If you’ve ever woken up with dark circles or had a pimple pop up before a big event, you know how important having a good concealer is. Whether you opt for a full-coverage, glamorous beat or a no-makeup makeup day and simply want to cover up a couple of blemishes and coat your lashes in mascara, having the best concealer to help you create your look effortlessly is key.
The best concealers melt into the skin, work with other skincare and makeup products like face moisturizer and foundation, and they will stay put throughout the day. Of the 31 concealer products we tested, the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer (available at Tarte) scored the Best Overall honors. We love its long-lasting wear and buildable coverage that hides skin discoloration without looking cakey or settling into fine lines.
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
The author wears the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer, the Best Overall, on the left side of her face.
Best Overall
For its legions of loyal customers, Tarte Shape Tape is practically synonymous with “concealer.” After testing it, we see why. The long-wearing concealer has a full coverage, satin-matte formula and a 16-hour wear time, and its shades range from “very fair with pink undertones” to “very deep with peach undertones.” In our experience, choosing the correct Tarte shade is easy, and it perfectly matches what is described on the bottle.
Our main tester began using Tarte as part of full-coverage makeup to disguise acne scarring. She still loves it, even as her preferences have shifted to more natural makeup. A little bit goes a long way. You can get full coverage with a single swipe of the larger doe-foot applicator.
If you want to sheer it out, try dabbing the wand tip on the back of your hand, picking up a little bit on your ring finger, and blending it out under your eyes or on top of your blemishes.
This concealer dries quickly and may look a little cakey if you apply it too thickly. But if you apply it to one under-eye at a time and blend out as you go, you’re golden. The warmth of your fingers makes this concealer feel extra creamy when applying, but you may use a damp beauty blender or a brush to create your desired effect.
While makeup is very subjective, we feel confident recommending Tarte as our Best Overall concealer.
Full Coverage
Wears well on the skin
Extensive shade range
None that we could find
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
The author wears the Covergirl TruBlend Undercover Concealer, the Best Value, on the right side of her face.
Best Drugstore Concealer
The drugstore is my favorite place to shop for makeup. It feels like a double win when you find a holy-grail product and it’s affordable. Of the 14 drugstore brands I tested, the CoverGirl TruBlend Undercover Concealer takes the crown.
Like the Tarte Shape Tape, this larger doe-foot applicator deposits plenty of concealer onto the skin for a full-coverage look. However, it can be easily blended into the skin for a more natural makeup look.
Shades range from “Fair Porcelain” in the light category to “Espresso” in the deep section. I chose “Classic Ivory,” which was a tad too dark and golden for my fair neutral skin, but I could get away with it.
Despite CoverGirl offering the same quantity of colors as Tarte, this shade range could use an extra option in the tan and deep categories. There are eight shades in the light and medium categories, and seven shades in the tan and deep ones. Additionally, it would be easier to choose a shade if the names were reminiscent of the undertones, like Tarte’s. Still, our panelists felt that they received shades close enough to create a cohesive makeup look.
After hours of wear time, this concealer only faded slightly and still covered well. For staying power, coverage, and beautiful finish, you’ll love this drugstore brand.
Full coverage
Blends easily
Beautiful finish
Fades slightly
Credit: Too Faced/Reviewed
This great full-color concealer gives a hydrated, healthy look, but consider a lighter shade than you might ordinarily choose.
Best Full-Coverage Concealer
The Too Faced concealer looks more like a foundation. It has a larger-than-most tube and wand, but the doe-foot applicator and creamy, full-coverage formula of a concealer.
As soon as I tried it, I thought it was going to be the winner. It smoothed out over my under-eye area, creating a blurring effect. I also loved how hydrated and healthy my skin looked after putting it on.
Many concealers make my dry-leaning skin look powdery and just plain unnatural. This looked good whether I left it bare or set it down with powder, and it stayed all day. That said, it settled into my fine lines a little more than the Tarte concealer.
Unfortunately, three of the five testers (myself included) got a shade that didn’t match our expectations when shopping online. In my case, “Vanilla” was much darker and tanner than I expected a “fair neutral” shade to look. The concealer looked great in isolation, but certainly didn’t match my skin tone.
With 35 shades ranging from “very fair” to “rich,” our panelists agree that almost anyone could find a shade match. However, the labels are misleading enough that you may end up with a shade that’s too dark. We recommend erring on the lighter side.
