Best concealer: an editor's guide to choosing the right one

Finding the best concealer is less about chasing a single cult tube and more about matching formula, coverage and shade to the job you need it to do. Dark circles, a breakout, redness around the nose and a fading tan line all ask for slightly different things. Get the match right and one product can quietly do the work of three.

This guide gives you a quick-pick summary by need, the criteria that separate a good concealer from a frustrating one, and a clear way to choose by skin type, budget and finish. It is written for UK shoppers, which means thinking about grey mornings, central heating, humid summers on the Tube and the reality of buying shades online.

If you are building a full base routine, our wider makeup edit covers every step. Here, the focus is purely on concealer.

Quick picks: the best concealer types by need

Before you look at any shelf, decide what you are concealing. That single decision narrows the field more than any brand name ever will.

Who each type is best for

Creamy liquid with a doe-foot applicator suits most people and most under-eye areas. It is easy to blend, layers well and tends to sit comfortably on thin skin.

Cream pots and compact concealers suit anyone dealing with spots, scars or pigmentation. The thicker texture grips the skin and stays put on a small area, which is exactly what a blemish needs.

Sticks are ideal for travel, quick touch-ups and anyone who prefers to work with fingers. They vary hugely in texture, so test on the back of your hand for drag.

Pen or click formulas with a brush tip give a light, sheer layer. They are best for brightening rather than true coverage.

What we looked for in a great concealer

These are the criteria any concealer worth buying should meet. Use them as a checklist when reading product descriptions or swatching in store.

Coverage that builds without caking

The best formulas let you start sheer and add a second thin layer where needed. If a concealer only looks good at full coverage, it will look heavy on anyone with fine lines or texture.

A shade range with genuine depth and undertone choice

A broad range should offer real steps between shades, not jumps, plus clear undertone options: cool, neutral, warm and olive. Deeper skin tones in particular deserve shades with red, golden and neutral undertones rather than one ashy option.

Wear time and crease resistance

Under-eye concealer is tested by blinking, smiling and squinting thousands of times a day. Look for formulas described as crease-resistant or long-wearing, and expect to set lightly with powder for full-day wear.

Texture that suits the area

Under the eye wants flexibility and slip. A spot wants grip. A concealer that claims to do both should be thin enough to blend but dense enough to cover, which is a difficult balance.

Skin-friendly formulation

If you have sensitive or reactive skin, check for fragrance-free formulas and non-comedogenic claims. Hydrating ingredients such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid help on dry under-eyes. If you have a skin condition, a dermatologist or pharmacist is the right person to advise.

Packaging and applicator

Doe-foot wands are hygienic and precise. Pots need a clean brush or finger every time. Pumps and squeeze tubes help you see how much is left and reduce air exposure.

Best options by need and budget

You do not need to spend at the top of the market to get a good concealer, but different price tiers tend to offer different strengths.

Entry-level

High street and supermarket concealers have improved enormously. At this tier, you often find strong long-wear and full-coverage formulas, especially for blemishes.

• Pros: easy to replace, often widely available in UK chemists, low risk if the shade is wrong.
• Considerations: shade ranges can be narrower, and under-eye formulas may be drier.
• Best for: spot concealing, trying a new finish, keeping a backup in your bag.

Mid-range

This is where many shoppers find their long-term favourite. Mid-range concealers tend to balance coverage with comfort and offer broader shade ranges.

• Pros: more refined textures, better undertone choice, often more skincare-style ingredients.
• Considerations: availability can vary between online and in-store.
• Best for: daily under-eye use and anyone who wants one concealer for most jobs.

Investment

Premium concealers usually justify their price through texture, finish and shade work rather than radically different coverage.

• Pros: very fine pigments, elegant finishes, often excellent on mature or dry skin.
• Considerations: smaller sizes are common, so check how much product you get.
• Best for: special occasions, photographed events, or if you wear concealer alone as your main base.

Sizing, finish and use-case notes

• A small tube lasts a surprisingly long time if you only use it under the eyes. A large pot of spot concealer may outlive its shelf life.
• Check the period-after-opening symbol, the little open jar with a number of months, and respect it.
• Radiant finishes look fresh but can highlight texture on oily T-zones. Matte finishes last but can settle into dry lines.

