Reader Picks: The Best Under-Eye Concealers
Choosing an under-eye concealer is like choosing a restaurant in a city you have never visited. You ask for advice. You read reviews. You look at the photos. Then, you throw caution to the wind and give one a try, hoping for the best.
Some of the best advice I’ve received over the past 11 years (!!!) was from the readers of this blog. It’s nice to have a community who is just as particular as I am. I know when several of you endorse a product, it’s going to be good. So I decided to create a new feature that asks you to endorse your favorite beauty and skincare products.
Last month, I asked you about the best under-eye concealers. A handful of brands rose to the top. So if you struggle with under-eye darkness, your fellow readers have advice for you. Here are your best picks.
Most Talked About. Several of you voted the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer ($30) the best concealer for under-eye. No wonder it’s one of Sephora’s top sellers. From superior blending to all day wear, this concealer got rave reviews.
Sarah said, “NARS delivers. It covers my circles, my acne and my hyperpigmentation. If they discontinue it, I’ll cry my eyes out.”
Other readers pronounced it a must for this with hard-to-match skin tones. With 30-shades and correcting formulas, you’re likely to find the one you need.
After all the rave reviews, I picked up the mini-version at Sephora. It covered well, but it wasn’t strong enough for my seriously dark circles. I gave the mini to a friend with a similar skin tone and she loved it. So your mileage may vary.
Need the Drugstore Dupe. The Internet agrees that the Maybelline Fit Me! Concealer is the best affordable alternative to the NARS concealer. It comes in 12 shades.
The Crease Fighter. Do you need a concealer that won’t move, fade, or crease? The women who wrote in to recommend Tarte Shape Tape ($27) used phrases like ‘life changing,’ ‘wonderful,’ and ‘magic potion.’
“I don’t have dark circles. I have raccoon eyes. Thanks allergies and three kids,” writes a longtime reader. “Shape Tape makes me look awake and doesn’t settle into my fine lines.”
Other readers talked about how lightweight the concealer is for something full-coverage. Some raved about using it as a highlighter and contour, as this reviewer did. Tarte products are also vegan and cruelty free.
The Drugstore Find. If you are searching for an affordable option, look no further. Maybelline Age Rewind ($7) is a light, buildable, medium-coverage concealer. It’s formulated to treat dryness and under-eye darkness with goji berry and Haloxyl.
“I bought this concealer on your recommendation six years ago. I’ve never looked back.,” said Jess. “If I need more coverage, I add a pink corrector underneath it.”
If you need a corrector, my favorite costs $6. The NYX pink under-eye concealer layers well under any concealer.
The Full Coverage. Bye Bye Under Eye Illuminating Concealer ($26) also came highly recommended if you need full-coverage. Some readers also mixed it with primer to create a medium coverage option. “The Bye Bye in the pink tube is the only reason I look human most mornings. And coffee,” wrote one Instagram commenter.
I’ve used this concealer myself, and it really covers. The issue I ran into is that if you don’t wear foundation, or you wear light coverage, it looks heavy. But if you need more coverage, this is the one for you. It also brightens instead of looking matte, which I prefer.
The Lighter Choice. Not everyone needs an under-eye concealer that could double as speckle. I do, but some of you are probably genetically blessed or under-25. For lighter, buildable coverage, Instagram was united in its support for Glossier’s Stretch Concealer ($18).
“Stretch Concealer blends better than anything else I’ve tried,” said HJ. “I can also re-up during the day without it looking heavy or caked on.”
“Best concealer? Glossier, full stop. Apply it with a wet Beauty Blender and you’ll never look back.”
I’ve used this concealer as well, and it’s one of the best I’ve tried. Readers who testified to its blendability are right on the money. If you need a nearly invisible concealer, this is the one for you.
Need the Drugstore Dupe. This e.l.f. Concealer Stick ($6) is a popular choice for those who don’t want to pay $20 for concealer.
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So what is your favorite concealer? Did it make the list? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
