I am telling you, as a beauty editor with tenacious dark circles I consider the best concealer to be the most essential make-up product. Whilst I wouldn't leave the house without mascara - the dead mole look is never chic - and consider blusher to be the making of a face, concealer is the one product that I would request on a desert island. Yes, even in place of sun cream. Sue me.
Why? Well because it has the power to transform the face - it camouflages the bits you want hidden, applied in the right place and it can sculpt and give definition where there is none and it adds light where there is only darkness. What a multitasker, eh?
As a parent of two small children in my mid-30s (ok, mid-to-late) I need a concealer that brightens my under eyes, evens out areas of pigmentation and works seamlessly with my dry skin. I have found the perfect concealer in Lancôme's Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Concealer. It's so good that I can easily forgo using any other base product.
So whether you want to disguise pesky dark under-eye circles, hide the mother of all blemishes or even out discolouration, the best concealers are truly the unsung heroes of the make-up bag. Rest assured there's one for you, regardless of your budget.
"Not all concealers are made equal and not all of them will do everything," MAC's Director of Make-up Artistry Dominic Skinner tells me. "Concealers are like pairs of shoes; you need different ones for different occasions. When choosing one 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."
Best concealers 2024 at a glance:
- Best concealer for dark circles: Sculpted By Aimee Brighten Up Under Eye Liquid Concealer | £15 at Amazon
- Best concealer for spots: NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer | £27 at Sephora
- Best affordable concealer: Maybelline Instant Anti Age Eraser Concealer | £5.98 at Amazon (was £9.99)
- Best full coverage concealer: Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer | £35 at Sephora
- Best concealer for brightening: Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer | £27 at Sephora
- Best does-it-all concealer: Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Concealer | £29 at Sephora
Finding the best concealer for dark circles
"For under-eyes you need something that will set, like the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer. This means it won’t sit in fine lines and won’t start lifting your mascara – which is what causes panda eyes at the end of the night," Dominic explains.
"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." Of course, the best eye cream can also help to improve the look of dark circles and bags as well as provide a good base for your concealer of choice.
Something to note is that dark circles under the eyes are very often hereditary, so you're not going to get rid of them completely. However, Zoë Taylor, a make-up artist, suggests facial massage before applying your concealer. "Lazy lymphatic drainage can really emphasise the problem," she explains. "Facial exercises are a huge part of any skincare routine, but don’t underestimate how much this can help with lymphatic drainage."
She also says that "using one under the eyes is all about the light layering of products." She recommends colour correcting, then applying your foundation, before topping with your concealer. Make sure to blend each one into the skin with a very soft, fluffy brush.
And her final tip? Highlighter. "Applied with the tip of my finger and patted into the outer corners of my under eye, this is a great distraction from any of the fine lines in this area too."
Choosing the best concealer for acne and blemishes
"To conceal blemishes you need to go for one that has a more creamy texture," Dominic continues. "This will prevent the dry skin around the blemish to crack and peel during the day. It’s best to go for one 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 skin pigmentation and uneven skin tone, I recommend a liquid one 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."
17 of the best concealers to buy now
Such is my devotion to concealers that I road test every one that lands on my desk - we're talking hundreds (and hundreds) of concealers over the years - including the following. Here I round up the best concealers on the market (with a little help from the Marie Claire team. We pay close attention to everything from application, texture and finish to shade range, coverage and price. (If you want to find out more about how the editorial team test products, take a look at our guide here.)
Let's find you your newest concealer...
1. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Concealer
If you don't like to wear foundation, but feel like you need extra coverage on some days then say hello to this concealer. Not only can you apply it under your eyes and onto blemishes, but you can also apply it all over the face, which makes it a good option if you suffer from redness. It's hydrating
Katie says: "This is hands down one of the best concealers I've ever used. It hides my dark circles and camouflages spots. It gives a great amount of coverage, but it can be built up if you need to. It's lightweight, doesn't crease and it's hydrating. It's so good that I really do use it all over the face as a healthy-looking base. The brand launched an extension to this concealer - the Natural Skin-Glow Serum Concealer - which is great for brightening, but if it's traditional concealing that you're after then the original is best."
