To curate a list of only the best products, we spent hours researching top-performing options while comparing factors like ingredients, coverage, finish, and shade options. We also spoke with Kelsey Deenihan, bareMinerals global makeup artist ambassador, for expert advice on shopping for—and applying—concealer for dark circles. She notes that those with severe dark circles may want to prep their undereye area with a color-corrector. “The deeper purple your undereyes are, the more of an orange you’ll need to correct,” she says. But those with less-intense under-eye circles can likely get away with a concealer that’s “slightly lighter than your skin tone.” Think: One or two shades lighter than your go-to foundation. Find our concealer recommendations for dark circles below and keep reading for expert advice on what to keep in mind when selecting the best product for your skin. Who it isn’t for: People who want a satin finish concealer. This full-coverage concealer is so popular that one is sold every 12 seconds, according to the brand. As the name implies, it boasts Tarte’s patented Tape technology, renowned for its ability to smooth and reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores. It’s also powered by a moisturizing trio of shea butter, mango butter, and brightening licorice root. This concealer can last up to 16 hours, so you can rest assured that it won’t cake or settle by mid-day. While Shape Tape is a fan favorite for its ability to brighten the under-eye area, it also has multipurpose benefits like lightening dark spots, priming the eyelids, sculpting the face, and more. And don’t forget the large doe-foot applicator, which the brand has playfully dubbed the “jumbo speed smoother.” The unique, oversized design makes it easy to apply it to a larger area—like dark circle-ridden under-eyes—so you can blend and go in no time. Price at time of publish: $30
Shades: 35Coverage: FullFinish: Matte
Who it isn’t for: People who want fuller coverage. This affordable brightening concealer has been a drugstore staple—and a brand bestseller—since it hit shelves in 2010. While this concealer offers medium-to-full coverage, it still feels weightless on the skin. It also boasts a unique sponge tip that makes the ultra-blendable concealer even easier to apply to dark circles. The formula features amino acid-rich goji berry and Haloxyl, which boost blood circulation and reduce dark circles over time. This concealer is also non-comedogenic, free of oils, and free of fragrance, making it a solid choice for all skin types—including those with sensitive skin. Price at time of publish: $10
Shades: 18Coverage: Medium to fullFinish: Natural
Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want to splurge on a high-end formula. In the unique case that you need to wear makeup for a full 24 hours, this high-end concealer has you covered. A little of this product goes a long way, so you get a lot of bang for your buck (which might make that high price tag more appealing). And it’s buildable too, suitable for medium-to-full-coverage glam. The product seamlessly melts into the skin without settling into fine lines or wrinkles, in part due to the wild pansy extract included in the formula, which is known for its smoothing properties. Curious about its application? It’s similar to that of Tarte Shape Tape, featuring a large doe foot applicator so you can precisely apply product to your under-eye area before blending the formula with your fingers, a sponge, or a brush. Before adding this concealer to your shopping cart, note that the brand recommends selecting a shade two shades lighter than your natural skin tone for the best results. Price at time of publish: $38
Shades: 28Coverage: FullFinish: Natural
Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want a matte finish. Well People’s Bio Correct Concealer is formulated to meet EWG certification standards, which assures it’s free of potentially unsafe ingredients. And that’s not even all of its certifications—it also boasts PETA Cruelty-Free and Leaping Bunny certifications. Beyond its credentials, it does a great job of correcting and concealing. It has a unique mousse-like texture that blends with little effort. The formula feels like a cream initially but sets like a powder, so you don’t have to worry about looking overly shiny. Plus, the formula benefits your skin, too, with ingredients like organic pomegranate oil for hydration, vitamin-rich organic olive oil, and fatty acid-rich organic castor seed oil. Price at time of publish: $22
Shades: 20Coverage: FullFinish: Matte
Who it isn’t for: Some shoppers may find this concealer to be too drying. This dual-ended concealer is designed with a matte concealer on one side and a brightening concealer on the other. To use it, simply apply the color-correcting end directly to spots you want to conceal and pat it in gently with your fingertips for seamless blending. The spherical shape of the applicator allows you to be very precise with application, which is great for the under-eye area. Then, use the brightening end on your dark circles and tap it in gently for a look that says “full night’s sleep.” The brightening side contains lotus flower extract that has anti-inflammatory benefits, according to a 2017 study. Plus, you won’t have to tug this stick across your skin either—it’s infused with mango seed butter, giving it a creamy, emollient texture that glides on smoothly. Price at time of publish: $32
