You might be surprised to learn that I only recently added a good concealer to my everyday makeup routine. And this isn’t because I had no desire to use it previously—I’d just never learned the *right* way to apply it without it creasing or looking cakey. If I ever struggled with things like dark circles or puffiness around my eye area, I would mostly rely on eye cream to get me out of a jam. Although that’s still pretty effective for me, now that I’m a beauty editor, I’m able to reach out to my arsenal of makeup experts for advice.
Concealer can be extremely handy for various concerns—blemishes, dark spots, under eye bags, and even dullness. If you’re like my former self and could use a few concealer-related tips from the pros, keep on reading. I tapped celebrity makeup artist Elizabeth Seropian to share all her advice on how to apply concealer for every concern.
When applying concealer under the eyes, Seropian says there are a few things to keep in mind. “It’s very important to choose the right shade that matches your skin tone,” she explains. “I would recommend finding a color one to two shades lighter than your foundation. You must also prep your skin properly before application. Apply the concealer in a triangle shape and make sure to use a light hand when applying and blending. And lastly, you must set your concealer with powder by using a brush, sponge, or a powder puff. Also don’t forget that practice makes perfect. You will eventually find a technique that works for you!”
Tarte’s Shape Tape is a cult-loved option that I even use myself. I’ve found it to be one of the best under eye formulas because it’s creamy yet leaves a soft, bright, and matte finish. Seropian also loves it. “The concealer that I currently have in my kit is the Tarte Shape Tape concealer. It’s full coverage and blends like butter especially if you give it about 10 to 15 seconds to dry.” —Seropian
“Another favorite concealer of mine is the Dose of Colors ‘Meet your hue’ Concealer. It is also similar to the Shape Tape because it’s full coverage and has vitamin E and shea butter. I had the honor of working on the campaign shoot for this concealer and I was hooked and couldn’t wait to get my kit stocked up!” —Seropian
I’ve been obsessed with Saie’s Hydrobounce Foundation ($40) lately and the Hydrabeam concealer is a close second. I love how easily the formula conceals any bags and dark circles under my eyes without feeling heavy. It’s also extremely hydrating with squalane and glycerin and never creases.
This Kosas formula is one of the creamiest concealers I’ve ever used. It brightens and is great for both the under eye area and concealing blemishes IMO. Caffeine in the formula perks up your under eye area while hydrating peptides, hyaluronic acid, arnica and provitamin B5 soothe and plump the skin.
Personally, I’ve never needed a color corrector to conceal redness or dark spots—most concealers get the job done, but if you’d like a little expert advice in this department, Seropian has you covered. “The best way to cover redness is to color correct with a green neutralizer and then later apply foundation or concealer,” she shares. “Don’t forget to apply setting powder. Remember that before you start applying your products, a light hand is key and building up coverage gradually is the best way to achieve your desired results.”
If you have more severe dark circles that look pretty discolored, Maybelline’s Dark Circle Treatment Concealer can definitely help. It’s one of the best drugstore concealers and is infused with goji berry and haloxyl to conceal, brighten, and add radiance to dull or discolored skin.
Like Seropian said, a good color corrector or color-correcting concealer can come in handy. This one neutralizes redness for medium to dark skin tones.
I have quite a few dark spots and I’ve found that this concealer is really great at covering them along with blemishes. Seropian is also a fan. “Another favorite of mine is the Nars Radiant Concealer I always end up going back and forth between the Tarte concealer and the Nars concealer. It depends on my mood. I love the way this concealer dries on every client of mine. It gives your skin a hydrated look.” —Seropian
In addition to the Shape Tape Full Coverage Concealer, Tarte also has a great color corrector meant to expertly conceal dark spots, redness, and discoloration.
Having acne-prone skin is tough—I would know. Luckily, I am usually able to conceal any dark spots and blemishes using only foundation and concealer, but Seropian says it can’t hurt to use a color corrector to cover blemishes too. “You can use a green corrector to spot correct your blemish and then cover it lightly with your foundation or even your concealer. If you have dark spots, you can use the pink or peach corrector shade and then later cover it with your concealer or foundation. Don’t forget to build your coverage. Sometimes less is more when covering your blemishes and dark spots.”
Neutrogena’s concealer is armed with salicylic acid, a blemish-fighting ingredient that can do double duty by concealing a pimple and helping it heal.
Because this Bobbi Brown concealer is a full coverage formula, I’ve found that it covers dark spots and pimples with just the tiniest dab. It also blends like a dream.
Dior’s Backstage Concealer is infused with caffeine and offers a radiant finish. It’s great to use under the eye area due to the caffeine, but it also expertly conceals blemishes due to the micro-pigments in the formula that blur out imperfections.
SheGlam’s concealer is only $4, offers amazing coverage, and a soft matte finish. I was pleasantly surprised by how well it covered dark spots and a few blemishes the first time I used it. It has now become a regular staple in my rotation.
