Menu
 

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details

Best Concealers

Updated June 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
RMS Beauty Un Cover-up Concealer
RMS Beauty
Un Cover-up Concealer
Check Price
Best for Everyday Use
Bottom Line

This product is an excellent concealer for those who want a natural look.

Pros

This RMS Beauty concealer is not tested on animals, and people love how it works with the skin to bring out its healthiest glow. It isn’t too heavy, and it will hydrate your skin. It comes in many shades.

Cons

It doesn’t have a great scent and isn’t full coverage.

Best Bang for the Buck
Physicians Formula Gentle Cover Concealer Stick
Physicians Formula
Gentle Cover Concealer Stick
Check Price
Portable Convenience
Bottom Line

A concealer that is easy to use and convenient.

Pros

This concealer stick from Physicians Formula is a good light product for hiding dark under-eye circles and minor imperfections. It is also hypoallergenic and an excellent product to take on the go and store in a purse or pocket.

Cons

Very few complaints, but it can be a little clumpy around wrinkles.

Mineral Fusion Compact Concealer Duo
Mineral Fusion
Compact Concealer Duo
Check Price
Feature-packed
Bottom Line

It allows you to create a customized shade for your skin tone.

Pros

Dual shade, full-coverage solution. It contains antioxidants. For all skin types. Can blend 2 different shades for a unique mix. Contains vitamins C and E for anti-aging.

Cons

Some users say it's greasy and container has less product.

NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer
NARS
Soft Matte Complete Concealer
Check Price

More stores

Shade Selection
Bottom Line

Full-coverage formula with a natural finish available in dozens of colors.

Pros

Easy to swipe and pat on skin for buildable coverage. Suitable for all skin types. Has peptides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants to smooth over fine lines and imperfections. Vegan and gluten-free.

Cons

May have a drying effect on dry or patchy skin.

Kosas Revealer Concealer
Kosas
Revealer Concealer
Check Price
Most Versatile
Bottom Line

A medium-coverage concealer that we found to be great for evening-out dark spots with its clean formula during our testing.

Pros

Has a cruelty-free formula. Really simple to put on thanks to its large applicator. We found that it really brightens any skin that it is applied to and evens out redness. Lasts all day long. The color is easy to match with other makeup.

Cons

We found that certain sunscreens may cause this concealer to clump.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
148
Consumers
Consulted
26
Hours
Researched
Category cover

Buying guide for Best concealers

Concealer is the quiet workhorse of makeup. The best concealers hide blemishes and discoloration and brighten dark under-eye circles. However, concealer is more pigmented and thicker than foundation, so the wrong formula can look cakey and actually highlight imperfections you’d rather hide.

With so many concealers available, finding the right formula for your skin type and concerns on your own can be overwhelming. You have to decide between liquid, cream, and stick concealers and find the right shade for your skin tone.

Content Image
Color-correcting concealers can target specific skin concerns. For example, green concealers diminish redness, and peach concealers diminish blueness under the eyes. Apply a color-correcting concealer first, and then apply a concealer that matches your skin tone over top.

Concealer formulas

Liquid

Liquid concealers have a thin, liquid consistency and usually come in a tube with a doe-foot applicator or in a clickable pen. They are often the best choice for oily skin because they are lightweight and the least likely to clog pores. Liquid concealers are also best for those with mature skin because they settle less into fine lines.

Cream

Cream concealers, also called pot concealers, come in a small pot and can be applied with a sponge, brush, or fingers. They are richer and creamier than liquid concealers, which means they have better coverage and work well with dry skin. However, cream concealers tend to sit heavier on the skin than liquid concealers.

Stick

Stick concealers are cream concealers in stick form. Like cream concealers, they provide full coverage and tend to be more moisturizing, so they’re popular among those with dry skin. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, however, you’ll want to stay away because stick concealers can clog pores. The heavier consistency of stick concealers can also emphasize fine lines.

Concealer uses

Some concealers work best under the eyes, while others are better for concealing blemishes. Many concealers can multitask, or you can buy two different concealers to target each area.

Under-eye concealers

The area beneath your eyes is delicate and prone to dryness, so if you’re trying to hide those dark circles, you’ll want to choose a lightweight concealer that will also hydrate and nourish your skin. Liquid concealers tend to work the best for concealing under the eyes. Cream and stick formulas are often too heavy. Illuminating pen concealers are ideal for those with mature under eyes.

