Best Eye Concealers for Dark Circles

Dark circles and under-eye discoloration can be a common concern, making us look tired even when we're not. Fortunately, the right concealer can work wonders to brighten the under-eye area and create a more even, radiant complexion. This guide explores some of the top concealers specifically recommended for tackling dark circles, considering factors like coverage, finish, longevity, and shade range.

Dior Backstage Flash Perfector Concealer: Best for Skin-Like Finish and Under-Eye Coverage

The Dior Backstage Flash Perfector Concealer is lauded for its ability to provide exceptional coverage with a lightweight, skin-like finish. It effectively conceals dark circles and dark spots without creasing, caking, or appearing heavy. Testers reported that their skin looked amazing while wearing this concealer, with one noting, "On a day I wore this, my colleague DMed me during a video call to tell me my skin looked amazing."

The effectiveness of its thinner formula, according to cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos, may be attributed to an amino-acid-type surfactant that reduces oil absorption, allowing for a more even dispersal of pigments. A small amount is sufficient for everyday concealment, but it can also be built up for more coverage. While it can camouflage redness, it may not be as effective as some other options for that specific concern.

Testers appreciated the light-reflective finish and the precise application offered by the small, paintbrush-like wand. One panelist described the application as feeling like an artist at work. However, it's worth noting that Dior Backstage does not offer a digital matching tool, and some testers found the shades appeared darker online than in reality, making in-store testing advisable.

• Coverage: Medium, buildable to full
• Shades: 22

Nyx Professional Makeup Bare With Me Concealer Serum: Best for Minimal Coverage on a Budget

For those seeking a budget-friendly option, the Nyx Professional Makeup Bare With Me Concealer Serum offers a dewy finish and seamless blendability that rivals more expensive brands. Its liquid-like consistency does a decent job of concealing under-eye circles and even outperforms some pricier concealers when it comes to camouflaging redness.

A potential drawback is its longevity, which, according to Dobos, isn't exceptional despite the inclusion of long-wear ingredients listed low on the ingredient label. Nevertheless, it remains an excellent choice for individuals looking for sheer and natural coverage. The Nyx concealer stands out with its impressive shade range of 17 well-balanced options, making it easier to find a match compared to many budget concealers that offer limited hues, especially for deeper skin tones. This wider selection allows users to purchase different shades for various parts of the face without a significant financial burden.

Testers found that multiple layers were sometimes needed to fully cover purplish under-eye circles, and its sheer coverage was less effective for larger patches of hyperpigmentation. The pump dispenser was also noted as being tedious and messy, with testers preferring brush or wand applicators for more precise application.

• Coverage: Light to medium
• Shades: 17

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer: Best for Full Coverage and Concealing Redness

The MAC Pro Longwear Concealer lives up to its name, offering long-lasting, opaque coverage that is excellent for camouflaging imperfections. Testers found it adept at hiding redness and masking discoloration. One panelist with a birthmark on her jawline was particularly impressed, stating, "With one layer, my birthmark was basically just a slight shadow." It also effectively addresses dark spots and circles, though an extra coat might be necessary. Some users observed a brightening and slightly reflective finish.

Despite its thick and creamy texture, the Pro Longwear Concealer blends readily into the skin, providing a polished look that endures. Dobos suggests its longevity may be due to a high concentration of film-forming silicone resin and a silicone-based solvent. Panelists confirmed that the pigment and coverage strength remained consistent throughout the day.

A significant flaw identified by testers is the frustrating and wasteful pump dispenser, which is difficult to control and often releases more product than needed. Careful pressure can help manage the flow, but most found it challenging.

• Coverage: Full
• Shades: 16

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer: Best for Buildable Coverage and Shade-Matching

Achieving the right shade match is crucial for any concealer, and the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer excels in this area with its powerful online matching tool and a wide, well-composed shade range. This is particularly beneficial compared to other brands that may have larger shade counts but significant gaps between hues. One panelist noted, "Nars has an excellent variety of shades for dark complexions that takes into account the various undertones."

The formula is creamy and buildable, offering a natural-looking, slightly dewy finish that is easy to control. Testers found it provided "great coverage overall with a single layer of product" and demonstrated good longevity throughout a full workday. The slender, stiff, and straight doe-foot wand applicator allows for precise application, making it user-friendly regardless of makeup expertise.

While most panelists experienced a smooth finish, some testers with combination skin noted that the formula could become cakey as their skin became oilier. The price might also be a consideration, as the full-sized tube is smaller than those from many other major brands for a similar cost.

• Coverage: Medium
• Shades: 30

How We Tested and Reviewed Concealers

The selection process for identifying the best concealers involved an extensive research phase. This included polling makeup artists and beauty experts, gathering information from best-of lists, beauty awards, and online forums, and analyzing best-selling products from major beauty retailers. This initial research yielded a list of 85 potential concealers, which was then narrowed down to 41 based on cross-references. Products specifically for color correction or highlighting were excluded.

