Anyone dealing with acne or dark circles is unlikely to leave the house without one of the best concealers in their make-up bag. As much as we love to champion the natural look, there are days when an extra layer of confidence is welcome – and a concealer does just the trick.
According to professional make-up artist Florence White (who’s tended to the faces of Anne Hathaway, Sarah Pidgeon and half of Hollywood), concealer is “a clever scientific formula which targets specific areas of the face, such under eyes, red veins and pimples, and adds light to any dark areas like the inner corner of the eyes and maniacal folds (laughter lines).”
When you’ve been eating badly, sleeping poorly and your skin is showing it, a good concealer can be a godsend. But with seemingly every brand offering its own formula, knowing where to start can be tricky, and that’s where we come in.
We spent weeks putting some of the industry’s most talked about concealers through their paces. Not every product made the cut, so any formula that secured a place in the round-up below had to seriously impress. Here are our top picks.
Read more: Lisa Eldridge’s pinpoint concealer helped me achieve a ‘flawless complexion’
The best concealers of 2026 are:
- Best overall – Tower 28 swipe serum concealer: £20.40, Sephora.co.uk
- Best budget – Elf hydrating camo concealer: £6.40, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for dark circles – Charlotte Tilbury magic vanish colour corrector: £31, Charlottetilbury.com
- Best for dry skin – Kulfi main match concealer: £26, Spacenk.com
- Best for acne – Hourglass vanish airbrush concealer: £31.45, Sephora.co.uk
How we tested
Over the course of six weeks, we put a total 15 concealers to the test. We tested across two complexions, one dry skin type (Vanese) and one oily (Lucy). We used them in both sweltering heat and the dry, unforgiving cold, and wore them over extended periods to gauge the limits of their staying power. Certain formulas didn’t make the cut, but the products below ticked almost every box, earning no less than four stars out of five. Further down, you can fill a more detailed run-down of our review criteria.
Read more: Charlotte Tilbury’s new concealer ‘fills a long-standing gap in the market’
Tower 28 swipe serum concealer
Best: concealer overall
Type and applicator: Liquid, flocked paddle applicator
Shades: 28
Coverage: Light-medium
Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes, both
Why we love it
- Lightweight feel and natural finish
- Soothing on tired eyes
- Blurs blemishes well
Take note
- Doesn’t offer high coverage for blue tones and dark circles
Fresh from the shores of LA, Tower 28’s clean beauty swipe serum concealer is the embodiment of the California ‘that girl’. With a finish that enhances your natural features without weighing them down, this lightweight formula is practically made for pilates and sunning in Santa Monica.
A little goes a long way and I needed just a few dots to blur over my under eye shadows. It didn’t eclipse the blue tones entirely, but – thanks to the included caffeine and hyaluronic acid – gave the area a brighter and plumper appearance. Where heavy concealers can often leave blemishes caked and crispy, the swipe serum rendered my pimples mere bumps without redness or dryness. It also layered well under my usual setting powder and didn’t budge or crease as the day went on. Result.
- Lucy Smith
This concealer feels truly serum-like from the very first swipe. The hydrating formula, enriched with hyaluronic acid and soothing centella asiatica leaf extract, blends seamlessly into the skin without clinging to dry patches, separating foundation, or causing any pilling. It’s lightweight yet comfortable, and the texture makes it feel more like skincare than make-up.
The coverage is light to medium buildable, leaving a natural finish that works beautifully for everyday wear. If you prefer full coverage, though, you may want to explore other options. This is easily one of my favourite concealers to date and one I can't stop raving about.
- VM
Buy now £24, Sephora.co.uk
Elf hydrating camo concealer
Best: budget concealer
Type and applicator: Liquid, large doe-foot applicator
Shades: 25
Coverage: Medium to high
Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes, both
Why we love it
- Affordable
- Hydrating and seamless
Take note
- Creases slightly with extended wear
You might think an £8 concealer couldn’t possibly rival those priced around the £30 mark, but Elf’s hydrating camo concealer proves otherwise. With full coverage and a satin finish, it works well across all skin types. As someone with drier skin, I’m often wary of satin formulas as they can lean matte, but this one feels hydrating and smooth.
Although marketed as full coverage, it’s easy to achieve a softer, medium coverage look by applying less product. When worn from morning to night, I noticed some creasing, but with good skin prep and a hydrating mist to refresh throughout the day, it holds up well. At just £8, it’s one of the best budget-friendly options available.
