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15 Best Concealers of All Damn Time

We tested hundreds of formulas to come up with this greatest hits list.

Headshot of Lauren BalsamoBy Lauren Balsamo
best concealers
Khadija Horton

I fully believe there's no more valuable asset to your makeup bag than a good concealer. The right formula can neutralize breakouts and acne scars, camouflage dark circles and under-eye shadows, minimize redness and discoloration, and make you look wide-awake even if you haven't slept a full eight hours in months. But here's the thing: There are a ton of different concealers out there, some of which are excellent and others...well...not so much. So to save you time and money, we reviewed all the most popular formulas to bring you this list of the 15 best concealers of all time. From inexpensive drugstore gems to iconic luxury formulas and even new indie favorites, there's an option for everyone.

1
Best Under Eye Concealer

Fenty Beauty Bright Fix Eye Brightener Concealer

Fenty Beauty Bright Fix Eye Brightener Concealer
1
Best Under Eye Concealer

Fenty Beauty Bright Fix Eye Brightener Concealer

$26 at Sephora$26 at Ulta Beauty
Credit: Courtesy Image

This sheer under-eye concealer blurs fine lines and brightens dark circles and discoloration without creasing or getting patchy. Apply a tiny bit under each eye and then blend it in with clean fingers or a concealer brush.

2
Best Smoothing Concealer

One Size by Patrick Starr Turn Up the Base Butter Silk Concealer

One Size by Patrick Starr Turn Up the Base Butter Silk Concealer
2
Best Smoothing Concealer

One Size by Patrick Starr Turn Up the Base Butter Silk Concealer

Credit: Courtesy Image

Think of this medium-t0-full coverage formula as part concealer, part makeup primer. The smoothing formula glides on skin like butter and improves the appearance of rough, uneven texture and large pores thanks to plant butters, peptides, and caffeine.

3
Best Matte Concealer

Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin High Coverage Multi-Use Concealer

Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin High Coverage Multi-Use Concealer
3
Best Matte Concealer

Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin High Coverage Multi-Use Concealer

Credit: Courtesy Image

This concealer is a former Cosmo Beauty Award winner, so you know it's good. Even though it's a high-coverage matte formula, it feels soft, comfy, and flexible on skin and lasts for a full 24 hours without transferring too.

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4
Best Serum Concealer

Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer

Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer
4
Best Serum Concealer

Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer

Credit: Courtesy Image

This ultra-lightweight concealer has the same consistency as a face serum, so it soaks into skin fast and never feels thick or cakey. The medium coverage helps minimize the look of dark circles, redness, and hyperpigmentation and even helps brighten skin with a dose of vitamin c too.

5
Best Hydrating Concealer

Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer

Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer
5
Best Hydrating Concealer

Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer

Credit: Courtesy Image

Infused with hydrating, plumping, and conditioning ingredients (like hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and peptides) this ultra-creamy concealer covers redness, hyperpigmentation, and dark circles and more without ever looking flaky or making your skin feel dry.

6
Best Sheer Concealer

Glossier Stretch Concealer

Glossier Stretch Concealer
6
Best Sheer Concealer

Glossier Stretch Concealer

Credit: Courtesy Image

I love to use this sheer concealer from Glossier on the apples of my cheeks and the center of my chin to hide redness and under my eyes to soften dark shadows. It's super easy to blend with just fingers and looks incredibly natural so you can use it on larger areas without it settling into fine lines or creases.

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7
Best Buildable Concealer

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
7
Best Buildable Concealer

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

Credit: Courtesy Image

This iconic concealer is loved by everyone—beauty editors, makeup artists, celebs, and more. The formula is creamy but not greasy, buildable (so you can sheer it out or really layer it on), sets to a natural, skin-like finish, and lasts for 16 hours too.

8
Best Concealer for Breakouts

Dermablend Cover Care Full Coverage Concealer

Dermablend Cover Care Full Coverage Concealer
8
Best Concealer for Breakouts

Dermablend Cover Care Full Coverage Concealer

Credit: Courtesy Image

Whiteheads, angry cysts, even scabby old pimples...this concealer expertly hides all kinds of acne. The full-coverage formula is super concentrated (a little goes a loooong way), won't clog pores, free-from drying alcohols and potentially irritating fragrance, and stays put on skin for up to 24 hours.

9
Best Multi-Use Concealer

Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Face and Under-Eye Concealer

Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Face and Under-Eye Concealer
9
Best Multi-Use Concealer

Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Face and Under-Eye Concealer

Credit: Courtesy Image

I had high expectations the first time I tried this concealer (I've been a fan of Armani's Luminous Silk foundation for years) and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. The versatile formula can be used to cover acne and acne scars, dark circles, and discoloration and leaves skin looking glowy and luminous (just like the name says).

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10
Best Brightening Concealer

Uoma Beauty Stay Woke Luminous Brightening Concealer

Uoma Beauty Stay Woke Luminous Brightening Concealer
10
Best Brightening Concealer

Uoma Beauty Stay Woke Luminous Brightening Concealer

Credit: Courtesy Image

Conceal, correct, and highlight with this brightening concealer from Uoma Beauty. The lightweight, liquid formula blends like a dream and won't settle into fine lines (no matter how many layers you apply).

11
Best Concealer for Dark Circles

Laura Mercier Secret Concealer

Laura Mercier Secret Concealer
11
Best Concealer for Dark Circles

Laura Mercier Secret Concealer

Credit: Courtesy Image

This creamy, crease-resistant concealer cancels our blue and purple tones to instantly minimize the appearance of dark circles. Use it alone or as a base for other concealers—either way your eye area will look bright and wide-awake.

12
Best Concealer Stick

Cle De Peau Concealer Broad Spectrum SPF 25

Cle De Peau Concealer Broad Spectrum SPF 25
12
Best Concealer Stick

Cle De Peau Concealer Broad Spectrum SPF 25

Credit: Courtesy Image

Yes, it's pricey, but this concealer is worth every dollar IMO. It's super thick and opaque but really easy to blend and covers everything from cystic acne to dark spots in seconds. For best results warm the formula a tiny bit with your fingers before applying to skin.

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13
Best Long-Lasting Concealer

Juvia's Place I Am Magic Concealer

Juvia's Place I Am Magic Concealer
13
Best Long-Lasting Concealer

Juvia's Place I Am Magic Concealer

Credit: Courtesy Image

This concealer holds up against sweat, humidity, water...you name it. It's smudge-proof, smear-proof, and transfer-proof so once it's on, it's on. Plus, the creamy formula has an oversize doe-footed applicator that make it easy to quickly tap on and blend out.

14
Best Drugstore Concealer

Covergirl TruBlend Undercover Concealer

Covergirl TruBlend Undercover Concealer
14
Best Drugstore Concealer

Covergirl TruBlend Undercover Concealer

Now 36% Off
Credit: Courtesy Image

It may be the cheapest on the list, but by no means is this drugstore concealer any less efficacious than the others. It comes in 30 shades and covers and corrects just as well as prestige formulas, but for a fraction of the price.

15
Best Concealer Pencil

Jones Road The Face Pencil

Jones Road The Face Pencil
15
Best Concealer Pencil

Jones Road The Face Pencil

Credit: Courtesy Image

Like a magic eraser for dark spots, melasma, and redness, this concealer crayon can be used all over your face (including around your nose, under your eyes, and along your brow bone) to give you medium coverage that melts into skin.

Headshot of Lauren Balsamo
Lauren Balsamo
Deputy Beauty Director

Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for nine years at Cosmopolitan and has contributed to Women’s Health and Seventeen magazines as well. Follow her on Instagram

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