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:
- Consistency: We assessed how heavy or lightweight each formula felt and how easily it spread across the skin during application.
- Coverage: We looked at how effectively the concealer masked dark circles, redness and blemishes, and whether the coverage could be built up without looking cakey.
- Blendability: We tested how quickly and seamlessly each formula buffed into the skin using fingers, brushes and sponges.
- Finish: We considered the overall effect on the skin, including whether the concealer looked natural, radiant, matte or – in some cases – overly flat.
- Longevity: We monitored how well each formula held up throughout the day, noting any fading, patchiness or touch-up requirements.
- Creasing and smudging: We paid particular attention to how the concealers behaved around the under-eye area, including whether they settled into fine lines or caused mascara to transfer.
- Shade range: We reviewed the breadth of shades available and how well the undertones catered to different complexions.
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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