Shades: 16Coverage: FullFinish: Matte
Who it isn’t for: People who want a full coverage finish. This hydrating concealer is a unique corrector-meets-eye-cream that features hyaluronic acid and peptides—ingredients that hydrate and plump for a supple finish, while caffeine and pink algae extract combat dark circles, puffiness, and dullness, making it ideal for under-eye application. If you’re looking for a versatile concealer that can also hide blemishes and redness, arnica and panthenol soothe irritated skin, so this pick can also be used as a spot concealer. A Real Simple contributor reviewed the formula and said that “it totally lives up to the hype” that it garnered online. Price at time of publish: $28
Shades: 28Coverage: MediumFinish: Radiant
Who it isn’t for: People who want a light or medium coverage concealer. If you’re prone to acne and blemishes, this full-coverage concealer can correct irregularities in a pinch. The Nars Soft Matte Concealer offers full coverage yet is natural-looking, with blurring powders that give the skin a soft focus and almost Instagram filter-like finish. The application process is a little more extensive than with some of the other products on our list, but a perfect, blemish-free finish is worth it. It’s recommended that you warm the product between your fingers and then pat it over imperfections to achieve perfectly blendable coverage. And if you want to tackle texture, like acne scars, pores, or wrinkles, the manufacturer recommends applying it with a stippling brush. Price at time of publish: $30
Shades: 30Coverage: FullFinish: Matte
Who it isn’t for: People who want a full-coverage formula. Not only will this high-end concealer look chic on your vanity, but it will not disappoint in delivering luminosity and glow. Similar to its famous Luminous Silk Foundation counterpart, this concealer boasts a super-soft texture that makes the skin look like silk, providing an airbrushed, your-skin-but-better finish. It’s made with the same technology as the foundation, but also contains glycerin, caffeine, and vitamin E to reduce under-eye puffiness for a wide-awake, brightening effect. The brand recommends using the precise, sharply angled doe-foot applicator tip to target specific areas like blemishes or dark spots, and the flat side to give larger areas—like those pesky dark circles—a brightening boost. Price at time of publish: $38
Shades: 23Coverage: MediumFinish: Natural
Who it isn’t for: People who want a lightweight formula. IT Cosmetics’ product range is formulated to conceal and correct skin issues like acne, melasma, and discoloration. This full-coverage waterproof concealer contains an impressive lineup of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and peptides that firm, hydrate, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, respectively. While the ingredient list is impressive, the pigmentation is even better. This concealer delivers a gasp-worthy finish that completely hides dark circles and blemishes without looking cakey. Pro tip: A little goes a long way. Because this formula has a thick, pasty texture, applying too much product will feel heavy and make it hard to blend. Instead, apply a small amount for a seamlessly blended, weightless, and natural finish. Once it’s blended, you’re good to go for up to 24 hours without creasing, making it a brilliant option for those who can’t commit to mid-day touch-ups. Price at time of publish: $29
Shades: 25Coverage: FullFinish: Natural
Who it isn’t for: People who want a one-step concealer process. Neutralize any under-eye discoloration with this dark circle corrector, which is meant to be applied before your traditional concealer. This waterproof, sweatproof, and humidity-resistant formula can withstand the elements and last all day, sans touch-ups. This corrector comes in bisque and peach shades, both of which combat different types of discoloration. How to pick the right one for you? If your dark circles are bluish-purple, the brand recommends the bisque shades, whereas if they have a greenish-brown hue, they suggest a pink shade. If it falls somewhere in between, try peach-bisque. For best results, the brand recommends applying the color corrector directly to areas of discoloration with a concealer brush, getting as close to the lash line and innermost corner as a base for your next layer of concealer. Price at time of publish: $32
Shades: 11Coverage: FullFinish: Matte
How to Shop for Under-Eye Concealers Like a Pro
Ingredients
It’s important to consider your under-eye concealer’s ingredients to benefit your skin instead of solely providing coverage. Deenihan’s top recommendation is hyaluronic acid, which you’ve likely heard about as a go-to in hydrating skincare. But it’s also a star ingredient in concealer because it “helps boost and replenish the skin’s moisture, which is key to preventing your concealer from creasing,” says the pro.
