Despite being a longtime fan of NARS cosmetics (I guard my blush collection with my life!), I hadn’t tried any of their foundations – or concealers, until recently. NARS have relaunched their concealers, in new sleek packaging, complete with new shades. I’ve been using Cafe/Dark 1 and Cacoa/Dark 2 the darkest shades, sporadically, for a few weeks now and feel it’s time to share my thoughts.
On one hand I like the compact, swivel-up packaging, but on the other hand, blink, and there’s every possibility that you could easily misplace it, should it slip down the side of a bed or dressing table. For my MAC NC50 skin tone, Cafe is the better match – a perfect match in fact, covering blemishes with ease. Cacao would do probably do the job if I were to tan quite heavily.
The don’t come cheap, priced at £17.50 each, and only have 2g of product in the tube (show me a concealer which comes in huge quantities) but they do have a vitamin e enriched, creamy, smooth, blendable texture – and I should think so too given their price! Despite the humidity that we’ve experienced here in the UK over the past few days, it’s held up fairly well, requiring one touch up in the afternoon. I think its performance will increase further, once the weather cools down.
On the NARS website, they come under the tagline ‘The Immaculate Complexion’ – a huge claim by any means, but I have to say that this concealer will do a pretty good job whether its covering dark under eye circles, redness or blemishes that you need it for. Its texture is neither too heavy or too light and I think this will please a lot of customers.
To avoid wasting product and spreading bacteria, I’d recommend using a small concealer brush. However, I don’t follow my own advice and during a few applications and have applied it straight to the skin, when I haven’t had time to faff about looking for a concealer brush, when I’m running late in the morning! Given the quantity in the tube, I really wouldn’t advise you do this too often or your conceler stick is gonna run out a lot quicker than expected. It’s pretty simple to control how much coverage it gives, as it’s such a blendable product. You really don’t need very much at all, to conceal imperfections.
I quite like this concealer, and may, just may repurchase it in the future. I hate handing over what I consider large amounts for “small items” though, so handing over £17.50 will no doubt be done through gritted teeth!
NARS concealers come in a number of shades and the full list is as follows:
Chantilly – for fairest of complexions, true ivory – NEW!
Vanilla – for fair complexions, tiny cast of pink tones
Honey – for light to medium complexion, warm peach tones
Custard – for light to medium complexions, yellow tones
Ginger – for medium complexions, golden tones
Biscuit – for medium to dark complexions, natural balance of pink and yellow tones – NEW!
Caramel – for medium to dark complexions, yellow and golden tones – NEW!
Amande – for medium to dark complexions, golden olive tones – NEW!
Café – for dark complexions, warm red tones – NEW!
Cacao – for dark complexions, deep-gold-brown tones – NEW
You can find them at Space NK and now at NARS counters nationwide.
*PR Samples
I have this in Custard (NC25) and I feel the same way as you! Great prodcut!! BTW have you tried the Sleek Stick Concealer? It's really good and comes in a wide range of shades.
I love the look and sound of the texture and will def check these out. I despise paying a lot for concealer (much rather have a new lipstick or blusher!) but do find they are worth the cash and always last such a long time.
Nic x
Based on the swatch, I think Amande would be a better match for you since it is more yellow-based. I am a NW46 equivalent and Amande was too light on me (but probably work on my dark circles) but Cafe was spot on.
@Shalimar – My hand just looks yellow in the pic. Cafe is fine for me in reality.