Concealers didn’t ask to be essential makeup products in our routines, but they are. The truth is that concealers do most of the work to create the most flawless base. Need a brighter undereye? Reach for a lighter concealer. Need a sharp contour? Carve out those cheeks with a flesh-toned shade. Lost your eyeshadow primer and need an alternative? You guessed it, concealer to the rescue.
Of course, foundation-averse folks can instead use concealer to lightly cover imperfections and create a bare-faced look. It’s a must for your “no makeup” makeup look. However, for people like me, concealers serve as my ride-or-die product for hiding dark spots and brightening up my tired eyes. I’ve run through just about every type of concealer there is, from a beauty supply store classic to a no-nonsense formula from the makeup Mutha herself, Pat McGrath. With so many concealers on the market, you may not know where to begin. Whether you want a lightweight formula, a concealer that is buildable, or full coverage that can double as a foundation, we have you covered (see what we did there?!). Keep reading for the 24 best concealers that are on the market.
Best Clean Concealer
Kosas
Revealer Concealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer
Best Hydrating Formula
Laura Mercier
Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Concealer
Best For All Areas
Sephora Collection
Best Skin Ever Full Coverage Multi-Use Concealer
Best Cult Classic
Tarte
Shape Tape Contour Concealer
Best YouTube Recommendation
Nars
Radiant Creamy Concealer
Best for an Airbrushed Effect
Hourglass
Vanish Airbrush Concealer
Best Bargain Option
L.A. Girl
HD Pro Concealer
Best Pigmented Formula
Pat McGrath Labs
Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Concealer
Best Double-Duty
Danessa Myricks
Vision Cream Cover
Best Shade Range
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer
Best For Dry Skin
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez
Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer
Best Non-Creasing
Beauty Bakerie Instabake 3 in 1 Concealer
Best Full Coverage
Nars
Soft Matte Complete Concealer
Best Blemish Coverage
Il Makiage
F*ck I’m Flawless Concealer
Best for Oily Skin
Lancôme
Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer
Best for a Velvety Finish
ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starrr
Turn Up the Base Buttersilk Concealer
Best Lightweight Concealer
Juvia’s Place
I Am Magic Concealer
Best Multi-tasker
Too Faced
Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer
Best Longwear
Dior
Skin Correct Concealer
Best Skincare-Infused
NYX Professional Makeup
Bare With Me Hydrating Face & Body Concealer Serum
Best Brightening Concealer
Morphe
Filter Effect Soft Radiance Concealer
Best for a Dewy Finish
LYS Beauty
Triple Fix Brightening Concealer
Best Glow-Inducing
Ami Cole
Skin-Enhancing Concealer
Best Supporting Cast Member
KVD Beauty
Good Apple Lightweight Full-Coverage Concealer
How can you use concealer under the eyes?
Before you apply concealer, it’s important to properly prep the skin. “Moisturize the skin around your eyes with your favorite eye cream, I love the Shani Darden Intensive Eye Renewal Cream because it’s rich but creates the perfect canvas underneath your eye,” says Sewell. “You can let your eye cream sit for a minute or so, as to not interfere with the coverage of your concealer. Or if you like, apply your concealer immediately afterward to blend it into the eye cream and sheer it down a bit.”
Depending on your makeup goals, you can also prep by using a color corrector. “If you find darkness around your eye area particularly difficult to conceal, you may benefit from using a color corrector first,” adds Sewell. “One of my favs is the Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Bright Fix Concealer, it’s a lightweight fluid formula that’s versatile enough to work as a corrector or a concealer depending on which shade you choose.”
After skin prep, go in with your favorite under-eye concealer. “When I’m applying concealer, I love using the Makeup by Mario EF1 Makeup Brush because you can apply with one side and set with powder on the other,” says Sewell. If you want your concealer to last all day, Sewell has a trick: “Looking up while setting your under-eye can minimize creasing. I like using the Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder because it’s softening and undetectable.” And remember, less is more: “Do your best to avoid using a ton of concealer, too much product is more likely to crease.”
Which concealers do you prefer for under-eyes?
“I love something that’s a natural or radiant finish that gets the job done with minimal weight. The eye area can be rather dry and textured so using something more moisturizing than you would use to cover a blemish is best,” says Sewell. Be on the hunt for hydrating formulas. “My current favorite do-it-all concealer is the new Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Concealer.
If you’re familiar with the Sephora Collection Best Skin Ever Foundation you know that ‘best skin ever’ isn’t a misnomer, they’re both amazing, thanks to the skin-like finish, a formula that’s great for all skin types, and expansive range (50 shades!!). Searching for another alternative? “I love the buttery texture and built-in corrector in Kulfi’s Main Match Concealer. They’re a South Asian-owned brand that has really nailed their shade range, not only for their community but for everyone,” Sewell adds.
Can concealers hide puffiness and under-eye circles?
Concealers can do a lot, but this is where a good skincare regimen comes in. “Concealers can’t camouflage puffiness under the eyes and they’re not going to change the structure or texture of your face. Eye cream and a little facial massage can help reduce the appearance of under-eye puffiness though,” says Sewell. “I like to use two shades of concealer. I use a shade that closely matches my skin to apply a super-sheer wash of coverage under my eye and then a much brighter shade around the tear duct area.”
Nerisha Penrose
Beauty Commerce Editor
Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music).
Tatjana Freund
Beauty Commerce Writer
Tatjana Freund is a Beauty Commerce Writer, covering makeup, skincare, and haircare products and trends.