How do you apply under-eye concealer?

Henney recommends dotting concealer under the eye and blending with either a fluffy makeup brush or the warmth of the fingertips, gently tapping the product into the skin.

Should under eye concealer be a lighter shade than your skin tone?

When searching for the perfect concealer shade, Henney recommends opting for one that’s a few shades lighter than your skin tone. “This will brighten the eye area and make you look more awake,” she says.

How can you avoid creasing?

To avoid creasing, Henney recommends setting under-eye makeup with a very finely milled translucent setting powder .

The 8 Best Under-Eye Concealers of 2023

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer — Byrdie / Jessica Juliao

Whether you want to brighten dark circles or simply look like you got a great night's sleep, there's an under-eye concealer for that.

Byrdie Researched & Approved

Our best overall pick is Tarte Shape Tape Concealer, which earned perfect scores for its texture, staying power, coverage, and creasing. For a more affordable pick, consider, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Concealer, which also performed exceedingly well in all categories, and is a fan-favorite drugstore pick.

With so many options on the market—all with different formulas, textures, coverage levels, and finishes—it can be tough to find the right one for your needs and budget. The good news? We're here to help. First, we researched the most popular under-eye concealers on the market; then, we enlisted nine editors to put 8 of them to the test, rating each on a scale of one to five for texture, coverage, staying power, and creasing.

Read on to see our top picks of the best under-eye concealers you can buy now.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer

Jump to Review

Best for Dark Circles:

UOMA Beauty Stay Woke Concealer at Nordstrom

Jump to Review

Runner-Up, Best Overall:

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Drugstore:

e.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer

Jump to Review

Best Splurge:

Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Concealer at Sephora

Jump to Review

Best for Spot-Coverage:

NARS Soft Matte Concealer at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Shade Range:

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Concealer at Amazon

Jump to Review

4.8

Ulta

View on Ulta View On QVC View On Tartecosmetics.com

What We Like

Excellent coverage
No creasing
Doubles as contouring product

What We Don't Like

Can feel heavy

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Review

Tarte's best-selling Shape Tape concealer has long been a Team Byrdie fave, so it's no surprise it earned the highest possible 5/5 marks from our testers across the board. And when we say highest possible, we mean it—three editors tested this formula, and each of them gave it perfect scores for its texture, staying power, coverage, and creasing. "The matte formula imparts smooth finish that isn't shiny," said one tester, who also noted that she used it for contouring, too. "Its non-drying formula lasted all day without creasing or creating extra wrinkles."

Another tester noted that she loved this concealer for brightening her under-eyes, specifically. However, she also added that it worked best for more glamorous looks because its formula is thicker and more full-coverage than others she tried. "It's definitely not an everyday formula if you're just dabbing on some makeup and running out the door, but it's a must-have for full glam," she said.

Price at time of publish: $31

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

Maybelline

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What We Like

Affordable
Minimal creasing
Versatile

What We Don't Like

Limited shade range

According to our testers, there was much to love about this fan-favorite dark circle treatment concealer. "This is my usual go-to," said one reviewer. "The price is affordable, and the applicator is designed specifically for under-eye circles," she noted. She also said, while this product isn't billed as hydrating, this product never left her with dry skin: "This formula has very minimal creasing—something that makes it a steal at this price point."

Another of our testers gave this product a similarly glowing review—no pun intended: "I love, love, love this formula," she said. "It's high-coverage and has great texture and wear. I love highlighting, concealing, and contouring with this. The right shade also works well as a base." Accordingly, each of the testers gave this product a 5/5 for texture, staying power, creasing, and coverage.