- VM
Buy now £8, Amazon.co.uk
Kosas revealer concealer
Best: concealer for brightening
Type and applicator: Liquid, pointed doe-foot applicator
Shades: 35
Coverage: Medium
Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes, both
Why we love it
- Blends beautifully
- Natural finish
- Skin-loving ingredients
Take note
- Prone to creasing
- Hydration diminishes with wear
- Not for oily skin types
Kosas’ revealer concealer is perhaps one of the industry’s most popular formulas. It’s deliciously creamy, blends without any graininess or streaking, and covers up spots with just a few taps of your fingers. The initial results left my skin looking brighter and hydrated without the cakiness of some higher-coverage formulas. I didn’t drag my foundation and stayed put relatively well when I topped off a cheek pimple with a sweep of blush.
Given my oily complexion, the Kosas concealer caused my mascara to smudge. That said, I don’t experience panda eyes with every concealer, so I wouldn’t put it down to my skin type entirely. I also noticed creasing in the fine lines beneath my lower lashes and, as the hours passed, the coverage faded across my face. Do I think it’s a bad concealer? Definitely not, it’s just not the best match for those of us prone to shine.
- LS
This concealer quite literally had TikTok in a chokehold when it first launched, and it still does. You can tell from the tube just how creamy the formula is, and it doesn’t disappoint once applied. With medium-buildable coverage and instant brightening (thanks to the inclusion of caffeine), it’s one of the best options on the market.
At £28, it’s not budget-friendly, but it’s right in line with some of my other cult-favourite concealers. If you’re looking for a worthy splurge, the revealer concealer is definitely it. If worn from AM to PM, you may notice slight creasing, but nothing extreme.
- VM
Buy now £28, Spacenk.com
Charlotte Tilbury magic vanish colour corrector
Best: concealer for dark circles
Type and applicator: Cream compact
Shades: Four
Coverage: Light-medium
Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes, both
Why we love it
- Blurs dark circles, blue tones and hyperpigmentation
- Moisturising
- Easy to blend and doesn’t crease
- Suits all skin tones, despite having just four shades
Take note
- Not a huge amount of coverage
Charlotte Tilbury’s magic vanish colour corrector is, hands down, my favourite under-eye concealer, even if it’s technically not a concealer. Ignore the limited shade: between Vanese and I, we’ve seen it adapt impressively well across different skin tones. And while the compact is small (plum-sized, at best), it lasts. I’ve had mine for close to a year and have only just hit pan.
The texture is what really sells it. It’s indulgently buttery and melts onto the delicate under-eye area without tugging. I tend to tap it in with my ring finger, but it works just as beautifully with a small precision brush, such as Saie’s fluffy pinpoint. On bare skin, it softens blue-ish shadows in seconds; layered under a traditional concealer, it neutralises darkness so seamlessly you need far less product on top. My tear troughs are notoriously translucent, meaning those cool blue tones are usually front and centre, but a few light taps of magic vanish visibly takes the edge off. It barely creases and even pulls double duty on red blemishes, offering the sort of coverage you’d expect from something far heavier – just with a fresher, more skin-like finish
- LS
The best thing about this colour correcting formula is that it doesn’t crease and can be used in so many ways, from brightening the under-eyes to covering redness and pigmentation. I’d never tried a colour correcting concealer before, but I really noticed how this one helped smooth my under-eyes before applying the brand’s beautiful skin radiant concealer (£31, Johnlewis.com).
That said, it’s not a product I’d reach for all the time, since I usually get enough coverage from other concealers. But on days when my eye area needs an extra boost, this is one product I can’t do my base make-up without. Plus, a little goes a long way with this compact, so it’s sure to last for ages.
- VM
Buy now £31, Charlottetilbury.com
Nars soft matte complete concealer
Best: concealer that stays on all day
Type and applicator: Potted cream
Shades: 26
Coverage: Medium-high
Vegan and cruelty-free: Vegan but not cruelty-free
Why we love it
- Doesn’t drag
- Doesn’t budge
- Blurs dark or blue-toned under eyes
Take note
- Slightly grainier finish on dry skin
- Creases
I’ve been loyal to Nars’ cult creamy concealer (£29.50, Cultbeauty.co.uk) for more than five years, but lately the spotlight has shifted to the brand’s potted soft matte formula. While it looks a little intimidating, like something lifted from a make-up artist’s mixing palette, it’s refreshingly foolproof.