Blends easily
Looks beautiful on the skin
Full coverage
Settles into fine lines
Credit: Colourpop/Reviewed
While stock issues prevented testing by our panel, Colourpop is our reviewer's concealer of choice.
Tester’s Favorite
ColourPop concealers aren’t sold at actual drugstores, but they have drugstore prices on the brand's website and Ulta. Having previously used and loved it, I wanted to throw it into the mix. Despite its claims for a full-coverage, matte finish, it’s layerable and creamy enough to sit on skin without settling in or looking dry. It’s easy to blend, and its flat doe-foot applicator holds the perfect amount of product.
Unsurprisingly given my own love for it, it landed at the top of our extensive testing. However, stock issues kept it from going out to our five panelists. Since not a single tester could get their requested color (or backup color), we couldn’t fully vet it. When available, its cool and warm shades range from “pure white”—which can be mixed to lighten any other shade—to “deep dark.”
ColourPop’s big drawback is that it oxidizes in a noticeable way. It went onto my skin looking light and cool-toned and turned orange as soon as it began to dry. When I used this concealer prior to testing, I must have purchased a lighter shade or a more suitable undertone. I can remember it oxidizing but not looking orange.
Like the Too Faced, err on the side of purchasing a shade lighter.
Blends easily
Wears well on the skin
Oxidizes
Credit: Nars/Reviewed
This pot concealer was a pleasant surprise to our reviewer, who personally prefers liquid concealers.
Best Pot Concealer
Buildable coverage
Wears well on the skin
Easy to apply
Limited shade range
When I used this pot concealer from Nars, I was surprised at how much I liked the final look. Typically the more balmy texture of creams looks dryer on the skin than liquids.
Application takes a little longer than a liquid concealer. Going back and forth between the pot and your skin with your finger is more time-consuming than just using a wand. But that’s what makes it look so natural on the skin.
I was also surprised at how much I preferred this to the cult-favorite Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (available at Sephora). Even though it’s a liquid, it immediately creased under my eyes and stuck to some patches of skin that didn’t even appear dry.
Cream concealers generally have smaller shade ranges. The 16 options here, while lacking compared to many of our picks, are the most I’ve seen for this type of product.
Originally in my top picks, this L’Oreal concealer fell flat with our panelists.The shade selection skews toward fair and light shades. Four of our five testers noted that it could use some diversifying.
This concealer gave medium to full coverage and wore fine throughout the day, but all panelists had one or more gripes with it. Complaints ranged from disliking the smell to needing to apply too much to get great coverage.
Blends easily
Wears well on the skin
Limited shade range
This concealer from Smashbox is fine but not memorable. It looked good with just one swipe under my eyes, but I put a little extra on to cover some blueness that still showed through one layer.
This concealer didn’t crease terribly during a sweaty walk, and it kept even coverage all day. The more extensive shade range is also a plus. If our top picks don’t jive with you, it may be worth a try.
Extensive shade range
Durable
None that we could find
This full coverage concealer from Makeup Revolution appears comparable to the Tarte Shape Tape. Its wide applicator deposits plenty of its thick formula. Its shade range rivals high-end brands, but it’s under $10.
Sadly, it wasn’t very memorable. It blends easily, looks fine on the skin, and doesn’t fade too much throughout the day. However, plenty of other concealers on this list perform similarly or better.
Full coverage
Durable
None that we could find
This drugstore concealer from NYX Professional Makeup blends out easily and looks nice on. Unfortunately, the applicator doesn’t hold much product and feels drying on the skin as you swipe on the product.
This isn’t a bad option in a pinch, but you’ll need to dip into the concealer multiple times to get a full coverage look. It could also stand to expand its deeper shades.
Blends easily
Wears well on the skin
Dry applicator
Requires several swipes
As a luxury brand, I assumed the brand name would carry this concealer, and not an amazing formula (sorry, Dior). Despite my low expectations, it blended out really well with just my finger and wore beautifully on my skin.
My main gripe is that the majority of its 30 shades are for light and tan skin, leaving out a decent range of deeper tones. That, and you can do as good or better for way less money.
Blends easily
Wears well on the skin
Limited shade range
Benefit’s cream concealer made me check my loyalty to liquid concealers. Like the Nars Soft Matte pot, it melted right into my finger in the pot and blended beautifully with my skin. On lighter makeup days, I found myself using this as a brightening concealer under my eyes. It also helped conceal some spots on my cheeks without looking like I had makeup on.
