Have you ever tried covering your dark circles, only to have them still show through the makeup? Or tried hiding a blemish, only to have the concealer fade as the day goes on? It may not be your technique that's the problem, it may be your concealer.
Here are the best concealers for your skin concern, whether you're struggling to cover up dark circles, acne, eczema, or rosacea.
Dark Circles
Look for: a creamy concealer that won't settle into fine lines under the eyes
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Highlighter Pen ($35.99)
This cult-favorite cover-up with light-reflecting properties and hydrating hyaluronic acid is one of the best undereye concealers out there for people who only need a little bit of coverage.
Shape Tape, the best-selling concealer from Tarte, offers opaque, matte coverage that's ideal for darker circles. The long-wearing concealer sticks around, plus it resists creasing.
Wet n Wild Photo Focus Concealer ($3.99)
This concealer has been called a dupe for the more expensive Shape Tape by famous beauty YouTubers such as Alissa Ashley. Like Shape Tape, it offers opaque coverage that lasts all day and it doesn't have a flashback or a white cast; unlike Shape Tape, it's extremely affordable.
Watch the video above to see how our studio photographer, Dom, conceals her dark circles.
Acne and Dark Spots
Look for: a thicker, highly pigmented concealer that will stick to blemishes all day
Shiseido Perfecting Stick Concealer ($21.99)
This creamy stick concealer has very opaque coverage, making it ideal for concealing dark spots on the face. It stays best on normal to dry skin types, but it will work for oilier skin when set with a powder on top. The stick packaging makes it especially great for on-the-go touchups.
Each Secret Camouflage concealer comes with two shades, one to match your skin's depth and one to match your undertone. By mixing the two together, you can create a custom concealer that perfectly blends with your skin. The concealer has a thick, highly pigmented consistency that sticks around all day.
Dermablend Quick-Fix Concealer ($26)
Some consider this the best concealer for acne because it's highly pigmented and non-acnegenic. It's frequently used in Hollywood to cover actors' tattoos, so it's no surprise that it can easily handle a blemish or two. It also lasts up to 16 hours when set with powder.
Watch the video above to see how our beauty editor Colleen conceals her acne spots.
Eczema
Look for: a hydrating concealer that will help conceal flaky patches while keeping skin hydrated
LA Girl HD Pro Concealer (from $2.99)
Yes, this concealer has a super thin, liquidy consistency, but it still offers full coverage, so it's great for covering dark patches. Its built-in brush and compact size mean it works well for on-the-go touchups. Plus, it's so cheap.
Tarte's liquid concealer contains maracuja, which is rich in nourishing essential fatty acids, as well vitamin E. The result is a rich, hydrating concealer that covers up scaliness without making it worse.
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer ($23)
Eczema sufferers have to be on the lookout for potentially irritating ingredients. This particular fluid concealer is free from fragrances, plus it's tested by dermatologists and opthamologists and non-acnegenic. It's no wonder it's one of the best concealers for sensitive skin.
Watch the video above to see how our studio photographer, Dom, conceals her eczema.
Rosacea
Look for: a hydrating concealer that will neutralize redness without causing inflammation
LA Girl HD Pro Concealer in Green (from $2.99)
Because rosacea flare-ups manifest as red skin, it can be helpful to choose a green color-correcting concealer. Green helps neutralize redness, but a little goes a long way. Too much and your skin will take on a green tint that looks unnatural. This concealer lets you control the amount you put on with its squeezable tube and built-in brush.
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Neutralizing Correcting Cream ($32)
Like people with eczema, people with rosacea have to look for nonirritating ingredients. It Cosmetics' correcting cream is clinically tested, as well as free from talc and bismuth (known to cause irritation for people with rosacea). It was developed with the help of plastic surgeons and dermatologists to be non-irritating.
This is another green-tinted concealer designed to cancel out redness without breaking skin out. It's tested for sensitive skin and allergies, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and non-acnegenic. Because the coverage is so fluid, it's easy to build it up. This and other green-tinted concealers are especially great for men who want to combat redness without feeling like they're wearing traditional makeup.