As a beauty editor, I've become accustomed to being approached with general makeup questions and requests from loved ones, acquaintances, and strangers. While I'm usually more than prepared to rattle off a few of my favorite products, I also like to take the time to ask what someone is looking to achieve with their makeup and any problem areas that can be addressed. For example, whenever I'm asked about the best under-eye concealers, I get an earful about crow's-feet, fine lines, and dryness, but it's pesky dark circles that dominate so many of these conversations.
It's a well-known fact that for some individuals, dark under-eye circles can form as a sign of dehydration, fatigue, and lifestyle factors, but did you know they can also be completely hereditary? Some people are just more prone to getting them, and others are born with them. The good news is no matter what your under-eye concern is, there's a high-performing concealer out there that can conceal, brighten, and smooth the skin to perfection.
Finding and Using an Under-Eye Concealer
To get the scoop on the best products for the job, I tapped celebrity makeup artist and educator Carly Giglio. For Giglio, shopping for the perfect product is all about paying special attention to its formula and performance. She looks for the standout under-eye concealers that check her boxes for staying power, coverage, minimal creasing, and compatibility with skin type in addition to considering the state her skin is in.
She also takes note of the coverage a product offers and the result she would like to achieve. "In the summer, my skin is oily, so I'll go with something more matte, whereas in the winter when I'm dry, I go with something creamier and more hydrating." Of course, learning how to use a product to pull off the best possible results can be tricky whether you're a newcomer to the world of makeup or a beauty aficionado. Giglio prefers to apply concealer with a brush or damp blending sponge (making sure the latter is not too wet, as it can potentially lift the product you'd like to apply).
Making the Concealer Last
She then presses the formula into the skin with the warmth of her fingertips. "By pressing it in, you'll work the product into the skin and pick up excess formula, which will help reduce creasing," she explains. The final step for making dark circles disappear is to use the aforementioned pressing motion to whatever excess product is left followed by fine setting powder applied with a dry puff or sponge.
Be sure to press in the setting powder immediately after applying and blending out your chosen under-eye concealer so that it stays in place without creasing or shifting. Feel like you need some extra assurance your concealer will last all day? It's never a bad idea to start your makeup application with a primer and end the process with a few spritzes of your favorite setting spray.
Now that you know how to get the best out of the product, scroll on for our expert-approved edit of the 12 best under-eye concealers that will make your pesky dark circles vanish without a trace.
Best Overall: Hourglass Vanish Concealer
Giglio enjoys the creamy texture and full-coverage finish this TikTok-viral concealer offers. Long-wearing, crease-resistant, and waterproof, Hourglass's Vanish Airbrush Concealer works overtime to hide imperfections while blurring and smoothing the complexion. I love how bright and refreshed my skin looks after using this!
Customer Review: "Bought a mini concealer to trial after seeing so many positive reviews on social media. For the price, I am glad it didn’t disappoint. The concealer is very hydrating as well as pigmented and successfully hides my dark circles. Stays in place for hours and does what it says—gives an airbrushed finish. Definitely worth the price and I’m hoping to purchase a full sized soon!"
Product Specs: 0.04 oz tube
Best for Light Coverage: Yves Saint Laurent Éclat Awakening Concealer Click Pen
As a beauty editor, I'm always on-the-go and sometimes have mere minutes to touch up my makeup. YSL's concealer pen delivers sheer coverage and brightness under my eyes in a click. It's creamy, blendable, and has an extremely weightless feel. It feels like you're not wearing anything on the skin!
Customer Review: "Best concealer for under the eye that I have found. It blends in easily and quickly and does not cake. It just disappears under the eye and maybe only needs to be blended slightly. I also have used a touch in the center of my eyelid for a brightener."
Product Specs: 0.10 oz retractable pen
Best for Medium Coverage: The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick
This lightweight, multipurpose complexion stick by Merit can be used as a concealer or foundation for natural-looking coverage all day. I use this one in the shade Cacao to camouflage what remains of the dark circles after using a brightening under-eye serum as part of my skincare routine.
Customer Review: "This stick is phenomenal. I love the smooth finish and I keep it in my purse for touch-ups during the day, etc. It works well to cover small or larger areas and is easily blendable with just a fingertip when needed. I wear it with my Hourglass foundation and they're a good match. This is a great brand and I'm excited to try more of their products."
Product Specs: 0.23 oz retractable stick
Wearing Merit's The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick in Cacao
Best for Full Coverage: Nars Soft Matte Complete Full Coverage Concealer
This concealer's formula is oil-free and uses ingredients like hyaluronic acid and peptides to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and pores. It also blurs imperfections with light-diffusing spheres for all-day wear and coverage. Giglio likes to use this on the under-eyes and wherever else its needed.
iCustomer Review: "This concealer is amazing! A little goes a long way. It’s able to cover my under eye darkness with a seamless blend and it does not feel heavy at all! I also haven’t noticed any creasing! I’m amazed I didn’t try this concealer sooner. This is my new holy grail!"
