After 18 hours of research evaluating 125 products, we picked L.A. Girl Pro Conceal High Definiton Under Eye Concealer Makeup as our top choice.
Are you sick of regularly hearing “you look tired today”? Thanks to a combination of sleep insomnia, long hours at the office, and genetics, many of us experience annoying, dark undereye circles.
Finding the best concealer for your needs may really pay off.
Here’s what we mean:
According to a study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, both genders and all races suffer from dark circles and would benefit from a concealer for dark circles.
Although there are many causes, the most common is aging. Unfortunately, this only gets worse with age.
The good news is:
Thanks to makeup companies everywhere, we have some of the best concealer.
The best concealer can disguise bags, blemishes, redness, and dark circles. It makes a tired face instantly look brighter and keeps the skin looking flawless.
The best ones have a smooth, buildable texture, provide coverage without looking cakey, and have an impressive ability to stay put throughout the day.
Keep in mind that you may want a couple of different concealers to keep your face looking its best. In the winter you may need one that’s moisturizing and in the summer you may want one that is waterproof.
Now, on to the list!
#1 Best Under-Eye Concealer Overall
L.A. Girl Pro Conceal High Definiton Under Eye Concealer Makeup
- Cheapest out there
- Thick and covers everything
- Blends out flawlessly
Pros
L.A. Girl Pro is cheap but works just as well as expensive brands.
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#2 Best Full-Coverage Concealer
tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer
- tarte Shape Tape is kind of a big deal in the beauty world
- Great coverage and will not cause skin to breakout
- Works great even without foundation
Pros
tarte Shape Tape is America’s #1 concealer brand for a reason. Not only does it contain natural ingredients that are vegan-friendly, but it also provides full coverage, a smooth finish, and a firmer more lifted look from day to night.
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#3 Best Under-Eye Concealer to Splurge on
Clé de Peau Beauté Under Eye Concealer Makeup
- Covers dark circles perfectly
- Lasts all day and doesn’t cake
- Tube will last 6 months to a year, so a little goes a long way
Pros
Great coverage yet light and natural-looking. Can be easily stored for on-the-go touchups.
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#4 Best Waterproof Under-Eye Concealer
Lancôme Effacernes Waterproof Protective Under Eye Concealer Makeup
- Lasts all day without budging
- Soft matte finish brightens under the eyes
- Creamy and soft to apply
Pros
Lancôme Effacernes Waterproof Protective Undereye Concealer is long lasting and waterproof.
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#5 Best Lightweight Concealer
YVES SAINT LAURENT Touche Eclat High Cover Radiant Concealer
- Medium coverage, but will still provide adequate coverage for dark circles, hyperpigmentation, and freckles
- Very buildable and will not crease
- Does not appear cakey and makes eyes look naturally well-rested
Pros
Touche Eclat by YSL if a High Coverage Radiant Concealer that features a skin-loving brush perfect for brightening under-eyes with natural, buildable, and lightweight coverage.
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#6 Best Under-Eye Concealer for Dry Skin
TOO FACED Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer
- Not only full-c0verage, but also waterproof
- Blends nicely and will not settle into fine lines or wrinkles
- Lightweight enough to be worn under foundation, but also full-coverage to look great by itself as well
Pros
If you suffer from chronically dry skin and are looking for a product that will hydrate while providing full-coverage, weightless, conceal, contour, and highlight – look no further. This product is available in 35 shades and will not flake or crease with extended wear.
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Concealers for Freckles Tips & Advice
What is concealer and what does it do?
Concealer is a skin-colored makeup that is applied onto small areas such as blemishes, under your eyes, or around your nose. A decent concealer can disguise bags, blemishes, redness, and dark circles. It makes a tired face instantly look brighter and keeps the skin looking flawless. The best ones have a smooth, buildable texture, provide coverage without looking cakey, and have an impressive ability to stay put throughout the day.
There are two major types of concealer: liquid and stick concealer. Many who use concealer on a daily basis are using liquid concealer because it’s easy to blend and doesn’t cake up on your skin. Stick concealers are almost solid, like lipstick, and have a lot of pigment. Because it is so pigmented, this type of concealer is perfect for covering blemishes and discoloration around your nose.
In addition to skin-colored concealer, there are also green and pink concealers. Green concealers neutralize red areas such as blemishes and scars. Green concealer is perfect for covering up acne as well. Pink concealer neutralizes dark areas on your skin. If you’ve got dark circles or sun spots, pink concealer can help.
Keep in mind that you may want a couple of different concealers to keep your face looking its best. In the winter you may need one that’s moisturizing and in the summer you may want one that is waterproof. You may also want a stick applicator that can be easily stored in your car or gym bag for on-the-go touchups.
What is the difference between foundation and concealer?
It is pretty typical to be confused by the two and many times, people often think concealer is an unnecessary investment. Ideally, though, concealer should be used as a last step after primer and foundation. A concealer’s main job is to cover dark circles, hide stubborn blemishes, and brighten your under-eye area. Concealer helps to make you look more awake (which is always a good thing). So, if you had a late night, you are going to want to use a concealer the next morning.