I tested it with fingers and a small fluffy brush, and found both methods forgiving. Tapped in with fingertips, it delivered a seamless, weightless finish; buffed on with a brush, it covered under eyes, lids and the wider orbital bone in seconds (though I’d avoid this if you’re prone to dryness, as it can cling to flaky patches). The matte texture may also settle into fine lines, so good skin prep and a light dusting of powder are key. Still, it’s impressively grippy, stays put all day and layers neatly over a full face – hence why a pot now lives in my work bag for midday touch-ups.
-LS
As someone with normal-to-dry skin, I usually steer clear of concealers marketed as matte. But this soft matte concealer, along with Nars' wider concealer offering, has a loyal fan base, and it’s easy to see why. The formula is super lightweight, blends effortlessly, and is enriched with peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins A, C, and E for a gentle, hydrating feel.
If you’re after full coverage, this may not be the one, as it’s better suited for a natural-looking finish – or concealing blemishes. I’m glad I didn’t let my bias against matte formulas get in the way, because this has quickly become a staple in my make-up bag.
-VM
Buy now £29.5, Boots.com
Natasha Denona hy-glam concealer
Best: concealer shade range
Type and applicator: Liquid, pointed doe-foot applicator
Shades: 52
Coverage: Medium-high
Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes, both
Why we love it
- Hydrating
- A little goes a long way
- Conceals spots excellently
Take note
- Sits in creases
Natasha Denona’s hy-glam concealer is a best kept secret among make-up insiders. It’s effortlessly blendable and a single dot stretches across the entire eye area without dragging or thinning out the coverage. It’s hydrating, tackles blemishes without leaving them crusty-looking and, impressively, comes in more than 50 shades.
That said, while it avoids looking dry or crepe-y, the formula can cling to flaky or textured patches and has a tendency to settle into fine lines. This means that a light hand, particularly through the eyelid crease, is wise. Thankfully, when it comes to application elsewhere, you’re in safe hands. It layers seamlessly over foundation without pilling or disturbing what’s underneath. As high coverage concealers go, this is one of the best formulas going if you’re looking to avoid veering into cakey territory.
- LS
Sometimes you discover a product so good you wonder why it isn’t more hyped, and for me it’s Natasha Denona’s hy-glam concealer. The formula wears beautifully for hours without creasing, even with its luminous-matte finish. It brightens, smooths, and covers everything from dark circles to puffiness and tired-looking eyes, making it a new go-to in my routine.
At £32 for 7ml, it also feels like great value for money as most competitors' concealers range between 5-6ml, not to mention its extensive shade range. It really does tick every box – so tell me, what more could you want from a concealer?
- VM
Buy now £34, Cultbeauty.co.uk
Tarte shape tape contour concealer
Best: full coverage concealer
Type and applicator: Liquid, large doe-foot applicator
Shades: 52
Coverage: High
Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes, both
Why we love it
- Packed with moisturising ingredients
- Brightening
- Eclipses dark circles, redness and blue tones
Take note
- Accentuates fine lines, so not as suitable for mature skin types
Despite years working in beauty, I’d somehow never tried Tarte’s famed concealer until this year. I’d watched the tutorials, read the rave reviews and mentally added it to my basket countless times – yet, I never got around to actually purchasing it. Thankfully, it was worth the wait.
The texture is almost custard-like and surprisingly comfortable, delivering high-impact coverage without the tight, drying feel some fuller formulas leave behind. Under the eyes, it brightens instantly, making you look wide awake even if your night’s sleep was less than perfect. The effect makes your pupils pop and, what’s more, it also excels at masking blemishes and redness.
Unfortunately, it settled noticeably into my fine lines, particularly across the eyelids and crow’s feet. As such, anyone already noticing texture in the eye area may find it less forgiving.
- LS
I’ve loved this concealer for as long as I can remember. I first came across it back in the big beauty YouTuber era, and it’s been a repeat purchase ever since. Even though it’s described as having a natural-matte finish, my drier skin drinks it up thanks to the super moisturising formula being packed with shea butter and mango butter.
The size is also a win with a massive 10ml of product (plus a travel version if you’re on the go). Whether I’m wearing no makeup at all or doing a full glam, this concealer doesn’t budge. It just brightens, smooths and makes everything look better instantly.
