Got under-eye circles? These are the absolute best concealers for covering ’em up without leaving a trace!
Even though the rise of the #nomakeup selfie doesn’t seem to be stopping any time soon, let’s be honest: most of us, when we are really not wearing any makeup, have under eye circles and blemishes. So, how do you get that fake effortless look with the minimal amount of effort possible? By simply applying little dabs of corrective makeup to the most glaring discolorations. We asked our readers to tell us about their favorite concealers, and now it is time to share them with the rest of you!
(Related: How To Find The Right Foundation: 10 Tips From An Expert)
Whether you’re trying to properly conceal a bright red pimple or just wish to lighten up the skin under your eyes after a rough night, these are the tried-and-true concealers you can really rely on.
1. Bobbi Brown Corrector
Leave it to Bobbi Brown to positively kill it at coverup (and all other makeup that gives you a nice, natural finish). Here’s why reader Cara loves it:
For under the eyes, I use Bobbi Brown’s corrector in Porcelain Bisque. The peachy tone makes it a lot easier to conceal dark circles, and I only need the tiniest amount for it. It blends well with my skin tone, so I don’t need any other products, which is miraculous since my skin tone is essentially a “reanimated corpse” and very difficult to match—HG in a big way.
While the price point is relatively high, if you’re only using a bit at a time like Cara recommends, then you’re sure to make it last.
2. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer
How great is it to find a product that actually works and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg? Teen Editorial Assistant Ally D’Aluisio says she uses it every day because it’s “super opaque, very bendable and doesn’t crease.”
3. Anastasia Beverly Hills Concealer
This one is my pick. The creamy, blendable texture and lasting power make it another win for the ABH brand.
4. L’Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Crayon Concealer
Gurl Editor Jess Booth, one of the only people I know who love beauty products as much as I do, picked this one, explaining:
My favorite on-the-go concealer stick is L’Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Crayon. It goes on really well, covers EVERYTHING, and is so easy to use. Plus it’s really cheap.
$8.99 for the perfect concealer stick? Yes, please.
5. Make Up For Ever Lift Concealer
We fell in love with the pro fave brand’s HD Foundation, so it makes lots of sense that its concealer would be fantastic, too. Commenter JessieFace gave it a great review:
It covers, depuffs, lifts, and I think if you ask it nicely will brew your morning coffee as well. It is thick enough to cover everything but lightweight enough that I often wear it without foundation. That last part is huge, considering I regularly wake up looking like I lost a bar fight the night before.
As a side note, Make Up For Ever, you should probably hire JessieFace to do PR with you. I’m totally sold.
6. Benefit Cosmetics Erase Paste
We reviewed this concealer for Controversial Cult Fave a while back and found it was great. Commenter Alicia715 agreed, remarking, “I couldn’t believe how much I was spending on a pot of concealer, but I do really love it.” Sometimes investing in the perfect makeup is worth it! Especially when it comes to your under eyes.
7. bareminerals Stroke Of Light Eye Brightener
Everyone knows this now-iconic brand’s foundation, but have you tried this magical dark circle diffuser? Our lovely writer Heather recommends it, as you “only need a bit to cover up any dark shadows.”
8. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Anti-Aging Concealer
We loooove IT Cosmetics around these parts, and their concealer is no exception! Commenter Liz Grierson pinpointed why it’s so awesome:
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Anti-aging Concealer. It works so well that when I just did one eye and went to show my husband how great it was, he reared back and (looking at the un-concealed eye) said, “Did you get a black eye?!”
Okay, that might be the best anecdote and review ever.
9. theBalm Time Balm Concealer
As always, we love theBalm! This one gets rave reviews from commenter Moliss:
Favorite is definitely Time Balm by The Balm! I love it. My dark circles are post-baby, so I’ve been experimenting with lots of concealers over the last few months, trying to cover them up.
Anything long-lasting with full coverage gets a “yes” vote in our book.
(Related: 13 Primers That Work Wonders For Acne-Prone Skin)
10. Benefit Cosmetics Fake Up Concealer
Double Benefit Cosmetics on this list! Got dry skin? According to our trusty commenter Anne Marie Hawkins, this is the perfect prestige product for adding moisture with concealer.
11. Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch
While we may not have loved this one when we tried it for Controversial Cult Fave, it nevertheless has rave reviews from so many folks, including in the comments of our open thread, so it made sense to include it. After all, everyone’s faces are different–perhaps this could be the perfect brightening key for your individual skin!
12. Amazing Cosmetics Concealer
We admittedly had never heard of this brand until CaseyDia22 brought it to our attention! She says:
I use an Amazing Cosmetics concealer! I swear by it, but I have dry skin, so its thinner consistency works perfectly for me.
The best part? It comes in tons of colors to match any skin tone.
13. MAKE Cosmetics Soft Focus Corrective Duo Conceal
MAKE is one of my favorite newer brands, boasting high-quality products with beautiful packaging and excellent payoff. This concealer is great for carrying in a small bag, too, as it not only has a coverup it also has a little powder to set it with.
14. Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer
Searching for a similar product to the YSL Touche Eclat that doesn’t cost a whopping $41? Pick up this one from Maybelline! Plus, it’s another rec from Anne Marie Hawkins:
My day-to-day go-to, though, is Maybelline’s Dream Lumi pen. 3-5 clicks, dab dab dab, a little blend, and I stop looking like a zombie.
But what if I want to look like a zombie? I’ll just mix it with my green face paint, of course. Okay, but really, this sounds fantastic! Definitely check it out on your tired days.
What’s your fave concealer ever? Tell us in the comments!
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
