No one likes it when concealer melts and slips into every crease and crevice of the under-eye by noon. That's why using one of the best concealers is crucial. And good news: you don't have to spend a fortune thanks to the best drugstore concealers.
These affordable (but mighty) complexion products can help cancel out blue tones, brighten up the under-eye, and even replace your foundation in its entirety. You can find a high quality product for just about every concern, too. Some are specifically designed to cover acne, a handful are the best for mature skin, and some concealers can color-correct redness.
Even better, you can scoop up these winners for under $15. Here, I'm sharing my go-tos, but I also tapped pro makeup artists Grace Balsamo, Renée Louis, and Katie Mellinger for their tips on finding (and applying) the best drugstore concealers.
Best Drugstore Concealers
- Best Drugstore Concealer Overall: Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Brightening Concealer
- Best Drugstore Concealer for Dark Circles: It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Concealer
- Best Drugstore Concealer for Mature Skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Concealer
- Best K-Beauty Drugstore Concealer: Joah Perfect Complexion Under Eye Concealer
- Best Drugstore Concealer Pen: E.l.f. Flawless Brightening Concealer
This concealer has two major draws. First, it's incredibly easy to build up, meaning it works for bare-faced days and full-face beats. Second, its applicator sets it apart from other drugstore picks. The soft, rounded sponge disperses the formula evenly for the most natural, blended look possible. I can quickly dab this one on when I rush to get out the door—no beauty blender required.
Key Ingredients: Haloxyl (improves tone)
Benefits: Erase the look of dark circles, correct the appearance of redness, and brighten the look of dull skin
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Natural
Shades: 19 shades
What We Love: Easy to apply with sponge-tip applicator; great for dark circles; hydrating formula; buildable coverage
What We Don’t: Limited shade range
Review for MC: “This was the first concealer I used when I ventured into makeup back in high school, so there’s a strong sense of nostalgia for me. I love how easy it is to apply, and it’s still one of my go-tos when I’m on the move. However, I do get a bit concerned about the sponge-tip applicator and whether it remains hygienic over time. Thankfully, for its price, it’s easy to replace when it feels like it’s reached the end of its life. It’s especially great for brightening and contouring—you just need to grab a few different shades and follow along with a good YouTube makeup tutorial.” — Iman Balagam, Beauty Freelancer
Iman loves this concealer for its ease of application.
Mellinger shares that she’s “obsessed” with this concealer from It Cosmetics. She explains, “It has a decent shade range and I particularly love it for more mature skin because it doesn’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles.” Plus, it’s waterproof, making it perfect for a day at the beach or pool. It has a dewy finish, so you’ll typically need to set it with powder.
Key Ingredients: Peptides and hyaluronic acid (hydrating), antioxidants (enviornmental protection)
Benefits: Conceals the look of skin imperfections like dark circles, redness, hyperpigmentation, age spots, and discoloration.
Coverage: Full
Finish: Natural
Shades: 24 shades
What We Love: Cover minor flaws with little product; waterproof; lasts all day
What We Don’t: May be thick and sticky for some
Review for MC: “The packaging may be tiny, but a little goes a long way. Using it sparingly is important, as just the smallest drop of product is all you need. As someone who typically sticks to barely-there, no-makeup makeup, I was a bit taken aback by the full coverage. However, I’ve been hunting for something heavier, especially for those nights when I barely sleep because I was up doom-scrolling. I placed a bit on my hand and applied a few dots to my under-eye area before blending it all in with a concealer brush. It really brightened up my under eyes, but the formula is a bit thick, so I had to work it in with the brush. You could tell immediately that it would last all day—no worries about my face ‘eating’ the product. Since many of my days involve jumping from event to event, I felt reassured knowing my makeup would stay put from morning until night.” — Iman Balagam, Beauty Freelancer
For a full coverage option, this It Cosmetics formula is the way to go.
