This Concealer = The Closest Thing to a Magic Eraser for Dark Circles

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I've been on a mission to hide my dark circles for as long as I can remember—and I know I'm far from alone. For most of us, dark circles are just a part of life (regardless of sleep schedules) thanks to factors like facial structure that create shadows, thin skin that puts your blood vessels on display, hyperpigmentation, and more. And while dark circles are totally normal, there's also no shame in joining the makeup crew (hi, hello that's me) that conceals them. I've personally tested countless concealers for dark circles over the years and have made a literal career out of recommending the best ones. Get a sneak peek of my top 13 favorites, below:

Read on for the complete list of the 13 best concealers for dark circles—from sheer concealers to full-coverage concealers—complete with the lowdown on each one, including pros and cons and first-person reviews. And because concealer application isn't always the most intuitive, there are also answers to some of your most pressing questions about concealers for dark circles and how to choose the best one for you, according to celebrity makeup artist Clarissa Luna. Now, let’s get into it, shall we?

Shape Tape Contour Concealer

If I had a dollar for every time I saw a TikToker raving about Tarte's Shape Tape Concealer, I'd be rolling in $$$. I, too, am a fan of the bestselling concealer, which has been a makeup staple since it launched in 2016. The brightening formula is super pigmented, so there's no need for backup when dealing with dark circles, and it blends effortlessly and stays put as long as you need it to. I reserve it for those full-glam moments due to its full coverage—and it never lets me down.

• Size: 0.33 oz

• Coverage: Full

• Finish: Matte

• Cruelty-free? Yes

Glowing customer review: “I love this concealer. It has amazing coverage and it lasts so long! I literally swam in the ocean all day and this concealer was STILL covering my dark circles! It doesn't wear off easily but comes off easy with makeup wipes.”

Main Match Crease-Proof Long-Wear Hydrating Concealer

If creasy concealer is one of your biggest makeup pet-peeves, then you gotta try this gem from South Asian makeup brand Kulfi. It's a hit among TikTok's top beauty influencers and blends as smoothly and easily as a face serum for a radiant, natural-looking finish with medium coverage. I've worn this formula for 10+ hours under my eyes and it fully hides dark circles and never creases or settles into fine lines.

• Size: 0.17 oz

• Coverage: Medium

• Finish: Radiant

• Cruelty-free? Yes

Glowing customer review: “This concealer not only matches perfectly to my skin and evens out any red or dark spots but it also does not crease at all one bit. Best concealer for a full beat or a simple no makeup makeup look!”

Sunshine Under Eye Brightening Light Coverage Concealer

Want to minimize dark circles without looking like you're wearing a ton of makeup? Meet Milk Makeup's Sunshine Concealer, a lightweight, transparent coverage formula that fakes the rejuvenating effects of a restful nap for your under eye area. The combo of light-reflecting pigments, brightening vitamin C, and hydrating hyaluronic acid work together to minimize dark circles and subtly plump the skin under and around your eyes for a more wide-awake look.

• Size: 0.2 oz

• Coverage: Light

• Finish: Radiant

• Cruelty-free? Yes

Glowing customer review: “Absolutely love this product. As someone who always seems to have dark circles, this product is a game changer. I love the ease of dispensing just the right amount of product on the roller ball. Plus, the product is super lightweight and doesn’t cake under my eyes. Added bonus for having nourishing ingredients. I feel this gives me new life to my face.”

Vanish Airbrush Concealer

I recently came across a TikTok video where a creator claims that "those who don't like the Hourglass Vanish Concealer just aren't using it correctly," and I honestly couldn't agree more. My method is simple: I apply three small dots to well-hydrated skin (prepping with a hydrating eye cream or eye serum is key here) and then blend using a damp beauty blender. The effect is like a magic eraser for my dark circles—total coverage sans heaviness.

• Size: 0.20 oz

• Coverage: Full

• Finish: Natural

• Cruelty-free? Yes

Glowing customer review: “If you have really dark circles like me, this is the one. I’ve tried so many concealers for the past 10 years and this one is the best one. I usually have to apply under eye brightener before concealer but since I purchased this concealer, I never had to apply the brightener ever again!”

Radiant Creamy Concealer

This buildable concealer from Nars has been loved by makeup artists, editors, and celebs since it's debut more than a decade ago. The formula is thick yet uniquely buildable—which means you can use little bit and still get a decent amount of coverage or really layer it on to fully erase your dark circles. The best part though? It leaves you with a natural, skin-like finish that adds a touch of radiance and it stays put all day long too.

