I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Not all concealers are created equal. There are great drugstore options, concealers for mature skin, stick formulas, and the list goes on. But let me remind you about another little type of concealer that most have been sleeping on: the pot concealer. Celebrity makeup artists swear by it for its uncanny ability to correct and conceal in one fell swoop. Don’t believe me? Ask makeup artist Kirin Bhatty—she has painted the faces of stars such as Jenny Slate, Kiernan Shipka, and Amy Ryan.
“I’ve always loved a pot concealer, as I’ve found that a little goes a long way and takes up less room in your makeup bag,” she shares. “I also love having the ability to apply it with a brush and control your application. With sticks, non-artists tend to apply them directly to the skin, which can build up bacteria over time. For a pot, I use a clean spatula, or you can use a cotton bud to take the desired amount out, put onto a sterilized palette, and apply with a clean brush.” So not only are they master correctors, but they’re also a bit more sanitary. If you like having a bit more control of your coverage and are ready to try out a good pot concealer, keep scrolling below for Bhatty’s top picks and a few of our own.
“These are buildable, and the coverage is high but also so comfortable. Also, the price point is incredible! They perform like their expensive counterparts for a fraction of the cost.”
“I love the shade range of this concealer and overall texture. It’s never too cakey.”
“This is a creamier formula that still covers well and is great for the under-eye area.”
“This is the first pot concealer I ever purchased, and I still go back to it all the time. It’s totally foolproof and a classic for a reason.”
I know this product is technically labeled as a foundation, but it’s actually a concealer and foundation in one. The formula can be sheered out for use as a base or built up as a concealer for more coverage under the eyes or on blemishes. It’s a personal favorite of mine and looks really natural on the skin.
Folks love this pot concealer because it’s ultra lightweight but gives you a flawless, healthy glow. It’s also a great option for drier skin types since it contains organic coconut and jojoba oil for extra hydration.
Laura Mercier’s Secret Concealer is noncomedogenic and really helps with dark circles and discoloration. It brightens up the under-eye area and provides medium coverage for more of a natural finish.
Glossier’s Stretch Concealer is a cult favorite for so many reasons, but I’ll just name a few. It has adaptable mineral pigments that give a brightening effect and blend seamlessly into the skin. Another star ingredient includes its elastic micro wax, which moves with your skin instead of just sitting on top of it and caking up.
For a dewy, satin-like finish, try Undone Beauty’s Conceal to Reveal Concealer, which provides customizable coverage. It’s super glowy, and you can count on the coconut extract in this formula to give you just the right amount of healthy shine.
Another option for those who love a fresh-faced look is Juice Beauty’s Phyto-Pigments Perfecting Concealer. Although the shade range isn’t amazing,it’s still a great concealer that provides a really nice, silky finish. It applies best using just your fingers and adds even more warm radiance to the skin with ingredients like jojoba oil, grape-seed oil, and vitamin C and E.
This is such a versatile concealer that’s great to add to any makeup routine. It is waterproof, which I know isn’t for everyone, but if you do love this sort of concealer, you’re in luck. It’s absolutely luminous on the skin, and the shades are designed to help you customize your needs whether you’re looking to conceal, contour, or correct or are in need of a base.
For a stellar budget option (yes, some Amazon makeup finds are great), try Mallofusa’s Single Color Concealer Foundation. It’s a long-lasting formula that’s oil-free and comes in shades that also allow you to color-correct if you need to.