2. Maybelline Instant Anti Age Eraser Concealer
There's a reason why this often takes the spot as Britain's number one concealer. Just as it says on the tube, it satisfyingly erases dark circles, blemishes and any dark spots. The sponge applicator means that you can never apply too much, which also helps to make it perfectly buildable too.
Katie says: "I keep one of these concealers in pretty much every washbag and handbag, that's how affordable AND brilliant it is. It means that I'm always prepared for any on-the-go touch ups. The sponge applicator is brilliant for diffusing the product, just be sure not to use too much product."
3. Glossier Stretch Concealer
Glossier's Stretch Concealer is a creamy formula that has a glowy finish. It's a brilliant, buildable concealer that's particularly great for brightening the under-eye area. As it's so lightweight it's not great for covering angry spots - look for one with more coverage for blemishes.
Katie says: "At first I didn't think I was going to get on with this concealer as it seemed almost too lightweight. However, that's actually its selling point. It's a gorgeous hydrating formula that melts into the skin and gives a luminous finish so ideal under the eyes. It isn't going to work for you if you have persistent blemishes or have not a decent night's sleep in a while, but if you're after really natural looking coverage you cannot go wrong."
4. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer Duo
An industry favourite, Laura Mercier's Secret Camouflage is iconic for a very good reason. The two different shades mean that you can cover blemishes and brighten the under eye area simultaneously. It also allows you to create your own custom shade and thus the perfect coverage. We love the new pen-style applicator as it allows you to be really precise.
Katie says: "Because I have really dark circles, I am already on board with using colour correcting palettes and under-eye brighteners in conjunction with my concealer. So to get both in one product is a game changer. I found the formula quite creamy, but also quite mattifying so I didn't need to set it with powder. It worked a treat at covering dark spots on the skin and it really brightened my under eyes. I found that blending it with my finger gave a better, more even finish than when I use a brush."
5. MAC Pro Longwear Concealer
MAC's Pro Longwear Concealer is super lightweight and applies much like a foundation, before sinking into the skin. It covers all manner of skin issues - like pigmentation, blemishes and dark circles. It's super long-wearing, leaving you with a matte finish, and it goes without saying that make-up artists love it.
Katie says: "The first thing I love about this product is the packaging. I love that it's in a glass bottle, it makes it feel really luxe. I also love that the dispenser gives you just the right amount of product, because a little goes a very long way with this concealer. It's really lightweight, but gives such good coverage. As a dry-skinned gal this worked beautifully on my skin, but I think oiler skin types may struggle with it as it's very watery. Even though the brand says it's matte, I would argue that it's actually very glowy."
6. bareMinerals Original Liquid Mineral Concealer
Super creamy, super blendable and super buildable. This concealer is a dream to work with. A lighter shade will help to brighten and blur the under eye area, whereas one that matches your skin tone exactly will work well at hiding any unsightly spots and marry well with your foundation.
Katie says: "I have used this concealer for years. I try out new concealers, but always keep a tube of this in my make-up kit for old time's sake. It's brilliant at brightening the eye area and never settles in lines or creases."
7. NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer
NARS' oil-free formula is every blemish-prone skin's dream with seriously magic coverage and staying power. The soft-focus finish blurs imperfections and 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.
Katie says: "This is an iconic product for a reason. Whilst it looks like it would be really similar to the Glossier concealer, it's actually the complete opposite. It's full coverage and matte, which makes it perfect for covering pesky spots and blemishes. I recommend using a thin pointed brush to 'erase' any blemishes, before using the warmth of your (clean) fingers to gently blend the edges for subtle spot coverage. It's blurring claims are absolutely correct too. It almost give the skin a velvety appearance."
8. Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Concealer
The brand's foundation of the same name is a bestseller and a cult classic among beauty lovers (not to mention celebrities, with everyone from Meghan Markle to Kim Kardashian reportedly in its famous fan club). The concealer is just as good - luminous on the skin, without being shiny. It moves with skin, rather than creasing into lines.
9. Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer
Charlotte Tilbury's brightening liquid concealer that has a skin loving formula of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and vitamin C. It has a medium coverage that can be built up in areas that need a little extra.
Katie says: "Wow this was such a surprise find for me. I absolutely love Charlotte's colour range, but I've always found the complexion products a little heavy for my skin. This concealer does have a thick consistency, but if I dotted the product under my eyes then blended with a fluffy brush it brightened my dark circles incredibly well. It also felt like a good nourishing product to use in winter on my dry skin."