Product Specs: 0.22 oz jar
Best Shade Range: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
Giglio highlights this Nars concealer as a favorite of hers for its hydration, radiance, decent level of coverage, and diverse shade range. It has a long-lasting, skincare-infused formula that brightens the complexion and locks in 24 hours of hydration with 16 hours of wear. (I've put it to the test on many occasions with the best results.)
Customer Review: "I can't believe I've been sleeping on this for literal decades before I tried it for the first time in 2024. I am a light-medium olive and the color Cafe Au Lait is absolutely perfect for my under-eyes. The slight peach corrects but the final color doesn't make my under-eyes look unnatural."
Product Specs: 0.22 oz tube
Best Buildable Coverage: Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer
Beauty Director Erin Jahns introduced me to this product, and I've been obsessed with it ever since. The Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer is packed with skin-loving ingredients like caffeine, pink algae extract, and hyaluronic acid to combat dark circles and fine lines for a radiant finish.
Customer Review: "I don’t remember who put me onto this concealer but I wish i could give them a kiss. It’s very creamy & hydrating. For someone who struggles with finding her shade in every product I hit the nail on the head the first time around with this one. It’s the concealer I’m reaching for every time I do my makeup!"
Product Specs: 0.18 oz tube
Best for Brightening: Luminous Silk Face and Under-Eye Concealer
Armani Beauty's multipurpose concealer smooths imperfections and brightens dark circles using a formula packed with caffeine, vitamin E, and glycerin to nourish, hydrate, and brighten the complexion. It also targets under-eye puffiness for a flawless finish. Once I switched to using this concealer (and Armani's Luminous Silk foundation), there was no going back.
Customer Review: "Unbelievable. Hands down the best. I don’t ever go out my way to write a review. It completely transformed my under eyes, it doesn’t look like I have any makeup on. Looks fresh and super natural yet somehow covers everything that I need."
Product Specs: 0.4 oz tube
Best Matte Finish: It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer
It Cosmetics has a number of concealers I love, but I snag this one whenever I get the chance. Not only is its anti-aging formula completely waterproof, but it reduces the look of wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and dark circles without creasing. It's formulated with collagen, hyaluronic acid, and peptides, which promote firmer skin elasticity.
Customer Review: "I saw immediate results with this concealer. A very little goes a long way! It hides my dark circles really well, full coverage that brightens and sits well with my makeup. This will be a staple in my makeup case."
Product Specs: 0.40 oz tube
Best for Sensitive Eyes: Main Match Crease-Proof Long-Wear Hydrating Concealer
Out of all the concealers I've tested, this one has stuck around for the longest in my makeup bag. Kulfi's crease-proof concealer erases dark circles, hyperpigmentation, and blemishes while locking in hydration and smoothing the skin. The end result is a self-setting formula and a radiant finish with all-day wear.
Customer Review: "I'm really enjoying this concealer! It's hydrated & doesn't crease like crazy. It also easy to blend. I love most that it hasn't irritated my eyes. I do have extremely sensitive eyes & this concealer hasn't made them watery at all & wears well."
Product Specs: 0.17 oz tube
Wearing Kulfi's Main Match Crease-Proof Long-Wear Hydrating Concealer in Kesar Pista
Best Buildable Formula: Nars Light Reflecting Eye Brightener
Using Nars's Light Reflecting Eye Brighter is a quick and easy way to illuminate the under-eye area and disguise dark circles, redness, and dullness. Its formula uses chromatic pearls that are light reflecting and help reduce the look of fine lines. I like to wear this one alone to achieve a natural-looking finish or as a midday touch up.
Customer Review: "I feel like I've finally found the solution to brighten my under eyes and not dry them out. I use the Impossible Dream shade first to really cover the blue/purple dark circles then layer the shade Night Swan over to brighten. I've never found a product that works so well for me."
Product Specs: 0.21 oz jar
Best Non-Creasing Concealer: Complexion Rescue Brightening Under Eye Concealer
This concealer is part of BareMinerals' Complexion Rescue line for a reason. Its brightening formula features transformative ingredients like hyaluronic acid and cacao extract to replenish and boost the skin's moisture while defending it from environmental stressors and damage from blue light.
Customer Review: "Love this concealer. Is very light-weight and has great coverage with just one swipe. Is buildable if needing extra coverage. It also didn't crease under my eyes. It's a mousse like texture and blends in the skin seamlessly. A little goes a long way. I would absolutely recommend!"
Product Specs: 0.33 oz tube
Best for Beginners: Glossier Stretch Concealer for Dewy Buildable Coverage
If you're new to using under-eye concealer, Glossier's Stretch Concealer is the way to go. In addition to being blendable, buildable, and easy to use, its formulated with adaptable mineral pigments for a brightening effect and natural-looking coverage. I've gotten same amazing results when applying this product to the under-eye area with a brush and my fingers.
Customer Review: "Perfect for the simple everyday makeup. It lasts the entire work day looking natural and radiant. Easy to settle with some powder and you are ready to go. I have not been able to stop using it daily for weeks."
Product Specs: 0.17 oz jar
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