A bright future.
I hope so. I hope we all have a bright future, and despite my infatuation with post-apocalyptic zombie TV shows (and one in particular), I REALLY do think the future looks bright.
So…why am I talking about this?
Because of these Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Concealers ($14 each and available in MANY shades). I stumbled on them back in September and have been using them regularly since.
When you haven’t touched what had been your holy grail concealer (NARS Pure Radiant Creamy Concealer) in two months, it’s time to give what you have been using in its place a shout-out and a thumbs-up.
So this is me giving an official shout-out to these full-coverage gel concealers: Haaaaay! 🙂
I can’t remember exactly when they first showed up (I think it was late last summer or early fall) but I hope Sephora never phases them out because they are freaking fantastic!
They come in a whole mess of 20 completely opaque shades, so that’s a respectable shade range, and they’re only $14 each. They last all day long without settling into my fine lines or drawing attention to my pores.
I never imagined I’d be writing what I’m about to write right now, but here it is: I like these even more than NARS Pure Radiant Creamy Concealer.
Wow, I said.
Because they’re just flat-out easier to use. Sure, NARS Radiant completely covers everything, but the formula’s very thick, and sometimes it looks a little TOO thick and heavy on my skin. I have to be crazy careful not to use too much, and then have to blend like a muther trucker.
Sephora Bright Future covers just as well, but the gel formula is definitely thinner, and I think it looks more natural on the skin, even directly out of the tube.
It still requires some blending, of course, and I’ll usually use a beautyblender to “take the edge off,” but it’s nowhere near as much blending as I have to do with NARS Radiant.
In the picture up at the top I’m wearing the shades 10 Eclair under my eyes and 12 Pecan on my cheeks, around my nose, my mouth and along my jawline. And when I took that picture up there, I’d already been wearing my makeup for about six hours (!).
It still looks pretty fresh, right? So these last a REALLY long time, which I love.
Bright Future can also work as a foundation, which I found out about from a Sephora makeup artist. I just dab the included doe-foot on my fingers, then rub my finger together to warm the product, and then I press that on my face wherever I want the coverage. A few quick tap-tap-taps with a beautyblender, and there you have it: easy full coverage.
Give ’em a try sometime! They’re crazy good, especially for the price. They’re available now at Sephora for $14 a tube.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Happy Humpday, my friend. 🙂
This concealer sounds like it’s made in heaven and very sadly, I don’t have access to these! 🙁
You look stunning Karen! xx
The Nars concealer does the same thing to my skin too- cakey and all. I went to Sephora to ask about these gel concealers when you first featured them. The associate referred me to the Urban Decay Naked concealer instead. 🙁 She said its better and she got me the perfect match. I love it – better than the Nars one. I may have to seek these out again esp with the VIB Rouge sale coming up.
Thank you for all you do! Blessings and good vibes to you, EH, BG and of course, Tabs.
Hi Herakitty,
You’re so sweet! I will take those blessings and send some right back at ya. 🙂
So, I do like the UD Naked concealer too. I think it’s lovely. I do think, though, that I get more opacity with this one by Sephora. Both are great though. Do you set it with anything after you apply it?
Hi! I do. I use Tarte’s translucent powder or lately Ive been playing with banana powders and KVD’s highlighting powder from her contour kit. I heard good things about Laura Mercier’s translucent powder and theres also the brightening one (aaahhhh, so many to choose from! ?) so I will try those too when I get to Sephora. Im a newbie in makeup and Im learning a lot from you. I bought Mac’s Fast Play because of you. I like it! Thanks!
What are you wearing today your skin looks flawless! I’d love to know the lip color too!
Karen, I too have been straying away from my HG Nars Radiant 🙁 It’s just too damn creamy. I love to wear it when I do a full face full coverage. Lately I’ve been loving the Urban Decay Naked Weightless Concealer, after seeing so many rave about it. It’s been riding well with me for the past full weeks, when wearing it alone with some MAC NSF or with a full face. I may need to try these, because who can say no to multiple concealers!
What color do you use in the Nars, for reference? Sephora VIB sale starts soon, and I’m prepping my cart! 🙂
Hi Vanessa,
I’m the same way. I have a bunch of concealers that I like to use. This one is my fave though.
So, for NARS, I use the shade Biscuit. 🙂
Ahhhh!!! I was at Sephora yesterday…because I had a bad day at work and I needed some makeup therapy lol…and I was milling over whether or not to go with this concealer or with the NARS one!! I ended up choosing NARS but your review makes we really want to go back!
