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When it comes to choosing a staple makeup item, concealer is usually at the top of the list. Arguably the most versatile makeup product, concealer can easily be used as a foundation, eyeshadow primer, and even contour, depending on your preference. But, most importantly, a good concealer should be able to cover any unwanted blemishes to create an even base for the rest of your makeup look. For those who struggle with dark circles, concealer is often the holy grail to achieving a flawless makeup look. While there are many techniques that aid in covering dark circles, from color correcting to the placement of the concealer itself, choosing the right formula is paramount.
“I love using concealer that has an orange base to color correct and cover,” says celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg. “It’s also important to find a concealer that works with your skin type. For example, if you have dry skin and use a dry concealer it’s going to expose more of the issues rather than conceal.”
Whether you use it as an alternative to foundation or use it to conceal any dark marks or skin imperfections, concealer is a must-have in your makeup kit. To be sure that you’re getting the most out of your concealer, we called upon makeup experts and even sifted through our own makeup bags to bring you the 10 best concealers to cover dark circles. Shop our selections below.
1
Best Shade Range
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer
Pros
Brightening
Cons
- Not smudge-proof
With 48 shades, this concealer offers lightweight, medium to full coverage for all skin types and tones. The brightening, pillow-soft formula blends easily into the skin without a cakey or heavy feeling. The plush applicator glides onto the skin, leaving a radiant, natural result.
Sephora rating: 4.2/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “I will never stop ordering this. By far the best concealer. Sometimes if I’m feeling lazy I use it as a spot concealer and as an acne prone skin girlie I have never broken out with this concealer. It’s perfect for a natural look!”
Size: 7.5 mL
Skin type: All skin types
Coverage: Medium to full coverage
2
Best for a Dewy Look
Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer
Pros
- Blends seamlessly
Cons
- Can leave a glittery finish
Beyond coverage, the true test of a good concealer is its ability to withstand any harsh climate. With this weightless, waterproof concealer, you can brave the rain, humidity, and heat and maintain a flawless-looking mug all day long.
Sephora rating: 3.8/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “The road to finding a radiant concealer that doesn’t move or crease easily has been a tough one, but Charlotte Tilbury’s iteration ended my search quickly. From brightening to smoothing my under eyes, this concealer takes my makeup from dull to fabulous with just a few swipes.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
Size: 7.2 mL
Skin type: All skin types
Coverage: Medium coverage
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3
Best for Full Coverage
PAT McGRATH LABS Sublime Perfection Concealer
Pros
- Smooth application
Cons
- Oxidizes
With decades worth of iconic makeup looks under her belt, Pat McGrath will always deliver when it comes to quality products. This full-coverage concealer recently went viral on TikTok, with makeup artists and beauty creators raving about the feel and finish of this formula. A little goes a very long way with this creamy texture, which covers dark circles and blemishes with a hydrating skin-like finish.
Sephora rating: 4.4/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I absolutely love this concealer for my full glam looks. It gives me so much coverage and looks flawless every time. I have pretty dry skin, so I’m no stranger to creasing and having to touch up my concealer throughout the day. However, this one holds up so well that I can go the whole day without having to re-apply.” —Tasha Nicole Smith, ELLE beauty assistant
Size: 4.7 mL
Skin type: Normal, dry, combination, and oily skin
Coverage: Full Coverage
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Liquid texture can cause creasing
With hyaluronic acid, lysine, and centella asiatica leaf extract, this liquid formula glides on like your favorite serum to soothe and plump the skin. The medium, buildable coverage conceals any unsightly blemishes and gives the skin a natural, dewy glow.
Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “This concealer is the most hydrating concealer ever! It’s really good since I also have dry skin. I also like that it doesn’t make my skin look oily despite how moisturizing it is. Plus, also has great coverage.”
Size: 6.5 mL
Skin type: All skin types
Coverage: Medium coverage
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Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Can cause creasing
Makeup by Mario founder Mario Dedivanovic is the makeup artist best known for Kim Kardashian’s flawless looks, so it makes sense that this formula delivers great results. The weightless, long-wear concealer helps to de-puff the skin for an airbrush, photo-ready finish.
Sephora rating: 3.7/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “I really liked this concealer and the applicator. I don’t like the feel of powder on my face so I never set my concealer and this one never creases and looks pretty all day!”
Size: 5.8 mL
Skin type: Dry, normal, and combination skin
Coverage: Medium coverage
6
Best for Treating Dark Circles
Kosas Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer with Caffeine and Hyaluronic Acid Tone 9.1 N 0.20 oz / 6 ml
Pros
- Creamy texture
Cons
- Might not be the best for sensitive skin
What’s better than a concealer that covers dark circles? A concealer that actively fights against them. This formula is infused with caffeine and pink algae extract to awaken the eyes and combat dark under-eyes and dullness.
Sephora rating: 3.9/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “I love this concealer. It truly is hydrating and feels amazing on the skin. The applicator is perfect and it offers decent coverage. I will never use anything else.”