You need makeup products that align with your skin type. So those with perpetually dry skin can't skimp out on moisture—period. Instead of adding insult to injury, like caking makeup on top of dryness, use a hydrating concealer stick like this instead. This light-coverage concealer is packed with hyaluronic acid, the number one moisture-inducing ingredient, to quench your skin while providing daily coverage. It is extra creamy and smooth because it's filled with hydrating ingredients.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid (hydrating)
Benefits: Hydrate skin, minimize imperfections
Coverage: Buildable
Finish: Natural
Shades: 5 shades
What We Love: Hydrating formula; goes on smoothly; blendable; lightweight; great for mature skin
What We Don’t: Very limited shade range
Review for MC: “This concealer glides on like butter, delivering a stronger pigment than I expected. It feels hydrating to the touch and blends effortlessly with both a concealer brush and fingertips (my preferred method). I loved how it brightened my under-eyes, but its lightweight texture might not provide enough coverage for concealing blemishes.” — Iman Balagam, Beauty Freelancer
Want a no-makeup makeup look? This concealer is going to be your go-to.
Another soft-cushion-tipped favorite, this concealer is one of the most hydrating options on my list. It contains ceramides and peptides, ensuring that no matter how long you wear it or how much you apply it, it never looks cakey. This makes dark circles truly disappear, and the skin-like finish can even fool others into thinking you're not wearing any makeup at all. I wish there were more shades, a common criticism of many K-beauty brands.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides and peptides (hydrating)
Benefits: Hydrating formula with a soft cushion tip smooths the skin, covers dark circles, minimizes puffiness
Coverage: Medium
Finish: Natural
Shades: 10 shades
What We Love: Applies smoothly; hydrating
What We Don’t: Problems with the applicator
Review for MC: "I'm obsessed with K-beauty for my skincare routine—double cleansing is essential to me. Sulwhasoo and Dr. Jart are two of my favorite Korean skincare brands, which is why I love Joah for makeup. Their concealer is a skincare-makeup hybrid that applies effortlessly with its cushion tip. It's super hydrating, so there's no creasing or dryness throughout the day, and it never looks cakey." — Iman Balagam, Beauty Freelancer
Complete your K-Beauty skincare routine with some K-Beauty makeup.
After a long night out or bad night's sleep, you’ll need something brightening the next morning. With just a few clicks of this pen, concealer can be easily applied to the under-eye area to add much-needed luminosity. It’s packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid and brightening vitamin C, proving that a drugstore formula doesn’t require skimping on skincare ingredients. Plus, it’s highly buildable, so you can layer on more concealer for extra coverage.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid (hydrating), vitamin C (brightening)
Benefits: Conceals uneven skin tones and dark under-eye shadows to create a brightened, flawless complexion
Coverage: Buildable
Finish: Satin
Shades: 17 shades
What We Love: Illuminating formula; natural feel; easy application
What We Don’t: Some may have trouble with dispensing
Review for MC: "The pen takes a moment to get used to—it’s easy to overdispense at first—but once you figure it out, it's simple to use, like a felt-tipped marker for covering undereye circles. The finish is very lightweight, so it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin, but it might not be ideal for those seeking heavy-duty coverage. However, it's perfect if you're looking to get out the door in under five minutes and want to add a bit of brightness to your face." — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Samantha loves this concealer for on the go touch ups.
Other Drugstore Concealers We Love
If you're not sure what type of concealer is right for you, you can't go wrong with a do-it-all formula. NYX's Makeup HD Concealer Wand is just that. Its lightweight, creamy formula can be built up in light layers to cover even the darkest of circles and the reddest of blemishes. Because it's so lightweight, it won't ever get cakey or heavy, no matter how many layers you apply. There are even multiple shades—green, yellow, and lavender—to color-correct specific concerns.