On an unrelated note, on a recent DSW visit, I checked out those boots you posted about a week or so go. You were totally right, they were super cute and super comfy, so I bought a pair in black! Thanks for all your great posts, I hope you have a great week!
Hi Kristy,
I’m so happy that you like your boots! I wore mine just the other day, too. Isn’t the lining on the inside really nice? I swear it takes the boots to the next level. 🙂
I ended up getting these boots in brown and love them. Bonus: they were kn clearance so i got them 20%off and I had a $10 reward 😀
ON another note, so happy you liked these Karen! i have been using these for a while now. i got #10  (eclair & taitin) 🙂
*runs to Sephora* those are amazing! I’ve been waiting for a concealer like this in my price range to come out and here it is, just in time for my holiday wishlist!
These go to my wish list immediately!
I currently use two Nars Radiant concealers but still searching for my holy grail . I recently brought LA Girl orange color corrector and a caramel colored concealer and I like them mixed together but noticed creases in my under eye area. I’m going to check these out the next time I visit Sephora.
I love these too. I was using Amazing Cosmetics concealer before. And I love this much better!
I love this concealer! I don’t need coverage so much as I need it to be non-drying and non-settling into lines and this one has really fit the bill!
I’ve been using Bavarian Cream and it’s the best concealer ever! Plus, so many shade options! I have a really hard time matching my skin, I find that the fair shades are always too pink or salmon, and this is nice and neutral (but there are also pinky shades for cooler toned gals).
And I’ll definitely be getting a back up during the VIB sale.
I have been using this concealer since July or August and I absolutely love it as well!
Ok, now I’m even MORE sold. Who knows? I may get 2 🙂
This is a timely post, because I am in serious need of concealer! Work has been crazy this past week and I’ve certainly been feeling quite zombie-like. It’s great that they have so many shades and the price is awesome. Thanks for the recommendation!
I feel your pain, Ruchita! Do you have a color corrector? I like to layer a color corrector underneath my concealer when my dark circles are totally cray-cray.
I don’t have a color corrector right now, but I think it would be good to have one on hand for when life gets crazy! 🙂
I’m too distracted by your flawless face to look at the concealer! 😛
It’s because of the concealer, LOL! I used it as a foundation.
Thank you so, so much for this post! I would have never thought to try this! I used to use Nars. Cakey. I now use Cle de Peau’s stick and I do love it. But, It gets expensive and I don’t like it for highlighting. So, I’m certainly going to be looking at this come this weekend!
Huh. I think I might have to try this.
How does this compare to the MAC pro longwear?
Hi Jenn,
This has the same high opacity as Pro Longwear, but it’s much more forgiving on fine lines and it does a better job of blurring pores. I find it easier to blend, too. I used Pro Longwear for years and prefer this to it.
Oh, wow, that lightest shade might actually match my skin! I think I need to throw that in my cart during the VIB Rouge sales this weekend.
Do you think it would work well on oily skin?
Hi Rachel!
I think so. I use it on my oily bits (center of the forehead and on the nose) and it stays put throughout the entire day. Does a great job of oil control, too!
Sounds good; thanks. The price is certainly right if it’s a color-match and it works.
This concealer has been on my radar for a few weeks. I ended up buying something similar by Nyx (because I had a coupon for Ulta) but their shade selection is terrible. I’ll probably give this one a try next, but I have the feeling that the shade matching part may be a bit hard! With so many shades I often get confused, and sales associates always try to sell me the lightest shades… I’m light, not fair, so I don’t know what their deal is!
Those look fantastic! But more importantly, what is on your lips????!!! So pretty!
Hi Sarah,
I’m wearing Dolce & Gabbana’s Dolce Inferno Lipstick. It’s online at sephora.com!
I think I need these in my collection!! Always looking for a good concealer cuz girl, I got me some mad under eye bags that need some serious covering up! 🙂
I feel your pain, Cyndi! Question for you. Are you using a color corrector? I find that it really helps with covering up the dark inner corners.
I currently use Mac ProLongwear Concealer… it does a pretty decent job on it’s own but I always set it which helps even more… do you have a color corrector that you would recommend?
I need to go try these out better, I tried at a sephora in jc penneys and couldn’t find a shade that was right but there were several empty slots.
Tehehehehehe…..muther trucker. You know, I had the NARS concealer on my list for the Sephora 20% off sale, but you just sold me on these. I had heard one YouTuber rave about these & say they compared to the NARS concealer but I wasn’t convinced. Now I am. And for the price? Yas, hunty! The shade range is beyond impressive. LOVE when brands recognize diversity. Super glad you posted this before the sale starts. If you’ve got your own items (im)patiently waiting in your basket, inquiring minds, dude. You never steer me wrong. Feel free to write a post about it. Not like you’re busy or pregnant or anything ?