• Size: 0.22 oz

• Coverage: Medium

• Finish: Radiant

• Cruelty-free? No

Glowing customer review: “All my friends ask about my concealer all the time, because I have really bad dark circles, this product is a game changer for me. I usually apply it with a beauty blender and then I set it with my Laura Mercier translucent loose powder and it gives me amazing coverage without creasing, also it looks as if I wasn’t using any makeup at all.”

Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Concealer

I've been riding the It Cosmetics wave since the 2010s, and this concealer is a forever fave. Its ultra-pigmented and has a thick texture that instantly conceals stubborn dark circles—and all it takes is a single dot to get the job done. Just squeeze a smidge onto the back of your hand, warm it up with your index finger (give it a little rub back and forth), then tap and blend. Also great? The formula contains anti-aging ingredients, like peptides and collagen, to help soften fine lines and make shadows less noticeable with continued use.

• Size: 0.40 oz

• Coverage: Full

• Finish: Natural

• Cruelty-free? Yes

Glowing customer review: “I have tried dozens of concealers over the years to cover dark, heredity under eye circles. This is one of the few that substantially covers the darkness without looking cakey. The product lasts forever as you really need a small amount. I use it as a corrector and add a touch of brightening concealer on top for the best effect.”

Instant Age Rewind Eraser Multi-Use Concealer

With over 150,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, it's no secret Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind is one of the most popular under-eye concealers for dark circles on the market. Back in my college days, when I was ballin' on a budget (and perpetually tired), this concealer was a lifesaver. It's specially formulated for dark circles, ensuring a non-cakey finish and adding a touch of brightness to your under-eye area. Plus, it might even work its magic over time with the help of free radical-fighting goji berry extract and brightening Haloxyl.

• Size: 0.2 oz

• Coverage: Medium

• Finish: Natural

• Cruelty-free? No

Glowing customer review: “I'm absolutely in love with this concealer! It provides flawless coverage, and a little goes a long way. It's perfect for covering blemishes and dark circles, and it blends seamlessly into my skin. I also appreciate that it lasts all day without creasing or fading.”

Stretch Concealer

Instead of sitting on top of your skin, Glossier's Stretch Concealer melts right in to hide dark circles and leave your under-eye skin looking luminous. Thanks to its blend of waxes and nourishing oils, the formula stays flexible throughout the day and moves with your skin for a natural finish. When I tested it, my husband couldn’t even tell I was wearing concealer. So if you dread the thought of your concealer looking stiff or lifeless, this potted formulation might be your new fave.

• Size: 0.17 oz

• Coverage: Medium

• Finish: Radiant

• Cruelty-free? Yes

Glowing customer review: “I've been using this concealer for over a year and it is my HG concealer. It's never cakey, it's long-lasting and it applies like a dream no matter what I use to apply it. I use it for my under eye area as well as for spot concealing. It is high coverage but doesn't feel heavy. I don't use it every day, but more than a year later and I still have a lot of product left in the pot.”

#FauxFilter Matte Buildable Coverage Waterproof Concealer

This waterproof concealer for dark circles can withstand it all... a sweaty workout, rain storm, ugly cry—the list goes on and on. Shoppers (myself included) say that its blurring, brightening, and the concealing benefits look just as flawless after a long day as it does at the start. Still skeptical? Just take a look at the thousands of enthusiastic reviews from fellow testers—they'll have you convinced this is a must-try if I haven't already.

• Size: 0.30 oz

• Coverage: Full

• Finish: Matte

• Cruelty-free? Yes

Glowing customer review: “I absolutely love this concealer! It is so hydrating for my dry under eyes and has good coverage without being too heavy. It stays all day without creasing which is a major plus for me since I’m in my early 30’s. So far I have worn it in some pretty extreme heat (Southeast Texas) where I have been sweating heavily while outside and it has stayed put. Will definitely repurchase!”

Radiant Concealer & Brightening Crayon Duo

One thing about me? I'm always on a mission to conserve precious space in my makeup bag, which is precisely why I adore this dual-ended concealer. It's got a brightening crayon on one side and a matte, medium-coverage concealer on the other. It's a travel essential for me because it's mess-free, easy to use, and I've even discovered that the crayon works wonders as an eyeshadow primer in a pinch too.

• Size: 0.88 oz

• Coverage: Medium to full

• Finish: Natural

• Cruelty-free? Yes

Glowing customer review: “I’ve been using this for a week now and it’s safe to say it’s my new go to!!! Love the dual ended packaging, so handy for traveling and reapplying on the go.”

