These are 4 of the most talked about, most popular and most frequently used on a global scale, high end and very much all with cult status at this stage in the game, liquid wand concealers! The Kat Von D Beauty Lock It Concealer Creme (Available soon at Debenhams*), Urban Decay’s Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer (Available at Debenhams*), Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer (read the full review here) and finally, the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (Available at ASOS). Well that was a bit of a mouthful, ha ha, it’s safe to say I’m going to abbreviate the product names throughout the blogpost, or we’ll be here all day!
You may have tried all, one or even none and you’re thinking of picking one up..but which one?!
At first glance, these guys are all pretty similar! I’m going to (hopefully!) shed some light on the situation and point you in the direction of the one best suited to you, as well as letting you in on my own opinions of them all! Before braking it down and looking at each one individually, lets start by taking a closer look at the packaging and applicators of all 4…
So I’m sure you see what I mean in terms of similarity, especially the packaging! All clear tubes, so visible product and all with black/ silver/ gold lids and brand detail, all sleek and indeed pretty similar. In my opinion (obviously marginally, as they all are sooo similar) the KVD Lock It just has the edge, the whole line’s packaging is, like Kat herself really, cooler than the rest! All have the doe foot style applicator in common too, but it’s the varying shapes and sizes of these that make all the difference!
I have to say, my least favourite applicator is the Nars. The Nars and the BTW applicators are actually the most alike, both the typical traditional doe foot applicator that we’re used to seeing. The only difference between the two, is that the Nars one is really rigid and quite hard on the skin, were as the BTW, although the same shape, does have some flexibility to it, which makes it way easier and smoother to apply. The UD doe foot is a slightly longer and flatter paddle shape, which does apply the product really well to the skin and is easy to cover a larger area with. I love the KVD applicator and it definitely stands out from the rest! It was actually modeled after an artists paintbrush, a tapered tip for precise corners as well as a wide base for covering larger areas with ease…my hands down favourite of the 4 applicators!
Kat Von D Lock It Concealer Creme – what they say…
➕ A super versatile, rich and creamy concealer with 24hr wear and instant full coverage
➕ Brightens the under eye, covers blemishes, corrects, contours and bakes
➕ Crease proof
➕ Hydrating
➕ Precision artistry applicator
➕ Lighweight, bright luminous finish
➕ Formulated without Parabens and Sulfates
➕ Cruelty free and Vegan
➕ Available in 21, high pigment shades, including a pure white
Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer – what they say… (see full review on this here)
➕ Available in 10 shades
➕ Full coverage with a natural, undetectable finish
➕ Oil free
➕ Coconut water infused to replenish moisture levels
➕ Alpine Rose to brighten
➕ Hyaluronic Acid to hydrate and smooth for a more youthful appearance
➕ Crease proof
➕ Cruelty free
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer – what they say…
➕ Buildable full coverage with a luminous demi-matte finish
➕ Blendable, crease proof and won’t settle in to fine lines
➕ Modern flocked applicator for laying down the perfect amount of product
➕ Ultra lightweight, second skin feel
➕ Improves skins youthful appearance and elasticity and brightens the skin
➕ Available in 8 shades
➕ Cruelty free
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer – what they say…
➕ Lightweight medium to high buildable coverage
➕ Creamy texture, luminous and radiant finish
➕ Long wearing and crease proof
➕ Paraben, alcohol and syntheyic fragrance free and non-comedogenic
➕ Available in 15 shades
I’ll insert some images of the shades I usually use and swatches of the concealers, so you can get an idea of the colours/ tones. So for those of you who don’t know, my natural skin tone is somewhere in between an NC15 and 20, so NC17 if that means anything to you, light, with a warm/ slightly yellow toned base. My skin’s generally combination (oily nose) and relatively blemish free, but I do get open pores and redness. I do go from full coverage to a barely there BB cream base, depending on mood/ occasion, but always like a fuller coverage concealer for my under eye/ spot concealing and will sometimes just go in with concealer alone where needed.
As previously when I’ve clearly made my love for it known, ha ha, the KVD applicator is by far the best/ most effective and if I could switch up the other wands for a KVD one, I would! If you have a drier skin, I’d straight away suggest the Too Faced BTW, as it’s the most hydrating of the bunch. Both the KVD and UD Naked Skin are way less drying than I originally thought they might be, however, in my opinion the Nars has the driest finish and feel on the skin out of them all! Don’t get me wrong, it don’t dislike the Nars concealer…I just don’t love it. It’s the cult product that you try, for that very reason, but when it comes down to it, it does the job, it’s good, but not great, for me personally. Especially when it’s so many people’s ‘ride or die’ concealer, I’d always recommend trying it out for yourself. If you like a full coverage, with a drier, more matte than the rest finish, this might be just your ticket! I just find, especially as I’m in my 30’s, I just don’t want that around my eyes and it does have a tendency to sink in to every little line and crease, that just isn’t noticeable or even there without makeup or when using other products!
They’re all pretty comparable in terms of coverage. If you like to build coverage and maybe touch up your concealer more throughout the day, the Urban Decay would be a good choice as no matter how much you apply, it never looks cakey on the skin. I know I have my own issues with the Nars, but I do love all of the other 3. If I want a brighter look/ if I’m wearing a heavy eye makeup, the KVD Lock It is beautiful for really smoothing out the under eye and still manages to look natural on. All 3 apply well to blemishes too and provide great coverage whilst not drying the skin/ blemish out to much and creating a slightly crusty (eww, I know!) finish. If you are likely to just wear concealer alone, the BTW or Urban Decay would be better, the consistency of both is slightly thinner and more skin like/ undetectable.
I do reach for the Kat Von D Lock It Concealer, the Too Faced Born This Way Concealer and the Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer about the same amount really, just again, depending on mood and the coverage/ type of makeup I’m going for that day, but if I had to choose 1, lets make it easier…say if I was traveling and only had space for one for example, the one I would take, would be the Too Faced Born This Way Concealer! As much as I do love the other 2, this one just sets itself apart. Smells gorgeous (this doesn’t last or linger for those who are weird with scented makeup, I am a bit myself!), applies really smoothly, looks natural on the skin, doesn’t crease and just feels really to use and good on the skin. I use it under my eyes and on any blemishes, dotting it on to the skin with the applicator and then blending out with a damp beauty sponge (Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge – Available from Boots*) or a small fluffy duo fibre brush, like the Morphe M335 (Available from BeautyBay*) seen in the picture above, it gives such an airbrushed finish to the skin!
Lyd x
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I’m now based in Cork, Ireland. Although I do still take select bookings for North Wales/ Cheshire and Dublin (get in touch for more info) and am available to travel country wide…I’m mainly taking makeup bookings for Cork City and surrounding areas.
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