The 8 Best Drugstore Concealers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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The NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Concealer Serum beat out the competition
People / Jhett Thompson
Nothing against lipsticks and mascaras and blushes, but there really is no single makeup product that's as versatile or change-making as concealer. Whether it’s used for covering up under-eye circles, camouflaging a pimple, or brightening and lifting (or all three), a good concealer really is an invaluable asset in your makeup arsenal. And luckily, there’s no need to shell out the big bucks for a phenomenal formula. These days, the drugstore is filled with a treasure trove of amazing options, all ringing in at a fraction of the price of their more expensive counterparts.
“The idea that drugstore concealers don’t meet the mark like luxury ones do is a total myth,” says makeup artist and grooming expert Todd Harris (who has worked with celebrities like Lorde and Katie Holmes). Higher-end options may sometimes have “nicer” components or packaging, but, when it comes to coverage, staying power, and finding a wide array of shade and finishes, the drugstore finds are totally on par with the more expensive ones, he says.
Finding the right concealer for you and your particular needs can be tough, which is why we set out to find the best of the best. Our testers tried 25 different products — all costing less than $20 — swiping them on to hide both dark circles and skin discoloration. Everything from texture to coverage to creasing to staying power were evaluated and ranked on a scale of one to five.
Below, the best drugstore concealers that PEOPLE tested.
Best Overall: NYX Professional Makeup Bare with Me Concealer Serum
Pros
Despite a lightweight feel, this concealer still imparts long-lasting coverage
There was no creasing under the eyes, even in fine lines
A little goes a long way, giving you even more bang for your buck
Cons
There should be more options for medium to dark complexions
This aptly-named pick is somewhat of a skincare and makeup hybrid. In the skincare department, it’s infused with soothing ingredients such as cica and green tea, and offers 24-hour hydration. And per the coverage aspect, it offers full yet natural-looking coverage. You may think that a lightweight formula would give sheer coverage, but this pleasantly surprised us by providing full-coverage without caking or feeling heavy. To that point, it earned perfect scores in every category, easily earning its spot as the best overall pick in this roundup. If there were any downsides to this concealer, it’s the shade range. While 13 shades isn’t super limiting, we wish there were more choices for darker complexions.
Price at time of publish: $10.88
Type: Liquid | Coverage: Full but buildable | Size: 0.32 ounces | Shades: 13
People / Jhett Thompson
Related:The 10 Best CC Creams of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best for Mature Skin: Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer
Pros
Built-in sponge tip applicator makes for easy application
Creamy formula doesn't settle into fine lines
We noticed a significant decrease in the appearance of dark circles and redness around the nose after blending this in
Cons
No way of cleaning the built-in applicator
Having concealer that’s just going to settle into and accentuate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles essentially defeats the purpose of even wearing a concealer. That’s certainly not the case here; we gave it a 4.5 out of 5 when it came to resisting creasing, and noted that the creamy consistency would be greatly appreciated by those with drier skin (which more mature skin often is). It earned a perfect score for an easy-to-blend, non-sticky texture, and we also lauded the built-in applicator. (However, we did note that it would be nice if it was removable so there was a way to clean it.) Per the name, it did perform best at concealing under eye circles; we found the medium coverage not the best for camouflaging blemishes.
Price at time of publish: $10.99
Type: Liquid | Size: 0.20 ounces | Coverage: Medium | Shades: 18
Best for Acne: Maybelline New York Fit Me Liquid Concealer
Pros
Great for those with naturally oily skin or those prone to breakouts
We had no troubles getting this concealer to blend beautifully
Cons
Shade range should be expanded, particularly for darker skin tones
If you're heavy-handed, this can end up looking a bit cake-y on the skin
As anyone who is trying to cover up blemishes will tell you, it’s a delicate balancing act between using products that will actually hide them, but at the same time won’t further clog pores and exacerbate the issue. This pick is oil-free and non-comedogenic and our tester found the coverage to be great for covering up redness and blemishes (although less so when it came to dark under eye circles which weren't fully concealed). It scored perfect scores for staying power and not creasing, and our tester also loved how easy it was to blend. The biggest downside? We wish there was a more inclusive shade range, especially for darker skin tones (and a bit less cakiness, but we recommend just going a little lighter on the application to solve this problem).
