The 20 Best Concealers, According to Makeup Artists (2024)

Whether you’re looking to cover up dark circles or a breakout that appeared overnight, a concealer is the makeup product you should always keep at the ready. The best concealers neutralize hyperpigmentation, conceal blemishes, and brighten the area underneath your eyes. This may sound like an easy task, but actually choosing the perfect concealer can be a tricky feat.There are so many factors to take into consideration: Is the formula long-wearing? Does it actually brighten, hide blemishes, and color-correct? And does its formula apply seamlessly without caking or looking dry?

While there are a ton of options to choose from that promise to check off all your boxes, you should consider a few things ahead of making this very important purchase. “Make sure when choosing your concealer that it has the right texture,” says Valeria Sarnelle, celebrity makeup artist. “The concealer should be creamy—not greasy or dry—and easy to apply.” Some formulas are meant to stay on all day (a necessity for long days), whereas others are made with SPF to protect your skin from sun damage. Furthermore, some may arrive with a built-in-applicator, and others may need to be applied with a makeup brush. And some are pricey, high-end picks while others are affordable and available at your local drugstore.

Truthfully, there are so many things to take into account! Luckily, we’ve spoken to makeup artists to help decipher the great ones from the average ones. Below, we’ve gathered some of the best concealers that experts always have on hand to hide any unwanted imperfections. This comprehensive list spans cult favorites like Tarte, Nars, and Pat McGrath, as well as drugstore go-to concealers like NYX, Maybelline, and E.L.F. Keep reading for some top picks from retailers like Sephora, Ulta, Amazon, Nordstrom, and more.

Best for brightening dark circles

When it comes to concealing dark circles, a lighter concealer shade-and-brightening formula can make all the difference.

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

A favorite of makeup artists and editors, Tarte’s Shape Tape is one of the best concealers out there if you’re looking for maximum coverage with a blendable finish. “The coverage with this concealer is insane,” says Bruce Grayson, a celebrity makeup artist and the 2022 Oscars makeup department head. “The brightening element of the product can neutralize even the most complicated of dark circles.”

Sephora

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Concealer Pen

Say goodbye to dark undereye circles with this YSL option. Its barely-there formula adds just the right amount of coverage for a natural finish without being cakey or leaving any dry skin. According to Grayson, this concealer is an absolute essential. “It can be used all day long to define, highlight, and brighten skin repeatedly without building texture,” he says. “It’s my go-to backstage touch-up pen.”

Amazon

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Multi-Use Concealer

This pick from Maybelline is one of the best drugstore concealers. It’s not only known to hide any fine lines, dark circles, or redness but also leaves a gorgeous radiant finish. ”This cult-favorite concealer covers it all while neutralizing any darkness under your eyes,” says Amanda Masek-Black, a makeup artist and licensed esthetician. “You can also use it on sunspots or melasma too.”

Nordstrom

Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer

This splurge-worthy concealer is a cult favorite of makeup artists for a reason: “It’s magical,” says Sarnelle. “It’s creamy with a full coverage that covers dark circles expertly without caking.”

Sephora

Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer and Daytime Eye Cream

With over 1,000-plus reviews on Sephora, it’s safe to say that this concealer from Kosas is one you shouldn’t sleep on. It not only has an impressive shade range but also provides a super-creamy concealer, eye cream, and spot treatment in one. Packed with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and caffeine, it’ll hydrate, plump, and give a creaseproof, radiant finish.

Amazon

NYX HD Concealer Wand Medium Coverage Under Eye Concealer

A little of this NYX’s medium coverage formula goes a long way in the eye area. Aside from expertly concealing underneath the eye, it can also help eliminate the appearance of discoloration and dark spots with just a small amount of product. Plus, thanks to 22 different shades, you’ll be able to find your perfect shade in no time.

Ulta

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer

Ideal for expertly improving the appearance of wrinkles, dark circles, undereye bags, redness, broken capillaries, age spots, and hyperpigmentation, this It Cosmetics option is a true game changer. Not only is its formula developed by plastic surgeons, but it’s also infused with good-for-you skin care ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and collagen. Also nice: This formula is long-wearing, humidity-proof, and waterproof.

Best for blemishes

When looking for the best concealer to hide blemishes, you’ll want one that can blend easily and hide any redness.

Sephora

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Correct and Brighten Concealer Duo Stick

Want next-level blemish coverage? This concealer is an expert at just that—and more. Composed of a duo of two formulations, it effortlessly smoothes textured skin and blemishes with a seamless matte finish. “This duo feels light and isn’t cakey or drying,” explains Sarnelle. “It’s also great for on the go as it’s creamy, hydrating, and easy to blend.”

