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Whether you’re dealing with noticeable dark circles or you’re fighting an unruly breakout that won’t seem to disappear, a simple swipe of concealer will cover up your blemishes in no time. And coverage isn’t the only power a good quality concealer holds. “Concealers are such a versatile tool; they can be used for eye shadow priming, highlighting, and sculpting,” celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty tells ELLE.com.
Although some of the best concealers are indeed pricey, many of them can be found under $15. Where, you might ask? Stacked on the shelves of your local drugstore. With our curated list of drugstore concealers ahead, we’re debunking the myth that you have to pay a fortune to have bright under eyes and blemish-free skin. When determining which concealer is right for you, you’ll want to consider the shade range, consistency, and water resistance.
Best Concealer for Covering Breakouts
Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Full Coverage Concealer
Read more
After perusing hundreds of consumer reviews and even digging through our own favorites, we’ve highlighted the top 12 drugstore concealers that will get the job done without costing a pretty penny. We also polled celebrity makeup artists Kirin Bhatty and Allison Kaye for expert tips on how to find the right match.
Pros
- Stays in place all day
Cons
- Dries super fast
Coverage level: Full
Finish: Matte
Shade range: 23 shades
The creme de la creme of drugstore brands, E.L.F Cosmetics' Camo Concealer has a creamy formula and perfectly designed applicator, plus two different finishes—hydrating and matte—that puts your favorite high-end one to shame. Celebrity makeup artist Allison Kaye loves this staple from E.L.F. because “it's a full coverage concealer that’s super creamy and stays in place, and provides coverage all day long.”
Ulta star rating: 4.2/5 stars
An ELLE Editor says: “My full-coverage makeup days call for one concealer only: E.l.f Camo Conealer. One swipe of this offers just enough coverage to take my under-eye area to the next level, thanks to its large doe-foot applicator. This concealer does dry fast, so you'll need to put your wrists to work if you let it sit too long.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor
2
Best for Dark Citcles
CoverGirl TruBlend Undercover Concealer
Pros
- Full coverage
Cons
- Not ideal for those with very dry skin, due to matte finish
Coverage level: Full
Finish: Matte
Shade range: 12 shades
For anyone struggling with dark circles, looking for a concealer that offers full coverage is key. CoverGirl’s TruBlend Undercover Concealer covers blemishes while providing a flawless matte finish.
Ulta star rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “I have very dark under eye circles and this formula is a dream. Covers well and doesn't crease.”
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3
Best Concealer for Covering Breakouts
Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Full Coverage Concealer
Pros
- Great for covering breakouts
Cons
- Some users note that the consistency is heavy
Coverage level: Full
Finish: Matte
Shade range: 27 shades
The UK girlies have spoken, and we're all taking notes. Across the pond, beauty enthusiasts are raving about Makeup Revolution’s color-correcting concealer, which effortlessly hides blemishes on the skin and adds dimension to the cheeks, jaw, and anywhere else you like to contour. Even better, it’s cruelty-free and gentle on sensitive skin.
Ulta star rating: 4.1/5
An Ulta reviewer said: “I try new concealers all the time, but I always come back to this one. Wears nicely, buildable if needed, and great price point.”
Pros
- Pigmented enough to be used as foundation
Cons
- Can crease throughout the day
Coverage level: Medium to full
Finish: Matte
Shade range: 22 shades
The sorcery this concealer does makes it hard to believe it's only $4. This drugstore staple is full-coverage, so it can be used without foundation to conceal impurities and blend seamlessly with your other makeup players.
Amazon star rating: 4.4/5 stars An Amazon reviewer said
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5
Best For Contouring
Black Opal True Color Flawless Perfecting Concealer Toast
Pros
- Angled tip allows precise application
Cons
- Loses shape over time
Coverage level: Full
Finish: Natural
Shade range: 5 shades
Built like lipstick, the Black Opal concealer has a pointed tip to ensure precise application, particularly around the corners of your eye. The slanted design also works as a placement guide for a sharp contour or clean-up tool anywhere else.
Walmart star rating: 4.6/5 stars A Walmart reviewer said
Pros
- Brush applicator makes it easy to blend
Cons
- Dries out
Coverage level: Medium
Finish: Natural
Shade range: 43 shades
Everyone has owned an LA Girl concealer at one point in their life because it's just that good. A little goes a long way with this concealer, which comes in an expansive shade range, so you'll be able to highlight, conceal, and contour with multiple shades.
Ulta star rating: 4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer said: “It was recommended I get something a little peachy for my under eye circles and yep this little buddy is perfect and super cheap. It has improved my look 100%, can't recommend it enough.”
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7
Best Hybrid Formula
Milani Conceal + Perfect Longwear Concealer
Pros
- Can be used to spot conceal or as a foundation
Cons
- Needs wider variety of undertones
Coverage level: Full
Finish: Natural
Shade range: 18 shades
There are regular full-coverage concealers, and then there's Milani's iteration, packed with nourishing hyaluronic acid, shea butter, olive fruit oil, and more. The formula also doubles as a foundation perfect for busy bees who prefer a hybrid product.
