Over the years, I’ve been on a mission to find the best concealer for every purpose – be it for brightening, spot-concealing or colour-correcting purposes. My findings? It’s far from a straightforward process.
Similar to other makeup staples, concealers range from formulas that are full-blown high coverage to those with a more skin-like and sheer finish. Then, there are those that come in pot form that are great for spot-concealing blemishes and imperfections, while others feature all sorts of doe foot applicators for seamless application.
Yes, thankfully, concealers have come a long way from those crease-prone and cake-y formulas that we used to apply in the most questionable areas of our face (let’s leave concealer lips in the past, where they belong). Today, we’re met with skincare-infused formulas that seamlessly melt into our skin, giving us that blurred under-eye look without drawing attention to any creasing. As a bonus, you can even take advantage of TikTok beauty hacks to give your face a fresh and lifted look using strategic placement of the product.
Regardless, there’s plenty of formulas to choose from, and we’ll help you narrow down your top picks. Below, we’ve included a mix of budget-friendly options, cult favourites, and trending bits – as well as a healthy dose of new launches. To give you a little guidance on what might work best for you, we’ve also quizzed Bobbi Brown Senior Pro Artists Amy Conway and Zara Findley on everything you need to know about concealers, including the best pro-tips on how to best apply them.
SKIP TO: Can you wear concealer by itself? | What is the best way to apply concealer? | Should you apply concealer or foundation first? | Which concealer is best for blemishes? | What’s the best concealer for dark circles under eyes? | How to choose a concealer shade?
Meet the experts:
Best concealers at a glance 2024 – our top picks:
- Best concealer overall: Bobbi Brown Skin Full Cover Concealer, £29, LookFantastic
- Best concealer with a matte finish: tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer, £27, Sephora
- Best liquid concealer: Huda Beauty #FAUXFILTER Luminous Matte Liquid Concealer, £26, Huda Beauty
- Best concealer for dark circles: NYX Professional Makeup HD Photogenic Concealer Wand, £6, Boots
Can you wear concealer by itself?
“Concealer by itself is a great way to lighten the eye, and this is perfect for everyday natural makeup,” advises Amy. “For the ultimate brightness, opt for a corrector underneath to banish any darkness first, as this will give a flawless under-eye lift.” Browse these concealer brushes for the best application.
What is the best way to apply concealer?
“It’s best to apply concealer only where you need it,” says Amy. Apply a dot of it in the inner corner of the under eye (close to your nose, which often has shadows). “Then using your finger blend that out to the outer corner of the eye for a sheerer finish. This will give the most lift without applying it too heavily where you don’t need it,” she says. Elsewhere, make a judgement call. It often helps to add a touch around your nostrils (an area that often gets missed) and dot a small amount over blemishes and breakouts as and when they crop up.
Our edit of the best concealers, tried & tested:
Best concealer for puffy under-eyes
Kosas Revealer Super Creamy and Brightening Concealer
- Coverage: medium.
- Finish: skin-like.
Why we love it: Adored by Hailey Bieber, this medium-coverage concealer is ideal for everyday wear, thanks to its lightweight feel and the natural, non-creasing finish. I loved the skincare-infused formula that features caffeine, algea, hyaluronic acid and peptides. This concealer is unmatched when it comes to brightening and smoothing out my under-eyes as well as reducing puffiness. Definitely worth the hype.
Save ££ when shopping for best concealers using these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best concealer for under-eye circles
Bobbi Brown Skin Full Cover Concealer
Why we love it: The Bobbi Brown Skin Full Cover Concealer combines high coverage with a lightweight feel. It’s long-lasting, too, with a staying power of up to 16 hours. And don’t even get us started on how great it is at covering up dark circles and imperfections without appearing cake-y. A favourite among makeup artists. We even tested it ourselves on 5 different skin tones and loved the results. A must.
Make sure to bookmark these LookFantastic discount codes.
Discussion about this post