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Byrdie / Alli Waataja
TL; DR
Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Concealer stood out during testing for how well it conceals dark circles and seamlessly blends into the skin. Also nice: It works wonders on blemishes and blurs the look of pores and texture. Byrdie testers also loved the L'Oreal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer, a budget-friendly waterproof formula offering a full-coverage, matte finish.
Whether your goal is to disguise the appearance of dark circles, create the illusion of smoother-looking skin, or simply look like you got a full nine hours, there’s a concealer for that. The under-eye area moves a lot, so finding a lightweight, hydrating, and flexible formulation is key to ensuring a crease-free finish.
With so many options on the market—all with different ingredients, textures, coverage types, and finishes—it can be tough to find the one for your needs and budget. To help you narrow down the choices, we did all the homework: First, we researched the most popular formulas available. Then, we enlisted the help of a handful of testers to evaluate each product on texture, coverage, staying power, and value. Finally, we consulted with a few pro makeup artists we trust. Read on to see our top picks.
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Excellent coverage
Impressive shade range
Creamy, blendable consistency melts into skin seamlessly
Might not be the best on very dry skin
Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural, satin | Shades: 51 | Size: 0.3 oz
This popular concealer is a favorite among Byrdie editors and testers. It’s also a favorite of celebrity makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell who says it’s so versatile that it lends itself well to both natural and full glam moments. “I find myself using it as a foundation 90% of the time,” she shares, which is a testament to not only the formula’s coverage but also wearability and longevity.
The creamy formula (which comes in an impressive 51 shades) seamlessly melts into the skin on contact, making it hard to identify where natural skin stops and concealer begins. The product’s unique pointed applicator makes for a quick and easy application, as it targets those delicate, hollowed-out areas around the eyes where dark circles and shadows love to reside. It can look a bit patchy on very dry skin, so be sure to properly prep with a hydrating facial moisturizer and/or makeup primer before application.
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Byrdie / Alyssa Kaplan
Alyssa, commerce writer, age 26-34 with combination skin
“I've tested nearly 50 concealers throughout my makeup journey, and this one is the absolute best for using under my eyes. It's thin and creamy but totally packs a punch in terms of pigmentation. It does a fantastic job of concealing and brightening my dark circles, and I love that it's buildable, has a natural finish, and is pretty crease-resistant. It gives me the smooth, wide-awake look that I crave.”
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Long-wear formula
Smooth matte finish
Waterproof
Dries very quickly
Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 25 | Size: 0.33 oz
L’Oréal is always up to the challenge of creating affordable long-wear makeup that truly stands up to higher-end options. This waterproof concealer covers everything from dark circles to blemishes for up to 24 hours. (Note: It dries super fast, so make sure to blend it immediately.) One tester, Daniela, emphasized that the color match was near perfect and said the concealer did a phenomenal job covering discoloration seamlessly. The smooth, matte finish is also waterproof, so you can count on it to last through whatever life throws at you, be it tears, rain showers, or sweat.
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Byrdie / Abby Dupes
Daniela, age 26-34 with combination skin
“I haven't been a fan of drugstore concealers in the past, but I was pleasantly surprised by the coverage this one offered.”
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Natural-looking finish
Medium, buildable coverage
Incredibly lightweight, fluid texture
Shade range could be more inclusive
Coverage: Medium | Finish: Matte | Shades: 16 | Size: 0.3 oz
MAC’s Pro Longwear Concealer is exactly what its name suggests. Lauded for its impressively lightweight, fluid texture that delivers lots of coverage, the formula feels great on the skin and covers even the darkest dark circles. Because it’s so lightweight, it keeps caking and creasing to a minimum; those with crow’s feet and under-eye wrinkles will be fans. Plus, it’s water-resistant so it can withstand sweat and humidity. The only thing our tester, Chrissy, wish she could change is that it comes in 16 colors, which isn’t as extensive as some other options.
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Byrdie / Eden Stuart
Chrissy, age 45 to 55 with combination skin
“The concealer is buildable and covered my blemishes and under-eyes nicely. It worked especially well concealing and brightening dark circles and left my skin looking smoother.”
