The 20 Most Undetectable (Yet Effective) Concealers for Barely-There Makeup

All beauty lovers know how amazing that moment is when you finally have that perfect concealer in your hands. It's been selected to address your specific needs and work in tandem with your skin type for that seamless, all-natural finish everyone deserves. Whether you've decided to invest in it to camouflage a skin flare-up, redness, or hyperpigmentation, a trustworthy concealer will 100% have your back (extra points if it's both long-lasting and non-oxidizing).

When I'm searching for my true concealer match in the seemingly endless aisles of products at my beauty supplier of choice, one of the first features I look for in a product is that it’s lightweight. The last thing I want to do while wearing a concealer is to remember it's there. If you're like me and have struggled for too long to meet your product match, this concealer guide is for you.

lightweight-concealers-293559-1688153709856-main

(Image credit: @sasha.mei)

Finding + Using Your Concealer

"When I'm shopping for a concealer, I'm always looking for something lightweight, buildable, and hydrating! There is nothing that I hate more than a concealer that becomes cakey and flaky by the end of the day," shares freelance makeup artist and Kite Beauty representative, Morgan Leigh. "My favorite go-to is Kite Beauty because their ingredients are beyond hydrating and buildable, which is key! The packaging is also designed for on-the-go girls, so it's always easy to touch up or build coverage for a day to night look!" When applying concealer, Leigh likes to begin with a very moisturized canvas to ensure easy application of the concealer product.

For skin prep, Leigh's go-to product is Merit's Instant Glow Serum which uses skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to quickly hydrate and visibly plump the skin, contributing to a visibly brighter and smoother palette to start with. She then follows the serum with a moisturizer for easy concealer application that also remains glowy. After your skin is moisturized, Leigh recommends using a damp beauty blender for flawless application and the ability to build up your concealer's coverage.

If you haven't found your holy-grail concealer just yet and are still looking for a versatile, lightweight formula, don't worry! I've scoured the internet for some of the best ones out there. Below, you'll find a variety of concealers offering endless shade ranges, formulations depending on specific skin types, and different levels of coverage.

Must-Have Lightweight Concealers

Overall Best: Chantecaille Le Camouflage Stylo

Milk Makeup Sunshine Under-Eye Brightening Light Coverage Concealer

Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer

Rose Inc. Softlight Clean Dewy Hydrating Concealer

Merit The Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Foundation and Concealer Stick

Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer Broad Spectrum SPF 25

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Concealer

Glossier Stretch Concealer for Dewy Buildable Coverage

Kosas Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer and Daytime Eye Cream

Nyx Professional Makeup HD Photogenic Concealer Wand

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer

lightweight-concealers-293559-1622761637543-main

(Image credit: @sarennya)

Milk Makeup Future Fluid All Over Medium Coverage Hydrating Concealer

Natasha Denona Hy-Glam Brightening & Hydrating Crease Proof Serum Concealer

Kulfi Beauty Main Match Crease-Proof Long-Wear Hydrating Concealer

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

BareMinerals BarePro Stick Concealer

Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer with Vitamin C

RMS Beauty Un Cover-Up

Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Concealer

Code8 Seamless Cover Perfecting Concealer

Up next, How to Preserve Your Goddess Braids (and the Products That Make a Difference)

Maya Thomas
Assistant Beauty Editor

Maya Thomas is Who What Wear's assistant beauty editor based in New York City. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University with the goal of one day pursuing a career in fashion. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer while also building a following on her lifestyle blog, Itsmayalala.com. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.