I love it when brands recognize diversity too! It’s wonderful seeing a wider range of shades everywhere… it’s so different from the early ’90s, where seriously it so rough to find any colors that weren’t pinkish beige.
LOL, so honestly my Sephora list is hella boring at the moment. Like sooooo beyond boring. Just mostly staples: 3 (!!!) bottles of Living Proof Dry Shampoo (this may go up to 4 eventually), 2 of Rita Hazan’s Root cover up, a jar of Clarin’s moisturizer, Urban Decay Brow Beater Brow pencil and a couple tubes of this concealer. I may get a tube of Estee Lauder Little Black Primer, but I just picked one up two weeks ago so maybe not. See? Totes boring, man. What do you have on your list?
Nope, I don’t think it’s boring. I’m all for re-stocking empties. My list has a few restocks as well: Benefit They’re Real mascara, Sephora or NARS concealer, Dr Dennis Gross eye serum (all restocks). KVD Lolita Duo, Tarte Tarteist eye liner gel (I’m most excited about this one since I’ve never tried it before), & a cosmetic bag. The one that says: “I won’t cry for you. My mascara’s too expensive”. The bag is sold out online but it’s still at the store near me so I hope it’s still there, or restocked, by the sale. This sale always makes me feel like a kid in the candy store. Why am I counting down the days, though! 🙂
I knew I was forgetting something, I have my cart all loaded up for the Sephora sale.
Those look so good on you Karen! I need to check those out, as the NARS concealer is my HG. Would love to find something cheaper! BTW that lip color is AMAZING on you!
I’m sold. Your skin looks flawless and that lipstick is on point! I’ve been searching for a good spot concealer that won’t cake or flake around my nose and chin. I was leaning toward the Kevyn Aucoin sensual skin enhancer but I’ll definitely give this one a try now. Much better price point and with the VIB Rouge sale even better! Thanks!
I know I said this yesterday but, that makeup look is just so fantastic on you. I love everything about it! I’m always jealous (in a nice way) of your ability to wear any lip color but this is a stand-out. Perfect for fall, perfect with the eye look. Just awesome – you look fabulous! 🙂
I love my Nars Radiant, but I’ll have to swatch these next time I’m there (hooray sale times is almost here!). Love the color range! I bet a darker color would be great for subtle contouring too.
I second the mention of Laura Mercier’s Secret Brightening Powder to set undereye concealer, because on me ev.er.y.thing creases….although I haven’t tried baking yet. 🙂
Hi Karen!
I want to thank you so much for swatching and reviewing this concealer. It’s the first time I ever really clicked with a face product. Totally HG status! Now I can work on getting to flawless like you have!
I just love Sephora, and I’m thrilled that it’s VIB sale time. Thanks to you helping me make great decisions, I rarely have to take advantage of its oh-so-easy return policy.
Hi Karen,
Hope you are feeling good these days! BTW, love the lip color you are wearing, may I ask what it is?
Thanks…Michele
Hmm, I may need to try this out! But you eye shadow looks amazing in this post and in your Youtube review! What shadows are you using? Thanks!
Hi Clemence,
I’m pretty sure I’m wearing Bobbi Brown. It’s the Bobbi Brown Holiday 2015 Rich Caramel Eye Palette with the Bobbi Brown Sterling Nights Sequin Eye Shadows in Constellation on my lids applied wet.
Hi!
Which shade do you use in the nars one? Im tryin to match myself in the sephora one, but can figure out with the swatches, I use ginger in the nars one and the shade is perfect for me
Thanks
Karen, any idea what Foundation you were wearing here? Your skin looks amazeballs! Of course, it could just be the pregnancy glow. 🙂
Hi Junomacguff,
I’m pretty sure that it’s MAC Studio Waterweight used as an all-over base with Sephora Bright Future Concealer on my cheeks and underneath my eyes. I probably set it with either MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural or Chanel Loose Powder (from the looks of the pic it’s probably Chanel).
You look so pretty in the picture. I cant believe you had your makeup on for 6 hours already. Thanks SO MUCH for these swatches. I am going to try this (in parfait because of your swatches – I would have gotten fondant but that’s WAY too yellow for me). THANKS!!
Love the lip color Karen! Im definitely going to try the Maybelline concealer and the Sephora one. Someday Ill find the right one !
Kisses to Connor Claire. She is certainly getting big.
Have a great rest of the week ! Im on nebulizer, Inhalers, antibiotics,and decongestants!
Hope to be better by Monday.