I had a bad round of breakouts happening a few months ago that left me feeling super insecure about going out with bare skin, which was an outcome that I was very much not enthusiastic about. The "real" Liyana behind Affordorable regularly does a complete 180 degrees during weekdays than how she has portrayed her glamorous-self here; it's all zero makeup and wearing the first things she could reach!
My nasty breakout consisted of huge, painful mountainous cystic acne on my forehead. I wish I could have painted you a prettier picture but when it comes to acne, it's quite the impossible task. Now brace yourself: I had FOUR cystic acne in a row, all horribly visible on my forehead, in the space of about three months.
It was a NIGHTMARE.
PS: Feel free to skip the dramatic story of my breakout and head straight to the review of this concealer!
Since I had maintained the same beauty and makeup routines, nothing from those could have possibly contributed to the breakout, but one thing did change in my daily diet: I started adding multivitamin. Remember that "backpacking" post when I was talking about feeling fatigued?
I've certainly taken multivits in the past but for some reason this particular brand's caused me breakouts. I felt totally betrayed like "YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO MAKE ME FEEL BETTER AND WHOLE AGAIN YOU SONOFA-".
Anyway, the moment I stopped taking them, my cystic acne calmed immediately. Mysteriously, since my GP said multivits don't really cause acne - but I supposed I just went with my guts.
Also, I Googled, because I'm a normal person: certain vitamins and nutrient CAN cause individual body to react negatively and give you acne, so that's that.
I was left with ugly scars from the cystic acnes on my forehead and also from little breakouts that happened around my cheeks-and-nose area. I had relied on my MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW35 to cover up akin imperfections for so long because it was the best one I've tried - that is, until I discovered Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer.
Let's break down the good and the bad of Nars Radiant Creamy concealer; I use the shade Med/Dark2 Caramel for my NC43-44 skintone and I have oily-combination skin:
The Good
- Simplicity of the sleek glass tube
- See-through tube allows easy comparison to skin in store (if you're too lazy to try the shades on, which is actually a no-no)
- It looks SUPER NATURAL on the skin. Literally, like it's your skin.
- Blends out really well
- I can layer and layer without it getting cakey
- Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Caramel is an AHMAYZING colour match for me! It is the teensiest, weensiest bit darker, but it's likely you'll hear kittens roar before you find a foundation / conealer that is the exact match for me.
- Does not settle into fine lines
The Bad
- A tad pricey, but ps: it's worth the money
- It has staying power but won't impress, say, Wonder Woman; it stays on throughout the day on my forehead but for some reason not on my cheeks, but it still stays on fairly long
Final verdict: I would a hundred percent repurchase this when I run out of my current tube, and I definitely recommend this to anyone who's looking for a great concealer. Honestly, the good outweighs the bad far more. It looks so natural on my skin that there were two occasions in which my friends complimented my "good skin". It's been such a cult favourite for so many for a long time - I know I know - but better late than never, amiright? I no longer feel the need to use my little pot of MAC concealer.
The salesperson in the Nars store I went to initially insisted (annoyingly, may I add) I get the shade 'Biscuit', but I'm so glad I stuck to my guns and went with Caramel. I get that it's a fad to apply lighter coloured concealer under the eyes and whatnots, but I've always strived towards having my made-up skin looking like my actual skin, if that makes sense.
Whatever it is you're looking for, three tips for you: 1) Bring a friend who knows and understands makeup, 2) KNOW WHAT YOU WANT, so trust your own instincts, and 3) If in doubt, wear the two shades you're see-sawing in between on your skin, get out of the store and go into natural light and decide!
It's been a while since I've blogged about makeup and beauty products, but I'm excited to take my blog into that direction again, so watch out for more beauty-related posts!
Have you tried this concealer? What did you think of it? If you have any recommendations for concealers that could rival this, I'd love to know!
Your complection (in the photo just above) is absolutely beautiful Liyana!!
ReplyDeleteI think EVERY ONE goes through some unfortunate difficulties with the dreaded "big ol zit(s)" at some point in life. Never any fun but a good character builder and a reminder that our real beauty is in our heart and soul.
That said, I can tell you that I remember having some particularly intense and memorable breakouts and in the end there were no real long lasting scar(s).
Also, the long term benefits of oily skin FAR out weigh the painful breakouts. When you're in your 50's and 60's you'll still have decent skin with fewer wrinkles than your drier skinned friends!! Remember to always wear sun screen too! Even if you think your lovely caramel toned skin can take more sun!!
I'm not sure which photo you're talking about but I can assure you, it's THIS concealer that's giving that illusion, hehe. But at the same time I'm so glad my skin has calmed down considerably a lot since that bad bout of breakout *shudders*. And Judy, this line from you: "...a reminder that our real beauty is in our heart and soul." I cannot agree with you more on that, that's for sure!
DeleteYou know what, I think it was last year I read about how oily-skinned peeps benefited from that extra oiliness as they age, and I'm hopeful, yes I am! Even before I read that, I would have chosen oily over dry, because in cold weathers, the dry side of my combination comes out and it causes so much more discomfort than when my face is oily.
In the last couple of years I started wearing SPF too, though not as diligently as I should be; some say to wear it even when you're inside the house if there are windows and harsh lights. And yes it's true, people of darker complexion can take the ray more than their lighter-skinned counterpart but I truly despise the tan lines that formed around my face from my hijab - imagine having a stark two-toned face! - and I noticed that SPF helps keep tan lines at bay a little, so I do love my SPF now, although I must say, I haven't found the perfect one for me; searching for one that provides protection but feels comfortable on face at the same time.
Thank you for the reminders, Judy! XXOO