If you were to flip through a yearbook that had Senior Superlatives for the best beauty products of all time, there’s no doubt that concealer would win “Most Likely to Succeed.” The reason? Concealer is one of the most versatile makeup items you can have in your collection. It addresses a handful of different beauty concerns, including disguising dark under-eye circles, hiding blemishes, camouflaging redness, evening out skin tone, and blurring imperfections. It can also be used to highlight, contour, and enhance bone structure to add more depth to the face.
Best Overall
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
What We Love: This long-lasting concealer is suitable for all skin types.
What We Don’t Love: This concealer can crease if too much is applied.
“NARS is very well known for its full coverage foundation, so you can only imagine how amazing their concealer is, too,” says beauty and fashion educator Tracy Faith. “The Radiant Creamy Concealer is designed to provide all-day crease-free coverage.” On top of lasting for over 16 hours (yes, an InStyle editor put it to the test), this top-rated product can effortlessly cover everything from acne breakouts to dark circles with nothing more than a tiny drop. (It’s worth noting that a little goes a long way, so be sure to only apply a small amount at a time.)
In addition to camouflaging blemishes and dark spots, this concealer can also be used to contour and highlight certain facial features. (We especially like using it to brighten up our cheekbones since it has a radiant finish.) “Once you blend the product into your skin, you will automatically appear fresh,” Faith says. For best results, apply a small amount to the areas of your face that you want to cover, and blend out lightly — with a brush, sponge, or your fingers — until you get the coverage you want. Since this concealer offers buildable coverage, start small and work your way up if you want a fuller finish. If you have oily skin or are worried about creasing, you can set this concealer with a translucent powder for longer wear.
Price at time of publish: $32
Shades: 30 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Radiant
Best Drugstore
Maybelline Super Stay Active Wear Liquid Concealer
What We Love: This full-coverage concealer is lightweight and breathable.
What We Don’t Love: Though long-lasting, it can start to crease toward the end of the day.
If you’re looking for an affordable, long-lasting concealer, we have just the thing for you. At less than $15 a pop, Maybelline Super Stay Concealer is a drugstore favorite. We love that it’s made with a lightweight formula that provides full coverage. (Normally, full-coverage concealers have thicker consistencies since they have to mask red blemishes and dark circles, but this airy formula can do that without being too heavy.) It feels light on the skin and effortlessly covers up imperfections, plus it has a 30-hour staying power, which is more than two times what some other concealers offer thanks to its waterproof formula (but it does tend to crease slightly if worn for extra long hours). What separates this product from other drugstore picks — aside from being lightweight and having insane staying power — is that it has a flexible wand that allows users to easily apply the product to the hard-to-reach corners of their eyes. On top of that, the pliable wand seamlessly glides across skin, which means you won’t tug or pull on delicate areas.
Price at time of publish: $12
Shades: 16 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte
Best Value
Tarte Shape Tape Full Coverage Concealer
What We Love: A little goes a long way, which means this concealer will last you months on end.
What We Don’t Love: It’s not ideal for dry skin.
Named InStyle’s best concealer for under eyes, it only makes sense that Tarte Shape Tape Full-Coverage Concealer would score a spot on this list. For starters, this concealer provides full coverage with a matte finish, meaning it has the ability to mask dark circles, hyperpigmentation, and acne with just one application. On top of that, the formula is made with good-for-your-skin ingredients like shea butter (which soothes skin), mango butter (which adds hydration), and licorice root (which brightens from the inside out). Plus, these ingredients work overtime to keep the product from creasing and settling into fine lines. As for the standout feature: This concealer has incredible staying power, which means you won’t need to reapply throughout the day.
While this concealer costs $31, we named it the Best Value because one tiny dab can be blended out to conceal your whole under-eye area. Plus, each tube holds 0.33 fluid ounces, which means you’ll have it for months to come. As an avid concealer-wearer, I can attest to this. I’ve had my tube of Shape Tape for over six months, and I’m not even halfway through it yet — even though I use it every day. To make the most of this product, I like to apply a dot of it to the back of my hand and then use my fingers to apply it under my eyes or to spot-treat blemishes. It blends out really well and gives my skin a natural-looking matte finish.
Price at time of publish: $31
Shades: 35 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte
Best Splurge
Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer
What We Love: This concealer can last for up to 24 hours (seriously).
What We Don’t Love: The formula is a bit thick, which can make it hard to blend.
