes. Full-matte, high-coverage formulas can erase more discoloration in one pass but may emphasize dryness and lines. If you prioritize a natural look and flexibility, NARS is the better fit. If you want maximal coverage and a locked-down matte finish, a fuller-coverage matte concealer may suit you better.
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