For many of us, the best concealer is the backbone of our makeup bag. Despite what TikTok would currently have you believe, when creating a seamless base, concealer (not to be confused with an equally helpful under-eye corrector) is an integral part of the prep process, especially for anyone with dark undereyes.
Finding, buying and perfecting the art of concealer application, however, is a far more extensive process thanks to the range of skincare-infused formulas, colour correctors and cooling gels available—not to mention the myriad finishes and shades now on offer. And as a beauty director with a set of permanent dark circles that might as well be trademarked—I know that the best dark circle treatment is just covering them up with a good concealer. So, in the name of research, I’ve tried and tested hundreds of different concealers in a bid to find the best ones that look natural, don’t budge and refuse to settle into fine lines.
Considering the amount of time and energy I've invested in my quest to find the very best dark-circle-disguising concealers out there, I thought it would only be fair to share my findings. So without further ado, this is absolutely everything I’ve learned about getting rid of dark circles, including the best under-eye concealers on the market, with confirmation from the wider Who What Wear team.
Shop the Best Under-Eye Concealers:
- Best colour correcting under-eye concealer: Beauty Pie Superluminous Under-Eye Genius
- Best radiant under-eye concealer: Kosas Revealer Concealer
- Best full-coverage concealer for undereyes: It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer
- Best under-eye concealer for a second-skin finish: NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer
- Best affordable under-eye concealer: L'Oréal Paris Infallible More Than Concealer
1. Beauty Pie Superluminous Under-Eye Genius
Price shown is members' price.
Best for: Correcting
Why it's the best: When you have under-eye circles, it can be helpful to use a colour corrector like this one from Beauty Pie before going in with concealer. It basically works to counteract dark undertones with peachy or pink tones, helping to disguise pigmentation, which often means you can get away with not having to use quite so much concealer (or you can skip concealer all together).
Who What Wear UK editor review: "The concealer I always reach for is Beauty Pie's Superluminous Under Eye Genius in Light/Medium. It's created for under-the-eye coverage, but its ultra moisturising quality makes it great for blemish cover-up too as it doesn't flake" says senior fashion and beauty editor of branded content, Rebecca Rhys-Evans.
Pros
- Moisturises the under-eye area
- Brightening effect
Cons
- Only comes in three colour-correcting shades
2. Kosas Revealer Concealer
Best for: Radiance
Why it's the best: Both ultra creamy and hydrating, the Kosas concealer lends itself well to the skin around the eye area, helping to leave under-eyes looking radiant and dewy. The formula itself is enriched with arnica and caffeine, so even provides skincare benefits, helping to reduce the appearance of dark circles. A win-win.
Who What Wear UK editor review: "This concealer is effortlessly blendable and practically melts into the skin, concealing and leaving a healthy, glowy finish. I would say it offers medium coverage, but you could definitely layer this up if you wanted more coverage in certain areas," says beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden.
Pros
- Infused with skincare ingredients
- Super creamy
Cons
- Might not be best for oily skin types
3. It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer
Best for: A full-coverage finish
Why it's the best: On days when your dark circles really need a helping hand, reach for this. It's the fullest coverage concealer I've tried, and leaves your under eyes looking totally flawless and bright. Even though it's pretty heavy-duty, it's also blendable, and you only need a small dot under each eye.
Pros
- Full coverage
- Blendable
Cons
- Could appear cakey on really dry skin
4. Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer
Best for: A second-skin finish
Why it's the best: Easily my most used concealer ever, this tiny pot is pure magic. I simply dab it over my undereyes with my ring finger, and in a matter of seconds, any trace of a dark circle has disappeared. Hyaluronic acid, peptides and vitamins hydrate and plump the skin, and offer antioxidant protection.
Pros
- Infused with skincare ingredients
- Good coverage
Cons
- Can be a little messy to apply
5. L'Oréal Paris Infallible More Than Concealer
Best for: Affordability
Why it's the best: When I’m feeling a little shinier than I’d like, I reach for this matte-finish liquid concealer. A little goes a long way, so one or two dots under each eye is usually sufficient. It uses a unique high pigment elastic formula to help conceal a range of imperfections, from dark circles to blemishes, and I love using it on my under eyes.
Pros
- Affordable
- Full coverage
- Matte finish
Cons
- Not that hydrating for dry skin types
6. Dior Forever Skin Correct Full-Coverage Concealer
Best for: Long-wearing abilities
Why it's the best: If you love your luxury beauty, you'll get a kick every time you pull this one out of your bag. Full coverage and promising 24-hour wear, it does not disappoint. It's also a great option for dry skin as it's infused with nourishing and moisturising floral extracts that hydrate and smooth the eye area.