Key Ingredients: No key ingredients
Benefits: Vegan, full coverage, lightweight, long-wear multitasking concealer that won't transfer
Coverage: Full
Finish: Matte
Shades: 13 shades
What We Love: Buildable coverage; blendable; non-creasing; vegan; lightweight; goes on smoothly
What We Don’t: May be drying for some
This no-crease concealer is buildable, crazy long-lasting, and surprisingly hydrating—plus, it's an almost exact clone of a few high-end picks. Several reviewers claim this is a dupe for the cult-favorite Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer, while Balsamo says it's similar to the now-discontinued Cover FX Power Play Concealer. "The Maybelline Fit Me liquid Concealer is a good, affordable option," she adds. "It provides moisture for the under eyes with a nice medium coverage to yield a bright, glowing finish without caking."
Key Ingredients: Glycerin (hydrating)
Benefits: Oil-free concealer that matches skin tones to conceal redness, flaws, and blemishes to achieve a more flawless skin complexion
Coverage: Light-weight coverage
Finish: Natural finish
Shades: 18 shades
What We Love: Pro-approved; buildable coverage; blendable; non-creasing; long-wearing; hydrating formula
What We Don’t: Limited shade range
If you’re looking for a medium to full coverage concealer that brightens the under eyes and can also cover blemishes, this creamy formula is a great option. It offers excellent quality for the price and stays put all day, though we still recommend setting it with powder or setting spray. While the shade range is limited to just five colors, the brand claims they formulated it to blend seamlessly into various skin tones. We found this to be accurate, as we could use one shade for both our summer and winter skin tones.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin A and C
Benefits: Conceals blemishes and dark circles to create instantly firmer-looking skin with a brightening effect
Coverage: Medium to full
Finish: Natural
Shades: 5 shades
What We Love: Creamy, smooth formula; good coverage; applies easily
What We Don’t: Limited shade range
Think of this concealer as a must-have for dark under eye circles, offering flawless coverage without looking cakey or heavy. Just a tiny drop is enough for excellent coverage, and it blends seamlessly with a brush or makeup sponge. It also contains skin-friendly ingredients to ensure that under-eyes stay hydrated throughout the day instead of drying out and looking cakey.
Key Ingredients: Portulaca oleracea (soothing), hamamelis virginiana extract (anti-inflammatory)
Benefits: Conceals dark circles, creates a lifted effect, and brightens under the eyes
Coverage: Full
Finish: Soft matte
Shades: 17 shades
What We Love: Long-lasting; full coverage; buildable; easy to blend
What We Don’t: Dries quickly
If you've struggled to find a true match for your darker skin tone, turn to BLK/OPL, a beauty brand that puts people of color first. The brand's concealer features 12 shades especially formulated for melanin-rich skin. The high-coverage formula blends like a dream and can cover acne, dark circles, scars, and hyperpigmentation. Thanks to turmeric, cucumber extracts, and vitamins C and E, it also provides a brightening effect, making it perfect for awakening the under-eye area.
Key Ingredients: Turmeric extract (brightening), cucumber extract (soothing), vitamins C (brightening), vitamin E (hydrating)
Benefits: Formulated for darker skin tones and eliminates the appearance of dark circles, blemishes, and discoloration
Coverage: Buildable
Finish: Fresh, radiant
Shades: 12 shades
What We Love: Provides a brightening effect; hydrating formula; blendable; high-coverage; lightweight
What We Don’t: May apply chalky at first
CoverGirl is one of our forever favorites, so any time we need a quick fix, picking up one of their formulas has never failed us. Their full-coverage concealer is no exception. Its all-day coverage means you can apply it and never think about it again, which, really—is there anything better? It's specifically designed to be worn on the under-eyes to stand up to the darkest of dark circles and the puffiest eye bags. With 30 shades available, the brand claims there's a 99 percent chance you'll find your match.