For that purpose, this concealer is perfect. But if you want full coverage or a creamy liquid formula, it’s definitely not for you. In addition, like most cream concealers, it has a very limited shade range. Still, that may be fine, considering it’s lighter than its full-coverage claim.
Benefit also makes a liquid, the Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer (available at Sephora). However, it equally lacks in the shade range department (14 colors), and it fell to the bottom of my list because it clung to dry patches of skin during application.
Wears well on the skin
Blends easily
Not enough coverage
Limited shade range
My favorite thing about this concealer from Makeup Forever is that it looked a bit dewy on my skin. That’s rare; my skin tends to absorb the moisture from any product I put on it. Unfortunately, as soon as I went for a walk—and became a little sweaty—it melted into my fine lines. It wasn’t a cute look.
High coverage
Dewy
Settles into fine lines
Not durable
I wanted to adore this Fenty concealer—have you seen the amazing shade range and sleek packaging?! Unfortunately, it looked dry on my skin and didn’t cover circles and dark spots as thoroughly as others. Someone with oily skin who likes medium coverage may have better luck with this concealer.
Extensive shade range
Not enough coverage
Drying on the skin
This concealer from Urban Decay is fine, but not a standout. Brands like Tarte and Too Faced boast similar prices and even better, longer lasting results.
Decent shade range
Not high coverage
I liked how buildable the Revlon PhotoReady Candid Antioxidant Concealer was, how nicely it blended into and felt light on my skin, and how it wore throughout the day. However, many people can’t shop its limited shade range. That pushed it to the middle of our list of 31 concealers (and the bottom of the ones worth your consideration).
Buildable coverage
Durable
Limited shade range
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
We tested 31 top-rated, highly-reviewed concealers.
Hi, I'm Jessica, former lifestyle writer and resident beauty expert at Reviewed. In high school, I dealt with cystic acne that left behind hyperpigmentation and uneven texture. Because of this, I often reached for full-coverage foundations and concealers that could essentially make my face a blank canvas for any other makeup I wanted to apply.
Now that my skin tone and texture have evened out, I’m far more confident with my skin. I find myself searching for concealers that can blend well with my skin even on the increasingly frequent days where I don’t want to wear much makeup.
That’s why it’s important that any concealer in my collection is versatile enough to cover everything I want, from a full glam look or to just reducing redness on my cheeks or darkness under my eyes on “no-makeup makeup” days.
Once I narrowed down the field from 31 choices to five favorites, I recruited a panel of testers with a variety of skin colors and concealer needs to refine our top recs.
Credit: Reviewed / Jessica Kasparian
Round one of testing consisted of swatching each concealer over a red dot that mimics a pimple.
Putting together a list of popular, highly reviewed products that our readers could fall in love with was a field day for me. I combed through articles, YouTube, and best-seller pages. From all those choices, I pared my list down to 31 concealers. Former Reviewed senior scientist Julia MacDougall helped design three-round testing, with eliminations after round two.
Our first test used a red marker to simulate blemishes on my arm to test how well each concealer could cover them. Unfortunately, the dot was too bright to determine anything useful. Not every test is a success. We moved on to the next round.
At this stage, I put each concealer under my eyes. We measured how well it concealed darkness, how evenly and easily it blended across this delicate area, and how well it stayed throughout the day. After scoring the concealers on Julia’s calibrated rubric, I had a better idea of what our top contenders were.
For round three, where I did my full makeup routine with the five top scorers. This meant setting down each one with powder to see how it meshed with other products, and layering on my everyday staples like blush and bronzer.
Beyond what the concealer looks like, we heavily weighted the shade range each concealer comes in. Concealers lost points for only coming in 10 shades. They also lost points if they came in 30 shades but only 5 were darker than light or medium. We also noted whether the shades had different undertones (warm, neutral, and cool) and how easy it was to shade-match yourself when buying online.
Credit: Reviewed
A panelist wears swatches of the L'Oreal (left), Tarte (center left), Too Faced (center right), and Covergirl (right) concealers.
Not everyone reading this will have my skin type or tone—normal-to-dry fair skin with neutral undertones. That’s why I enlisted four panelists who tried the top four concealers and answered questions about the following attributes:
Application: How easy was it to apply the concealer? How would you rate the comfort and functionality of the applicator?