- VM
Buy now £29, Sephora.co.uk
Kulfi main match concealer
Best: concealer for dry skin
Type and applicator: Liquid, flocked paddle applicator
Shades: 21
Coverage: Medium
Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes, both
Why we love it
- Hydrating
- Great selection of shades for different undertones
- Doesn’t crease
Take note
- Causes mascara smudging on oilier skin types
Designed by Priyanka Ganjoo to be a make-up brand for every skin tone, I was super excited to try Kulfi’s product line-up when it finally launched in the UK. The main match concealer didn’t disappoint. Geared towards drier skin types, it’s infused with nourishing seed oils and moisture-attracting glycerin, giving the liquid a lightweight, serum-like feel that melts into skin.
It buffs out in seconds, leaving a softly blurred finish that diffuses deep hollows and blue tones rather than masking them entirely. With modern make-up moving away from heavy, full-coverage formulas, I appreciated this fresher, more natural approach to skin-perfecting.
That said, on my oily skin the richer formula did cause a little mascara transfer beneath the lower lash line. The upside? Zero creasing throughout the day, so I’ll take the wins where I can.
- LS
In 2024, while strolling through Sephora in NYC, I spotted this concealer on a stand and was instantly amazed at how perfectly my chosen shade matched my undertone. Now that it’s finally launched in the UK, I couldn’t be happier. For me, it ticks every single box: hydrating, blendable, lightweight, and it leaves the most gorgeous, radiant finish.
The formula is packed with skin-loving ingredients too, from antioxidant-rich amla fruit extract to soothing licorice root extract. I find myself reaching for it multiple times a week because it’s just that comfortable to wear. It brightens, smooths and honestly makes my skin look fresher with every use.
- VM
Buy now £26, Spacenk.com
By Terry hyaluronic serum concealer
Best: concealer for everyday use
Type and applicator: Liquid, flocked paddle applicator
Shades: 12
Coverage: Light-medium
Vegan and cruelty-free: Vegan but not cruelty-free
Why we love it
- Thirst quenching on dry, sensitive eyes
- Excellent for a no make-up make-up look
Take note
- Shade range is lacking
- Minimal coverage
As someone who has generally avoided high-coverage concealers since 2016, By Terry’s hyaluronic serum concealer has become a long-standing staple in my make-up bag. It feels more like an eye cream than heavy makeup, sinking into the skin with just a few pats of a Beauty Blender sponge.
While the coverage is buildable, even two layers of product under each eye leaves a natural, non-cakey and subtly glowy finish. It won’t mask an all-nighter, but for a bridal, ‘your skin but better’ look, I can’t recommend it enough.
However, the shade range leaves much to be desired; it’s heavily skewed toward caucasian complexions, which is why Vanese and I have docked the formula 0.5 stars. With a more inclusive range, this product would be virtually beyond criticism.
- LS
This concealer is the perfect skincare-meets-makeup hybrid, with a hydrating blend of ingredients including By Terry’s Exclusive ‘8 hyaluronic acid types technology’ for ultimate moisture, hydration and softening of fine lines and wrinkles – while also brightening the eye area and concealing dark circles.
The formula has a lightweight, serum-like feel that makes it ideal for everyday use, whether you prefer a sheer wash or more buildable coverage. The only downside for me is that it’s currently available in just 12 shades, which in 2026 is far too limited. By Terry, I hope that’s the sound of a bigger shade range I can hear.
- VM
Buy now £39, Cultbeauty.co.uk
Hourglass vanish airbrush concealer
Best: concealer for acne
Type and applicator: Liquid, flocked paddle applicator
Shades: 32
Coverage: Medium-high
Vegan and cruelty-free: Yes, both
Why we love it
- Brightening and glowy
- A little goes a long way
- Eclipses red, angry blemishes
Take note
- Expensive
- Crease-prone
Hourglass’ magic vanish concealer more than lives up to its name. It blurred two very obvious blemishes on my jawline with minimal effort and it’s just as impressive on blue- or grey-toned under eyes, giving that delicate, translucent skin a more youthful and plump appearance. A few light sweeps with a fluffy brush were all it took for my eyes to appear brighter and more awake.
The coverage sits comfortably between medium and full, but you need surprisingly little product to get there. It builds well, too. You can add an extra dot or two for more opacity without risking a cakey or cracked texture.
