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Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang
Here’s a fun fact for ya—did you know that dark undereye circles are largely caused by genetics? Yep, just like your hair color or shoe size, whether or not you have to deal with constant dark circles ultimately boils down to your DNA. (Though yes, things like a lack of sleep can absolutely exacerbate the situation and make any undereye shadows you have all the more noticeable.)
Byrdie Researched & Approved
Our best overall pick in concealers for dark circles is the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer. It has full, long lasting coverage without looking cakey or creasing. We also love the more affordable Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Concealer because it completely brightens the under eye area and blurs the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
When it comes to camouflaging raccoon eyes, at the end of the day, a concealer is by far your best bet. Eye creams can help—to a certain extent—but it takes time to see those effects. A good undereye concealer, on the other hand, can give you complete coverage and make you look bright-eyed in seconds. For better context, we enlisted the help of celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney to contribute her two cents regarding undereye concealer.
We conducted hours of research to find the best concealers for dark circles on the market, evaluating each on their coverage, lasting power, and shade range. We also looked for any extra features, like if they were able to blur fine lines or soothe puffiness. After considering dozens of products and consulting a celebrity makeup artist and our editors for their personal favorites, we landed on these top-rated picks.
Ahead, find the best dark circle concealers available now.
Best Overall
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
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Ulta
Good color payoff
Coverage lasts all day
Easy to blend
Can feel heavy
Who else recommends it? Harper's Bazaar, Good Housekeeping, and Marie Claire all picked the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer.
What do buyers say? 11,600+ Ulta reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
There’s arguably no concealer out there more beloved than this one. Beauty editors swear by it (Hallie Gould, our senior editorial director, is just one of many Byrdie staffers that are obsessed). Influencers post about it on the reg. And people buy it—and rave about it—time and time again. While it works great all over your face, it’s especially choice for under the eyes, thanks to an extra hydrating and creamy formula (credit mango and shea butter) and complete coverage that never creases or settles into fine lines.
Reviewers love that this concealer lives up to its claim of lasting up to 16 hours without fading, and that it gives their undereyes a lifted look. It also works to brighten dark circles over time, with the inclusion of licorice root in its formula (an ingredient known for its ability to treat hyperpigmentation).
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 35 | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $31
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Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
What Our Testers Say
“The biggest takeaway from wearing shape tape is how my skin looked lifted immediately after applying, and the fact I was able to use it to highlight my features too, was a big win in my opinion.” — Ashley Rebecca, Product Tester
Best Budget
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Concealer
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Maybelline
Blends easily
Includes sponge-tip applicator
Blurs fine lines and pores
Can crease
This drugstore staple is a best-seller—one of the top-selling ones in America, NBD—for good reason. The creamy formula completely covers up not only dark circles but also helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well, while working to tamp down puffiness in the process. Bonus points for the built-in, sponge-tip applicator that ensures silky smooth blending.
Coverage Level: Medium to full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 16 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Price at time of publish: $11
Best Long-Lasting
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
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Sephora
Coverage lasts all day
Easy to blend
Suitable for all skin types
Can oxidize over time
This one is the recommendation of former Byrdie editorial director Faith Xue. Reach for it when makeup touch-ups aren’t going to be feasible; the formula offers medium coverage that stays put for up to 16 hours. It also boasts a mineral tone balancing powder to optically correct, not just cover, discoloration, plus a light-diffusing mineral powder as well to create a radiant finish.
Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Radiant | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Price at time of publish: $31
What Our Testers Say
"Everything I wanted to be covered, was covered. I noticed my skin looked glowier which is a nod to the radiant aspect of the formula. The concealer held up all day and didn’t crease on me." — Ashley Rebecca, Product Tester
Best Hydrating
Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Concealer
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Courtesy of Sephora
Wears comfortably
Lasts all day
Blends into a radiant, skin-like finish
Limited shade range
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of their best-selling Luminous Silk Foundation, Armani recently launched this guy, the concealer variant of the beloved base. Both have that same silky feel and subtly radiant finish, and this concealer delivers up to 24 hours of hydration. There’s also caffeine in the mix, choice for helping to combat both dark circles and puffiness.
Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Radiant | Shades: 20 | Size: 0.4 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Price at time of publish: $38
What Our Testers Say
"Armani's Luminous Silk Concealer is really nice. Its liquid texture, easy-to-blend formula, and pigment can help conceal or brighten dark circles or hyperpigmentation almost immediately." — Khera Alexander, Product Tester
Best Cream
Kevyn Aucoin The Sensual Skin Enhancer
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Kevyn Aucoin
Intense coverage with a tiny amount of product
Blends easily
Product lasts a long time
Scent can be off-putting to some
No matter whether you’re dealing with dry skin or want to make sure you have plenty of coverage, reach for a cream concealer. Often housed in pots, they’re a surefire way to get plenty of creamy color. This one, another one of Rhue’s picks, packs plenty of color. So much so that you truly need only a tiny dot (about the size of the grain of rice, per the brand’s recommendation) under each eye. Jojoba oil in the formula ensures it’s nice and hydrating and never creases or cakes, and we also love the intensely pigmented pick for strategic covering of pimples.
Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Dewy | Shades: 16 | Size: 0.6 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Price at time of publish: $34
What Our Testers Say
"This concealer showed me two things: this product is beyond amazing, and it’s possible to find a full coverage concealer that doesn’t take a lot of manipulating to look natural." — Khera Alexander, Product Tester
Key Features
"I love Kevyn Aucoin Soft Skin Enhancers—they are buildable and definitely have staying power. They won’t move if you’re prone to sweating." — Tobi Henney, Celebrity Makeup Artist
Best Radiant Finish
UOMA Beauty Stay Woke Concealer
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Ulta
Radiant finish
Creamy, smooth texture
Coverage lasts all day
Shades could be improved
On the flip side, if you’re looking for a little luminosity, this concealer can’t be beaten. Despite the fact that it packs full coverage, it still has a featherweight, nearly skin-like texture—no easy feat. Creamy and smooth, it also has the perfect amount of radiance to leave skin looking fresh and healthy, without veering into sparkly or shimmery territory.
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Satin | Shades: 17 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $25
Best Drugstore
e.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer
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Courtesy of Ulta
Controls oil and shine
Blends easily
Hydrates
May be too matte for dry skin
When it comes to drugstore concealers, this pick from e.l.f is arguably one of the most popular picks. For under $10, you get a product that is able to brighten, conceal, and blur imperfections. This hydrating formula lasts up to 16 hours, and it won't settle into fine lines or become shiny throughout the day.
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 26 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $7
Best Shade Range
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Concealer
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Sephora
Easy to find a matching shade
Coverage lasts all day
Doesn't settle into creases or fine lines
Can look a little dry
It’s a simple beauty fact of life: Concealers always come in fewer shades than foundations. That’s why this particular pick is so noteworthy. There are, wait for it, a whopping 50 shades with an extensive range of undertones to pick from, offering a hue for pretty much any and every skin tone. Long-wear and sweat-resistant, one swipe offers medium coverage, though it’s easily buildable if you need more.
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 50 | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $28
Best Matte Finish
NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer
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Sephora
Matte without looking too dry
Creamy, velvety texture
Wide shade range
Reviewers note that the formula is a little thick
This one is a personal favorite of Tobi Henney, a professional makeup artist based in New York City. The oil-free formula packs plenty of coverage and has a velvety finish that strikes the perfect balance between being matte but never coming across as dry or flat. It’s also nice and creamy, instantly melting into skin, and works just as well to conceal blemishes as it does dark circles.
"The matte finish definitely helps cover any darkness under the eyes," says Henney. "I like to use a soft fluffy brush to apply and then blend with a damp Beauty Blender." Bonus points for the addition of protective antioxidants—vitamins A, C, and E—which are always a good thing for the delicate skin around your eyes.
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Price at time of publish: $30
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Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca
Best Brightening
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat High Cover Radiant Concealer
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Sephora
Skin looks radiant and uplifted
Creamy, silky texture
Lightweight
Packaging could be improved
The OG Touche Éclat highlighting pen first launched nearly 30 years ago. It too can be used to brighten the area under the eyes, though to score both the brightening and concealing benefits, reach for this take on the classic. With more coverage, it helps cover discoloration, but still offers the same Optical Brightening Technology that works to deflect the light away from the eyes to diffuse darkness and increase radiance.
Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Radiant | Shades: 16 | Size: 0.08 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Price at time of publish: $38
Best Sheer Coverage
Glossier Stretch Concealer
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Courtesy of Glossier
Wears comfortably on skin
Won't cake or crease
Goes on smoothly
Not ideal for oily skin
Those who crave coverage, but don’t love the look and/or feel of concealer, will appreciate how undetectable this formula is. Credit elastic micro waxes in the formula that move with your skin, rather than sitting on top of it (and end up resulting in caking or creasing).
Coverage Level: Light to medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 12 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $20
For best results, warm up the product with your fingertips before blending it in.
Best Natural
ILIA True Skin Serum Concealer
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Dermstore
Hydrating formula
Blends easily
Lightweight
Can settle into fine lines
Those looking for clean ingredient lists will appreciate this formula, free of a long list of potentially questionable chemicals. In fact, the first ingredient is aloe juice, imparting plenty of soothing hydration. Per the serum part of things, it also contains brightening and protective vitamin C and has a serum-like texture that melts and blends seamlessly onto skin, even in areas where there might be some fine lines or crepiness (like around the eyes).
Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Satin | Shades: 20 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $30
Best for 40+ Skin
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Illumination Anti-Aging Concealer
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Courtesy of Sephora
Illuminates the eye area
Comes in both radiant and natural finishes
Waterproof
Shade range could be more inclusive
Byrdie associate editorial director Holly Rhue raves about this full coverage, waterproof, long-lasting formula. A new variant on the OG (and also very popular version), this one boasts more of a luminescent finish, ideal when you want a little extra brightness around your eyes. But like its predecessor, it too contains hydrating hyaluronic acid, plus anti-aging collagen and peptides to help smooth out the look of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Radiant, natural | Shades: 12 | Size: 0.4 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $29
Best Stick
Marc Jacobs Accomplice Concealer & Touch-Up Stick
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Courtesy of Net-a-Porter
Goes on smoothly
Good value
Buildable without caking
Shade range could be expanded
Stick concealers are choice for easy application—all you have to do is swipe on and blend in with your fingertips, no extra tools or brushes required. This particular one is a fave of Karli Bendlin, Byrdie’s former senior editor, and touts an extra creamy consistency that glides beautifully along the skin. Use it as your AM concealer, but, as the name suggests, keep it on hand for touch-ups, too. It layers nicely over existing makeup if you realize you need a little more coverage mid-day.
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 17 | Size: 0.2 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $18
Best Vegan
LYS Beauty Triple Fix Brightening Concealer
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Sephora
Hydrating
Extensive shade range
Feels lightweight
Can look cakey if too much is applied
If you're looking for a concealer that incorporates natural ingredients, you'll love this pick that has ashwaghanda and turmeric in it formula to soothe inflammation and brighten the under eye area. While this concealer can be beneficial for your skin, it also completely covers dark circles without settling into creases or wrinkles. It also contains hyaluronic acid in its formula to hydrate, so it'll never look dry or patchy on the skin.
Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 25 | Size: 0.25 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Price at time of publish: $18
Final Verdict
The best concealer for dark circles is Tarte Shape Tape Concealer, because its universally-beloved formula can last up to 16 hours and can cover wrinkles and fine lines. For a more budget-friendly pick, we recommend the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Concealer, which comes with a. nifty applicator that can blend out the product easily and reduce puffiness.
Meet the Expert
Tobi Henney is a bicoastal professional makeup artist. Her client list includes celebrities like Megan Fox, Ellie Goulding, and Ashley Graham, and brands such as Chanel, Dior, and Victoria's Secret.
What to Look For in a Dark Circle Concealer
A Smooth, Blendable Consistency
Your undereye area is a very sensitive one, so looking for a concealer that doesn't take too much work to blend is important. Seek out a smooth, creamy formula that can easily be blended with your makeup sponge, brush, or finger without any tugging.
Skincare Ingredients
Want to give your undereye area some extra love while also concealing dark circles? Look for a formula that incorporates skincare ingredients like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, shea, caffeine, or Vitamin K, which can act as sidekicks for your eye cream in helping to boost brightness.
Subtle Luminosity
We're not talking all-out disco ball sparkle here, but some subtle radiance goes a long way in creating a more awake look in an instant. Seek out a formula with the slightest amount of pearl pigment—the matte finish of your concealer should cancel out any excessive shimmer, and instead, impart a brighter, more refreshed appearance.
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