The 9 Best Drugstore Concealers of 2024, Tested by Real People
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The NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Concealer Serum excelled when it came to texture, coverage, crease resistance, and staying power
People / Jhett Thompson
There is no makeup product as versatile as concealer. Whether it’s used for covering up under-eye circles, camouflaging a pimple, or boosting radiance, a good concealer is an invaluable asset in your makeup arsenal. Luckily, there’s no need to shell out the big bucks for a phenomenal formula — the drugstore is filled with a trove of amazing options, all for a fraction of the price of their more expensive counterparts.
The Best Right Now
For the savers out there, our favorite buildable concealer is the Rimmel London Stay Matte Concealer, which is on sale at Amazon for less than $6 right now.
“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 shade ranges, drugstore finds are totally on par with the more expensive ones, he says.
Finding the right concealer for you can be tough, which is why we set out to find the best of the best. Our testers tried 27 different products — all costing less than $20 — to hide both dark circles and skin discoloration. Everything from texture to coverage to creasing to staying power was 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
Star Qualities
Lightweight feel with long-lasting coverage
No under-eye creasing
A little goes a long way
Red Flags
We wish there were more shades 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 despite its lightweight serum formula, this concealer offers full yet natural-looking coverage.
It earned perfect scores in every category, from application to coverage, wear, and overall look, and gets bonus points for not creasing or settling into fine lines — 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 not super limiting, we wish there were more choices for darker complexions than the 13 shades offered.
Type: Liquid | Coverage: Full, buildable | Size: 0.32 oz. | Shades: 13
People / Jhett Thompson
Pro Tip
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 boost radiance, go one shade lighter than your foundation. If you’re using it mostly to conceal discoloration, choose the same shade as your foundation.
Best for Mature Skin: Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer
Star Qualities
Sponge tip applicator makes for easy application
Creamy formula doesn’t settle into fine lines
Reduced appearance of dark circles and redness
Red Flags
There’s no way of cleaning the built-in applicator
Having a concealer that’s just going to settle into your fine lines and wrinkles essentially defeats the purpose of even wearing a concealer. While many concealers do this, that certainly wasn’t the case here; we gave this Maybelline product a 4.5 out of 5 when it came to crease resistance and realized that its creamy consistency would work beautifully on those with dry or mature skin.
It earned a perfect score for its easily-blendable, non-sticky texture, and we also lauded the built-in sponge 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 dark circles; we found the medium coverage not ideal for camouflaging blemishes.
Type: Liquid | Size: 0.20 oz. | Coverage: Medium | Shades: 18
Related: The 15 Best Concealers for Mature Skin of 2024, According to Makeup Artists
Best for Mature Skin (Cheaper): e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer
Star Qualities
Full coverage without needing much product
Doesn’t oxidize
Non-greasy
Red Flags
Not as hydrating as we wished
Everyone knows and loves e.l.f. for its cheaper, imitable alternatives to high-priced products, and the Hydrating Camo Concealer is one of the brand’s most popular items thus far. We were immediately impressed with its potent pigmentation and nearly full-coverage finish, which was attainable with only a few small dots on the skin. It effectively covered dark spots and camouflaged blemishes well.
However, for being a “hydrating” concealer, we felt like this formula could stand to be a bit more moisturizing than it was. While it did leave skin feeling slightly dry, we found that moisturizing well beforehand made the finish look and feel a bit better, plus the color didn’t oxidize as the day went on. We think this could be a great option for those with mature, acne-prone, and oily skin because of its lightweight, non-comedogenic, and brightening formula.
Type: Liquid | Size: 0.20 oz. | Coverage: Full, buildable | Shades: 20
Related: The 15 Best Foundations for Mature Skin of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best for Acne: Maybelline New York Fit Me Liquid Concealer
Stat Qualities
Oil-free formula is great for acne-prone skin
Dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested
Easy to blend
Red Flags
Could be more options for darker skin tones
Looked slightly cakey
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 Maybelline pick is oil-free and non-comedogenic, so there’s no need to stress about that, and our tester found the coverage to be great for covering up red blemishes (although less so when it came to dark under-eye circles).
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).
Type: Liquid | Coverage: Light/medium | Size: 0.23 oz. | Shades: 13
Related: The 13 Best Acne Products of 2024, According to Dermatologists and Our Testing
Best Buildable: Rimmel London Stay Matte Concealer
Star Qualities
Healthy-looking matte finish
Buildable coverage
Easily covered pimples and red spots
Red Flags
Not enough shade options for all skin tones
Shades are not listed on the packaging
Some days, you need just a little bit of concealer. Some days, you need a whole lot of concealer. This super-buildable formula is 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 matte coverage in general. It covered dark under-eyes and blemishes with ease, eradicating that tired look and leaving behind a fresh, clean complexion. The staying power is top-notch, too. The drawback? It has a rather limited shade range of eight colors, and the color isn’t listed on the container, so it’s hard to know which one you’re using.
