Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer Review | Real-Life Test
Last Updated on June 30, 2025 by Amy
Does Rare Beauty’s Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer actually banish dark circles and blemishes? As someone who’s been battling dark undereye circles for most of my adult life—thanks to genetics and now two small children—I’ve tried more concealers than I can count. From cult classics to budget buys, I’m always hoping the next one will be the one. So when I saw the Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer getting rave reviews, I decided to give it a go.
I’ve now been using it pretty much every day for the past month, so here’s my honest review.
TL;DR Summary
Rating: ★★★★☆
Pros: Blends easily, brightening finish, doesn’t cling to dry patches, a little goes a long way, inclusive shade range
Cons: Medium coverage only, can look cakey on dry skin after long wear, not ideal for very dry or textured under-eyes
Best for: Quick makeup routines, normal-to-combination skin, fresh everyday brightening
Verdict: A reliable, natural-looking concealer that brightens without heaviness. Not a full-coverage solution, but a great everyday staple.
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What’s Inside? Ingredients & What It Claims to Do
Rare Beauty’s Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer isn’t just designed to cover imperfections—it also promises to care for your skin. Alongside its brightening and concealing benefits, the formula includes a botanical blend of lotus, white water lily, and gardenia extracts, which work together to soothe, calm, and nourish the delicate under-eye area. In addition, humectants help draw in moisture, while light-diffusing ingredients and antioxidants aim to hydrate, protect, and visibly brighten the skin. The formula is also said to be sweat-resistant and long-wearing, making it a practical choice for busy days when you need your makeup to stay put.
First Impressions of Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Concealer
Packaging & Applicator
As with everything in Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty line, the packaging is sleek, minimal, and practical. The doe-foot applicator picks up just the right amount of product—no mess, no fuss.
Texture & Formula
On first swatch, the texture felt lightweight, slightly creamy, and lived up to its “Liquid Touch” name. It melts into the skin quickly and doesn’t sit on top like some thicker formulas.
Shade Matching
I went for a shade slightly lighter than my natural skin tone to help brighten up my under-eyes. Rare Beauty offers an impressive 48 shades with a good mix of undertones. I ordered mine online using their shade finder tool, and it gave me a pretty accurate result.
How It Performs
Blendability & Finish
This concealer blends like a dream. Whether I use my fingers or a brush, it applies smoothly and sets to a soft, slightly radiant finish.
It doesn’t accentuate fine lines or dry patches if your skin is well-prepped. For me, that means applying a hydrating eye cream beforehand.
Coverage & Longevity
Coverage is medium. It noticeably brightens and evens out the under-eye area. However, if you have deep circles or want to hide blemishes entirely, you might need to layer it with a corrector or a heavier-duty concealer.
It holds up well until early afternoon. If my skin is a bit dehydrated, I notice some cakiness creeping in by hour 6–8. My skin is combination, but if you have very dry skin, this might not be the most forgiving formula.
Bonus: you only need the tiniest amount, so one tube should last for ages. I’ve been using it for a month and have barely made a dent.
How to Apply Rare Beauty Concealer for Best Results
1. Prep
- Use a gel or cream-based eye cream depending on your skin type. Here are some of my favourites!
- A lightweight eye primer can help with texture and longevity.
2. Dispense
- Dab a small amount onto the back of your hand. A little really does go a long way.
3. Application Methods
- Fingers: Pat in with your ring finger for warmth and a seamless finish.
- Brush: Use a fluffy concealer brush for precision, especially around inner corners.
- Sponge: For the most diffused finish, use a damp mini beauty sponge.
4. Blend & Set
- Start with a thin layer, blend outward. Add a second dot only if needed.
- Set lightly with translucent powder, especially if you’re prone to creasing.
5. Touch-Ups
- If needed mid-day, use a hydrating mist and tap a tiny bit more product to refresh.
How I Use It In My Makeup Routine
I often use this concealer on its own or under a tinted moisturiser. However, on days when I want my makeup to look a little more polished, I do the following:
- Underneath: Apply a colour corrector like Beauty Pie Superluminous Corrector first. Dab a small amount on the darkest areas to neutralise deep shadows (e.g., peach or salmon tones for blue-ish circles). Blend lightly before moving to concealer.
- Concealer Step: Use Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer as usual—dab a tiny amount on the back of your hand, then pat under eyes with fingertips or a brush, blending outward.
- Extra Coverage/Brightness: For an extra boost, lightly tap a tiny dab of a brightening concealer like Sculpted by Aimee Brighten Up or YSL Touche Éclat on top of the concealed area (especially the inner corner and high points of the undereye triangle). This adds luminosity and dimension without looking heavy.
- Setting: Finish with a fine translucent powder and a setting spray.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
What I Love:
✓ Blends easily with fingers or brush
✓ Brightening finish without looking flat
✓ Doesn’t cling to dry skin or fine lines
✓ Great shade range with natural undertones
✓ Lightweight and easy to wear daily
✓ A tiny amount goes a long way
What’s Not Ideal:
✗ Medium coverage—not great for very dark circles
✗ Can look cakey if skin is dry or not prepped
✗ Might not suit very dry or textured under-eyes without extra hydration
Who Should Try Rare Beauty Concealer?
Great for you if:
- You want quick, natural-looking brightness for tired eyes
- Your skin is normal to combination
- You like medium coverage and a fresh, dewy finish
- You prefer a lightweight product that doesn’t feel heavy
Maybe skip it if:
- You need full coverage to completely hide dark circles or blemishes
- Your under-eyes are very dry or textured
- You want a matte, all-day finish without any touch-ups
Where to Buy
In the UK, the Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer is available from Space NK for £23.
If you’re in the US, you can click one of the links below to purchase:
Final Verdict
The Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer has definitely earned a spot in my regular rotation. It might not be my ultimate holy grail (the hunt continues!), but for everyday wear, it ticks a lot of boxes.
Next time, I’m tempted to try the Rare Beauty Positive Light Under Eye Brightener. Mainly for that cooling metal applicator and extra dose of hydration, which sounds perfect for tired, puffy eyes.
Have you tried either of these Rare Beauty products? Let me know your thoughts—or your current concealer MVPs—I’m always on the lookout!
For more concealer tips and product recommendations, check out my Ultimate Guide to Covering Dark Circles in Your 30s and 40s!
FAQs
It offers medium coverage with a brightening finish. For very dry under-eyes, prep carefully with a hydrating eye cream or primer. If skin is extremely dry or textured, you may prefer a richer, more emollient formula or consider the Rare Beauty Positive Light Under Eye Brightener for extra hydration.
In my experience, with proper hydration and a light setting of finely milled translucent powder, it typically lasts until mid-afternoon (around 6–8 hours). On dehydrated skin, slight cakiness may appear sooner; using an eye primer and lightweight layers can help extend wear.
Yes, it can cover minor blemishes with light to medium coverage. For deeper acne marks or more pronounced discolouration, you may need to layer sparingly or pair with a fuller-coverage concealer, but be cautious to avoid heaviness under the eyes.
Prep with a hydrating eye cream or lightweight primer. Pump a tiny amount onto the back of your hand, then gently pat under eyes with your fingertips or a fluffy concealer brush. Blend outward toward the cheek and set lightly with a fine translucent powder. For midday touch-ups, spritz a hydrating mist before reapplying a minimal amount of product.