If there’s one brand we’re bound to splurge on, it’s Dior. The beloved label has created a handful of our favorite beauty products, including the Backstage Face & Body Foundation, the Diorshow Lash-Extension Effect Volume Mascara, and, most notably, the Forever Skin Correct Concealer. This creamy concealer provides full coverage for all skin types without the need to apply multiple coats. It’s able to hide redness, pimples, dark spots, and dark circles, all with just one swoop. Plus, it can blur pores, which can make skin appear practically airbrushed.
Since this product is a bit of a splurge, it’s worth pointing out that the formula is unlike most concealers. This is because it is made with a special combination of ingredients, including iris extract (which hydrates skin and locks in moisture), wild pansy extract (which soothes skin and reduces redness), and nasturtium extract (which can revitalize skin and make it luminous). Oh, and did we mention this concealer can stay on skin — and look good — for up to 24 hours? Yeah, that’s something to boast about. Because the formula is a bit thicker, it requires a bit more blending — but we promise the end result is totally worth it.
Price at time of publish: $38
Shades: 28 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural
Best for Dark Circles
Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer with Hyaluronic Acid
What We Love: This creamy concealer hydrates delicate skin under the eyes.
What We Don’t Love: Lighter shades tend to sell out.
It’s a fact: Charlotte Tilbury’s beauty products have taken the world by storm. While the brand has been around for years, it recently made a huge splash after TikTok users couldn’t stop raving about the Flawless Filter primer. And, while we ourselves love the Flawless Filter with everything in us, there’s one product that deserves just as much attention: The Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer. This concealer offers medium-to-full coverage (depending on how much you use) and can stay on skin for up to 16 hours. Plus, it comes in 30 shades, which means you can find the perfect fit for your complexion.
“I am extremely picky when it comes to concealer because my under eyes get dried out so quickly. I need something that will (most importantly) mask my dark circles, but also keep the area hydrated and plump throughout the day,” says InStyle Commerce Editor Mary Honkus. “Let me tell you, I’m not easily impressed by concealers, but from the first blend, I was immediately blown away. Two small dabs make me look so well rested, even when I’m most certainly not, and my under-eyes stay comfortable even through a full day’s wear. If you have fair skin like me, you’ll want to snatch this up quickly as the lighter shades tend to sell out fast.”
Price at time of publish: $33
Shades: 30 | Coverage: Medium to Full | Finish: Radiant
Best for Blemishes
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout Full-Coverage Concealer
What We Love: This concealer is made with oil-absorbing ingredients that work to dry out pimples.
What We Don’t Love: This shouldn’t be used near the delicate eye area because it is drying.
If you have acne-prone skin, you might have noticed there are a limited amount of concealers that cater to inflamed blemishes. While, yes, there are countless concealers that work to hide pimples, there are very few that work to heal pimples while they hide them. Instead of just covering up the problem, why not address it? Luckily, IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout Concealer does just that. Made with a blend of powerhouse ingredients including zinc oxide, kaolin clay, witch hazel, tea tree, sulfur, and a gentle AHA/BHA complex, this formula works to taper down zits by absorbing excess oil. Plus, it’s infused with anti-aging peptides and hydrolyzed collagen, both of which help to soothe and smooth out skin.
As for the concealer itself, it offers a full coverage finish that effectively conceals the look of blemishes, acne, redness, and discoloration without creasing or cracking. Plus, when you wash it off, you’ll notice that your blemishes are smaller and more dried out, meaning skin clarity will improve with each wear. We will note that since this is essentially a drying formula, only use it on zits and not on the delicate skin around the eyes.
Price at time of publish: $38
Shades: 7 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte
Best for Red Spots
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Corrector in Green
What We Love: This concealer is offered in seven bold hues (including green, red, and purple), which are made to address discoloration for different skin tones.
What We Don’t Love: The formula is thick and can be hard to blend.
According to celebrity makeup artist Tonya Riner, Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Color Corrector works well to cover red blemishes on both light and dark skin tones. (If you have a fair complexion, use the Green shade and if you have a darker complexion, use the Brick Red hue.) Because this formula has a thicker consistency than other concealers, it’s important that you apply it correctly so it goes on smoothly. “Use a tiny brush for pinpoint concealing so the color corrector is only on the discoloration,” Riner says. “Then press (so you don’t disturb the coverage you just created) a foundation that matches your skin tone on top to blend.” This will ensure that the color corrector is hiding the discoloration while also blending in with the rest of your makeup.
What we like about this product is that it’s suitable for all skin types, and it is offered in seven different shades, which means you can find the ideal hue for your skin. Here’s the lowdown: Those with light to medium skin tones should opt for the green shade to minimize redness, the yellow hue to cover dark circles and hyperpigmentation, and the lavender color to address sallowness. Those with medium skin tones should grab the peach hue to minimize dark spots, dark circles, and acne scars. As for those with deeper skin tones, try the orange/red shade or the brick red color to cover dark spots, dark circles, and acne scars.
