To know me is to know that I am obsessed with concealer. As someone with a shadowy undereye, and often experiencing some sort of hyperpigmentation, finding the best concealer was honestly my first entrance into makeup. A fluffy lash, a statement lip, a perfectly-etched eyeliner didn’t really matter to me if my skin didn’t look perfect.
As someone with literal skin in the game, I’m pretty confident I’ve tried them all in some capacity. Over the years, though, I’ve come to realise that there is not a universally-great concealer. What I might loathe for full glam, a no-makeup makeup girlie will appreciate. What I find too heavy on my oily-skewing skin, those with dryness might appreciate for its richness. Having such a robust array of concealers at our fingertips means that there is genuinely something out there for everyone, every concern, and let’s face it—every budget.
When I asked pro makeup artist Min Sandhu how to choose a concealer, she walked me through her approach. “The first question to ask [yourself] is the level of coverage you require,” she says. You might be automatically drawn to light or full coverage, but if you don’t, “perhaps ask yourself what kinda makeup gal you are? Is your look more natural or more glamorous? And perhaps the concealer you wear will differ for different occasions.” Next, determine if you’ll need a colour corrector. “This will impact the undertones of the colour you choose. You may also wish to ask yourself whether you care about the ingredients used in your products? Do you require something non-toxic? Vegan or cruelty-free?” Thinking through these questions will leave you with a few options to choose from; and from there, read the reviews and head to your local makeup counter for a sample. Her biggest recommendation? “Try before you buy!”
Fortunately, I (along with my fellow Vogue editors and a couple celebrity makeup artists) have tried the bestsellers for you. Together, we have tested some of the concealers on the market to curate this list of the very best. Shop our picks below.
Best for Undereye Circles: Kosas Revealer Concealer
- Why We Love It: I could probably count on one hand the number of people I’ve met who didn’t like the Kosas Revealer concealer. This crowd-favourite’s appeal lies in its dreamy, serum-y formula that applies to skin like your favourite lightweight moisturiser. “It’s clean and great for those who want more of a natural lighter finish under the eyes,” says Sandhu. “My fave thing about this product is the texture—gives a youthful glow and there is no sitting in creases.” The coverage here is medium, so it’s great for not just brightening the undereye, but spot concealing blemishes and dark spots, too.
- Key Ingredients: Caffeine, pink algae, arnica, vitamin B5, peptides, hyaluronic acid
- Finish: Radiant
- Coverage: Medium
- Shades: 38
- Formulation: Serum
- Size: 5.3mL / .18 oz
Best Medium Coverage: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
- Why We Love It: Celebrity makeup artist Dillon Pena describes NARS’s Radiant Creamy Concealer as “a classic for medium-to-full coverage.” It’s one of those formulas that really never gets old, and is sure to impress wearers of all skin types. A botanical blend helps hydrate and counteract redness, while a mix of light-diffusing and balancing powders correct discolouration and visibly smooth fine lines so skin appears more firm and even. NARS also wins here with its shade range that covers a good variety of tones and undertones. As per Pena, “the ‘vanilla’ shade is a staple in every makeup artist's kit.”
- Key Ingredients: Magnolia bark extract, grape seed extract, vitamin E, light-diffusing mineral powder, mineral-tone balancing powder
- Finish: Radiant
- Coverage: Medium
- Shades: 30
- Formulation: Cream
- Size: 0.22 oz / 6 mL
Best Drugstore: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer
- Why We Love It: Pena and I agree that Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind Eraser is “the best drugstore concealer, offering good coverage and a smooth finish.” Boasting a creamy, almost serum-like texture, this offers a surprising medium coverage against dark spots, dark circles, and various other complexion qualms. I find that this blends well with a brush or sponge, and layers well with other products in your regimen making it an excellent drugstore pickup-makeup bag essential.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium
- Formulation: Liquid
- Shades: 16
- Size: 0.2 fl oz
Best for Mature Skin: Chanel Sublimage Le Correcteur Yeux
- Why We Love It: When we asked celebrity makeup artist Autumn Moultrie to weigh in on the best concealers for mature skin, she cited Chanel Sublimage Le Correcteur Yeux. To be more specific, she described it as “luminous, radiant, lightweight, [with] buildable coverage” and we couldn't agree more. I’ll be honest—I was shocked at how much I liked it. This is seriously like a tinted eye cream. Rich is a great way to describe the texture—packed with agents like vanilla planifolia fruit water and glycerin to hydrate, while light reflecting particles help illuminate the undereye. A little bit goes a long way—a few dots of product is truly all you need.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, vanilla planifolia fruit water
- Finish: Radiant
- Coverage: Medium
- Shades: 10
- Formulation: Cream
- Size: 0.35 oz
Best Stick: Merit The Minimalist
Photo: Merit Beauty
- Why We Love It: The allure of Merit’s The Minimalist is that it’s a foundation-concealer-whatever-you-want-it-to-be kind of product—rooted in the brand’s streamlined beauty routine philosophy. The flesh-toned stick can be swiped across the face for all over evening, or used to spot conceal various areas of the skin. A lighter shade, on the other hand, could be used as an undereye concealer, while a shade or two darker could serve as an excellent contour. And while many sticks can be a pain to blend, this does so with ease—buffing out in seconds to reveal a natural, skin-like finish.
