When it comes to makeup staples, I always come back to one core product: concealer. It’s my ride-or-die. I’ve tested hundreds, maybe thousands over the years—smudging, blending, patting, baking—anything to brighten the under-eye, cancel out pigmentation, and soften the look of stubborn pores. And the truth is, not all concealers are created equal. Some crease by lunchtime, others vanish like ghosts, and the worst ones? They accentuate every fine line and pore they claim to blur.
So, after years of trial and error, deep dives into ingredient lists, countless selfies under unkind lighting, and honest opinions from makeup artists and friends alike—I’ve narrowed it down. Here are the 10 concealers that actually do what they promise. Each one plays a different role, and I’ll walk you through how they look, feel, and wear in real life.
1. Kosas Revealer Concealer — \$30
Best for: Brightening under eyes while treating skin
There’s something special about this one. The Kosas Revealer Concealer isn’t just a concealer—it’s skincare in disguise. The texture is creamy but light, almost like a whipped serum. I use it when I need to brighten my under-eye area without emphasizing any creases. It glides on with a natural glow and leaves behind a hydrated, slightly dewy finish that stays intact all day.
What really sets it apart is the formulation: caffeine to depuff, peptides to smooth, hyaluronic acid for hydration. You can literally feel it nourishing your skin as you wear it. I use shade 04 for my olive-toned light skin and it blends seamlessly.
Application Tip: I let it warm on my skin for 10 seconds before blending with a damp sponge. The result is fresh, awake eyes with no dry patches.
Where to Buy: Sephora, Kosas.com, Amazon
2. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer — \$32
Best for: Everyday medium coverage with a radiant finish
A modern classic. There’s a reason every makeup artist I’ve worked with has this in their kit. It offers that sweet spot: medium coverage that blurs redness and dark circles without looking cakey or matte. The creamy consistency spreads like butter and gives you enough play time to build or blend down.
I use “Custard” in winter and “Ginger” when I’ve caught some sun. Its light-diffusing properties give skin a soft-focus effect, which is amazing if you’re dealing with pores around the nose or under the eyes.
Application Tip: Use your ring finger for under-eye application; the warmth helps it melt into the skin.
Where to Buy: Nordstrom, Sephora, Narscosmetics.com
3. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser — \$11
Best for: Budget-friendly, fast application
I keep one in my car, one in my gym bag, and one at home. For under \$15, it performs like a high-end concealer. The sponge-tip applicator makes it ridiculously easy to use—just twist, tap, and go. The texture is fluid and thin, yet pigmented. You can cover blemishes and brighten the under-eye in seconds.
What I love is how well it layers—if I need a touch-up during the day, it never cakes. It’s the perfect drugstore staple.
Application Tip: Use it directly from the sponge for fast days, or dab it onto a brush for more control.
Where to Buy: Target, Ulta, Amazon, Walgreens
4. Pat McGrath Labs Sublime Perfection Concealer — \$34
Best for: Full coverage with a luxury finish
This is luxury in a tube. The formula is thick but never heavy. I wear it when I need my skin to look airbrushed—for photo shoots, weddings, or long days in front of a camera. The finish is satin-matte but radiant, which is a rare combo. It covers everything—dark spots, veins, breakouts—without making your skin feel like it’s suffocating.
Pat did something magical here. There’s hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and subtle light-reflecting pigments that smooth and perfect. You’ll look like you have a filter on your face—except it’s just this concealer.
Application Tip: For extra staying power, press it in with a brush, then set with translucent powder using a puff.
Where to Buy: Sephora, Bluemercury, PatMcGrath.com
5. Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer — \$36
Best for: Long wear and high glam
This concealer does not budge. I wore it through an entire summer wedding in Georgia—humid, sweaty, dancefloor madness—and it still looked flawless at midnight. The texture is lightweight but dries down to a transfer-proof, crease-proof finish.
It’s perfect for high-glam moments when you need real longevity. I love the medium-to-full coverage and natural finish that looks like real skin, just better.
Application Tip: Work in thin layers. One dot under each eye is more than enough.