Size: 6 mL
Skin type: Dry, normal, and combination skin
Coverage: Medium coverage
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Pros
- Good for sensitive skin
Cons
- Must use multiple coats for maximum coverage
For all dewy makeup lovers, this concealer should be added to your list ASAP. Thanks to glycerin and hyaluronic acid, this Saie concealer is hydrating; the creamy, buildable formula leaves a natural skin-like finish without any cakey feeling.
Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “Literally the best concealer I’ve ever used! The skincare properties make such a difference at the end of the day, I swear. It is amazing, especially on my dry, sensitive, acne-prone skin.”
Size: 5 mL
Skin type: Normal, dry, combination, and oily skin
Coverage: Medium coverage
8
Best for Healthy Skin
Haus Labsal by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Some don’t like the smell
When doing you makeup, you never want to sacrifice skincare. This formula gives you all of the benefits of an eye cream with medium to full, buildable coverage to camouflage any blemishes or dark circles. With niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, this concealer is also nourishing as it corrects. Fermented arnica, an herb known for its skin soothing properties, helps to reduce any irritation or redness in the eye area.
Sephora rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “This is by far my favorite concealer of all time! I have very dry, sensitive, pale skin with olive undertones and the color match was amazing and I love the consistency of this. It doesn’t cling to dry patches and goes on so smoothly. Perfect for everyday wear and isn’t too heavy.”
Size: 7 mL
Skin type: All skin types
Coverage: Medium coverage
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Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Some don’t like brush applicator
For many makeup lovers, L.A. Girl was a staple product. The under-$10 concealer packs a rich and pigmented formula, is lightweight, and layers seamlessly. The orange shade is perfect for canceling out dark spots and hyperpigmentation for an even base.
Ulta Rating: 4/5 stars
An ELLE Editor says: “I remember when I first started doing my makeup and I went to my local Beauty Supply store and filled my bag with L.A. girl products. I had three of the orange concealers and a few other shades and used them all to the last drop. I still always reach for this shade as my color corrector. At the price point this concealer will always have a place in my heart and my makeup bag.” —Tasha Nicole Smith, beauty assistant
Size: 8 mL
Skin type: Dry, normal, and combination skin
Coverage: Medium coverage
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Might not be suited for oily skin
You’d be surprised how much coverage you can get from such an ultra-lightweight formula, but Ami Colé always aims to please. With medium coverage and a seamless blend, this concealer is the definition of your-skin-but-better. Even better, the added ingredients of baobab and pumpkin seed oil nourish and soothe the skin as it melts.
Sephora Rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE Editor says: “When I say I recommend this concealer to everyone, I’m not exaggerating. The formula is so weightless that it almost feels like I’m not wearing anything, but coverage is still pigmented. For my under eyes, I’ll go a shade or two lighter for a brighter finish. I also love to use a shade that matches my skin tone as an alternative to foundation for an everyday look.” —Tasha Nicole Smith, beauty assistant
Size: 6 mL
Skin type: Dry, normal, and combination skin
Coverage: Medium coverage
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What is your go to technique for covering dark circles?
To get the most out of your concealer, full coverage is just a starting point. The way you apply it and the tools you use are equally important. “Allowing your makeup to dry down for about 30 seconds instead of immediately blending helps to give a bit more pigment,” says celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg. For tools, some people feel that using a brush to tap the product in makes for a more seamless blend. For others, using a trusted beauty blender gives the best results. Figuring out what technique works for you might require a little bit of trial and error, but will definitely be worth it.
A good rule of thumb is always to start small. Greenberg says, "The best way to apply concealer is with thin layering!" She continues, "It’s about starting with less and blotting the concealer on with a good brush or wet Beauty Blender. "
How do you keep concealer from creasing or smudging?
Creasing in your makeup can be a pesky side effect of some concealers. Unfortunately, creasing is often due to skin texture or facial structure, but there are ways to minimize any visible lines. "Preventing creasing is a tough ask that most brands aren’t honest about. Unfortunately, creasing happens because of the texture in the skin or the way that the eye sits in the skin," says Greenberg.
Making sure you have a concealer that works well with your skin type is the most important thing. For instance, if you have dryer skin, using a more hydrating formula will decrease the likelihood of creasing. For oily skin, look for a formula that is non-greasy so that the product won’t settle into your natural lines. Also, using a powder to set your makeup in place will also help to blur lines and prevent your makeup from moving around.
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What is the best way to prep the skin when trying to conceal dark circles?
Before applying makeup, skin care should be the first priority. Healthy skin creates the best base for seamless makeup application, so be sure to show your skin a little bit of love before going in with concealer. "Make sure you’re well exfoliated and moisturized, but try not to overdo it to the point where you have too much product on," says Greenberg. "Too much moisture can interfere with the concealer and cause creasing."
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11
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com editors spoke with makeup experts about the absolute best concealers for dark circles. The authors personally tested a number of these products and scoured reviews for the top-rated products on the market.
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Tasha Nicole Smith
Beauty Assistant
Tasha Nicole Smith is ELLE Magazine's beauty assistant. She loves all things hair, makeup, and skincare so you’ll find her talking about it here. She enjoys Marvel movies, a good pair of vintage heels, and lemon drop martinis and also shares a birthday with Beyoncé, which is her go to fun fact.