Price at time of publish: $11

What Our Editors Say

"I've never used under-eye concealer because I could never find one that I liked. This budget option was a desperate drugstore purchase, and it has been a miracle worker. It doesn't define my fine lines and wrinkles, and it covers up my dark circles without looking like I'm wearing makeup." —Dwyer Frame, VP Commerce

Uoma Beauty Stay Woke Luminous Concealer

Ulta

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What We Like

Very brightening
No creasing whatsoever

What We Don't Like

Limited shade range

Our tester couldn't say enough positive things about this concealer (and accordingly, she gave it 5/5 marks across all categories). "This concealer is my new-to-me favorite," she said. "I look tired in the mornings, and this concealer literally makes me look like I had a full eight hours of sleep, even if I was up all night binging a show. It brightens my under-eyes like no other concealer."

Price at time of publish: $25

Courtesy of Nordstrom

View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Charlottetilbury.com

What We Like

Dewy, glowy finish
Blends easily

What We Don't Like

Multiple coats needed for fuller-coverage looks

This Charlotte Tilbury formula came in at a close second behind Shape Tape, scoring an average of 5/5 for its texture and staying power and a 4.7/5 for its coverage and creasing. Two of our testers raved about how easy it was to blend: "I really liked the feel and formula," one said. "It blended really nicely with the applicator alone and even better with my personal concealer brush." Another said she loved how "dewy and glowing" she looked after applying it—always a major win in our book.

However, all three reviewers had slight concerns about the sponge-tip applicator: "It took a while to turn and get the formula going in the sponge," noted one tester. Another had questions about how hygienic it was: "I like the idea of a sponge applicator," she said, "but then I think of germs." Lastly, although this is billed as a full-coverage formula, one tester felt she had to "put on a little more formula than usual" to get the coverage she normally desires.

Price at time of publish: $39

What Our Testers Say

"This took so long to get the product to come up to the sponge, but it was worth it! I love how dewy and glowing it looks—very Charlotte Tilbury." —Angela Trakoshis, Commerce Beauty Review Editor

Courtesy of Ulta

View on Ulta View On Amazon

What We Like

Super affordable
Great for light makeup looks
Good shade range for a budget product

What We Don't Like

Some creasing

Although our testers didn't give this concealer a perfect score—they rated it an average of 4/5 for texture and creasing, 4.3/5 for coverage, and 3.3/5 for staying power—they agreed that, for less than $5, it did more than enough. "This is a true full-coverage concealer," said one tester. "It's similar to Tarte's Shape Tape but is much more budget-friendly." She also added that it was very easy to blend. Another tester agreed that this product earned her seal of approval: "I can definitely see myself wearing this on light makeup days and recommending it to someone who wants an affordable option," she said.

In terms of cons, two testers reported some creasing after applying this concealer—but with the caveat that this wasn't a deal-breaker, given its low price.

Price at time of publish: $7

4.8

Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Concealer

Net-A-Porter

View On Sephora View On Bergdorfgoodman.com View On Flannels.com

What We Like

Blends very easily
Buildable coverage
Great for under-eyes and spot coverage

What We Don't Like

Pricey
Glass packaging is fragile

"Pat McGrath does no wrong in formulas," raved our tester. "This concealer is just another testament to that." In particular, she loved that it was buildable and could be used for both her under-eyes and for spot coverage. She also said that it blended "like a dream." For these reasons, she gave it 5/5 across the board for texture, coverage, staying power, and creasing. Also notable is this product's expansive shade range, with 36 hues to choose from—the second-highest number on this list behind Fenty Beauty's concealer.

However, although our tester gave this product perfect scores across attributes, she said that there was one small drawback: its glass packaging, which she said she was worried about breaking if she dropped it.

Price at time of publish: $34

Sephora

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What We Like

Creamy texture
Easy to blend
Great for blemishes and under-eyes
Long-lasting coverage

What We Don't Like

Pricey

This NARS concealer, which comes in a pot, earned high marks from our testers—especially for how it covered blemishes in addition to brightening the under-eye area. "I used to use this product all the time, and I'm really happy to be reunited with it," said one tester. "It covers up my fine lines like a charm, and it's ideal for acne coverage." Another tester loved the pot format. "The application is nice," she said. "It went on without feeling like I was pulling my skin, and it has a creamy texture that blends nicely."