- Key Ingredients: Fatty acids, sea daffodil extract
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium
- Formulation: Stick
- Shades: 30
- Size: .23 oz / 6.5 g
Best Skin-Like Finish: Saie Slip Tint Concealer
- Why We Love It: Saie’s second concealer, Slip Tint, has left a lasting impression on Vogue editors and pro makeup artists alike. Pena describes it as “lightweight and easy to blend, perfect for a fresh, natural look.” The formula itself has a creaminess you’re sure to enjoy—great for dry skin types, but because it leaves a natural finish, it’s not too heavy for the oily and combination wearers. Inside is a blend of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and plant-derived glycerin to treat skin while concealing in typical Saie fashion. Plus, it wears well with minimal creasing throughout the day.
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, glycerin
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium
- Shades: 25
- Formulation: Cream
- Size: 5 mL / 0.17 Fl oz
Best Full Coverage: Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Concealer
- Why We Love It: When you think of a full coverage concealer, you might imagine cakiness and dryness—so of course, Pat McGrath flips that notion on its head with her Sublime Perfection Concealer. A favorite of both Sandhu and celebrity makeup artist Dalila Bone, this has a liquid concealer texture that blends down into a natural, skin-like—almost airbrushed—finish that’s crease-resistant. Inside is a Vita Serum Complex rich in hyaluronic acid and serumides, plus light-diffusing pigments which deliver that subtle blur to the skin.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides,
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Full
- Shades: 36
- Formulation: Cream
- Size: 0.16 fl oz /4.7 mL
What is a concealer?
“Concealer is a makeup product that hides dark circles, blemishes, redness, and uneven skin tone, creating a smooth and flawless finish,” says Pena. All similar in their objective to cover up and even the skin, the best options vary in their finish, coverage, texture, and overall compositions.
What are the qualities of a good concealer?
- Finish: “Choose between matte, dewy, or satin finishes depending on your skin type and desired look,” Pena says. Someone with dry skin hoping to achieve a natural radiance might prefer a dewy finish; whereas, someone headed to a red carpet or photoshoot might appreciate a matte finish that blurs the look of pores and counteracts excess oils. A satin finish, on the other hand, is often thought of as the middle ground between dewy and matte.
- Coverage: The makeup look you’re going for determines what level of coverage you should apply. Here’s how Pena breaks it down: “Light for a natural look, medium for everyday imperfections, and full coverage for intense correction, like concealing highly pigmented blemishes.” Those who do their makeup often might want to have concealers of various coverage options on hand, while, those interested in something just for daily wear can generally rely on something with light-to-medium coverage.
- Shade Range: The true test of inclusivity in a concealer is its shade range—a measure of options to suit fair to deep skin tones, also taking into consideration of undertones: olive, neutral, and golden.
- Formulation: In choosing your concealer, texture is of the utmost importance. “Lightweight serum concealers are ideal for hydration and flexibility, while creamy or stick options provide fuller coverage and longer wear,” Pena notes.
- Ingredients: In an era of skincare-makeup hybrids, many of our favourite concealers are packed with skin-nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides that help improve skin’s moisture levels, texture, and tone.
How to Apply Concealer
“I love using an eye cream to start,” says Sandhu. “This keeps under the eyes well hydrated, ensuring the concealer doesn’t sit or attach to any dry areas.The concealer also melds really nicely in with the eye cream making it easier to buff out.” Swipe the concealer where you want it—she goes along the undereye and around the nose—then choose your preferred blending method. Sandhu prefers to blend with her fingers: “I find that this gives me the most natural skin-like finish with little product waste and coverage,” she says. Bone, however, likes to apply with a makeup brush first, then a beauty blender. Once all harsh edges are properly blended, it’s time to set the concealer in place. “Use a lightweight powder to lock the product in place and prevent creasing,” Pena concludes.
How to Determine What Shade of Concealer to Use
The area you’re treating determines the shade of concealer you’ll use. For blemishes or pigmentation around the face, Pena recommends matching your skin tone exactly to seamlessly conceal imperfections. Just be sure to match your undertones, too. “If you prefer a natural look, use a concealer that matches your skin tone or is one shade lighter,” he says. “For a more dramatic brightened effect, choose a concealer two shades lighter.”
Meet The Experts
- Dalila Bone is a celebrity makeup artist who often works with Precious Lee, Yvonne Orji, and Gabrielle Union.
- Min Sandhu is a pro makeup, hair, and nail artist who specialises in editorial and campaign glam.
Article originally published on vogue.us