Coverage: How many swipes or how much concealer did it take to fully conceal what you wanted to cover?
Wear: How does the concealer hold up when you go through your normal makeup routine? Did the concealer stay on and stay effective throughout the day? How comfortable was it to wear the concealer throughout the day?
Shade range: How would you rate the range of skin tones that this concealer comes in? Did the concealer shade you picked online match the shade that you received?
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
You can apply concealer using your fingers, a brush, or a sponge.
When looking for a concealer, keep in mind where and why you want to use it—under your eyes, on blemishes, to accentuate the high points of your face, or even all over your face like foundation—and how much coverage you want. If you’re like me and you want a concealer that looks great doing it all, you’ve come to the right place.
In my mind, the right concealer is versatile enough to blend smoothly over your under-eye area without settling into fine lines. It should also cover up a pimple without clinging to any dry patches around it. Regardless of how much coverage it offers, I want it to blend seamlessly for a natural finish. A great concealer looks equally amazing as a thin layer that lets your skin show through, or when creating a blank canvas for makeup.
Concealers come in two formula types. Liquid, is more common, and typically comes in a tube with a doe-foot applicator. Cream concealers are thicker and come in a pot for dabbing onto skin with a finger, or a sponge applicator or brush. (You can use those with liquid, too).
You tend to get more coverage and faster application with a liquid concealer. However, a cream is great for lighter coverage. You can build it up with each dab, instead of having to swipe it on and quickly blend before it dries.
You can find color-correcting concealers in both cream and liquid forms. These come in colors like green, yellow, and pink, depending on what you want to correct. We opted not to test these, as they are usually layered before your foundation or flesh-toned concealer anyway.
The Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiant Cream Concealer (available at Target) clung to dry patches that I didn’t know I had and only looked decent on my skin from far away.
The Wet n Wild Photo Focus Concealer (available at Target) has an incredibly limited shade range of just 14, majority being light colors. The applicator felt dry on the skin and didn’t hold a lot of product.
The Milani Cosmetics Conceal + Perfect Longwear Concealer (available at Target) looked dry on my skin, clung to patches as I tried to blend it out, and faded away throughout the day.
The Maybelline Fit Me Concealer (available at Target) offers light to medium coverage that looks fine on the skin, but has a scarce shade range of just 18. Still, I liked the Fit Me better than their Instant Age Eraser.
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser (available at Target) comes in a tube with a sponge-tipped applicator. That makes application messier and seemingly less hygienic.
The Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Flawless Wear Concealer (available at Sephora) was not a standout in any of our tests. It faded throughout the day, took a little more concealer to cover everything, and has an unimpressive shade range of 22.
Both the E.L.F. Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer (available at Target) and the E.L.F. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer (available at Target) felt heavy and looked dry on my skin, though the Hydrating Camo was a tad better.
The Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Concealer (available at Sephora) creased right away and settled into all of my fine lines—hardly “flawless.”
The MAC Cosmetics Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer (available at MAC Cosmetics) has light coverage that settled into fine lines and wears off within hours.
The RMS Beauty Un Cover-Up Concealer (available at Sephora) certainly was lightweight (as promised), but that meant it didn’t cover anything despite multiple layers. It was also too emollient to stay in place.
Ahead, the best concealers for every skin type and tone.
So, to put together a shortlist of the best concealers available, we conducted hours of research. This was partly conducted in our beauty lab where we tested a selection of our favorites on their coverage, staying power, and texture in addition to how much (or little) they creased throughout the day. We also considered their finish, range of shades, color correction, and ease of application. You’ll also find top picks and recommendations from makeup pros and beauty editors, alongside products that have received hundreds and hundreds of five-star online reviews.
Concealer can also be used as a cream highlighter on the bridge of your nose, lower forehead, brow bone, cupid's bow, upper cheekbones, or chin. Celebrity makeup artist Erika La' Pearl explains, "You want a concealer to give the skin a bit of brightness while eliminating any dark circles, concealing redness, and covering up any dullness on the face."
When it comes to creating a fresh, wide-awake look, concealer is essential. Designed to be applied after foundation and before setting powder, its number one job is to cover under-eye circles, pimples, dark spots, and scars. But masking blemishes is far from the only thing concealer does.