Key Ingredients: No key ingredients
Benefits: Conceal, shape, and brighten hard-to-hide skin imperfections like under-eye dark circles, matches 99% of skin tones
Coverage: Full
Finish: Velvety, matte
Shades: 30 shades
What We Love: Full coverage; wide shade range; long-wearing; great for under-eyes
What We Don’t: Dries quickly
The long-wear claim on the tube isn't just lip service—the lightweight concealer seriously stays put from morning 'til night. In fact, this concealer stays budge-free for up to 24 hours, although you may not want to wear it for that long. Its creamy formula delivers full coverage in just a small swipe—a little goes a long way here. Plus, its waterproof capabilities mean you won't have to worry about any color fading, transferring, or sliding off.
Key Ingredients: No key ingredients
Benefits: This full coverage formula completely covers imperfections, minimizes redness and scars; it can also be used on the body to minimize the appearance of stretch marks, veins, and bruises
Coverage: Full
Finish: Matte
Shades: 25 shades
What We Love: Long-wearing; full coverage; wide shade range; waterproof
What We Don’t: May appear cakey on blemishes
Sometimes, a pimple shows up that's so obtrusive, so apparent, and so angry that only the most effective spot treatment will do. This concealer/skincare hybrid will not only cover up pesky blemishes like a champ, but it will also work overtime to heal your blemish thanks to acne-fighting salicylic acid. While we necessarily wouldn't recommend this one for the under-eyes, this one works wonders for spot concealing as it blends easily and won't appear cakey on raised bumps.
Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid (fights acne)
Benefits: Providing natural-looking coverage, this double-duty concealer combines makeup with skincare to reduce the visibility of acne and other blemishes while also helping to improve your skin
Coverage: Light
Finish: Natural
Shades: 5 shades
What We Love: Great for acne; formulated with skincare ingredients; developed by dermatologists; lightweight; blendable.
What We Don’t: Coverage may be too sheer for some; very limited shade range.
What to Look For in Drugstore Concealer
- Shade
According to Mellinger, shade is the most important factor when choosing a drugstore concealer. “If it’s a perfect match, no one will know it’s a drugstore concealer,” she says. Loiz agrees, advising shoppers to look for drugstore concealers that offer a wide range of shades to suit every skin tone, ensuring inclusivity. You may want to opt for a shade lighter than your skin tone however if you plan on using the product under your eyes.
- Blendability
“Opt for a formula with buildable coverage, so you can start with a light layer and add more as needed. It should blend seamlessly into the skin and work well over skincare and eye creams without caking," says Lois. "Prioritize a concealer that spreads easily, stretches effortlessly, and blends without streaks, providing a smooth, flawless finish.”
- Texture
It’s also important to consider your skin type and which types of concealers work best for it. If you have dry skin, look for a concealer with a hydrating formula to best suit your skin. Balsamo explains, "Hydrating formulas tend to be more blendable which can provide a more natural and diffused finish."
A thin, hydrating formula will also work well on mature skin types as these are less likely to settle into fine lines and creases.
- Finish
The way a concealer dries down is another factor to consider while on your concealer hunt. Are you looking for a concealer that will give you a natural look? Opt for a lightweight concealer with a hydrating formula. Or maybe your skin leans on the oily side? In this case, choose a concealer with a matte finish to help absorb excess oil.
How to Apply Concealer
“For the love of all things holy, quit using so much concealer under your eyes,” warns Mellinger. She explains that if you swipe a doe-foot applicator directly onto your under-eye area, you're depositing too much product. Using a lot of concealer under your eyes only highlights the very things you’re trying to conceal.
“I prefer to put a bit of concealer on the back of my hand and use a brush to apply it. I work a small amount of product into the brush, then apply it under the eye, only where it’s needed," she shares. This varies by person, but it’s often concentrated on the inner and outer corners of the under eye.
Loiz uses a similar strategy: “I like to warm up the concealer on the back of my hand, tap my brush into it to ensure even distribution, and then apply to areas with discoloration.”
What Color Concealers Should I Choose?