Price at time of publish: $7.49
Type: Liquid | Coverage: Light/Medium | Size: 0.23 ounces | Shades: 13
Best Buildable: Rimmel London Stay Matte Concealer
Pros
Delivers a matte finish, a boon for those with oily skin
Nice, buildable coverage
This formula covered up pimples and red spots with ease
Cons
Limited shade range, with only 8 shades available
Shades are not listed on the packaging, which causes a guessing game at the store
Some days, you need just a little bit of concealer. Some days, you need a whole lot of concealer. Enter this super buildable formula, fitting for every occasion. The layering potential of this concealer was a prime attribute that we noted when it comes to camouflaging texture, and we also loved the coverage in general. It covered our dark under-eyes and blemishes flawlessly, eradicating that tired look and leaving behind a fresh, clean complexion. The staying power is top notch, too. The one drawback? The color isn’t listed on the container anywhere so it’s hard to know which one you’re using, which can be tough when going to restock at the store.
Price at time of publish: $5.79
Type: Liquid | Coverage: Full | Size: 0.23 ounces | Shades: 8
People / Jhett Thompson
Related:The 8 Best Liquid Foundations of 2023
Best Longwear: Covergirl TruBlend Undercover Full Coverage Concealer
Pros
One of the most extensive shade ranges on this list
Stays put without any type of setting powder
Very little product is needed to get a natural, skin-like finish
Cons
The creamy consistency felt a little heavy on our skin
Drugstore makeup doesn't mean low-quality, just low price — and that's what we loved about this Covergirl concealer. With just a few taps onto our skin, we were impressed with how this cream concealer made our dark circles instantly disappear. It looked natural enough to look like our own skin, just (much) better. We even used it to even out some redness on our cheeks and chin, too, putting its color-correcting abilities to the test (spoiler alert: it did just the trick).
We were further impress by its staying power, as we wore it for a day without ever creasing or moving around on our skin, even without being topped with our typical setting powders. The only category where it scored a tad bit lower was texture, where we noted that we could feel the thick and creamy consistency on our under-eye areas.
Price at time of publish: $10.99
Type: Cream | Coverage: Full | Size: 0.33 ounces | Shades: 30
People / Jhett Thompson
Best Full-Coverage: Milani Conceal + Perfect Longwear Concealer
Pros
A little goes a long way with this product, as it packs on super-pigmented coverage
Despite the product’s matte finish, it doesn’t feel drying on the skin
We weren’t left with a cake-y complexion or any heaviness, even though the formula was rather thick
Cons
Slightly prone to creasing
For those in search of a concealer that packs a legit coverage punch, this is it. Everything from dark spots to redness and blemishes were all covered with just a dot of product, which means that a little definitely goes a long way when it comes to this concealer. To that point, it is rather thick as well, which made blending a bit more challenging and it did show some signs of creasing after 30 minutes. We anticipated that it would easily be alleviated with a setting powder or a little bit of blending with a damp makeup sponge, and lauded it for not feeling heavy or looking cakey. And while it has a matte finish, it’s not drying, thanks to the addition of shea butter and olive oil in the formula.
Price at time of publish: $10.99
Type: Liquid | Coverage: Full | Size: 0.17 oz. | Shades: 18
Best Under-Eye: The Lip Bar Quick Conceal Caffeine Concealer
Pros
Covers up dark circles under the eyes without settling or creasing
It’s chock-full of hydrating oils and caffeine effectively reducing the appearance of dark circles, even after sleepless nights
Looked as fresh as it did when first applied even after prolonged wear
Cons
Because it has such a thick texture, it was a bit challenging to blend
One thing is for sure — we can't stop raving about how well this worked to cover up our dark circles. Even after a night of bad sleep, this concealer really brightened up our under-eyes and kept our delicate skin hydrated with its moisturizing formula pumped full of caffeine. (However, we will note that it did cake a bit when dotted onto our cheeks and chin.) It excelled in its longevity and being crease-free, never settling into the fine lines around our eyes and looking fresh even after 30 minutes of wear (with zero setting powder!). We gave it a lower score when it came to texture, lamenting that it was a bit tacky and hard to blend — particularly given that it seemed to dry quickly mid-application — but liked the included wand applicator.
Price at time of publish: $14.99
Type: Cream | Coverage: Medium | Size: 0.35 ounces| Shades: 6
Related:The 9 Best Under-Eye Concealers of 2023
Best Lightweight: NYX Professional Makeup HD Photogenic Liquid Concealer
Pros
Extensive range of skin-toned shades, as well as color-correcting options
Its angled, doe-foot applicator made it easy to swipe onto hard-to-reach spots, like the inner corners of the under-eyes
There was no creasing or caking after an extended period of wear time
Cons
We found that this worked better when a corrector color was paired with the concealer, rather than just using the concealer on its own
This brand is well-known for their many concealers, so it’s no surprise that another one made it onto this list. This particular option is ideal for those in search of featherweight formulas — we thought the consistency was water-like (in a good way!). We gave it a perfect score for the texture and coverage, noting that even though it was so light and easily spreadable, even a small amount covered dark spots on our faces. However, it did perform better when paired with a color corrector from the same line.