Who What Wear UK editor review: "My all time favourite concealer is the Dior Forever Skin Concealer in the shade 6N, which I’ve been re-buying for years. Perfect for my dry skin, I either use this to simply brighten up my under eye on those ‘no-makeup makeup' days or I use it all over my face in place of my foundation when I want more coverage. It’s great for evening out my skin tone without drying out my skin or flaking off like other concealers I’ve tried," says editorial assistant, Brittany Davy.
Pros
- Longwearing
- Hydrating
- Good coverage
Cons
- A little expensive
7. Glossier Stretch Concealer
Best for: A natural finish
Why it's the best: If you like a slightly more natural finish to your makeup, you’ll want to know about Glossier's Stretch Concealer. I love this stuff on no-foundation days when I only want a little bit of coverage where I need it. (Usually, this is just in my under-eye area and over the odd spot.) It's buildable, glowy and so easy to blend.
Who What Wear UK editor review: "Perfect for the person who doesn’t really want to wear concealer under their eyes but could benefit from just a little something, this is the best 'no-concealer concealer'. It adds a subtle sheen, never cakes or creases and is easy to reapply at the end of the day before a night out," says editor-in-chief, Hannah Almassi.
Pros
- Natural finish
- Easy to blend
Cons
- Not the most hygenic container
8. Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Concealer
Best for: Skincare benefits
Why it's the best: This buildable medium to full coverage concealer has been designed to look like a second skin. Effortless to apply and blend, it has self-setting technology that fuses with your skin, making it near enough invisible. Plus, hyaluronic acid and peptides hydrate and firm the skin, and Westman Atelier's exclusive Vital Wakeup Complex (gentian root, coffee leaf and licorice extracts) evens tone and diminishes dark circles over time.
Who What Wear UK editor review: "My favourite new concealer discovery is Westman Atelier's launch. I don't know what sorcery it took to make it, but it's easily the best concealer I've tried this year. It melts effortlessly into a second-skin finish. while providing medium coverage that blurs everything from uneven skin texture to redness. I'll never be without it in my makeup bag now," says beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden.
Pros
- Added skincare benefits
- Second-skin finish
- Good coverage
Cons
- Expensive
- Not as easily blendable as others
9. By Terry Hyaluronic Serum Concealer
Best for: Dry skin
Why it's the best: A skincare-makeup hybrid, this concealer offers a multitude of benefits. It blends effortlessly and has a gorgeous creamy texture. It contains eight types of hydrating hyaluronic acids with different molecular weights (to penetrate deep into the skin), a brightening magnolia flower complex, and energising caffeine extract. If you have dry or dehydrated under-eyes, I promise you, this will deliver on both the hydration and the coverage.
Who What Wear UK editor review: "I've been using this for a few weeks and it’s really an all-in-one concealer. I use it for brightening my under-eyes and any blemishes. I don’t have any issues with it feeling dry or cakey and it looks super natural – would recommend if it’s in your budget," says Megan Storey, social media editor.
Pros
- Super hydrating
- Buildable coverage
Cons
- More expensive
- Doesn't offer as much coverage as others, so best for a natural look
10. The Concealer Pen by Victoria Beckham x Augustinus Bader
Best for: A little bit of luxury
Why it's the best: The ultimate in luxury concealers, this Victoria Beckham concealer pen is a power house and does so much more than just cover and conceal pigmentation and blemishes. The formula actually features TFC8 by Augustinus Bader, a patented technology that is composed of peptides, vitamins and natural amino acids to nourish and protect your complexion. It's nice and hydrating on the under eyes, and conceals dark circles while still giving a second-skin finish.
Who What Wear UK editor review: "This is one of the best concealers I've come across. Yes, it's pricey, but it's worth it for the skincare benefits alone. Thanks to the hydrating formula, it gives a radiant finish and is super blendable. Most importantly, it doesn't dry out your under eyes or cling to your skin like other concealers out there. It's worth noting that it does offer light-to-medium coverage which might not be for everyone, but as someone who prefers a more natural-looking base, this gets top marks from me," says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay.
Pros
- Lots of skincare benefits
- Hydrating finish
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Expensive
- Doesn't offer high coverage
11. Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
Best for: An airbrushed finish
Why it's the best: A concealer that blew up on TikTok (and for good reason), the Hourglass concealer does everything it says on the tin—makes dark circles vanish and airbrushes the skin. I've never received more compliments on how awake and vibrant I look than when I wear this. It's somehow mattifying and radiant, and will genuinely take you from day to night. The smaller tube size is ideal for even the tiniest of tiny handbags, too.