For these reasons, despite it being one of the more expensive options on our list, it still earned top marks from our testers: a perfect 5/5 average rating across all categories.

Price at time of publish: $51

What Our Editors Say

"I really like this for under-eyes and spot coverage. It has great coverage and lasts all day!" —Aimee Simeon, Senior Beauty Editor

Fenty Beauty Pro Filtâr Instant Retouch Longwear Liquid Concealer

Sephora

View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Fentybeauty.com

What We Like

Very full-coverage
A little goes a long way
Expansive shade range

What We Don't Like

Slightly hard to blend
A bit cakey

It's common knowledge that the shade range of Fenty Beauty's Pro Filt'r concealer is second to none. However, there was much more to love about this product, according to our tester, who gave it a 5/5 rating for both its coverage and staying power: "If you love a full-coverage vibe, a little goes a long way," she said. However, she did note that it was slightly cakey for her liking and also advised that, no matter where you use it, make sure to blend it fast: "You can't let it dry out because it's not going to move," she said.

Price at time of publish: $36

Final Verdict

Meet the Expert

Tobi Henney is a bi-coastal makeup artist known for creating flawless, glowing skin. Her celebrity clientele includes the likes of Megan Fox and Ashley Graham, and her work can be seen across the ad campaigns of major brands and in the editorials of the top fashion magazines. She originally hails from Sydney, where she was the L’Oréal Paris Makeup Director for Australia.

What to Look for in an Under-Eye Concealer

Formula

When it comes to finding the perfect under-eye concealer, Henney recommends first looking into the formula of a product. “Depending on what you want to use it for—whether it’s for under the eyes, blemishes, or both—it’s important to find a formula that will work for you and your skin needs,” she says. If you’re plagued by puffiness, look for formulas that contain de-puffing ingredients like caffeine. If dark circles are your main concern, look for a concealer with an illuminating finish that’ll help brighten under-eye skin and fake a well-rested look.

Coverage

Great coverage is a must when it comes to under-eye concealers, especially if you’re trying to mask dark circles. Henney recommends choosing putty-like formulas over ones that are more watery, as they’ll offer higher coverage. “I also love creamy concealer for under the eyes as it blends and wears better on that part of the face,” she adds.

Packaging

Finally, Henney says to look into a product’s packaging and applicator, making sure it will fit your needs. “Think about if you want a product you can use on the run—for example, a product with a wand that allows for easier application than a pot,” she says. If you’re one to touch up throughout the day, a concealer with a built-in applicator will make reapplying much easier.

FAQ

How do you apply under-eye concealer?

Henney recommends dotting concealer under the eye and blending with either a fluffy makeup brush or the warmth of the fingertips, gently tapping the product into the skin.
Should under eye concealer be a lighter shade than your skin tone?

When searching for the perfect concealer shade, Henney recommends opting for one that’s a few shades lighter than your skin tone. “This will brighten the eye area and make you look more awake,” she says.
How can you avoid creasing?

To avoid creasing, Henney recommends setting under-eye makeup with a very finely milled translucent setting powder.

How We Researched & Tested

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

Why Trust Byrdie

This guide was written by Avery Stone who joined the Byrdie team in 2019 and has been with Dotdash Meredith since September 2018. Before then, she worked as a digital editor at the luxury magazine DEPARTURES, a staff writer at For the Win (USA TODAY Sports), and a trends reporter at HuffPost.

The 18 Best Concealers of 2023 for Dark Circles and More

Updated by Jill Di Donato

Best Overall

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

Best Budget

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Concealer

Best for Dark Circles

UOMA Beauty Stay Woke Concealer

Runner-Up, Best Overall

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Away Concealer

Best Drugstore

e.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer

Best Splurge

Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Concealer

Best for Spot-Coverage

NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer

Best Shade Range

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Concealer

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