LYS Beauty’s Concealer Is a Precise Reset for My Tired Under…

We put the LYS Beauty Bright Start Creamy Buildable Coverage Airbrush Concealer to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review.

Whether you prefer minimalist makeup or full glam, concealer is an essential product in any lineup. There are countless options, and through consistent experimentation ever since middle school, it feels like I’ve tried almost every one. I have heard so much about LYS Beauty, as it became the first Black-owned clean makeup brand at Sephora upon its launch in 2021. The line’s Bright Start Creamy Buildable Airbrush Concealer immediately caught my attention, as an airbrushed, energized finish is instantly appealing, plus the ingredient list made me do a double-take with its cocktail of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, green tea extract, licorice root extract, and ashwagandha.

Long story short, this combo helps with hydrating, calming, brightening, and protecting the skin, be it on tired under-eyes or anywhere you could use some extra coverage. I had to see for myself if it was a winner: Read on for my full experience with LYS Beauty’s Bright Start Concealer, from application tips to the wear time.

About My Skin: Dry and tired

My skin is mainly dry with some oiliness in the T-zone. My under-eye area tends to be dry, so I love to use a good eye cream to help with nourishment. The two I’ve been loving at the moment are the Belif Aqua Bomb Depuffing Eye Gel with Caffeine + Hyaluronic Acid and Augustinus Bader’s The Eye Cream Nomad.

When it comes to concealers, I’ve tried so many. I wear concealer whenever I wear makeup, whether with just blush and mascara or as part of a full glam look with foundation and lashes. It’s a need in my routine, as I tend to look tired without it. I love a hydrating, creamy formula, and I prefer medium-to-full coverage with a dewy finish. That way, I can add a small amount of powder if I want to go more matte.

The LYS Beauty Bright Start Concealer is a medium-to-full coverage formula that claims to brighten and eliminate the look of dark spots, blemishes, and more, setting to a natural demi-matte finish. Given how many concealers I’ve tried over the years, I was excited to see where this one fell within the mix to help me achieve a more awake makeup look.

How to Apply: Prep skin and use a tapping motion

As with any makeup look, you’ll want to start with good skin prep, ensuring your complexion is hydrated, nourished, and primed for your concealer and any other products. After that, swipe the applicator directly onto the areas you want coverage, then blend with a sponge or brush. One unique aspect of this concealer is that its sponge tip applicator is removable, making it easier to clean plus providing you with the option for more precision with a second, needle-nose tip.

The Results: No visible eye bags

The texture of the LYS Beauty Bright Start Concealer feels so light, rich, and velvety. The first time I tried it, it took a good amount of twisting to get the product out, but after that, I found it easier to control.

The coverage is just what I’d hoped for: It’s buildable and provides a natural-looking result with the most radiant glow. It has a demi-matte finish without looking cake-y, and it blends so easily. I used my Sigma Beauty concealer brush to blend it all, and when all was said and done, it almost felt like nothing was on my skin.

As with most concealers, it’s better to start with less product and build it up, which helped prevent creasing. The concealer stayed on for hours—it didn’t fade or noticeably crease throughout the day. To have that kind of wear time and coverage without feeling heavy or thick is a truly ideal balance.

The Value: A worthy investment

The LYS Beauty Bright Start Concealer is on the smaller side compared to other concealers out there, but it’s well worth investing in regardless. The packaging has a glossy finish that looks and feels luxurious, plus the dual tip options make this concealer stand out from the pack. I found that the design made the application mess-free compared to the typical applicators for concealers. 26 shades are available, and I found it easy to find the one that matched my skin tone.

What makes me fall in love even more with this concealer is its high-quality, skin-friendly ingredients list, which makes it worth the price for me. The formula is hydrating and calming, working to brighten the skin, cover dark spots, and blend with barely any effort. The glowy yet semi-matte finish effectively covers my tired under-eyes as well as the redness on my cheeks, plus it achieves its coverage without feeling heavy. I find this concealer’s blurred result to be versatile enough for full glam and minimal days alike, justifying the prestige price point.

The Final Verdict: A buildable, hydrating powerhouse

The LYS Beauty Bright Start Creamy Buildable Airbrush Concealer deserves a spot in your concealer lineup. It has stunning packaging and builds up to full coverage, but it also allows for control if you’re looking for something a bit more subtle. I look much more awake—no “you look tired” comments here—and the hydrating, semi-matte finish makes it a great option for all skin types.