Hide dark under-eye circles and cover blemishes with our favourite concealers, designed to combat all manner of imperfections
Whether you need to disguise pesky dark under-eye circles or hide the mother of all blemishes, the best concealer is an absolute must for your make-up bag.
Rest assured that there’s a concealer out there to mimick eight hours’ of sleep, cover up breakouts or disguise redness, whatever your budget. So, what do you need to look for on the great concealer shop to ensure you get the right match?
‘Not all concealers are made equal and not all concealers will do everything,’ MAC Senior Artist and Glow Up judge Dominic Skinner explains. ‘Concealer is like a pair of shoes; you need different ones for different occasions. When choosing a concealer you need to ask yourself “what is it for?” and “where is it going?”. This will help you find your way through the forest of options.
‘For under-eyes you need something that will set, like the MAC ProLongwear Concealer. This will mean it won’t sit in the fine lines and won’t start lifting your mascara – causing panda eyes at the end of the night. You might also need a shade that’s more pink or coral than your skin tone as this will help to banish those dark circles.
‘To conceal blemishes you need to go for a concealer that has a more creamy texture,’ Dominic continues. ‘This will prevent the dry skin from around the blemish to crack and peel during the day. It’s best to go for a concealer that is closest to your skin tone and I find that applying with fingers in a tapping motion works the best to camouflage the blemish completely.
‘For pigmentation and uneven skin tone, I recommend a liquid concealer as you can build up the coverage to a flawless finish. Plus, you can mix it into your regular liquid foundation to give it that extra red carpet finish. MAC’s Studio Fix 24 Hour Smoothwear Concealer is amazing, and a fashion week and award season staple in my kit.’
With all that in mind, let’s dive in to the best concealer buys on the market right now.
Best under eye concealer
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage, £30, Cult Beauty
Under-eye concealers are the best way to combat dark circles and disguise any signs of late nights or early mornings. The best concealer for this delicate area will be feather-light but durable enough to combat shadows and conceal those pesky lines. While on the hunt for a new concealer, look for products that are packed with moisturising properties. A truly indulgent formula will have vitamin A and D infusions to help fight the effects of dryness and encourage elasticity. An industry favourite, Laura Mercier’s Secret Camoflauge completely hides dark circles and blemishes. The two different shades allow you to create your own custom shade and thus the perfect coverage.
Best concealer for dark circles
Buy now
Technically a corrector, we know, but the power of this little cream pot is a firm favourite of so many in the office that we had to give it a mention. Colour matched to your skin tone as a concealer would be, the pink or peach formula perfectly neutralises any dark under-eye circles. The result? Seriously awake-looking eyes. It’s no wonder the brand calls it one of their ‘secrets of the universe’. Check out our before and after pictures if you don’t believe us, and follow with Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Concealer Kit to disguise the bisque or peach neutralising hues.
Best drugstore concealer
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, £4.19, Boots
Super popular because of its lower price point, Collection’s concealer has had endless positive reviews from customers, beauty bloggers and editors alike. Considering its affordable price tag, it’s thick and covers spots and dark circles well, plus there’s a lot in the tube for just four quid. Resist the temptation to dab the doe’s foot applicator directly on to your face; instead, pop a little onto a clean finger, press into the blemish and blend slightly using a brush if you prefer.
Best concealer for dry skin
Glossier Stretch Concealer, £15, glossier.com
Dry skin works well with most types of concealer, but the more nourishing the better as it won’t cake or cling to dry patches, making them more noticeable. Glossier’s Stretch Concealer ticks that exact box, with a creamy formula that has a glowy finish. It’s a brilliant, buildable concealer that’s particularly great for brightening the under-eye area.
Best concealer for acne
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer, £19.50, Lookfantastic
Much like the best under eye concealer, this offering from MAC will even out your skin tone while covering any blemishes or redness. The only difference? You don’t want the brightening effect when disguising a pesky spot as you’ll only draw more attention to it. When you’re aiming to hide redness or blemishes, you don’t want to attract attention to the area. MAC’s Pro Longwear Concealer is super lightweight and applies easily to any angry, raised areas easily before sinking into the skin. Use a pointed concealer brush to ‘erase’ any blemishes, before using the warmth of your (clean) fingers to gently blend the edges for subtle spot coverage.
Best concealer for spots
Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer, £38, Cult Beauty
There’s no shame in spots; we all get them from time to time and they’re just part and parcel of life. But equally, it’s understandable if getting a giant, angry one makes you feel a bit self-conscious. Only a small speck of Kevyn Aucoin’s Sensual Skin Finish is needed to cover up all manner of blemishes, and it can also be mixed with a little moisturiser to be worn as foundation. It’s seriously versatile, and a cult classic for a reason.
Best concealer for oily skin
NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer, £24, Cult Beauty
Once you’ve found the best foundation for oily skin, your next port of call should be the right concealer to go with it. Oily skin types may think they need to avoid thicker cream or stick formulas, but there are some great new cream concealers on the market that can help you stay free from shine all day long. NARS’ oil-free formula is every oily skin’s dream with seriously magic coverage and staying power. The soft-focus finish blurs skin, lasts for hours without creasing or caking, plus the inclusion of peptides, vitamins A, C & E, and hyaluronic acid mean your skin gets a treat, too.
Best concealer for dark skin
LA Girl PRO.conceal High Definition Concealer, £3.50, Beauty Bay
While it’s important to prioritise a formula that sits comfortably on your skin, blurs imperfections and does all the other tricks, those with darker skin need to pay careful attention to the actual pigment of the concealer; avoid anything that looks greyish, reddish or ashy and make sure it doesn’t oxidise or go lighter or darker throughout the day. LA Girl’s Pro.conceal works all over for blemishes, dark circles and fine lines, but we’re mostly impressed by the serious range of shades on offer. There really is something for everyone, and for just a fiver it’s a steal.
Best concealer brush
Although some people prefer to use the ‘wand’ or tip of their concealer, a brush is recommended in order to ensure that you make the most of the product and get a nice, even finish with equal coverage. Size-wise, we suggest something like Bobbi Brown’s Concealer Brush, or the classic MAC 195 Concealer Brush. Alternatively, pat concealer into the under eye area with your ring finger – it’ll fit perfectly into the inner corner of your eye socket and under the lash line.
Our pick of the best under-eye concealers will help you achieve that flawless look, no matter what kind of night you had. Shop more of our favourite concealers below.
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