On shade matching for concealers: The rules change depending on where you're applying. Under-eye concealer should be 1-2 shades lighter than your skin tone to brighten the area. Concealer for blemishes and spot coverage should match your skin exactly -- going lighter will highlight the thing you're trying to hide. Pay attention to undertone too: warm undertones need peach-based concealers, cool undertones need pink-based ones.
How to Pick a Concealer
Most concealer mistakes come from using one product for everything. Under-eye concealer needs to be hydrating and brightening -- it sits on thin, delicate skin that moves constantly. Blemish concealer needs to be thicker and more pigmented so it stays put on a single spot. If you're only buying one, go with a medium-coverage formula that does both reasonably well. If you want the best result, use two different concealers for two different jobs.
Coverage, formula weight, and finish are the three variables. Full coverage matte concealers work best for blemishes and oily skin. Lightweight, luminous formulas work best under eyes and on dry or mature skin. Get the match right and concealer becomes the most useful product in your bag.
The 7 Best Concealers on Amazon
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer
~$12 · 0.2 oz · 18 shades
The best all-around concealer at any price point. The sponge-tip applicator makes under-eye application fast and even -- no brush or extra tools needed. Coverage is medium to full and builds without caking. It brightens dark circles, covers redness, and blends into skin without settling into lines. The formula has been reformulated multiple times and the current version is the best yet. If you buy one concealer from this list, this is it.
e.l.f. 16HR Camo Concealer
~$7 · 0.2 oz · 22 shades
Full coverage that rivals concealers three times the price. The 16HR Camo does not crease, does not fade, and sets to a matte finish that holds up all day on oily skin. At $7, it's hard to believe how well this performs. One catch: you need to blend it fast. This formula sets quickly, and if you let it sit too long before blending, it can look heavy and cakey. Work in small sections and blend immediately with a damp sponge. Do that, and this is one of the best full-coverage concealers available anywhere.
NYX HD Photogenic Concealer
~$6 · 0.11 oz · 22 shades
The best under-eye concealer for people who hate the look of concealer under their eyes. The formula is lightweight and brightening without being shimmery or heavy. It smooths over dark circles and blends into skin so naturally that it looks like you just slept well. It will not settle into fine lines or crepe up on dry under-eye skin -- a problem that plagues most concealers in this price range. Coverage is light to medium, which is exactly what the under-eye area needs. Not ideal for spot concealing blemishes, but that's not what it's built for.
LA Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer
~$5 · 0.28 oz · 43 shades
Forty-three shades at $5 is not a typo. LA Girl has the most impressive shade range of any drugstore concealer, including color correctors in green, orange, peach, and yellow. The formula is thick enough for spot concealing without being stiff -- it stays where you place it and covers active blemishes, hyperpigmentation, and redness in one layer. The squeeze tube gives you precise control over how much product you use. Best value on this entire list, and the color correctors alone are worth having in your kit.
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
~$32 · 0.22 oz · 30 shades
The best mid-range concealer and the one that dry-skinned people keep repurchasing. The formula is genuinely hydrating -- it does not cling to dry patches, does not emphasize texture, and leaves a luminous finish that makes skin look healthy rather than made up. Coverage is medium to full and builds cleanly. The built-in applicator wand deposits just the right amount of product. It costs more than the drugstore options on this list, but for dry skin that rejects every other concealer, this is the one that works.
Maybelline Fit Me Liquid Concealer
~$8 · 0.23 oz · 16 shades
Lightweight concealers are the move for mature skin, and Fit Me does lightweight better than almost anything at this price. The formula does not settle into lines, does not look cakey on textured skin, and provides a natural finish that actually looks like skin. Coverage is light to medium -- enough to brighten under eyes and even out tone without drawing attention to wrinkles or fine lines. If you're over 40 and every other concealer makes you look older, try this one. It's $8 and it works.
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
~$30 · 0.338 oz · 35 shades
The cult classic full-coverage concealer. Shape Tape earned its reputation for a reason -- the coverage is intense, the wear time is exceptional, and it does not move once it sets. That said, it can look heavy if you use too much. A tiny dot under each eye is all you need. Blend fast and tap rather than swipe. This is the best concealer for oily skin and long-wear days when you need your makeup to survive 12+ hours. For dry or mature skin, skip this one -- the matte finish will emphasize texture.
Quick Picks: Best Concealers at a Glance
| Best For | Product | Price | Finish | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Best Overall | Maybelline Instant Age Rewind | $ | Natural | View |
| 📷 Full Coverage | e.l.f. 16HR Camo Concealer | $ | Matte | View |
| 🌒 Dark Circles | NYX HD Photogenic Concealer | $ | Natural | View |
| 🔘 Blemishes | LA Girl Pro Conceal HD | $ | Matte | View |
| 🌞 Dry Skin | NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer | $$ | Satin | View |
| 🤸 Mature Skin | Maybelline Fit Me Liquid Concealer | $ | Natural | View |
| 💰 Best High-End | Tarte Shape Tape Concealer | $$ | Matte | View |
For the best foundation to wear under your concealer, see the best foundations on Amazon. To lock everything in place, check out the best setting sprays. And for the right tools to blend it all, see the best makeup brush sets on Amazon.