Type: Liquid | Coverage: Full | Size: 0.23 oz. | Shades: 8
Best Longwear: CoverGirl TruBlend Undercover Concealer
Star Qualities
Has one of the most extensive shade ranges on this list
Doesn’t need powder to last
Requires little product for a lot of impact
Red Flags
Felt a bit heavy on the 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 on the skin, we were impressed with how this cream concealer made dark circles instantly disappear. We even used it to even out some redness on the cheeks and chin, putting its color-correcting abilities to the test.
We were further impressed by its staying power, as we wore it for a day without creasing or moving around on the skin, even without being topped with setting powder. It also has an extensive shade range, with over 30 colors to choose from. 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 the under-eye areas.
Type: Cream | Coverage: Full | Size: 0.33 oz. | Shades: 30
Related: The 10 Best Dark Spot Correctors of 2024, Tested by Real People
Best Full-Coverage: Milani Conceal + Perfect Longwear Concealer
Star Qualities
Very pigmented formula
Non-drying matte finish
Didn’t look cakey
Red Flags
Prone to creasing
For those in search of a concealer that packs a real punch of coverage, this is it. Everything from dark spots to redness and blemishes was 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 luckily, it was — resulting in a smooth look that didn’t appear cakey. And while it has a matte finish, it’s not drying, thanks to the formula’s infusion of shea butter and olive oil.
Type: Liquid | Coverage: Full | Size: 0.17 oz. | Shades: 18
Related: The 12 Best Full-Coverage Foundations for a Flawless Base
Best Under-Eye: The Lip Bar Quick Conceal Caffeine Concealer
Star Qualities
Doesn’t crease or settle into fine lines
Hydrating formula reduced the appearance of dark circle
Looks fresh after prolonged wear
Red Flags
Thick texture made it challenging to blend
One thing is for sure — we can't stop raving about how well this formula worked to cover up dark circles. Even after a night of bad sleep, this concealer rejuvenated the under-eyes and kept delicate skin hydrated with its moisturizing caffeine formula. (However, we will note that it did cake a bit when dotted onto the cheeks and chin.)
It was longwearing and crease-free, never settling into the fine lines around the 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 that it came with a wand applicator.
Type: Cream | Coverage: Medium | Size: 0.35 oz. | Shades: 6
The More You Know
The best concealer to cover dark circles should have the active ingredient caffeine, which helps to constrict the blood vessels that can make the skin under your eyes look dark. You should also make sure you’re using the right shade. Since under-eye circles are a purple-blue shade, a peach or orange-toned concealer will help neutralize the dark tones and give radiance to the skin.
Best Lightweight: Colourpop Pretty Fresh Concealer
Star Qualities
Natural-looking finish and coverage
No product transfer
Great for lightening and brightening
Red Flags
Not very long-lasting
Dries very quickly
This formula was featherweight in every sense of the word — light, bright, and the most natural-looking we’ve tried in a while. So much so that it teetered on the edge of being a little too sheer (we’d call this medium-buildable coverage rather than full, which is what the brand claims), but our tester thought it was perfect for no-makeup makeup looks or for highlighting areas where they wanted to brighten the skin.
We liked that the product was transfer-proof and blended out beautifully, but it’s worth mentioning that we got the best results when using a sponge rather than a brush or fingers. However, you’ll want to start blending quickly after the product is swiped onto your skin; it dries down very quickly and stays put if you don’t work at it right away.
Type: Liquid | Coverage: Medium, buildable | Size: 0.30 oz. | Shades: 25
People / Jhett Thompson
What to Know About Drugstore Concealer
How and Where You’ll Be Using It
Where you’ll be applying your concealer will largely dictate what shade you go with, says Harris. For example, under the eyes, you’ll want a shade that’s about one shade lighter than your foundation in order to boost 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. 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 Concealer 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.
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 the Rimmel London Stay Matte Concealer.
Ingredients
If you’re dealing with specific skin concerns, you should keep an eye on the ingredients in your concealer. If you have acne-prone skin and are using it to cover blemishes, make sure the ingredients are non-comedogenic or won’t clog your pores, like our top pick, the Maybelline New York Fit Me Concealer. If you have dry skin, look for formulas with hydrating ingredients to plump up your skin. For dark under-eye circles, concealer with caffeine, like the Lip Bar Quick Conceal Caffeine Concealer, ensures you look awake and refreshed throughout the day.
People / Jhett Thompson
Behind the Scenes
Our testers, a varied group of people ranging in age, skin tone, and texture, came into our PEOPLE Tested lab and cleansed their faces to prepare their skin for these trials. They all hydrated their skin with the same moisturizer afterward to ensure that no concealer was getting special treatment with different prep work.
Texture: Each tester started by applying a set amount of concealer to 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.)
Coverage: If desired, they added a second layer of coverage, all the while taking note of how the product looked and felt.
Staying Power: 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.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Melanie Rud is a freelance beauty writer, editor, and contributor to 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. In our testing, we considered factors critical when selecting a concealer, including price, coverage, ingredients, texture, shade range, staying power, hydration, and ease of application and removal. This story was later updated by Alyssa Brascia, a staff commerce writer at PEOPLE, who covers and specializes in beauty.
Our Expert Panel
Todd Harris is a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with the likes of Lorde and Katie Holmes.
Neil Scibelli is an independent celebrity makeup artist.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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