Sephora

Bobbi Brown Instant Full Cover Concealer

In just one swipe, this Bobbi Brown concealer covers even the most stubborn of zits without feeling like anything is on your skin. It also creates a smooth, creaseless canvas underneath your foundation that’ll stay all day long due to its water, sweat, and humidity-resistant formula. “This concealer has a yellow base that helps with redness and brightens your skin,” says Sarnelle. “It’s long-lasting and provides a natural-looking finish.”

Sephora

Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer

According to Sarnelle, this concealer looks great and seamlessly blends out. “It gives a smooth texture, long-lasting full coverage, and a seamless finish,” she says. “It does not cake, which is why it gives great coverage for blemishes and dark circles.” In other words, it’s your secret weapon against hiding those stubborn zits.

Amazon

L'Oréal Paris Makeup Infallible Full Wear Waterproof Matte Concealer

If you’re looking for a fully waterproof option, you shouldn’t sleep on this pick from L’Oréal. Made with an extra-large applicator, it provides maximum coverage on undereye circles, blemishes, acne scars, and discoloration with just one stroke. Plus, it can also be used as a highlighter or a contour wand, depending on what shade you select.

Sephora

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Longwear Liquid Concealer

For a concealer with the largest shade range, opt for this option from Fenty Beauty. Aside from its selection of 50 different shades, it also has a stellar formula that’s long-wearing, lightweight, brightening, and fabulous at hiding blemishes. “Finally found a concealer that lives up to its name,” says a Sephora reviewer. “Easy to blend and nice creamy thick consistency.”

Ulta

Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Full Coverage Concealer

After going viral upon its launch, this concealer from Makeup Revolution has remained high up on our list. It provides a whole slew of versatile shades and its formula will also seamlessly cover blemishes, even out skin tone, and counteract dark circles. You’ll also love the full coverage, and how it provides 16-hour wear and leaves a crease-proof matte finish.

Sephora

Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Concealer

Pat McGrath has long created flawless makeup looks for some of the biggest brands and celebrities out there, so it only makes sense that her makeup line is absolute perfection—and this concealer is no exception. With a creamy and lightweight formula, full coverage, and a gorgeously natural radiant-matte finish, it’ll brighten under the eyes while hiding the appearance of any and all blemishes. Trust us, you don’t want to pass on this one.

Best for hyperpigmentation

Whether you’re hiding a whole slew of hyperpigmentation or a teeny-tiny patch, you want to make sure to snag a formula that’s long-wearing, blendable, and neutralizes any unwanted tones or hues.

Sephora

Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Face and Under-Eye Concealer

Grayson dubs this concealer as his go-to long-wear concealer. “It provides hydration, a radiant finish, and comes in so many shades to make the transition from under eyes to face foundation effortless,” he says.

Sephora

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Self-Setting Concealer

For a quick touch-up, reach for this concealer from Make-up Forever. “It conceals a range of colors and is a professional makeup artist’s dream,” says Grayson. “It dries down within minutes and zero powder is needed.”

Sephora

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

Featuring a multipurpose formula, this lightweight concealer can brighten, correct, and conceal just about anything you’re looking to cover. It’s also a top pick of Masek-Black due to its buildable, hydrating, medium coverage formula. “I love this one for mature skin as it’s lightweight and won’t weigh down thinner skin,” she says. One thing to note: She also advises setting it quickly with powder because it may crease if not.

Chanel

Chanel Le Correcteur De Chanel Longwear Concealer

You may associate Chanel with its luxe handbags and shoes, but the brand’s beauty line is just as noteworthy. At the top of our list? These color correctors. “These are easily blended and hidden under foundation or concealer,” says Masek-Black. “Some color correctors can feel heavy—but these are the exception.”

Target

Elf Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer

Let’s be real: This e.l.f. cosmetics concealer is a drugstore find that you don’t want to miss. “It’s a creamy and hydrating full coverage concealer that works for all skin types, ranging from young to mature,” says Masek-Black. “The fact that it is so affordable makes it that much better.” An all-around win if you ask us.

Nordstrom

Surratt Beauty Perfectioniste Concealer Palette

Sarnelle recommends this concealer palette because it’s customizable for a variety of skin tones. “It melts into the skin without looking cakey, making the skin look dry, or emphasizing any problem areas,” she says. “A little is all you need for nice, medium coverage that’s easily buildable.”

Related Reading:

  • Best Concealers for Acne-Prone Skin, According to Derms
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  • Best Makeup Subscription Boxes to Try
The 20 Best Concealers, According to Makeup Artists (2024)

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