Where to Buy: Hourglasscosmetics.com, Sephora, Net-a-Porter
6. Westman Atelier Vital Skin Care Concealer — \$48
Best for: Skincare lovers who want minimal creasing
This one feels like a treatment disguised as makeup. The first thing you’ll notice is how emollient it is—almost balm-like. It has a self-setting formula that doesn’t require powder unless you want extra hold. With peptides, caffeine, and hyaluronic acid, it truly treats your skin while wearing it.
It blurs pores beautifully, especially around the nose and chin, and never clings to dry patches or fine lines. For me, this is the no-makeup makeup essential.
Application Tip: Press into skin with fingertips for a second-skin finish.
Where to Buy: Credo Beauty, Violet Grey, Westman-Atelier.com
7. Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer — \$40
Best for: High pigment, zero creasing
This is a workhorse product. I use it when I need confidence in my base—whether I’m headed into meetings all day or running errands nonstop. The coverage is full, the applicator is large and plush, and the texture feels like a thick serum. Once it’s on, it doesn’t move or sink into fine lines.
It’s like a foundation and concealer in one, so I often skip foundation altogether and just use this where I need coverage.
Application Tip: Use a dense brush for fast blending; then lightly set with powder on the T-zone.
Where to Buy: Nordstrom, Sephora, Dior.com
8. NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer — \$32
Best for: Pot format, precision blemish coverage
This is the one I grab for spot concealing acne, scars, or redness around the mouth. The pot format gives you total control, and the texture is creamy-matte without being dry. You can apply it with a brush, your fingers, or even a sponge.
Despite being matte, it doesn’t feel drying. It smooths texture and camouflages pores better than almost any other I’ve tried. Great for oily skin or hot climates.
Application Tip: Use a small, stiff concealer brush to stamp onto blemishes. Then pat around the edges to blend.
Where to Buy: Narscosmetics.com, Sephora, Nordstrom
9. Victoria Beckham Beauty The Concealer Pen — \$68
Best for: Light coverage and glow
This is for the days when I want a little polish but nothing heavy. It gives just enough coverage to neutralize under-eye darkness and brighten dull areas without masking your skin. Think of it as a tinted eye cream with benefits.
The pen format is sleek, portable, and ultra hygienic. I keep it in my bag for touch-ups. It also has Victoria Beckham’s signature skincare touch—loaded with TFC8, peptides, and squalane.
Application Tip: Swipe directly from the pen and blend with fingers for a seamless touch.
Where to Buy: VictoriaBeckhamBeauty.com, Net-a-Porter
10. Saie Slip Tint Concealer — \$28
Best for: Natural finish with hydrating benefits
This is one of my newest finds and I can’t get enough. It melts into the skin with almost no effort. The finish is softly radiant—not shiny—and the coverage is adjustable. One layer is sheer, but you can build to a solid medium coverage.
It’s particularly forgiving on dry skin, thanks to niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. If you love the brand’s Slip Tint SPF, this is the perfect companion.
Application Tip: For a monochromatic, clean look, use your fingers and follow with a swipe of cream blush.
Where to Buy: Saiehello.com, Sephora
Build Your Own Arsenal
Each of these concealers plays a different role in my routine. Some are my all-day powerhouses. Others are my lazy-Sunday lifesavers. You don’t need all 10, but having a few—tailored to your skin’s needs and your lifestyle—can make your beauty routine smoother, faster, and a lot more fun.
Whether you’re trying to fake 8 hours of sleep, blur out a breakout, or glow like you drink 3 liters of water a day, there’s a concealer here that will help you get there.
Where to Shop These Picks:
- Sephora – Great for a wide selection, shade matching tools, and generous return policies.
- Nordstrom – Often has exclusive shade ranges and curated beauty edits.
- Amazon – Convenient for drugstore classics like Maybelline.
- Brand Websites – Often offer first-time discounts or gift-with-purchase bonuses.
No concealer is truly one-size-fits-all—but the right one, or the right few, can transform not just how your skin looks, but how you feel facing the day. Whether you’re after a brightened gaze, a blurred complexion, or a quick fix on the go, the formulas above prove that performance, comfort, and beauty can coexist. I’ve found confidence in each of these picks—and I hope, in the one you choose, you will too.