The consistency of concealers is much thicker and has a much higher pigmentation than foundation, which is why you only want to use it sparingly. Unlike foundation, concealer is not meant to be worn all over your face. It is only for the areas that need a little extra T.L.C. If you do not already have a good concealer, you should probably get one A.S.A.P. And, to make things easier, we have already made a list of the best ones.
How do you know what concealer color is right for you?
When choosing a concealer color, choose one that is one or two shades lighter than your foundation. This will brighten the areas under your eyes, making you look more awake. Be careful not to go too much lighter, though, or else it will look too light. Now, you don’t want to look like a raccoon do you? If you’ve got severe acne scars or blemishes, you may want to grab a green concealer as well. Keep in mind if you have dark spots, you may want a pink concealer, too. Don’t be concerned if you have more than one concealer. It’s normal to have a few different ones.
Do you use concealer before or after foundation?
Ah, the frequently debated beauty question. Makeup artists everywhere have gone back and forth on this question and expressed different opinions. However, it seems that most will agree that you should be applying your foundation first before concealer. Here is why: If you apply foundation first, you won’t use as much concealer. Which is a good thing because concealer often comes in a small tube and is a lot more expensive. Not to mention, if you apply concealer first, you will find that you are using a lot more than you actually need (and it’s getting wiped off). So you are essentially wasting time and money. The bottom line: apply your foundation first, then your concealer.
How do you apply under eye concealer?
Just like the rest of your face, make sure you’re prepping your eye with a decent eye cream and moisturizer. Dry skin will only leave your concealer looking caked-on and creased. Nobody wants that look. Once your skin is hydrated, apply the concealer directly under your eyes in the shape of an upside-down triangle. What do we mean by this? Well, apply your concealer with the base under your eye and the point down towards your cheek. This shape brightens dark circles and adds contour to your face making it look more lifted. Although it sounds odd, it actually works!
Once you have applied concealer under your eyes, you want to make sure and apply concealer on your eyelids as well. The concealer acts as a primer for your eye shadow. This prevents your eye shadow from creasing or falling off of your lid. For the most natural look, use a damp sponge or Beauty Blender to gently blend the concealer into your skin. To conceal a pimple or scar, first, use a green concealer; it will cancel out any redness. Then, cover it with a concealer that matches your skin tone.
As a bonus, you can use concealer to contour. If you are wondering what contouring is, don’t worry you’re not alone. Contouring is using makeup to enhance the facial structure of your face. What do we mean by this? Well, you can apply concealer directly on your brow bone (under your brows) to make them look more lifted. This gives you a younger-looking appearance. You can also apply concealer down the center of your nose from forehead to tip. This gives the appearance that your nose is slimmer than it actually is.
For a video tutorial on the best way to apply concealer, check out the one by makeup vlogger Chloe Morello.
How do you set your concealer?
The best way to set your concealer is to bake it. No, we don’t mean stick it in the oven and set the timer. Baking is the latest and greatest way to set your concealer by packing on translucent powder and letting it sit on your face. Baking is the smartest thing you should be doing for flawless looking skin. Here’s how to do it: After applying your concealer, dust translucent powder onto your lids with a fluffy brush. Then, using a damp sponge or Beauty Blender, apply more powder generously to lids and under the eyes. Next, let the powder sit on your face for 5-10 minutes. This allows the heat from your face to set your concealer. After letting it sit, dust the powder off of your face and you are finished!
What is the best under eye concealer?
Choosing the best concealer isn’t easy, especially since we all have different skin types. However, we tested many of them and read hundreds of reviews to find one that stood out from the rest. The Urban Decay Naked Skin Complete Coverage Concealer is the best of the best. We know because we’ve tested it ourselves. It lets you cover imperfections without actually looking covered up. It’s easily blendable and buildable, giving you even coverage with a luminous, demi-matte finish. Why we love this product so much? Its formula is ultra-lightweight and never settles into fine lines.
Urban Decay provides full coverage right away, so you don’t need to use more than one swipe of product at a time. The pigmented formula gives a flawless, natural look that covers all traces of blemishes and dark circles. After applying, it was barely noticeable. All that was left was a bright (but not shiny) demi-matte finish. The finish of this Urban Decay product is very unique. It has brightening effects without the shininess of typical sheen concealers on the market.
One thing that set the Urban Decay Naked apart from the rest is the specially designed applicator. When it is pulled out of the tube, the product comes out on both sides of the tip. Regular wand applicators only come out on one side leaving room for air to be pushed back inside the tube. With air circling around inside, the makeup dries out and doesn’t last as long. So, thanks Urban Decay for being design geniuses!
We think $29 for the best product in the world is a pretty good deal. Not to mention, because this is full coverage you don’t have to use very much to get the job done. The less you have to apply, the less you have to buy.
What is a good all-in-one under eye concealer?
If the thought of buying and applying two different products (a foundation and concealer) exhausts you, get the Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation and Concealer. This stuff is seriously good, and only $28. This lightweight, moisturizing foundation and concealer provide full coverage with just one dip of the wand. Because this formula is so pigmented, it can be used to spot conceal, too. Plus, it can be used on all skin types and comes in 27 different shades. As a bonus, this product is non-acnegenic, dermatologist-tested, sweat- and humidity-resistant, ophthalmologist tested, and allergy-tested. It is free of oil and 100 percent free of fragrance, too. Now, that’s impressive.