How to choose the best concealer for you

Step 1: Pick your shade strategy

For under-eyes, choose one shade lighter than your skin, or the same shade with a peachy or warm undertone to cancel blue or purple tones. Go too light and you will get a grey, ghostly cast.

For blemishes and redness, choose an exact match to your skin or foundation. A lighter shade on a raised spot draws attention to it.

Step 2: Match texture to skin type

• Dry skin: emollient, creamy liquids; prep with a light eye cream first.
• Oily skin: long-wear, matte or soft-matte liquids; set with a fine powder.
• Combination: consider two concealers, a hydrating one for eyes and a drier one for spots.
• Mature skin: thin layers of a flexible, radiant formula; minimal powder.

Step 3: Decide if you need a corrector

Colour correcting is not compulsory, but it helps with stubborn discolouration. Peach and orange tones counteract blue and purple shadows, especially on medium and deep skin. Green tones neutralise redness. Apply a very thin layer, then concealer on top.

Step 4: Shop smart online

Buying concealer online in the UK is convenient but risky for shade. Compare against shades you already know, look at swatches on several skin tones, and check the returns policy. Many retailers offer samples or try-before-you-buy options in store, so swatch on your jawline or under-eye, not your wrist, and check in daylight.

Step 5: Think about the rest of your routine

Concealer works with the base around it. If you wear foundation, apply it first and then conceal only where still needed; you will use far less. Our guide to the best foundation explains how to pair finishes. If you wear concealer alone, a tinted moisturiser or nothing at all is fine.

How to apply concealer so it lasts

Technique makes even the best concealer look better. Keep it simple.

1. Prep. Moisturise, let it sink in for a minute, and use eye cream if you are dry.
2. Place. For dark circles, dot product on the inner corner and the darkest part of the shadow only, not in a large triangle.
3. Blend. Tap with a ring finger, a damp sponge or a small fluffy brush. Tapping keeps coverage in place; rubbing moves it away.
4. Build. Wait 30 seconds, then add a second thin layer only where needed.
5. Set. Press a small amount of fine powder under the eyes with a brush or puff. Skip it on very dry skin.
6. Lock. A light mist of a setting spray can melt powder into skin and help longevity on long days.

For spots, use a small, firm brush. Dab concealer directly onto the blemish, blend only the edges outwards and set with powder.

Mistakes to avoid

• Too much product. Most creasing comes from thick layers. Start with less than you think.
• Wrong undertone. A pink concealer on golden skin will look chalky in daylight.
• Over-powdering. Heavy powder under the eye ages the area quickly.
• Concealing the whole eye area. Focus on the shadows; leaving natural brightness elsewhere looks fresher.
• Ignoring the rest of the face. A bright under-eye with no warmth elsewhere can look flat. A touch of bronzer or blush brings balance.

Building the full look

Concealer is one quiet piece of a finished face. Defined lashes help lift the eye after concealing, so pair your routine with one of the formulas from our best mascara guide. A considered lip completes things, and our edit of the best lipstick shades and textures helps you choose one.

FAQs

What is the best concealer for dark circles?

Look for a creamy, flexible liquid with a peach or warm undertone, one shade lighter than your skin at most. Apply in thin layers to the darkest areas only. For deep shadows on medium to deep skin, a thin peach or orange corrector underneath makes a real difference.

Should concealer be lighter than foundation?

Under the eyes, it can be up to one shade lighter to brighten. On spots, redness or pigmentation, it should match your foundation or skin exactly. A lighter shade on a blemish tends to highlight it rather than hide it.

Do I apply concealer before or after foundation?

Generally after. Foundation evens out most of the skin, so you need less concealer on top. If you only want light coverage, you can skip foundation and use concealer alone where needed.

How do I stop concealer creasing?

Use less product, blend by tapping rather than rubbing, and let it settle for a few seconds before setting. Press a small amount of fine powder on top and avoid heavy layers. Hydrating the area beforehand also helps.

How long does concealer last once opened?

Check the period-after-opening symbol on the packaging, which shows the number of months. Replace it sooner if the smell, colour or texture changes. Pots used with fingers benefit from extra care and a clean applicator.

The bottom line

The best concealer is the one that suits your concern, your skin type and your undertone, used in thin layers with a gentle technique. Decide what you are covering, choose a formula and finish to match, and buy smart on shade. Do that and you will spend less, use less and look more like yourself.