What to Look For
Best Overall
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
Sephora
View On Sephora
$15
View On Ulta
$32
View On Nordstrom
$13
What We Like
Diffuses light
Long-wear formula doesn't crease
Easy application
Mini size available
What We Don’t Like
Can be a little drying on more mature skin
Read Full Review: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer Review
While there are many stellar options on the market, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer is a reigning champion. Dubbed the best by makeup artists and beauty fanatics alike, the award-winning formula does everything from contouring and highlighting to color-correcting.
"Not only does it give your skin a natural and soft finish," says former Byrdie Editorial Director Faith Xue, "but it's also the easiest product to use with any beauty tool of your choice—fingertips included."
Thanks to skin-loving botanicals, a tone-balancing mineral powder, and tiny light diffusers, this all-star concealer does an amazing job covering dark circles, correcting redness, and hiding blemishes for up to 16 hours. We also like that it comes in a mini size. Some testers do note, however, that it can be a little too drying on more mature skin.
Key Ingredients: Botanical blend, mineral powder | Shades: 30 shades | Cruelty-Free: No
Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
What Our Testers Say
"Everything I wanted to be covered was covered. I noticed my skin looked glowier, which is a nod to the radiant aspect of the formula. The concealer held up all day and didn’t crease on me." — Ashley Rebecca, Product Tester
Best Budget
NYX Professional Makeup HD Photogenic Concealer
Amazon
View On Amazon
$7
View On Ulta
$6
View On Target
$5
What We Like
Budget-friendly
Emollient-rich
Color-correcting shades
What We Don’t Like
May sting eyes
Some people say NYX HD Studio is a budget-friendly dupe for Nars, and we're here for it. The medium-coverage, emollient-rich formula comes in 22 shades, including a few color-correctors, like neutralizing pastel green and skin-boosting shimmery lavender.
During testing in our lab, we found that the texture was super lightweight (with the consistency of water) which made it good for applying in light layers. It also covered dark marks well and didn’t look cakey or crease – even when coverage was built up. We found that the color correctors within this range also worked best with a concealer on top rather than applied on their own.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, silica, aloe | Shades: 22 shades | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Drugstore
Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer
Amazon
View On Ulta
$11
View On Target
$9
View On Walmart
$9
What We Like
Budget-friendly
Goji berry has youth-boosting properties
Fragrance-free
What We Don’t Like
Cap can get messy
Since its 2010 launch, Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Eraser has been a shining star in the drugstore aisle. We love its clickable pen and pillow-soft applicator sponge. Reviews note this reliable formula makes for an all-around winning concealer.
When conducting our own testing, we found this concealer creased very minimally. You should be able to eradicate this completely by applying it with a beauty blender or adding a fixing powder. Its creamy texture also lends itself well to drier skin types. Our only bugbear was the applicator sponge which we worry may get a little unhygienic over time. Ideally, we’d like it to be removable so it can be cleaned.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, goji berry | Shades: 17 shades | Cruelty-Free: No
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Best Splurge
Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer SPF 25
Clé de Peau Beauté
View On Amazon
$75
View On Walmart
$72
View On Nordstrom
$64
What We Like
Long-wear formula
Hydrating botanicals leave a cushiony finish
Anti-crease and caking formula
Contains SPF
What We Don’t Like
Expensive
Contains fragrance
Read Full Review: Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Corrector for Eyes Review
From the high-end beauty counter, we're big fans of Clé de Peau Beauté's concealer stick. The multi-tasking, long-wear formula boosts radiance and conceals while hydrating the skin and preventing photoaging with SPF 25. The texture is beyond soft for a cushiony finish that doesn't crack or dry out.
While it helps to cover up imperfections, it has skin-boosting benefits too. For instance, it helps the skin restore and protect itself against pollution, stress and dehydration while retaining all the benefits of sleep and hydration. Clever, right? The texture is beyond soft for a cushiony finish that doesn't crack or dry out. We don't love that it contains fragrance but if that doesn't bother you this is definitely a worthy contender.
Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, green tea extract, chestnut extract | Shades: 12 shades | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Crease-Free
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
Ulta
View on Ulta
View On Amazon
$28
View On Ulta
$32
What We Like
Long-wear formula contains licorice root to prevent creasing
Shea and mango butter add hydration
Waterproof
What We Don’t Like
Contains fragrance
It can be tough to achieve a totally crease-free finish, especially under the eyes, but Tarte Shape Tape is up for the task. Available in 25 shades, makeup artist Sophia Nawabi says she'd recommend this moisturizing waterproof concealer to people of all skin tones. Plus, she adds, "A little bit goes a long way," as the product is easy to manipulate with fingers for a smooth application.
