I Have Dark Under-Eye Circles—These Are the Only 11 Concealers That Work for Me

If I had to use only one makeup product for the rest of my life, I would choose concealer every single time. As someone who is prone to acne scarring, has chronic dark circles and spends a lot of time trying to minimise her uneven skin tone, it's safe to say I rely heavily on concealer. Considering I don't really wear foundation, I use concealer in a myriad of ways. Not only does it disguise my under-eye bags, eradicate any signs of breakouts and cover up any redness, but it also works to even out my skin in a way that just leaves me feeling better about myself.

In fact, I believe concealer to be so good that I'm not really sure any of us would ever need to buy foundation again if we just knew which formulas to look out for. Like most us, I like for my makeup to look natural and for my base products to leave my skin looking like mine, just a bit better. It's for this exact reason that nine times out of 10, I prefer to apply concealer just in the areas I need it rather than coat my entire face with a layer of foundation.

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Here I am wearing no concealer or other makeup products.

And while I hate for my foundation (when I opt for it) to be heavy-duty or full-coverage, I firmly believe that all good concealers should be exactly that. I want my concealer to hide whatever I want it to hide, but I also like it to have a skin-like finish, avoid creasing and be easy to apply. That's not so much to ask, is it?

Turns out it really is. In fact, I've tried every concealer that has ever come my way as a beauty editor (of which there have been hundreds), and I can safely say there are only 11 full-coverage concealer formulas that I feel confident enough to recommend to those with intense dark circles and uneven skin tone like myself. So to prove to you just how good these concealers are, I've snapped myself in every single one—no primer, no foundation, no other base products at all in fact, just concealer. Keep scrolling to discover the 11 best full-coverage concealers I've ever used.

1. Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Wearing Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer.

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2. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Wearing Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer.

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3. Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer Stick

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Wearing Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer Stick.

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4. Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Wearing Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer.

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5. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Wearing Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer.

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6. Nyx Professional Makeup Bare With Me Concealer Serum

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Wearing Nyx Professional Makeup Bare With Me Concealer Serum.

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7. KVD Beauty Good Apple Lightweight Full-Coverage Concealer

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Wearing KVD Beauty Good Apple Lightweight Full-Coverage Concealer.

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8. Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Wearing Benefit Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer.

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9. Jillian Dempsey Spot Stick Concealer

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Wearing Jillian Dempsey Spot Stick Concealer.

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10. Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Wearing Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer.

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11. Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer

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(Image credit: @SHANNONLAWLOR FOR WHO WHAT WEAR)

Wearing Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer.

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This article was previously published at an earlier date and has been updated. 

Next Up: If You Hate Foundation, These Natural-Looking Alternatives Will Win You Over

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Freelance Beauty Editor

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous. Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics. While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best. When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.