Who What Wear UK editor review: "This concealer blends into my complexion seamlessly and always feels super creamy and comfortable to wear. While it doesn't completely get rid of my dark circles, it does brighten my under eyes and cover up the discolouration around that area. Plus, it lasts so well," says junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay.
Pros
- Creamy formula
- Easy to blend
- Doesn't crease easily or cling to dry skin
Cons
- More expensive
- Coverage is full, so not one for no-makeup makeup days
12. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer
Best for: A 2-in-1 approach
Why it's the best: Concealer fans should know all about this one. This duo has a devoted following of beauty editors and makeup artists who rave about its dark circle-erasing abilities. This compact holds the secret to seamless coverage that sticks around all day and night. It features two full-coverage shades that work to correct and conceal the under eye, so you can tackle dark circles from all angles.
Pros
- Conceals and corrects
- Next-level coverage
Cons
- Can be a little drying
- Not the most user-friendly compact
13. YSL Touche Éclat High Cover Concealer
Best for: Brightening the under eyes
Why it's the best: If you've been using YSL’s famous Touche Éclat as an under-eye concealer for the last however many years, you’ve got it all wrong. When the brand discovered that the majority of Touche Éclat fans were incorrectly using the lightweight highlighting brightener as an under-eye concealer, it knew something had to be done, which is when this concealer pen was created. Ever as illuminating but with more coverage, this concealer was the answer.
Pros
- Easy to apply on the go
- Contains skin-loving ingredients
- Illuminating finish
Cons
- A little expensive
- Still isn't a full-coverage finish
14. Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer
Best for: Easy application
Why it's the best: For those of us who suffer from dry under-eyes, finding a concealer that doesn’t worsen the situation can be difficult. This formula, however, is incredibly hydrating. If you ask me, it’s one of the best under-eye products out there, and it’s super friendly on the bank account, too. It contains a super-hydrating combination of goji berry and haloxyl to help your dark circles on a deeper level. What I especially love is the easy applicator. The sponge makes it so easy to swipe on and it blends into the skin in seconds.
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to apply
- Hydrating formula
Cons
- Applicator can get a little messy and unhygienic over time
15. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Concealer
Best for: A wide shade range
Why it's the best: Besides the fact that this concealer gives an amazing full-coverage yet brightening finish, what's most impressive is its wide shade offering, with 50 different shades to choose from. Plus, it promises all-day staying power and a sweat-resistant formula.
Pros
- Wide shade range
- Good coverage
Cons
- Not the best for really dry skin
Why Do We Get Dark Circles?
Unfortunately, dark circles are often a genetic trait, mostly thanks to thinner skin around the eyes and higher levels of pigmentation in the area. This means that for us dark-circle sufferers who are likely sick of constantly being told we look exhausted, very little can be done about it.
However, this isn’t to say that the appearance of dark circles can’t be affected by other factors. In fact, people who don’t have a genetic predisposition to dark circles may still suffer from them from time to time as a result of certain lifestyle choices. Elizabeth Hawkes, a consultant oculoplastic surgeon at Cadogan Clinic, says, "To help avoid dark circles, I advise [people to] get enough sleep, stay hydrated, don’t smoke, use UV protection to improve the quality of [the] skin, reduce [their] salt intake, which causes puffiness; and be very careful when removing eye makeup, as the skin around the eyes is very delicate."
Why Isn’t My Under-Eye Concealer Working?
Even though concealers are often specifically formulated to cover dark circles, redness or spots, a huge reason so many of us struggle to cover what we want to cover effectively is that we simply don’t know exactly what we should be looking for in a concealer.
Amy Conway, senior pro artist at Bobbi Brown, says, "I find the biggest mistake people make when it comes to under-eye concealer is going for a shade that's way too light. Brightness is key, but if you go too light it will look ashy and dry, meaning it won’t reduce darkness at all. Opt for just one shade brighter than your skin tone, and if necessary, add a colour corrector underneath to banish any blueness."
Board-certified dermatologist, Dr Shereene Idriss credits the sun as being the main cause of dark circles. She advises looking for a concealer that contains SPF as these are "also helpful to protect from future pigmentation. They are basically a 2-in-1 package deal combining protection and a reflective tint that helps brighten the eye area."
How Do You Apply Concealer on Dark Under-Eye Circles?
Besides choosing the right shade, Conway warns that application is key to making sure your under-eye concealer blends seamlessly with the rest of your makeup. It turns out that simply slathering concealer on top of your dark circles isn’t the best way to go.
"Firstly, apply a hydrating eye cream to prep the under-eye. Then [pat on] a correcting shade in the darkest area. Peachy tones instantly banish the blue/brown shadows we get under the eyes. Next, layer your concealer on top, blending down from the lower lash line to the top of the cheekbone for a flawless finish," advises Conway.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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