On my oily skin, I noticed slightly more mascara smudging beneath the lower lash line than with some other formulas, along with a touch of creasing in the fine lines there. Even so, for spot concealing in particular, this was the clear frontrunner, and one I’ll definitely reach for again.
- LS
If this Hourglass concealer is good enough for the brand’s global brand partner, Gracie Abrams, then it’s definitely good enough for me. It’s no surprise I hear people raving about it time and time again, as the coverage is like no other, instantly blurring and brightening the under-eyes.
The shade range is strong, whether you’re after concealing or colour correcting, and the formula has a natural creaminess that blends seamlessly into the skin. Plus, the packaging has a luxe-boujee look to it but, at £36, it’s definitely on the pricier side. However, I’d argue it’s absolutely worth it.
- VM
Buy now £37, Sephora.co.uk
What is the best concealer?
Between the two of us, we agreed that Tower 28’s swipe serum concealer is the best all-rounder, offering an inclusive shade range, universal appeal for different skin types and, importantly, zero creasing. For anyone hoping to avoid spending more than £20, we found Elf’s hydrating camo concealer was easy to blend and provided ample coverage and hydration for tired eyes. Honourable mentions go to the Charlotte Tilbury magic vanish concealer for weightless colour correcting and the Natasha Denona hy-glam concealer for its vast shade range to suit every undertone.
How we tested concealers
Before recommending each of the above concealers, we tested them across a number of key criteria to see how they performed in real life, from first application to the end of a full day’s wear. Here’s what we considered:
How to apply concealer
“Apply concealer directly from the doe foot applicator onto the skin and then work it into the skin with clean finger tips, either rolling the pad of the finger tip over or tapping the product on,” advises White.
Contrary to popular opinion, she also finds that “swishing a finger or brush over the area just moves the product away from the targeted areas.” If you prefer to use a brush, she suggests “applying the concealer with a synthetic brush – either pointed or flat depending on the size of the issue – and then brushing around the product with a fanned brush to blend the outer excess into the rest of the foundation.”
The final step? “Carefully set by tapping powder onto the area.”
How to choose your concealer shade
“I would recommend going to make-up counters and benefiting from using the expertise of the MUAs on the counters,” says White. “Discuss your skin type, the areas concerned and also the foundation you use.”
To firm up your decision, she instructs you, “Check the result in a mirror on various lights, including going outside to natural day light to see the results.”
Alternatively, she reveals, “Some brands like Trinny, Il Makiage and Charlotte Tilbury have created brilliant technology which can guide you to the correct shade. I’ve been blown away by how accurate the results are.”
How to apply concealer to prevent creasing
“Always apply onto clean skin making sure your skincare and concealer are compatible,” recommends White. In practice, that means pairing like with like: oil-based products with oil-based formulas, water-based with water-based, and silicones with silicones. A quick scan of the ingredients list can help – oils and water are usually labelled clearly, while silicone ingredients often end in -cone, -siloxane, -conol or -silane.
She continues, “It’s worth spending a few minutes with a brush or a Beauty Blender buffing and setting the product in.”
Is cream or liquid concealer better for mature skin?
“I think a multi tasking combined skincare and concealer formula is ideal these days, like the Ilia skin blur serum concealer or Kosas revealer concealer,” proposes White. As for application, she advises you “use the correct skincare to smooth out any wrinkles and then really buff the product in to set the product and remove any excess.”
Should you apply concealer before or after foundation?
“In general concealer is a thicker formula than foundation and [if you applied concealer first] the area would already be covered, so why would you apply foundation over it?” asks White. As such, she “always [applies] concealer after foundation.”
What concealer is best for broken veins?
“I chose liquid concealers over stick concealers as it gives me more time to work the product in and over [the veins],” White tells me.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
As a senior shopping writer for IndyBest, Lucy Smith has garnered a breadth of experience reviewing the latest and greatest in make-up. Not only has she written about concealers individually – such as Charlotte Tilbury’s new airbrush flawless concealer – but she’s also covered everything from the best bronzers to the best setting sprays.
Meanwhile, Vanese Maddix is a bona fide beauty aficionado. She’s been writing for IndyBest since 2024 and, in that time has tested the entire Made by Mitchell collection, as well as reviewing the best blushes and skin tints for a handful of upcoming pieces – watch this space. Vanese frequently travels to the US, too, so she’s often ahead of the curve when it comes to the season’s must-have products.
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