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Radiant finish that illuminates skin
Natural coverage
Hydrating formula prevents creasing
Not as buildable as we’d like
Coverage: Medium | Finish: Radiant | Shades: 22 | Size: 0.2 oz
No matter the skin type it’s used on, Dior’s Backstage Flash Perfector Concealer addresses all dark circle concerns with aplomb. Not only does it conceal under-eye circles and dark spots, but it can also help reduce wrinkles and puffiness during wear, thanks to caffeine in the formula. The concealer is also very hydrating, so it doesn’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles or call attention to dry patches. One tester, Anna, loved its radiant finish and the fact that it looks really natural. This is a great option for people who want their skin to look like their skin, except a little dewier and more awake. That said, it’s probably not for you if you’re a fan of full-coverage formulas that completely hide everything underneath.
Anna, age 18-24 with dry skin
“I love the dewy and radiant sheen it leaves after application; it looks really natural and not too airbrushed, which I love for my makeup.”
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Skincare-packed formula
Plumps, awakens, and hydrates
Fresh, radiant finish
If too much is used, it can settle into lines
Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural, radiant | Shades: 37 | Size: 0.22 oz
Another favorite of Sewell’s, this concealer from Kosas is a wonderful option for dry-skin folks. It’s super hydrating, she confirms, and it’s really versatile, so you can amp up or pare down the coverage depending on what look you’re after. Since it’s medium coverage, you can expect your skin to shine through and appear more even-toned and radiant. Also nice: The formula is chock-full of skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and caffeine to plump, awaken, and hydrate the skin.
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Byrdie / Hallie Gould
Amy, age 35-44 with dry skin
“Because it's creamy and hydrating, the concealer has a smoothing effect that offers a dewy, natural finish. It melts into the skin and holds up for a full day. The only issue is that if you use too much product, it can settle into fine lines around the eyes.”
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Gel texture is easy to blend
Medium coverage conceals while looking natural
Infused with hyaluronic acid to offset creasing
Uneven shade range; those with dark skin tones don’t have as many options
Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 20 | Size: 0.2 oz
With a unique gel-like texture, this formula from Make Up For Ever is featherlight and buildable, offering a smoothing, brightening, and correcting finish that offsets dark under-eyes and uneven skin texture. It’s easy to blend so you can masterfully disguise dark circles like a pro. Plus, it’s infused with hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil to plump, smooth, and achieve the soft-focus blurring effect our tester, Jackie, loved.
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Byrdie / Ali Webb
Jackie, age 35-44 with combination skin
“Because it's so lightweight, it looks very smooth and blurs my under-eyes. I was impressed that it did not crease or settle into fine lines or pores either.”
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Works for natural and full-glam looks
Doe foot applicator gets into small crevices around eyes
Little bit goes a long way
Tube can get messy
Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.28 oz
A favorite of celebrity makeup artist Amber Amos, Future Fluid boasts a hydrating, seamless formula packed with plant-based ingredients that improve your skin while you wear it—namely hyaluronic acid, caffeine, and aloe vera. The formula’s consistency is on the thicker side (so it doesn’t drip or run out of the tube), but once blended out, it melts into the skin and imparts a skin-like finish that can be left alone or built up for a more full-glam, airbrushed moment.
Amos says this one can do it all: Conceal under-eyes and blemishes and act as a foundation and even a cream contour. The doe foot applicator included in the concealer is ideal for placing product in the small crevices of the eye area, but the packaging can be messy, resulting in pooling at the mouth of the tube.
Alyssa, age 25-34 with combination skin
“It's one of my favorite concealers. It looks smooth and skin-like, has buildable coverage, and lasts nicely throughout the day. This concealer has medium buildable coverage, just as advertised. It conceals blemishes and the under-eye area nicely. The formula stretches so you don't need too much product.”