Spot concealers

If you’re trying to cover up a pimple or redness, you’ll want a pigment-rich formula that will cover the spot. Heavier cream and stick concealers are the best for spot concealing, though many liquid concealers can do the job as well. Illuminating pen concealers are not pigmented enough to conceal blemishes.

"To highlight under your eyes, use a concealer that is a shade or two lighter than your skin tone. Apply the concealer in an inverted triangle under your eye, hugging the side of your nose. Blend well and set with powder."
STAFF
BestReviews

Concealer features to consider

Shade

You might think that you need to purchase a concealer that matches your skin tone exactly, but it’s not quite that simple.

If you’re using your concealer to cover up blemishes and discoloration, you do want a concealer that matches your skin tone as closely as possible so that it will look natural when blended. A concealer with yellow tones will help counteract redness.

When searching for a concealer to cover under-eye circles, however, it’s better to go with a product that is a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone. This will brighten up the area. Go with an under-eye concealer that has peach or pink tones as this will help counteract the bluish tones of dark circles.

If you contour, you can also use a lighter concealer to highlight. Apply the lighter concealer to the center of your forehead, down the bridge of your nose, your cupid’s bow, and the center of your chin.

Finish

The right finish for a concealer depends on your skin type.

  • Oily: Those with oily skin should go with concealers with a matte finish so as not to add shine.

  • Dry or mature: If you have dry or mature skin, a radiant concealer is best. Matte products tend to be drying on the skin, and a bit of shine will give you a healthy glow.

  • Combination: Combination skin is trickier. You may need two concealers: a matte concealer for oily areas like your T-zone and a radiant concealer for drier areas like under the eyes.

Wear

You don’t want to have to reapply your concealer throughout the day. The best formulas will provide longwear coverage. To prevent fading or creasing, always set your concealer with powder. If you have dry skin, try only setting the areas where you concealed and leaving the rest of your face powder-free.

Extras

Waterproof concealers are a good option for hot weather or enjoying a day by the water. There are also concealers that contain a small amount of sunscreen, usually SPF 15 to 30. This is a good way to protect blemishes and hyperpigmentation from the damaging effects of the sun.

Concealer prices

Concealers range in price from under $5 to over $50, depending on the quality of the ingredients and the brand.

Drugstore

Drugstore concealers usually cost $15 or less, but with their lower-quality ingredients, they may be more prone to fading, creasing, and clogging pores.

Mid-range

Mid-range concealers cost about $20 to $35. They have high-quality ingredients, wide shade ranges, and offer long wear.

Luxury

Luxury concealers cost $35 or more. They have the same high-quality ingredients as mid-range concealers but come from designer brands.

Tips

  • Moisturize before you apply concealer. That way the concealer won’t cling to any dry patches, especially under the eyes.

  • Apply concealer after foundation for the most natural finish. Foundation should be used to even out skin tone and concealer to spot conceal and correct discoloration under the eyes.

  • For the best coverage, pat on concealer with a brush, sponge, or fingers. Don’t swipe.

  • Always set your concealer with powder to prevent creasing and fading. You can use loose powder, pressed powder, or under-eye brightening powder.

  • Use concealer to clean up makeup mistakes. Concealer is ideal for sharpening eyeliner and cleaning up the lip line after applying lipstick.
Content Image
You can use concealers to hide tattoos. These body concealers are highly pigmented and have a matte finish. They are usually too heavy for use on the face, however.

FAQ

Q. My skin tone changes throughout the year. How do I know which shade of concealer to buy?

A. It’s not a bad idea to have two different shades: one for summer and one for winter. You can also blend them together to create a custom shade. But if you only want to purchase a single concealer, it’s always better to go lighter. Lighter concealers have a highlighting effect, and you can always add color back into your face with bronzer.

Q. Should I blend concealer with a brush or my fingers?

A. Either, though a brush usually provides a smoother, lighter finish. Whether using a brush or your fingers, use a patting motion when blending concealer so you don’t disturb the makeup underneath. Also, the delicate skin under your eyes should never be rubbed. You can use a damp makeup sponge to blend concealer as well. This is especially effective if you have dry skin or under the eyes.

Q. Can I use concealer on my eyelids?

A. Yes. Many people use concealer as an eyeshadow primer. Just remember to set your eyelids with powder so they don’t crease. You can do this with setting powder or eyeshadow.

Our Top Picks