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.
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
2
Best Smoothing Concealer
One Size by Patrick Starr Turn Up the Base Butter Silk Concealer
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
3
Best Matte Concealer
Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin High Coverage Multi-Use Concealer
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.
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
5
Best Hydrating Concealer
Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer
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.
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.
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.
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
9
Best Multi-Use Concealer
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Face and Under-Eye Concealer
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.