Touche Éclat All-Over Brightening Concealer Pen

Touche Éclat is a total icon. The lightweight liquid formula is better described as a brightening under eye tint, packed with light-reflecting pigments (kinda like a highlighter) that lessen the look of shadows and illuminate the under-eye area. It’s on the transparent side, so it won't fully conceal dark circles, but it is my go-to for subtly enhancing my features for a no-makeup look or refreshing heavier concealer throughout the day.

• Size: 0.08 oz

• Coverage: transparent

• Finish: Radiant

• Cruelty-free? No

Glowing customer review: “This concealer has an amazing balance between moisture and coverage. I'm 35, I don't want something too heavy or too matte that will age me more than I am. This concealer does a great job of giving me a natural 'no makeup' look. It doesn't settle into lines and is very easy to apply.”

Bare With Me Concealer Serum

As implied by this concealer's name, it's not your typical thick and creamy formula. This concealer from NYX has a lightweight and serum-like texture that sinks into the skin in seconds and makes my dark circles disappear. I love it in the winter months when my skin needs some extra TLC because it's packed with ingredients like hydrating glycerin, soothing green tea extract, and antioxidant-rich vitamin E. It leaves behind a dewy finish that creates the illusion of plump, well-hydrated skin.

• Size: 0.32 oz

• Coverage: Medium

• Finish: Natural

• Cruelty-free? Yes

Glowing customer review: “Amazing concealer! So thin and moisturizing, it really feels like a serum, so lightweight, never cakes. Coverage is medium. Definitely not full. If you have serious dark circles it may not work for you. I have medium skin tone and beige 4 works great for me.”

Skin-Enhancing Concealer

Ami Colé is a leader in the clean beauty space, and one of the brand's standout products is this buttery, blendable concealer for medium to deep skin tones. It has a natural skin-like finish and offers up buildable coverage that's ideal for concealing dark circles. Plus, it's loaded with plant-based ingredients—including baobab extract, hibiscus flower extract, and pumpkin seed extract—that work together to nourish and soothe the delicate skin around your eyes.

• Size: 0.2 oz

• Coverage: Medium

• Finish: Natural

• Cruelty-free? Yes

Glowing customer review: "I have sensitive skin so usually my under-eyes get irritated but this one here… haven’t had a single issue. It blends so beautifully (especially with a triangle puff!) and it’s so creamy. Currently stocking up.”

What type of concealer is best for dark circles?

Ultimately, the best concealer for dark circles is the one you feel best in, which can vary greatly from person to person. However, according to makeup artist Clarissa Luna, if your goal is to conceal your dark circles completely, she suggests opting for a full-coverage formula that's labeled "brightening" or "illuminating."

How to choose the best concealer for dark circles:

Think about the shade.

The key to finding the best shade of concealer for your dark circles is "to look for a concealer that's one to two shades lighter than your foundation or natural skin color," says Luna. "Using a slightly lighter concealer adds radiance and, thus, makes your under eyes look brighter and more awake," she explains.

Consider the coverage level.

You'll also want to consider the opacity of the concealer, says Luna. She recommends choosing lighter formulations if you have minimal pigmentation and prefer a natural, no-makeup-makeup look with the goal of minimizing rather than erasing dark circles. On the other hand, if you're on a mission to entirely banish those dark circles, opt for full coverage formula and watch them disappear.

Scope out the ingredients list.

Be sure to scan the ingredients list of the dark circle concealers you’re considering, especially if you have specific skincare concerns such as dryness, dullness, or sensitivity. Hyaluronic acid or glycerin are great if you have dry skin, vitamin C is ideal if you want to brighten up your eye area, and soothing allantoin and aloe vera are both good choices if your skin is sensitive. "The skin under our eyes is the thinnest and most delicate on our face, so using a concealer with skin-loving ingredients is a no-brainer," says Luna.

Meet the expert:

• Clarissa Luna is a makeup artist based in New York, NY. Luna’s portfolio spans a diverse range of accomplishments, including glamming celebrities for magazine covers, runways, television, and red carpet events.

Why trust Cosmopolitan?

Marisa Petrarca is a contributing beauty writer for Cosmopolitan with over five years of experience researching and writing about makeup, skin, and hair. For this piece, she discussed concealers for dark circles with makeup artist Clarissa Luna and dove into reviews, research, and her own makeup stockpile to recommend the best products.

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