“When choosing a concealer, opt for a shade that’s just one shade lighter than your foundation for a natural blend without harsh contrast,” says Loiz. Avoid going two to three shades lighter, as it can look dated. She suggests using a peachy concealer for cool undertones, as it corrects blue discoloration under the eyes, creating a more even, brightened look.
If you’re selecting a concealer for acne, Mellinger recommends one with an olive or yellow undertone to counteract redness.
Meet the Experts
As an Air Force brat, Katie claims no permanent home. Currently she splits her time between Los Angeles and New York City. She enjoys hugging all the animals, traveling through wine country, sloths, and Anne of Green Gables. She is grateful for both the crossed fingers and unicorn emojis, but her favorite emoji is the party face. Katie is available for travel worldwide and is represented by The Wall Group.
Renée Loiz is a top celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert with over 20 years in the industry.
Renée is best known for her work with celebrities including Quinta Brunson, Cynthia Erivo, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Sherry Cola, Adele, Chelsea Peretti, Uzo Aduba, Danai Gurira, Thuso Mbedu, and Jaylon Barron.
When she’s not creating press-worthy red carpet and editorial looks for famous faces, Renee can be found working with renowned international brands such as NARS, Beauty Blender, Charlotte Tilbury, Chanel, Sephora, J.Crew, Disney, Target, BuzzFeed, Adidas, and Warner Brothers.
Her industry expertise and artistry are regularly tapped by the top fashion publications including InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Essence, EBONY, People, L’Officiel, Who What Wear, Vanity Fair, The Zoe Report, Allure, and featured on Saturday Night Live.
Grace is a professional Los Angeles makeup artist with an affinity for all things beauty. Grace pursued her passion for beauty and graduated from the Cinema Makeup School where she was certified in high fashion makeup. Trained in beauty, commercial, print, high fashion, bridal, and lifestyle, Grace has over six years of experience in the industry. Her makeup expertise ranges from red carpet events such as the Oscar's and Emmy's to music videos and weddings.
With experience in model making and miniature building in the film/TV industry, Grace also works and studies under Oscar-winning artists such as Alec Gillis and Ian Hunter. Grace Carries her excellent attention to detail and artistic eye into the beauty world.
-
Ulta's Cyber Monday Sale Is Full of Celebrity-Favorite Beauty ProductsFill your kit with go-to beauty picks from Sabrina Carpenter, Sofia Richie Grainge, Lila Moss, and more.
-
Reformation’s Cyber Monday Sale Is Here—25 Under-$300 Finds I’m Obsessing OverCashmere sweaters, chic coats, dresses, and more at up to 25 percent off—but not for long.
-
10 Holiday Gifts Marie Claire Editors Are Buying This SeasonUse our guide to simplify your shopping experience.
-
10 Winter Hair Color Trends Fashionable Women Love This SeasonThe season's top hair color trends are painfully chic.
-
10 Winter Haircut Trends Stylish Women Are Wearing in 2024It's time to get a little scissor happy.
-
Why Dyson's New Airstrait Ad Ignited a TikTok Controversy"They said y'all can buy the product but it is not meant for you."
-
Burberry Beauty's All-Time Classics Finally Relaunched at NordstromHere's how to shop reviewer-vetted products first.
-
Contrast Makeup Theory Is the Viral TikTok Anti-Trend Everyone Should TryHere's how to find your signature makeup look with this makeup artist-approved technique.
-
What Is Sugar Waxing? Everything to Know, According to ExpertsIt's also less painful than some alternatives.
-
Maed Beauty Gives My Lips a Three-Step Skincare Routine—And They've Never Been SofterMaed Beauty’s inaugural launch delivers a three-step system.
-
Starface Founder Julie Schott Shares Her Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursThe entrepreneur spoke to editor-in-chief Nikki Ogunnaike for the 'Marie Claire' podcast "Nice Talk."
