If you want to steer clear of cakey makeup but concealing imperfections is a priority, swap your heavyweight foundation for a full-coverage concealer that lends a buildable base for a second-skin-like finish. The underrated albeit versatile beauty staple is ideal for spot-concealing, hiding blemishes, camouflaging hyperpigmentation, and even accentuating your bone structure for a flawless, clear canvas. If you’re considering forgoing your foundation in favour of a good concealer, glance through our selection of the best ones across price points.
Things to Bear in Mind When Buying a Concealer
When purchasing the product, keep the following features in mind:
- Texture and Formula: If you want to conceal acne spots, look for a formulation that boasts salicylic acid. Alternatively, opt for a sheer formulation that doesn’t settle into your mature lines if you’re looking to hide wrinkles.
- Application: Blending the product with your fingertips will give you a natural, even finish. You can also use a brush or beauty blender for buildable coverage.
#1 Bestseller
Maybelline New York’s Instant Age Rewind Concealer features a micro-corrector sponge for seamless application and blending. The bestselling, multi-purpose product is available in nine skin-fitting shades and erases under-eye dullness in a single swipe; twist, rotate, and you’re all set.
New Launch Alert
Lakmé’s hot new drop conceals problem areas, corrects dullness, and enhances your overall complexion in just a few strokes. Delivering sheer to medium buildable coverage, the airbrush concealer pen quickly erases makeup mishaps and is perfect for touch-ups on the go.
Award-Winner
Winner of the Femina Beauty Awards, Too Faced’s Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer offers full coverage minus a cakey finish. Enriched with hyaluronic acid, alpine rose, and coconut water, the oil-free, hydrating formula retouches imperfections with its diamond doe wand – lasting up to 12 hours.
Non-Comedogenic
Available in 36 shades suitable for all skin tones, PAT McGRATH’s velvety-smooth formulation relies on a proprietary Flex Form Matrix formula to give you a weightless, breathable matte finish that glides on like butter. Apply it under your eyes, dot onto blemishes, swipe on areas of discolouration, and illuminate the high points of your face.
Waterproof
Dior’s coveted formulation is worth every penny – camouflaging localised redness, dark spots, and blemishes without creasing. Suitable for all skin types and tones, the Backstage Face & Body Flash Perfect Concealer doesn’t clog your pores and offers a spotless, filtered finish in just a few strokes.
Glow-Boosting
Get your glow on with Mamaearth’s ultra-hydrating offering, which promises 100% spot coverage. The product guarantees 12-hour staying power and is imbued with turmeric and vitamin C for an instantly radiant complexion. The formulation is also clinically tested to suit all Indian skin tones.
Editor’s Pick
Clinique’s lightweight formulation conceals blemishes while visibly de-puffing your skin over time. The dual-ended applicator features a flocked-tip doe foot wand and a built-in sponge-blurring blender for seamless blending. 55% of users reported that the product instantly improved skin moisture, while 25% saw a diminished appearance of fine lines.
Value For Money
This homegrown beauty offering has got you ‘covered’ – literally and figuratively. An ultra-hydrating formula designed to give you a creaseless, HD-matte finish, the Kay Beauty Liquid Concealer lasts all day and comes in 13 shades for every Indian skin tone. Build your coverage from medium to high with the unique applicator that reaches every contour of your face.
Sweat-Resistant and Transfer-Proof
M.A.C Cosmetics’ 2-in-1 foundation and concealer pen wears for 36 hours without cracking or creasing. It comes in 33 inclusive shades and is long-wearing, transfer-proof, waterproof, and sweat-resistant, delivering medium to full coverage in a single stroke. The dermatologically-approved product is ideal for all skin types and lends intense hydration.
Luxe Buy
Huda Beauty’s Faux Filter Concealer boasts the goodness of sweet almond oil and vitamin E for a luminous matte finish that hides away imperfections. Crease-proof, the formulation offers buildable coverage, brightens your under-eyes, and blurs blemishes without settling into fine lines.