Price at time of publish: $31
Shades: 7 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte
Best for Dry Skin
Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer and Daytime Eye Cream
What We Love: This ultra-creamy concealer is made with hyaluronic acid and peptides, which help hydrate skin.
What We Don’t Love: It can crease if it is not blended out well enough.
As a beauty editor, I’ve had the ability to try countless (and I mean countless) different makeup products. While I love testing new formulas and experimenting with all kinds of items, I’ve noticed more often than not, I tend to go back to my tried-and-true products. But, after learning that Hailey Bieber uses the Kosas Revealer Concealer, I knew I had to try it. From the first swipe, I was a convert. This incredibly creamy concealer glides over my skin effortlessly, covering my dark circles and pesky acne scars in no time. I love how blendable the formula is and how I can build on top of it if I want more coverage (which I usually don’t need since this concealer is so good).
On top of being supreme at covering dark circles and blemishes, this concealer also has an all-star formula that’s ideal for dry skin. It’s made with hyaluronic acid and peptides, which work to hydrate skin and make it more supple, as well as caffeine, which fights dark circles, puffiness, and dullness.
And if you had any doubt about this concealer, celebrity makeup artists love it, too. “Kosas Revealer Concealer is my number one pick for any skin type and any age,” Riner says. “The formula is creamy and never creases which makes it foolproof, and they offer a wide range of shades.”
Price at time of publish: $28
Shades: 28 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Radiant
Best for Oily Skin
Smashbox Studio Skin Flawless Oil-Free 24 Hour Concealer
What We Love: Because it’s oil-free, it won’t clog pores or cause breakouts.
What We Don’t Love: It dries fast, which means you need to blend it quickly when you apply it.
If you have oily skin, finding a concealer that stays put is no easy feat. Luckily, Smashbox Studio Skin Concealer is made with a creamy, oil-free formula that is ideal for greasier complexions. Because it’s not made with oil, it won’t slip into fine lines and cause creases. It also won’t melt off the skin if it comes in contact with oil because it has long-lasting capabilities that are made to withstand damp, greasy skin. On top of that, this concealer hides dark circles and hyperpigmentation as well as redness and age spots to boot.
What really makes this concealer stand out is that it’s very buildable, which means it offers a range of different coverages (from light wear to full coverage). We will note that the formula dries fast and has a thicker consistency than most concealers, so just be sure that if you want to build on top of it, you apply each layer quickly. As for the cherry on top: It’s made with a vegan formula that’s non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores or cause breakouts — a huge win for oily skin!
Price at time of publish: $29
Shades: 30 | Coverage: Medium to Full | Finish: Natural
Best for Dark Skin Tones
Dermablend Cover Care Full Coverage Concealer
What We Love: This hydrating concealer is waterproof and transfer-resistant.
What We Don’t Love: It can be hard to wash off completely if you don’t double cleanse.
Created by physician Craig Roberts and his makeup artist wife, Flori Roberts, Dermablend is the ideal brand for anyone who is looking for a hybrid between makeup and skincare. The products in the line have the perfect combination of good-for-your-skin formulas and high-powered makeup ingredients, which are safe for all skin types, tones, and conditions. One product in particular that delivers both skincare benefits and makeup capabilities is the brand’s top-rated full-coverage concealer.
“Cover Care Full Coverage Concealer is my fave,” says celebrity makeup artist Andrew Velázquez. “The skincare ingredients infused in this formula are very helpful for balancing out discoloration, without getting cakey throughout the day.” (You can thank sunflower seed oil and vegetable glycerin for this since they keep skin hydrated.) Plus, this concealer is 100 percent vegan and made without alcohol and parabens.
In terms of dark skin tones, this product offers a handful of shades that seamlessly blend into darker complexions. “There are a variety of shades in this line, from olive to deep, beautiful ebony,” Velázquez says. “The undertones of this formula also offer a warm finish without looking too red, orange, gray, or ashy.”
Price at time of publish: $28
Shades: 16 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte
Best Shade Range
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer
What We Love: This creamy, long-wear concealer feels light on skin.
What We Don’t Love: This concealer can crease if too much is applied.