It also contains shea and mango butter which gives it a hydrating finish on the skin. Best of all, it’s vegan, cruelty free and dermatologist tested. If you are sensitive to fragrance though, we’d advise doing a patch test before use.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, mango butter, licorice root | Shades: 35 colors | Cruelty-Free: No
Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
What Our Testers Say
“The biggest takeaway from wearing shape tape is how my skin looked lifted immediately after applying, and the fact I was able to use it to highlight my features, too, was a big win in my opinion.” — Ashley Rebecca, Product Tester
Best Long-Wear
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer
Amazon
View On Amazon
$11
View On Ulta
$15
View On Target
$12
What We Like
Budget-friendly
Long-wear formula contains silica and glycerin for a smooth finish
Waterproof
What We Don’t Like
Contains fragrance
Dries very quickly
When it comes to affordable long-wear makeup, L'Oréal's Infallible line is tough to beat. This waterproof concealer covers blemishes with ease and lasts for up to 24 hours. Just a heads up—it dries super fast, so make sure to blend it immediately.
During testing, we found its texture was super creamy and on the thicker side, but it dries super fast, so you need to blend it immediately. Once it’s applied though, we found it left our skin feeling very moisturized without creasing. It's another formula that contains fragrance which was one of our only gripes
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, silica, copolymers | Shades: 25 shades | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Waterproof
Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer
Neiman Marcus
View On Amazon
$39
View On Shopbop.com
View On Saks Fifth Avenue
$37
What We Like
Waterproof
Jojoba oil provides hydration
Long-wear formula
What We Don’t Like
Expensive
Can get cakey without primer
Read Full Review: Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer Review
With a formula that contains jojoba oil for hydration and honey to help calm inflamed skin, this Kevyn Aucoin concealer also boasts a blend of mineral oils to make it reliably waterproof. Nick Lujan, Education Director for Kevyn Aucoin Beauty explains this concealer is easy to manipulate and use in various ways. "I can apply it full-coverage or adjust the coverage by blending it with primer to make it sheer."
It can get a little cakey, so we recommend applying a primer first for best results.
Key Ingredients: Mineral oil, jojoba oil, honey | Shades: 16 shades | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Matte
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Concealer
Sephora
View On Sephora
$30
View On Ulta
$30
View On Walmart
$36
What We Like
Formula diffuses light for a soft matte finish
Glycerin attracts moisture to skin providing shine-free hydration
Sweat-resistant
What We Don’t Like
Contains alcohol
We stand behind Fenty Pro Filt'r for those who prefer a shine-free finish. We love how this formula uses glycerin to attract hydration in the skin without leaving behind a heavy, oily texture. In addition, the formula is sweat-resistant, offers full-coverage, and glides on smooth with a soft-focus matte finish. This concealer also comes in 50 different shades to suit all skin tones and undertones.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, centella asiatica (cica) | Shades: 50 shades | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Buildable
Glossier Stretch Concealer
Glossier
View On Sephora
$22
View On Glossier.com
$22
What We Like
Cocoa butter, beeswax, and jojoba add hydration
Dewy finish
Not dry or cakey
What We Don’t Like
Unhygienic container
From the brand known for its no-makeup makeup, Glossier's Stretch Concealer was designed for those averse to dry, creasy, cakey formulas. It contains beeswax, cocoa butter, and jojoba oil which make it easy to layer. The dewy finish adds dimension so you can build on coverage as needed. Our only complaint is that you have to put your finger inside the small tub to remove the product. We’d prefer a more hygienic application tool, or we’d advise using a Q-tip.