Also noteworthy: A total lack of creasing. It looked and felt super smooth, and we were shocked to see that even when we blink or move our facial features around, there were no creases made. With its easy-to-manipulate applicator that reaches all our tough-to-get areas and effectively covered our dark spots, we ultimately found favor with this featherweight concealer.
Price at time of publish: $6
Type: Liquid | Coverage: Full | Size: 0.11 ounces | Shades: 22
Related:The 10 Best Cream Blushes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Things to Consider Before Buying a Drugstore Concealer
How and Where You’ll Be Applying It
Where you’ll be applying your concealer will largely dictate what shade you go with, says Harris. For example, for under the eyes, you’ll want a shade that’s about one shade lighter than your foundation in order to brighten the darker areas. But if you’re using it mostly to conceal spots or discoloration on the face, your concealer and foundation should match exactly, he says. And shade selection aside, if you’re going to be applying it mostly to cover blemishes, make sure to choose an oil-free formula, like the Maybelline New York Fit Me! Liquid Concealer Makeup featured on this list.
Your Skin Type
Your skin type will play a large role in the type of concealer formula that will ultimately work best for you. If you’re oilier and your concealer is always creasing and smudging, consider a matte, longwear formula, says celebrity makeup artist Neil Scibelli. If your skin is on the drier side, look for one that has hydrating ingredients and/or is labeled as having a radiant finish, he suggests. According to our tests, the Milani Conceal + Perfect Longwear Concealer has a matte finish but isn't drying.
The Coverage
Whether you prefer sheer, medium, or full coverage is up to you and how you want to use your concealer. But when in doubt, opt for formulas that are buildable so that you can easily layer on more when and if you need it, without having to worry about caking and creasing. Our winning best buildable concealer was Rimmel London's Stay Matte Concealer.
People / Jhett Thompson
How We Tested
Our testers, a varied group of people ranging in age, skin tone, and texture, came into our testing lab and cleansed their faces to prepare their skin for these trials. They all hydrated their skin with the same moisturizer afterwards to ensure that no concealer was getting special treatment with different prep work.
Then, each tester started by applying a set amount of concealer onto the right side of their faces, leaving the left bare to easily compare the before and after appearances. They dotted their selected concealer in the under-eye area and then on their faces to cover up dark spots, blemishes, or discoloration, following detailed and standardized application instructions. (The concealers were grouped into three categories: applicator wand, pot, or dispenser, each of which required slightly different processes — think sponges for wands and finger pats for pot concealers).
If desired, they added a second layer of coverage, all the while taking note of how the product looked and felt. After 30 minutes, they reassessed if the concealer had creased, faded, or transferred. They then ranked the product on a scale of one to five in the following categories: texture, coverage, creasing, and staying power.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know what shade of concealer to get?
As mentioned, it largely depends where on you'll face you’ll be applying it. But, as a good rule of thumb, since most drugstore concealers don’t have samples that you can swipe on, bring your go-to foundation with you and use that as a reference point, suggests Harris. (Remember: to brighten, go one shade lighter than your foundation; if you’re using it mostly to conceal discoloration, choose the same shade as your foundation.) Scibelli adds that many brands also have shade-matching tools online that can be helpful, like NYX's virtual try-on.
Is drugstore concealer better than prestige concealer?
As Harris mentioned above, prestige concealers may come in nicer packaging that "feels" more luxe, but the quality of wear, application, and coverage is not compromised just because a concealer is sold at the drugstore. Plenty of celebrities even wear drugstore brands on the red carpet (Sarah Hyland wore e.l.f. Camo Concealer to last year's Academy Awards, for example).
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Melanie Rud is a freelance beauty writer, editor, and contributor to both PEOPLE and Byrdie. She has previously held editorial positions at Shape, Good Housekeeping, and Health, covering topics from skincare to makeup in the shopping space. For this article, Rud consulted with celebrity makeup artist and grooming expert Todd Harris (who has worked with the likes of Lorde and Katie Holmes) to advise readers on what makes a quality concealer — and how you can't put a price on effective makeup. This story was later updated by Alyssa Brascia, a staff commerce writer at PEOPLE who covers and specializes in beauty.
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