Complete with 50 shades — ranging from very fair to very deep — Fenty’s long-wear concealer has a hue that will match anyone’s skin tone. On top of having colors that pair well with a diverse range of skin tones, each concealer in the line features different undertones (a couple being neutral, neutral warm, cool, warm yellow, and warm olive), which means you can find the absolute perfect shade to address your skincare concerns, whether you want to cover dark circles, red blemishes, age spots, or something in between. Plus, the creamy formula is lightweight and breathable, and provides skin with medium-to-full coverage. It also offers a soft matte finish that brightens skin, especially the under-eye area. Keep in mind that a little goes a long way — just a dab should be enough to cover any concerns (and layering too much can cause it to crease).
Price at time of publish: $28
Shades: 50 | Coverage: Medium to Full | Finish: Matte
Best Crease-Free
NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer
What We Love: This bestselling concealer blurs and smooths uneven skin texture.
What We Don’t Love: This concealer is not suitable for dry skin.
“NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer really describes itself in the title,” says New York City-based makeup artist Elisa Flowers. “It’s a soft, creamy concealer that blurs imperfections, blemishes, and dark circles, yet has a delicate, matte appearance and gives excellent coverage.” This product’s full-coverage capabilities are due to the unique formula that contains what NARS refers to as “Optimal Diffusion Powder,” a lightweight powder that actually transforms the look of skin by blurring imperfections with the help of light-diffusing spheres that are designed to absorb and refract light for a soft-focus finish.
Aside from making skin look airbrushed, this concealer also stays put for hours since it’s made without oil. As for what it’s made with, that’s what has turned this concealer into a bestseller. Infused with peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins A, C, and E, this product will actually make skin appear smoother, softer, and plumper over time. Now if that’s not a skincare win, we don’t know what is. Keep in mind though, that because it has a more matte finish it can feel slightly drying — so if you have dry skin you may want to go with something else.
Price at time of publish: $30
Shades: 30 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte
Best Long-Wear
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer
What We Love: This lightweight concealer is water, sweat, and humidity-resistant.
What We Don’t Love: The pump dispenses too much product.
“MAC Pro Longwear Concealer is an excellent long-wear concealer,” Flowers explains. “It’s not only brightening, but it’s also waterproof, has very buildable coverage, and its matte texture is excellent for oily skin.” Aside from being able to brighten skin, this full-coverage concealer also camouflages zits, covers up dark spots, and evens out texture.
Ultimately, this concealer’s fragrance- and oil-free formula is the star of the show. It’s made to stay on skin for up to 24 hours, which means you won’t need to reapply it. On top of that, it can withstand just about anything since it’s water-, sweat-, and humidity-proof. (You can wear this concealer to the gym, beach, and anywhere in between.) This is also a great concealer for those who want to add more coverage to their look because it can be built on top of without becoming cakey. As a bonus, it’s also ideal for aging skin since it doesn’t settle into fine lines. While there’s so much to love about it, we wish we could change the pump, because it dispenses entirely too much product at once.
Price at time of publish: $28
Shades: 16 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte
What to Keep in Mind
Shade
Finding the right shade for your skin is undoubtedly the most important step when it comes to purchasing a concealer. As a general rule of thumb, you should aim for a concealer that’s about one to two shades lighter than your foundation if you want to camouflage dark circles, age spots, and hyperpigmentation. On the other hand, if you’re looking to hide blemishes like acne or red spots, you should opt for a concealer that’s the same shade as your foundation so you can seamlessly blend the two together. Luckily, most concealers (including a variety on this list) offer a wide range of shades that are sure to provide you with the color match you’re looking for.
Coverage + Finish
Concealers come in a wide range of coverages and finishes, both of which will give you different looks. In terms of coverage, concealers are offered in sheer, medium, and full levels (just like foundations). Based on your needs, you can find the right coverage level for you. Plus, if you need more coverage to hide a zit or soften dark circles, most concealers are easy to build on, so you can add as much as you please. (NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer and Daytime Eye Cream, Smashbox Studio Skin Flawless Oil-Free 24-Hour Concealer, and MAC Pro Longwear Concealer are all very buildable.)
In addition to coverage, you can find concealers with different finishes. The main finishes that are offered are matte, radiant, and natural. Matte finishes offer no shine and can oftentimes absorb oil (like IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout Full-Coverage Concealer, NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer, and the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer). On the flip side, radiant finishes work to brighten and highlight areas while simultaneously covering them. (Radiant finishes are great when it comes to concealing dark under-eye circles. We recommend Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer with Hyaluronic Acid.) As for formulas with natural finishes (including the Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer and the Smashbox Studio Skin Flawless Oil-Free 24-Hour Concealer), these products look like a second skin.
Kassy Rose Makeup Artistry 