Ulta star rating: 4.2/5 stars An Ulta reviewer said:
Pros
- Doesn’t separate or move
Cons
- Need to built on coverage to conceal dark spots
Coverage level: Medium
Finish: Matte
Shade range: 22 shades
If you're a fan of the foundation, the concealer will be your new favorite. The applicator is large enough to help you sculpt all over your face. Plus, you don't have to worry about separating it, as it's also water- and transfer-resistant.
Ulta star rating: 4.4/5 stars An Ulta reviewer said
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9
Best Anti-Blue Light Formula
Revlon PhotoReady Candid Antioxidant Concealer
Pros
- Packed with antioxidants
Cons
- Can crease throughout the day
Coverage level: Medium
Finish: Natural
Shade range: 18 shades
Blue light technology is usually found in glasses, and now—thanks to Revlon—concealer, too. If your phone screen time is way higher than expected, this concealer is formulated with anti-blue light and anti-pollution properties. No need to worry about dark circles or puffiness—this concealer erases it all.
Target star rating: 4.4/5 stars A Target reviewer said
Pros
- Great for no-makeup makeup days
Cons
- Applicator doesn’t pick up a lot of product
Coverage level: Light to medium
Finish: Natural
Shade range: 14 shades
Although this concealer hides blemishes, it also allows the real you to shine through with its light but effective coverage. Reviewers suggest using a darker shade as a contour and a lighter shade as a highlighter because the formula works so well together.
Ulta star rating: 4.1/5 stars An Ulta reviewer said
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11
Best For Summer Weather
NYX Professional Makeup Hi Definition Photo Concealer Wand
Now 15% Off
Pros
- Brightens dark areas
Cons
- Dries fast
Coverage level: Medium
Finish: Natural
Shade range: 22 shades
NYX's HD Studio Photogenic Concealer is basically Photoshop in a tube. The full coverage formula can cover the worst of breakouts and rivals other top cult-favorite concealers for a fraction of the price. One swipe goes smoothly without caking under your eyes, which is a major indicator of a great formula.
Ulta star rating: 4.1/5 stars An Ulta reviewer said
12
Best For Mature Skin
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer
Pros
- Can be used as a concealer or contour wand
Cons
- Sponge tip doesn’t give the most precise application
Coverage level: Medium
Finish: Natural
Shade range: 18 shades
Dark circles disappear with this concealer, thanks to Gogi berry, which brightens the under-eye area and leaves your face illuminated for up to twelve hours. Pro tip: Spend the other twelve hours of the day sleeping to get rid of those dark circles for good.
Ulta star rating: 4.2/5 stars An Ulta reviewer said
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What should you look for in concealer?
Similar to shopping for a foundation, finding the perfect concealer shade takes lots of research and testing. Understanding your undertones will help you pick the best option for under-eye brightening, seamless contouring, and spot-concealing impurities. Celebrity makeup artist Allison Kaye suggests doing the concealer test.
“When looking for a concealer, swatch it on the back of your hand to make sure it looks even and smooth, and then run it under water for a waterproof test,” she says. This ensures your concealer will stay put throughout the day and won’t settle into fine lines or enhance the appearance of skin texture.
How do you find the best shade?
“You can choose the shade depending on what your goal is. If you want to simply cover, choose a shade that matches your skin tone or foundation. If you want to cover, brighten, and create a contoured effect, choose a concealer 1-2 shades lighter than your skin tone/ foundation,” Kaye explains.
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Meet the experts
Allison Kaye, Fort Lauderdale-based celebrity makeup artist
Kirin Bhatty, Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist
Why trust ELLE Beauty?
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Since joining ELLE.com in 2017, she has interviewed countless skincare professionals and has personally tested the latest and greatest products across makeup, skincare, and hair care.
Lauren K. Tappan is a freelance fashion and beauty editor, producing shopping pieces and covering trends for ELLE and Harper's Bazaar.
Nerisha Penrose
Beauty Commerce Editor
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Prior to joining the team, she was an Editorial Fellow at ELLE.com. In her current role, she helps lead coverage on makeup, skin care, hair, and fragrances. With over six years of experience in the world of beauty editorial, Nerisha enjoys delving deep into the complexities of fragrance notes, hunting for the best fixes for acne-prone skin, and advocating for daily sunscreen use. She regularly researches and tests the latest products, consults beauty professionals (including our Beauty Advisory Board) to determine the best expert-approved formulas to recommend, and conducts interviews with luminaries across the industry. Nerisha received her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from Temple University before joining the editorial teams at Nylon and Billboard. In 2020, she co-launched our popular franchise The State of Black Beauty, an ongoing exploration of—and destination for—beauty at the intersection of Black culture.
