Recently, I had Botox injections and that left me with a serious black eye to no fault of the doctor (since I always bruise). I did all the normal things to stop bruising: apply ice, pressure, and arnica. I still looked like I had been an octagon punching way above my weight class. It took over a week to fully recover, and even then, I had some red spots. Rather than jailing myself in my apartment, I used the time as a great opportunity to do what I do best: take baths and test products. I had a bevy of new concealers to try out, even though I’m very sluggish to stray from my Clé De Peau Radiant Corrector ($65). The first one was Kosas’ new Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer. I was excited to try this because I love Kosas, and especially because Byrdie’s former editorial director and my bestie Faith picked it as one of her favorite February products.
Pros + Cons
Pros:
- Creamy texture
- All day coverage
- Brightens skin
- Improves appearance of skin over time
Cons:
- Short shelf life
The Bottom Line
Whether you are trying to conceal Botox bruises, or you are in need of an all day concealer to touch up any blemishes, this Kosas concealer is the perfect pick.
Kosas Revealer Concealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concelear
Best for: All day coverage
Star Rating: 4.5/5
Active ingredients: Arnica and panthenol, caffeine, peptides
Clean?: Yes
Potential allergens: None
Price: $28
Shade Range: 16 different shades, from porcelain to ultra deep dark
What's Included: Doe foot applicator
About the brand: Kosas is a line of simple and easy to skincare and makeup products. Each product is full of clean and nourishing ingredients.
About My Skin
I love Botox. I really do. I wish I could write a love letter to Botox, but I wouldn’t be able to deal with the rejection of it not responding to me. The one caveat I have with preventative Botox injections: I bruise like a peach. My face is super vascular (veiny), especially in the area around my eyes, which I particularly love to freeze (no crow’s feet on this side). But the inevitably of bruising and looking like Violet Beauregarde after she chewed the blueberry pie gum at Willy Wonka’s factory doesn’t come close to my hatred for the feeling of frowning.
How to Apply
I was dubious given the name of the product. “Revealer” doesn’t exactly imply full coverage, and that’s what I needed for the kind of black, blue, yellow, and red tones my eye was sporting. Boy, was I wrong.
First things first: the doe foot applicator is perfect. There is a lot of product in the tube (6 ml) and the consistency is like the inside of a soufflé. There are 16 shades, all which promise to improve skin and enhance brightness. It has arnica in it, which is an essential topical ingredient for bruise recovery. The texture is just like the name designates: super creamy. It goes on the skin smoothly and leaves you with a light, natural glow after applying. It reminds me of cult-favorites Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer ($30) and Chanel Le Correctour de Chanel ($43)—both some of my most loved and worn products.
The Value
The price point is really good for the quality and quantity of the product, and I love that they feature a mature woman in their campaign—because everyone needs to patch a blemish, regardless of age. I applied it straight to dry, un-moisturized skin and it felt a dream. If you want to tone down the dewiness, add a poof of powder. I’d actually recommend using a damp Beautyblender for a more airbrushed finish.
I applied it straight to dry, un-moisturized skin and it felt a dream.
The Results
Not only did I leave home, I went to fancy dinners and froufrou events where literally no one noticed that I had bruises on my face. It never creased, never caked, and stayed on the entire night. The brand promises that the product will last 10 to 12 hours, and they’re not lying; I even slept with it on my under-eyes to try and speed up healing time. Not only does it provide coverage, but it is made up of some beneficial ingredients. This concealer is packed with caffeine and pink algae to brighten the skin, arnica and provitamin B5 to soothe the skin, and peptides and hyaluronic acid to plump the skin.
The brand promises that the product will last 10 to 12 hours, and they’re not lying; I even slept with it on my under-eyes to try and speed up healing time.
Similar Products: You have options
Cover FX Power Play Concealer: At $30, this is perfect for days that feel full-on and you need full, no-crease coverage. It’s dewy and not drying in the slightest.
Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer: A favorite of mine for days when I wake up looking like Frankenstein. The only caveat is, I need to apply this one with a brush because I’m not over long nails yet, and not sure if I ever will be. Comparatively priced to others at $30.
Clé de Peau Concealer: Two words: Holy Grail. It's also one of the more expensive on the market at $73.
Fenty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer: One that never leaves my makeup bag. I love this $26 concealer for a mattifying look when I’m in a humid location.
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage: My favorite hard concealer. For $36, this is amazing for spot treatment with a tiny brush. With hard concealers, I recommend warming them up with your fingers on the back of your hand before applying to your face to avoid dryness.
Our Verdict
So, when it feels like the weasels are closing in on you, and your inbox is filled with crazy messages (just me?), this concealer is the perfect solution. Or if you just need to touch your face up with some micro-concealing—this one’s for you. You can be confident when leaving the house this concealer is doing its job all day long.