Should I use concealer or foundation first?

According to Viktoria @vioda.makeup, Foundation first, then concealer. Foundation evens out your overall skin tone, which means you need less concealer. If you apply concealer first, the foundation can move it around and reduce its effectiveness. The exception: if you only use concealer (no foundation), apply it after moisturizer and primer.

How do I stop concealer from creasing under my eyes?

According to Viktoria @vioda.makeup, Use less product than you think you need — a thin layer creases less than a thick one. Set with a light dusting of finely milled powder pressed in with a sponge, not swept with a brush. Moisturize your under-eyes well before applying concealer, and choose a hydrating formula if your skin is dry.

What shade of concealer should I use for dark circles?

According to Viktoria @vioda.makeup, Go one shade lighter than your foundation for brightening under the eyes. If your dark circles have a blue-purple cast, a peach or orange color corrector underneath the concealer neutralizes the discoloration before the concealer goes on. For spot concealing blemishes, match your exact skin tone — don't go lighter.

Are expensive concealers really better than drugstore?

According to Viktoria @vioda.makeup, Not always. The best drugstore concealers (like Maybelline Instant Age Rewind or NYX HD Photogenic) perform comparably to many luxury options. Where luxury concealers tend to edge ahead is in shade range accuracy, formula refinement, and packaging. For everyday use, a good drugstore concealer is more than sufficient.

Best Concealers for Every Skin Type (2026 Rankings)

The best concealers ranked by coverage, wear time, and finish. Drugstore and luxury picks for dark circles, blemishes, and redness.

From undereye circles to blemishes, here are the best concealers ranked by coverage, formula, and skin type — with drugstore picks and luxury options.

How I Rank Concealers

I test every concealer in the same conditions: applied with a damp beauty sponge under the eyes and dotted onto blemishes, worn for a full 8-hour day, and checked at the 2, 4, and 8-hour marks for creasing, fading, and oxidation. I test on combination skin with moderate dark circles, and I note how each formula would perform on other skin types based on its composition.

The ranking considers four factors: coverage (how well it hides what you need hidden), wear time (how it holds up through the day), formula feel (comfortable vs. drying vs. cakey), and shade range (whether the brand offers enough options to actually match diverse skin tones). A concealer needs to score well in at least three of four categories to make this list.

Best Overall: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer remains the gold standard for a reason. The coverage is buildable from medium to full without looking heavy. It doesn't settle into fine lines under the eyes, and it wears cleanly for 6 to 8 hours. The shade range is excellent, with warm, cool, and neutral options across every depth.

The formula is creamy enough to blend easily but doesn't slide around or crease. For undereye concealing, it brightens without looking too thick. For spot concealing blemishes, it stays put without fading. The only downside is the price ($32), but a tube lasts 4 to 6 months with daily use.

Best Drugstore: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind

The sponge-tip applicator makes this one of the easiest concealers to apply, and the formula is surprisingly impressive for the price ($10 to $12). Coverage is medium and buildable, with a natural-satin finish that looks like skin, not makeup.

It works especially well under the eyes because the formula has light-reflecting properties that optically brighten the undereye area. On blemishes, it's adequate but not as opaque as some alternatives. Wear time is about 5 to 7 hours before minor fading. For the price, it's hard to beat as an everyday concealer.

Best for Dry Skin: Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Concealer

Dry skin needs a concealer that doesn't cling to dry patches or settle into fine lines. Too Faced Born This Way delivers full coverage with a moisturizing formula that contains coconut water, hyaluronic acid, and alpine rose. It feels like skincare on the skin rather than heavy makeup.

The finish is dewy-satin, which keeps dry under-eyes looking hydrated all day. It doesn't crease as noticeably as dryer formulas, and it wears for about 6 hours with minimal touch-up. The shade range has improved significantly, though it still leans slightly warm across most shades.

Best for Oily Skin: Tarte Shape Tape

Shape Tape is the heavy-duty concealer for people who need serious coverage that doesn't budge. The full-coverage, matte formula locks down and stays put for 8 to 10 hours — longer than almost any other concealer on the market. It's ideal for oily skin because it doesn't slide or break down in heat.

The trade-off is that it can look heavy under the eyes if you use too much, especially on dry or mature skin. The trick is using a tiny amount — really, less than you think — and blending quickly with a damp sponge before it sets. Once it sets, it doesn't move. The shade range is wide with options for every skin tone.

Best for Mature Skin: Charlotte Tilbury Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer

Mature skin benefits from concealers that smooth rather than settle. Charlotte Tilbury's Beautiful Skin Radiant Concealer has a lightweight, radiant formula that blurs fine lines and wrinkles rather than accentuating them. It's medium coverage, which is plenty for most under-eye concerns without looking heavy.

The formula contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin E, so it hydrates as it wears. The finish is luminous-satin — it catches light in a flattering way without being sparkly. Apply it with a damp sponge and set very lightly with a fine powder, or skip powder entirely if your skin is dry.

Best Concealers for Every Skin Type and Concern (2026 Rankings)