Read the full review: Milk Makeup’s Future Fluid Concealer Makes Me Look Photoshopped
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Excellent coverage
No creasing
Works beautifully on blemishes and dark spots
Last bits of formula can get stuck in the tube
Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural, satin | Shades: 37 | Size: 0.3 oz
Tarte’s Shape Tape line is the crème de la crème of concealers, and this hydrating iteration is among the most popular. According to one tester, Elena, the formula is top tier—the ultra-creamy consistency allows it to have a second-skin look and feel, and the applicator wand fits into the crevices of the eye area with ease. It distributes the right amount of product to the eye area each time and it’s so blendable that a finger or makeup sponge is all you need to pat it in.
Because it's more hydrating than the original formula, it’s easier to spread and Elena found that it didn’t settle into eye creases the way many we’ve tried can. The only con is that the last bits of the formula can get stuck in the bottom of the tube, which feels wasteful.
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Byrdie / Abby Dupes
Elena, age 35-44 with oily, sensitive skin prone to acne
“This is a great concealer—it provides coverage all day with barely any fading. Depending on the shade it can also illuminate the under-eye area quite well. The applicator wand is top-notch, too.”
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Beautiful radiant finish
Great value
Lightweight, easy to blend consistency
Can settle into fine lines and dry patches
Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.25 oz
We’re fans of Sephora (obviously), so it should come as no surprise that we love this formula. It comes in 30 shades designed to match a wide range of skin tones and undertones and offers great coverage to any area of the face. Despite the high coverage, this concealer feels surprisingly lightweight and looks natural. The only gripe our tester, Sarah, had with the formula was that the concealer settled into patches and lines on days when her skin was very dry.
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Byrdie / Jasmine Phillips
Sarah, age 35-45 with combination to dry skin
“The product looked nice on my skin and had a blurring effect. I also liked that it left a subtle glow that looked natural. This product has long-lasting wear. It stayed on my skin from morning to night. I even wore it in the shower and the steam didn't seem to affect it.”
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Medium, buildable coverage
Incredibly hydrating
Has depuffing properties
Mixed reviews on creasing
Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 31 | Size: 0.32 oz
Available in 31 shades (and four undertones), this concealer illuminates, blurs, and depuffs the skin. Ingredients like niacinamide (which works to boost radiance), hyaluronic acid (which keeps the skin plump and hydrated), and arnica (which depuffs and protects skin from irritation) all go to work as the formula covers up dark circles and blemishes. It’s very creamy and offers medium coverage, so if you’re looking for something that lets your skin shine through while you wear it, this is a winner.
We had two testers for this concealer—Lauren and Sophia. Lauren experienced creasing, especially in dry patches and fine lines around the eyes while Sophia never had any issues.
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Byrdie / Holly Rhue
Lauren, age 25-34 with combination skin
“Overall the product’s strength is in its brightening, smoothing, and blurring effects. The finish was slightly matte (which I wasn’t expecting from a hydrating formula), but it melted into my skin nicely. My favorite thing was how long-lasting it was. I used this product a ton and it lasted several dinners with friends and days spent out and about.”
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Serum-infused formula feels like a second skin
Ingredients improve the look of bare skin over time
Does not cause breakouts, even on acne-prone skin
Can oxidize
Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 22 | Size: 0.18 oz
As the name suggests, this formula is truly weightless. It’s serum-like (both in consistency and formulation) and quickly conceals, illuminates, and smooths the skin with medium coverage that the brand claims will last up to 16 hours. The formula contains green tea and cacao extracts, both rich in antioxidants that can protect the skin from environmental aggressors. Plus, a proprietary hydro-lipid matrix offers immediate and time-released hydration throughout the day. One of our testers, Kaitlin, said that the only thing she would change is that the concealer oxidized on her skin.
Kaitlin, age 25-34 with combination skin
“This layered great with my other products, which included skincare and a tinted SPF serum. I did not experience any breakouts from this, which is a huge plus because I am very prone to them.”