Over six weeks, the primary researcher tested the top-scoring concealers side-by-side on their face to account for variations in weather and skin condition. The 14 finalists were then distributed to a panel of eight diverse testers. This panel represented a range of ages (20s to 50s), skin tones (light, medium, deep), and skin types (normal, dry, oily, combination), and included individuals with various concerns such as under-eye circles, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, acne, redness, eczema, and birthmarks.

For another six weeks, each tester evaluated the 14 finalists based on the following criteria, using a scale of one to five:

• Coverage: Assessed the effectiveness in concealing targeted areas (under-eye circles, redness, acne, birthmarks, dark spots, hyperpigmentation), the need for multiple layers, and buildability.
• Finish: Evaluated ease of blending, smoothness, and the presence of creasing, caking, or settling into fine lines and pores.
• Application: Assessed the ease of dispensing, distributing, and applying the product.
• Longevity: Noted the product's fading or separation over the course of the day.
• Value: Compared the cost of concealers ranging from $6 to $75, calculating price per 0.25 ounce to evaluate budget options against prestige brands. Panelists also indicated their willingness to purchase the product.
• Shade range and finding a match: Considered concealers with at least 15 shades and assessed the ease of finding a suitable match for their skin tone.

The lead writer for this guide has been a lifestyle journalist since 2010, with experience in publications like Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. Their personal experience with concealer for various concerns, combined with consultations with cosmetic chemists Perry Romanowski and Kelly Dobos, and makeup artists Renée Loiz and Gregory Arlt, ensures a comprehensive and expert-driven review.

Shade-Matching Tips

Finding your correct shade and undertone (cool, neutral, olive, warm) is paramount. The most reliable method is to visit a department or beauty store and get professionally matched at least once. Alternatively, test various shades on your face until one blends seamlessly, which can also help identify your undertone. Online tools that use photos can be unreliable due to lighting and monitor variations.

Once you know your accurate match and undertone, you can use online tools like Findation to find equivalents in other brands or adjust shades seasonally as your skin tone changes.

Other Concealers We Considered

• Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating & Brightening Concealer: Praised for its expensive-looking finish but criticized for mediocre longevity and limited undertone options in deeper shades.
• Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer: Found to be dry, difficult to blend, and prone to patchiness.
• Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer: Offered a shimmering, light-reflecting finish but deposited tiny, glitter-like particulates.
• Clé de Peau Concealer SPF 27: Provided excellent matte coverage but was deemed too expensive.
• Covergirl Clean Invisible Concealer: Offered decent coverage but had a limited shade range (12 shades).
• E.L.F. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer: Had a nice shade range but an unwieldy oversized wand and a powdery, dull finish.
• Fenty Beauty We’re Even Hydrating Longwear Concealer: Appeared both dry and patchy under the eyes and shiny in the T-zone, despite its inclusive shade range.
• Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Concealer and Estée Lauder Futurist Soft Touch Brightening Skincealer: Both blended smoothly and provided good coverage but creased or settled into fine lines for some testers.
• Glossier Stretch Balm Concealer: Seemed to highlight tiny under-eye bumps.
• Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-puffing Concealer: Featured a difficult-to-use wand and the formula caked.
• Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer: Offered great longevity and coverage but did not particularly impress testers.
• Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer: Dried with creasing despite an easy application.
• It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer: Better at covering redness than dark circles, but challenging to blend and finished a bit shiny.
• Laura Mercier Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Concealer: Provided smooth matte coverage but was expensive per weight.
• Lancôme Teint Idole Concealer: Required multiple layers for effective coverage, and its applicator head was bulky.
• Make Up For Ever HD Concealer: Offered solid, buildable coverage but was not exceptional enough to justify its price.
• Makeup Revolution IRL Filter Finish Concealer: Had weak coverage, a streaky finish, and a narrow shade range.
• Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Multi-Use Concealer: Provided mediocre coverage, dried cakey, and had significant jumps in its shade range.

How to Cover Dark Circles

Effectively covering dark circles involves a multi-step approach that begins with proper skincare and ends with strategic concealer application.

1. Skincare Preparation: Begin by moisturizing the under-eye area with an eye cream to smooth and prep the skin. This step is crucial for creating a hydrated base for makeup.
2. Color Correcting (Optional but Recommended): For significant discoloration, a color corrector can be beneficial.
   • A Peach shade is recommended to counteract green or brown tones.
   • A Bisque shade is effective for neutralizing blue or purple undertones.
   Apply the corrector to the inner corners and under the eyes using a brush or fingertips.
3. Concealer Application: Apply your chosen concealer under the eyes, dotting or swiping it from the inner corner outwards towards the cheekbones.
4. Blending: Gently blend the concealer using a brush or your fingertips. The goal is to achieve long-lasting coverage that does not settle into fine lines.

Pro Tip: When applying concealer, remember that a little goes a long way. Building coverage gradually is more effective than applying a heavy hand initially, which can lead to a cakey appearance or require starting over.

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