Key Ingredients: Beeswax, jojoba oil, cocoa butter | Shades: 12 shades | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Dry Skin
Catrice Cosmetics True Skin High Cover Concealer
Amazon
View On Amazon
$15
View On Catricecosmetics.com
$7
What We Like
Hyaluronic acid adds hydration to formula
Long-wear coverage
What We Don’t Like
Contains fragrance
Limited shade range
Folks with dry complexions should reach for Catrice's True Skin Concealer, which contains hyaluronic acid. Celebrity makeup artist Robert Sesnek explains hyaluronic acid "helps the formula maintain its moisture levels, making the concealer feel like a second skin." It contains a touch of fragrance so be careful if your skin is particularly sensitive. We’d also like a wider shade range.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid | Shades: 15 shades | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Best for Blemishes
Almay Clear Complexion Concealer
Amazon
View On Amazon
$7
View On Target
$8
View On Walmart
$8
What We Like
Salicylic acid helps clear pimples
Aloe helps reduce redness
Budget-friendly
What We Don’t Like
Limited shade range
Almay Clear Complexion has your back in the battle against breakouts. Not only does this clever concealer cover blemishes, but thanks to salicylic acid and aloe, it also helps clear them while soothing irritation. It gets extra points for being budget friendly but it has a limited shade range that could be improved.
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, aloe, talc | Shades: 6 shades | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best K-Beauty
MISSHA M Magic Cushion
Amazon
View On Amazon
$14
View On Walmart
$26
View On Misshaus.com
What We Like
Witch hazel and niacinamide offer excellent hydrating benefits
Contains SPF 50
Affordable
What We Don’t Like
Limited shade range
Contains fragrance
Korean cosmetics companies are known for a skincare-first approach to makeup. With this in mind, Missha's Magic Cushion not only covers and conceals but also hydrates and smooths while enhancing your complexion and protecting it with SPF 50. The inclusion of niacinamide in the formula dials up the hydration, while also protecting the skin barrier and providing a soft, cushiony finish. If we were to be picky, we’d prefer that it didn’t contain fragrance and came in a wider shade range.
Key Ingredients: Bamboo water, witch hazel, niacinamide | Shades: 4 shades | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Shade Range
Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Concealer
Sephora
View On Sephora
$34
View On Ulta
$34
View On Ulta
$34
What We Like
Diverse shade range
Hyaluronic acid and ceramides add hydration
Formula diffuses light
What We Don’t Like
Expensive
The best range of shades isn't necessarily the most shades. What we appreciate about Pat McGrath's Sublime Perfection is that the colors reflect a diverse range of skin tones. A mainstay of celebrity makeup artists, this ultra-smooth concealer covers, boosts radiance, blurs, and diffuses light with a radiant matte finish. It is an expensive purchase but if you can find your true shade, we think it’s worthy of the investment.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides | Shades: 36 shades | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Highlighting/Contouring
Beauty Bakerie Instabake 3 in 1 Concealer
Ulta
View On Flannels.com
View On Beautybakerie.com
What We Like
Silica creates a blurring effect
Botanical extracts add hydration
Diverse shade range
What We Don’t Like
Small amount
Beauty Bakerie offers incredible products for shaping and contouring in shades for every skin tone. Their concealer matches a range of contour colors and highlight hues, while its texture-blurring formula makes it easy to add dimension. The bottle is a little on the small side, but testers say that you only need a small amount of product – a little goes a long way.
Key Ingredients: Silica, talc, cassava extract | Shades: 18 shades | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Pen
YSL Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Concealer Pen
Amazon
View On Amazon
$35
View On Sephora
$40
View On Nordstrom
$34
What We Like
Light-reflecting pigments
Hyaluronic acid and vitamin E add hydration
Sheer finish
What We Don’t Like
You can’t tell when the product is about to run out.
Read Full Review: YSL Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Concealer Pen Review
Launching in 1992 as one of the first color-correcting products with light-reflecting pigments, YSL Touche Éclat has been a fan favorite for nearly three decades. A couple of clicks from this sheer hydrating concealer pen allows for precise and easy application. Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E add hydration to the formula which makes blending a cinch. One frustration with this product is that it’s hard to tell when the product is about to run out, so it’s a good idea to have a spare on standby.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E | Shades: 14 shades | Cruelty-Free: No
Byrdie / Alexa Garcia
Best Stick
Dermablend Quick-Fix Concealer Stick
Amazon
View On Amazon
$28
View On Ulta
$28
View On Dermstore
$28
What We Like
Easy to blend
Natural finish
Long-wear formula
What We Don’t Like
Limited shade range
Not ideal for highlighting
Containing high-performance pigments, Dermablend Quick Fix is a portable, full-coverage concealer designed to cover pimples, birthmarks, dark circles, and sun spots in one swipe. The formula is packed with hydrating ingredients including allantoin and beeswax for easy blendability and it’s also dermatologist approved. It’s worth noting that this has quite a matte finish so it’s not ideal for highlighting areas of the face.