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Blends very easily
Buildable coverage
Great for spot coverage
Shades skew yellow
Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 36 | Size: 0.16 oz
Path McGrath knows a thing or two about creating beautiful complexion formulas, and this concealer is one of them. It applies smoothly and evenly under the eyes with a creamy, lightweight consistency. One tester, Gigi, loved the radiant finish and found that it helped minimize the tired look of her under-eyes. The result is more natural-looking, so those seeking an airbrushed finish might want to use a setting powder. The only gripe we have with this one is that, despite the large shade range, the colors tend to skew yellow.
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Byrdie / Jasmine Phillips
Gigi, age 35-34 with combination skin prone to dryness
“This formula has a natural yet radiant finish that offers a nice glow without being too dewy. It blended out very nicely and melted into my skin for a flawless finish.”
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Full coverage formula
Dries down to a natural, skin-like finish
Offsets tired-looking skin and dark circles
Shades skew yellow
Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 25 | Size: 0.18 oz
If you’re trying to fake a full night’s sleep, this is a great formula to turn to. It offers full coverage (key for completely concealing dark circles and under-eye bags) and brightens the under-eye skin beautifully as well as the skin on the rest of the face where there’s discoloration. Our tester, Brierley, felt that the concealer was easy to apply and worked well with brushes, sponges, and fingers. The applicator is also a highlight: It’s tiny enough to reach the far corners of the eyes and deposit the right amount of product every time.
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Byrdie / Abby Dupes
Brierley, age 35-44, dry skin
“The concealer has a really nice blurring and brightening effect. Finish-wise, it’s probably more matte than anything else. Perhaps a little satin. Regardless, it blended into my skin and stayed in place throughout the day.”
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Luxurious packaging
Enriched with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E
Long-lasting, full-coverage payoff
Some say it can be too watery
Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 40 | Size: 0.23 oz
It’s the small luxuries that brighten up everyday life—this concealer from Gucci does just that and the under-eye area, too. Formulated with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump, camellia flower to smooth, and film formers to blur, this concealer delivers an airbrushed-like finish. Because it’s loaded with such nourishing ingredients, it’s also non-creasing, which is huge when the product is being worn on and around eye wrinkles. Our tester, Cara, shared that it never pilled during wear or emphasized her skin texture.
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Byrdie / Bella Cacciatore
Cara, age 25-34, normal skin that leans dry
"This goes on light and blends well, making it super buildable. I only needed one light layer of it to get good coverage for my under-eye area and it blended into my skin nicely. It didn’t settle into any lines or cling to dry areas. It had a smoothing effect that left a satin finish.”
What to Look for in an Under-Eye Concealer
- Skin Type: If you have dry skin, choose a pick with a natural or radiant finish to keep the area hydrated and fresh. If you have oily skin, a pick with a matte finish will work better for you.
- Coverage: Great coverage is a must regarding under-eye concealers—after all, you’re looking to mask dark circles. We recommend going for something with either full coverage or, if you prefer a more natural, minimalist look, something with light-to-medium buildable coverage.
- Shade: When concealing dark under-eyes, Amos says to choose a formula that will neutralize uneven colors and suit your end goal. For example: If you’re looking for an illuminated look, go one or two shades lighter than your skin tone, she explains. Or you can go as far as three shades lighter for more glam.
Why Trust Byrdie
Caitlyn Martyn is a commerce writer for Byrdie, where she covers beauty and style topics ranging from skincare, makeup, and hair care, to fashion trends, big sales, and more. Caitlyn has genetically dark under-eyes (thanks, Mom), so she knows a thing or two about trying to conceal them. She also consulted with several experts, including:
- Amber Amos, a celebrity makeup artist. Amos’s work has been featured in editorial photoshoots for publications like Shape, Essence, Vogue, WWD, and more, as well as the faces of celebrities like Lil Nas X, Travis Scott, and more.
- Kelli Anne Sewell, a celebrity makeup artist and founder of Makeup by Kelli Anne, an online platform that teaches the ins and outs of makeup application. Her work has graced the faces of celebs, models, and social media personalities like Alix Earle, Camille Costek, Paige DeSorbo, and more.
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