Coverage
Concealers come in light, medium, and full coverage. The former may not be suitable for dark circles as it’s often lightly pigmented and ideal for a no-makeup look. In choosing concealer for under-eye circles, a medium to full coverage formula is usually best for hiding unwanted darkness—and this is why all of our picks fall in this range. If you don’t always want full coverage, a medium-coverage formula that the brand describes as “buildable” is likely the perfect fit for you.
Finish
The most common types of concealer finishes are matte and satin, says Deenihan. She says a satin finish will likely wear more naturally, as it’s usually the key to a “dewy skin texture.” Contrastly, matte concealer tends to be more full-coverage and will wear thicker and heavier to give you “full opaque coverage.”
Skin Type
Is your skin oily? Dry? Combination? This is important to keep in mind when shopping for a concealer for under-eye circles, says Deenihan. “Like foundation, different concealers are more beneficial than others depending on your skin type,” she says. The pro recommends those with dry skin opt for a “creamy liquid concealer,” while those on the oily side choose a “potted cream concealer,” which “tends to wear better due to its dryer finish.”
Questions You Might Ask
How do you choose a concealer for dark circles?
For maximum coverage on under-eye circles, you may want to prep with a color-corrector before applying a brightening concealer. “The deeper purple your under-eyes are, the more of an orange you’ll need to correct,” Deenihan explains, adding that you can use the color wheel as your guide: “Orange will cancel purple, green cancels red, and yellow cancels blue,” she says. Once you know what color you’re trying to conceal, invest in a color corrector to apply before your concealer of choice. If you want to forgo the color corrector, Deenihan recommends a brightening formula that is “slightly lighter than your skin tone.” This will “diminish the look of unwanted dark circles,” she explains. If darkness is still peeking through, she says you can layer your brightening concealer over a concealer that matches your skin tone to pack an extra punch.
How do you apply concealer under your eyes?
After applying eye cream, Deenihan recommends dabbing a “small amount” of concealer with your finger “around the orbital bone directly under the eye and in toward the nose.” Then, “with a light tapping motion,” she recommends pressing the product into the skin. The warmth of your fingers “marries the skin, allowing for a seamless application,” she says. For more coverage, the pro suggests layering on more concealer but advises that you “always use a tapping motion and never wipe it on” to allow for the “most realistic finish.” Otherwise, the product will sit on top of the skin rather than appearing seamlessly blended. “If you’re opting to use a brush, still pat the product into the skin and avoid wiping,” she says.
How do you prevent under-eye concealers from creasing?
Two pro tips for preventing under-eye concealers from creasing go as follows: “If you’re drier under your eyes, make sure to prep your skin with an eye cream,” says Deenihan. And if you have oily skin, she says using a setting powder may reduce creasing.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Marisa Petrarca, a contributing writer for Real Simple with over five years of editorial experience crafting product reviews and lifestyle content. She spent hours researching the best concealers for dark circles to compile this list. She also consulted Kelsey Deenihan, bareMinerals global makeup artist ambassador, for recommendations on selecting the best concealer formula for a variety of skin types.