Key Ingredients: Beeswax, kaolin, allantoin | Shades: 8 shades | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best No-Makeup Coverage
Merit The Minimalist
Sephora
View On Sephora
$38
View On Meritbeauty.com
View On Kohls.com
$38
What We Like
Sea daffodil extract helps diminish the appearance of dark spots
Fatty acids help condition skin
Sheer coverage provides a natural look
What We Don't Like
Coverage isn't as long lasting as other formulas
The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick is an ideal light to medium coverage option, providing breathable coverage for a no-makeup look. The formula is made with a blend of fatty acids to lock in skin moisture without triggering acne. Sea daffodil extract helps diminish the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation to heal skin while providing coverage. This isn’t as long-lasting as other concealers in our round-up and provides more of a natural, sheer look.
Key Ingredients: Sea daffodil extract, fatty acids | Shades: 20 shades | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Melanin Rich Skin
Ami Colé Skin-Enhancing Concealer
Thirteen Lune
View On Sephora
$24
View On Amicole.com
$24
View On Thirteenlune.com
$24
What We Like
Baobab seed extract and pumpkin seed extract nourish and hydrate skin
Formula designed to cover hyper pigmentation
Satin finish
What We Don't Like
Some reviewers note product may cling to dry patches
A cult botanical favorite, Ami Colé is a brand to obsess over. The concealer, designed as an evolution of the brand's beloved Skin-Enhancing Tint, offers medium, buildable coverage in 12 shades designed specifically to match undertones in melanin-rich skin. Active naturals like baobab seed extract, pumpkin seed extract, and hibiscus extract add hydration to the formula for a buttery-smooth application and satin finish. Just be mindful if you have patchy, dry skin as some testers found it did cling to those areas.
Key Ingredients: Baobab seed extract, pumpkin seed extract | Shades: 12 shades | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Longwear
Rimmel London Stay Matte Concealer
Amazon
View On Amazon
$5
View On Walmart
$5
View On Walgreens
$2
What We Like
No creasing
Covers dark circles and blemishes easily
Fresh, clean finish on the skin
What We Don't Like
Color/ shade not visible on the packaging
Rimmel London’s Stay Matte concealer offers plenty of bang for its very affordable buck. When testing in our lab, we found that it covers dark under eyes and blemishes flawlessly while refreshing the eye area and leaving a fresh, clean finish. It also stays in place throughout the day, leaving very little creasing. Our only complaint is that the packaging doesn’t clearly display the shade of the concealer, and no one likes to play a guessing game in the drugstore.
Key Ingredients: N/A| Shades: 9 shades | Cruelty-Free: No
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Best Full Coverage
CoverGirl TruBlend Undercover Concealer
Amazon
View On Amazon
$6
View On Ulta
$13
View On Walmart
$9
What We Like
Makes dark circles instantly disappear
Evens out redness
Doesn’t crease even without setting powder
What We Don't Like
The packaging is a bit gaudy
When testing, we chose COVERGIRL’s TruBlend matte concealer as our best full-coverage option as it stayed put all day, even without setting powder. We were so impressed by how it made our dark circles instantly disappear with just a couple of dots of product, while still looking natural and light on the skin. It’s equally brilliant at creating a more even skin tone if you have redness on your cheeks and chin. If we were to quibble, the packaging is a bit gaudy but if you ignore that, it’s a total no brainer.
Key Ingredients: N/A| Shades: 30 shades | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Tamara Staples
Best for Dark Skin Tones
Black Opal Brightening Concealer
Ulta
View On Amazon
$10
View On Ulta
$11
View On Target
$11
What We Like
It has a peach undertone that’s great at covering discoloration
No creasing, transfer, and lasts well throughout the day
What We Don't Like
We’d like a better selection of medium shades
This brightening concealer was our top choice for darker skin tones and during testing we found that it did an excellent job at covering discoloration, due to its peach undertone. Our tester also found that it was great at concealing hyperpigmentation and spots, lasting throughout the day without creasing or transferring onto clothes. It has a slightly chalky texture, however, so a touch of lightweight eye cream would have helped to create a more dewy finish. We’d also like a wider selection of medium shades.
Key Ingredients: N/A | Shades: 12 shades | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Jhett Thompson
Byrdie / Tamara Staples