I tried 3 high-end concealers that TikTokers love, and I'd only buy one again
- I recently tried three high-end concealers that TikTokers can't get enough of.
- I chose ones from NARS Cosmetics, Kosas, and KVD Beauty.
Like many beauty fans, I can never get enough concealer.
I wear the product almost every day and have experimented with dozens of formulas over the years. That said, I almost always stick to drugstore options, like my favorite $6 concealer from e.l.f. Cosmetics. I find that inexpensive face makeup often works great, and costs a third of the price of high-end options.
Still, I'm always a bit curious about the fancy concealers I see in the aisles of Sephora and Ulta Beauty. So I recently turned to TikTok, found three of the most popular high-end concealers on the market, and put them to the test.
I tried 3 concealers that cost between $28 and $30 each
The concealers I tried — Kosas' $28 Revealer concealer, KVD Beauty's $28 Good Apple concealer, and NARS Cosmetics' $30 Radiant Creamy concealer — constantly appear on my TikTok For You Page.
You can find all three options at Sephora and on the brand's respective websites, and Ulta Beauty also carries the KVD and NARS options.
I used each of the three concealers multiple times over the course of a week, and applied them over the same set of products: a vitamin C serum, a moisturizer with sunscreen, and foundation. I then set them lightly with a loose powder.
I found a lot to like about KVD Beauty's concealer, but it didn't suit my dry skin
The concealer is sold in 32 shades and is said to be both lightweight and full coverage. The concealer did feel weightless and comfortable on my skin, and I absolutely loved its applicator: a rounded doe-foot wand that was designed to mimic the shape of a fingertip, according to KVD Beauty's website.
That said, I wasn't a fan of this concealer's coverage. It enhanced the blemishes I had, clung to dry spots on my face, and was more matte than hydrating like the brand promises. Because of that texture, it reminded me a lot of the brand's TikTok-famous foundation balm.
Ultimately, this concealer isn't for my dry skin, but I can see why others may enjoy it — especially those who lean more on the oily side.
I had a bit more luck with Kosas' concealer, but couldn't get past the product's scent
Kosas' Revealer concealer is sold in 28 shades, and is said to leave your skin brightened, plump, and covered with a medium coverage. It also doubles as an eye cream that helps your skin improve over time, according to the brand.
In my experience, the former definitely seemed to be true. The concealer quickly evened my skin tone and left a shining glow. It also felt hydrating and made my cheeks look plumper than they were before.
Unfortunately, the scent of this concealer made me never want to use the product again. From the second I opened the tube, I noticed a heavy smell that reminded me of old-school powders and perfume. Some people on TikTok, however, have compared the scent to blue cheese.
Many beauty lovers rave about this product, so the scent might not bother everyone. But for me, I found it too strong to wear every day, no matter how nice the concealer made my skin look.
My favorite product of the three I tried is NARS' Radiant Creamy concealer
Sold in 30 shades, NARS' concealer is a classic beauty staple that's beloved by celebrities and beauty fans alike. It's said to be brightening, creamy, and long-lasting, with a medium-but-buildable coverage.
When I first applied the concealer to my face, I was impressed by how luxurious it felt. The concealer was lightweight, smooth, and easy to blend, in my experience, and instantly brightened my under-eye area. I also thought it did a great job covering my blemishes, from scars and discoloration to cystic acne.
I grew to like the concealer so much that I even started wearing it with only skin-care products and a color-corrector underneath. The result is bright, shiny skin that doesn't look or feel like I have tons of makeup caked on.
After a week of using the three concealers, I was slightly disappointed in this set of TikTok recommendations. The concealers from KVD Beauty and Kosas had their benefits, but I personally wouldn't purchase them again — especially not for $28 each.
However, I am happy that I finally tried NARS' famous concealer, and would happily splurge $30 on it again in the future.