10. Bobbi Brown Skin Concealer Stick
A stick concealer perfect for touching up specific blemishes and areas of concern. It's super creamy and can be built up for full coverage.
Katie says: "I fell in love with the Bobbi Brown Concealer and Colour Correcting Sticks when they first came out - a total dynamic duo. I have used the concealer under my eyes, but that's not where its talents lie. This is brilliant at covering dark spots and areas of redness. Another one that works best when blending with my fingertip."
11. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Concealer
Fenty Beauty's Pro Filt'r franchise was ground breaking when it first launched, and continues to do so today. This is a creamy, longwearing concealer that offers lightweight retouching.
Katie says: "The first thing I noticed about this excellent concealer was how easy it was to blend. I like to apply a little bit, blend with a brush, then go in with another layer and blend again. It hides spots and sleepless nights. I love it."
12. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Dark Spot Concealer
Another skin-loving concealer from IT Cosmetics, a brand made famous for it's complexion correcting. This formula has niacinamide to even out skin tone, caffeine to improve the appearance of dark circles and hyaluronic acid to hydrate.
Katie says: "Yes, this camouflaged everything I wanted it to and brightened my dark circles. But the best thing about this product is the applicator and in-built kabuki brush. It means that I was able to apply the product perfectly. A gamechanger."
13. Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Concealer
This is a brilliant concealer, which it should be for that price. As with all of Shiseido's make-up, the formula is packed full of skin-loving ingredients that work with the skin not against it. It blurs imperfections and leaves skin dewy, glowy and healthy-looking.
Katie says: "This is the concealer in all of my beauty editor friend's make-up bags. And I know why. It gives amazing coverage, blends like a dream, feels like it's good for the skin and doesn't settle in lines. Yes it's expensive, but my god is it a good concealer that's worth every penny."
14. Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
Sometimes you need a proper, full-coverage concealer to handle what life has thrown at you and that concealer is Hourglass's Vanish Airbrush Concealer. It's highly pigmented and virtually erases blemishes in its path.
Katie says: "This is a proper hardworking concealer that I use for events or for when my skin has a major flare up and I need more coverage. Even though it's full coverage, it doesn't feel heavy on the skin and I find it blends really well with a denser blending brush. Ideal for particularly red spots."
15. Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer
Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty took beauty experts by surprise with its impressive formulas and finishes. The Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer is one of the brand's bestsellers with its hydrating, buildable coverage.
Katie says: "The shade range of this concealer is brilliant - and other brands should look to Rare Beauty (and Fenty Beauty) for inspiration. I really loved that my skin looked like my skin after applying. It's more matte than I tend to go for, but it hid everything I needed to hide."
16. Sculpted By Aimee Brighten Up Under Eye Liquid Concealer
A brightening concealer with ultra fine brightening particles that offers soft focus coverage. At under £20 it's one of the best affordable concealers on the market.
Katie says: "This was the concealer that I used most in 2023. With many a sleepless night with two children, I know that I can rely on this concealer the next day to hide my nocturnal activities from other people."
17. Sisley Stylo Correct Concealer
This is where stationary and make-up worlds collide. This creamy textured stick concealer helps to reduce the look of imperfections - simply swipe over the desired area and buff in with the foam blender on the other end.
Shannon Lawlor, Executive Beauty Editor says: "I have never loved a concealer as much as I love this one. I like that I can just scribble it on and smudge it out with my fingers in seconds. It covers dark circles, stubborn spots and any sort of pigmentation and scarring. I don't like wearing foundation, so I lean on this powerhouse product to make me look alive—and it does it effortlessly."
What about the best concealer brushes?
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, Katie likes to use the bareMinerals Shade & Diffuse Brush, which is meant for blending eyeshadow, but she says makes the perfect concealer brush. The MAC 224S Blending Brush is another that we'd recommend. Alternatively, pat it into the under-eye area using your ring finger – it'll fit perfectly into the inner corner of your eye socket and under the lash line.
Don't forget to check our Marie Claire vouchers site before you shop for the latest offers and discounts from your favourite brands - think LOOKFANTASTIC, Cult Beauty and Boots.
