The 12 Best Drugstore Concealers That Seamlessly Cover Everything, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

NYX Professional Makeup HD Photogenic Concealer

View On Amazon $6 View On Ulta $6 View On Nyxcosmetics.com

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a luxury concealer in order to properly cover dark circles, blemishes, discoloration, and other imperfections. Realistically, it can cost you less than $7 — thanks to the unbelievably affordable yet highly effective HD Photogenic Liquid Concealer from NYX. Testers couldn’t get enough of the lightweight formula, giving it perfect scores in every category. “The coverage is really good even though it’s so light. In fact, I think because it’s lightweight, it’s easier to spread evenly,” one tester explains. “I also love that a little goes a long way so it doesn’t take a lot of product to cover the spots on my face.”

The emollient-rich concealer glides onto the skin, giving you a smooth, non-cakey finish whether you blend it out with your fingers or a makeup sponge. After a few hours, our tester says she didn’t experience any creasing, even when she blinked or smiled — and that was without using a setting powder.

For a drugstore concealer, it also has an impressive shade range with 23 options spanning from light to dark, as well as some color-correcting hues. If you have issues with redness, swipe on the green shade to even out your tone, or reach for the lavender tube to even out any yellow spots or discoloration. Best of all, your shade match will layer beautifully over the color corrector.

It’s worth noting that though it is a liquid concealer, it is very watery, which may be off-putting to some. That said, our tester thinks that the liquid consistency actually allows you to use less because it spreads and blends so nicely.

Shades: 23 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural

Best for Dark Circles

Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer

View On Ulta $11 View On Walmart $9 View On Walgreens $11

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer may be the most recognizable product on this list — it’s difficult to walk down your local drugstore’s beauty aisle without spotting this sponge-tipped favorite. The cult-favorite concealer (loved by celebs like Kristen Stewart and Gigi Hadid) has dominated the market for 12 years, and our testers agree that it totally lives up to the hype.

InStyle Senior Commerce Editor, Shannon Bauer swore by this concealer all throughout college, and re-testing it after almost a decade made her remember why: “This formula is super creamy and easy to blend yet doesn't feel overly heavy or tacky,” she says. “It doesn’t crease at all and looks supernatural on the skin.”

Though it can be used to cover a myriad of skin concerns, it works exceptionally well for dark circles thanks to the sponge applicator and the medium, buildable coverage. Some quick dabs with a light blend sesh masks tired under-eyes to give the appearance of eight full hours of sleep. Because the formula contains glycerin it’s also super hydrating, making it ideal for use on the delicate eye area.

There’s so much to love about this pick, but we do wish we could remove the sponge tip. “I anticipate it will get a little gross over time since it’s difficult to clean,” says Bauer.

Shades: 18 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural

Best for Acne

Neutrogena Blemish Concealer

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Though you should let pimples heal instead of covering them with makeup, sometimes it’s unavoidable (no one wants an angry zit front and center for special occasions, after all!). So, if you absolutely need to cover a blemish you should grab a concealer specially formulated with acne-fighting ingredients — like Neutrogena SkinClearing Blemish Concealer.

Developed with the help of dermatologists, this oil-free concealer is made with salicylic acid and Neutrogena’s signature MicroClear Technology to not only cover blemishes but visibly reduce them, too. “I would totally recommend this product to a friend if they were worried about blemishes,” says our tester. “It’s a great spot concealer as it blends well, doesn’t appear cakey, and has a useful applicator.” That said, if you have under-eye circles or other discoloration, this may not be the best choice for you. “it’s definitely not full coverage and isn’t very buildable,” our tester mentions. Also, the shade range is very minimal with only five options that skew light.

Purchasing a concealer designed for acne is just the first step to covering blemishes properly. Professional makeup artist Neil Scibelli previously told InStyle that how you apply it is just as important: Rather than using a makeup sponge, opt for a synthetic concealer brush or your fingers. "I've found that a patting motion builds the product on the specific area and keeps it in place," he explains. "To finish, add a light sweep of powder over the area to mattify and minimize the pimple's shape and texture."

Shades: 5 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Matte

Best Longwear

L'Oréal Full Wear Concealer

View On Amazon $12 View On Ulta $15 View On Ulta

If you’re the kind of person that keeps their schedule packed day in and day out, you’ll need a concealer that can keep up with you (i.e. one that stays put and crease-free for hours on end). For marathon days, the Infallible Full Wear Concealer from L’Oréal Paris has never failed us. The full coverage matte formula is completely transfer-, fade-, and crease-proof as well as waterproof, so it will hold up against nearly everything for up to 24 hours.

“It has a super nice creamy texture that is slightly on the thicker side,” our tester shares. “It did not crease at all and kept my face very moisturized.” Being a full-coverage concealer, it can cover dark circles, scars, and even veins in a cinch, but our tester says it was subpar at concealing blemishes because it tends to cake up along raised areas.

Shades: 25 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte

Best Multitasker

NYX Professional Makeup Bare with Me Concealer Serum

View On Amazon $10 View On Ulta $12 View On Nyxcosmetics.com

Now more than ever, people are looking for innovative makeup products that not only enhance their features, but also benefit their skin, too. Many concealer formulas just do the former, simply covering up imperfections, but this hybrid product works as a concealer and a serum to even out your complexion, and keep your skin plump and hydrated.

Infused with skin-loving ingredients including tremella mushroom, cica, and green tea, the lightweight formula seamlessly covers pretty much any skin concern — even stubborn blemishes, scars, and dark circles. Due to the skincare element, it also enhances skin hydration. “Because it is part serum I felt it would be more moisturizing than other concealers, and that seems to be the case,” our tester adds. This hydration factor also helps prevent it from creasing, even after hours of wear.

Even though the concealer feels lightweight, our tester says it still gives full coverage without caking or feeling heavy. “I have a dry, red area near my nose, and this concealer works great to entirely cover it while keeping it looking natural.”

A little bit goes a long way, too. You only need the tiniest dab (less than half a pump) to smooth out your entire face, but if you find yourself with a surplus of product it can also be used on your body.

Shades: 13 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural

Best Medium Coverage

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

View On Ulta $8 View On Walgreens $10 View On Ecosmetics.com $7

Opt for a medium coverage concealer if you want to even out your complexion but still want your skin to shine through. For a crease-resistant option, our testers say there’s no better pick than Maybelline Fit Me! Concealer. “It has a lovely creamy texture that is easy to apply,” our tester shares. “And surprisingly, no creasing! Didn't know that was possible — kudos Maybelline.”

While the tester was in awe of how the long-lasting formula covered blemishes, she wasn’t as impressed with its performance on her under-eye area. “The under-eye coverage was ok — I have some under-eye darkness, and it tempered it but didn't fully cover it up,” she says. But overall, she says this is a “great bang for your buck,” and because it’s oil-free and non-comedogenic it’s an excellent pick for those with oily skin.

Shades: 18 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural

Best Full Coverage

CoverGirl TruBlend Undercover Concealer

View On Amazon $6 View On Ulta $12 View On Walmart $9

I’m going to be honest, I didn’t have high expectations coming into this test because I hadn’t used drugstore concealer in over five years (yes, I’m bougie), but COVERGIRL TruBlend Undercover Full Coverage Concealer reminded me to never sleep on affordable makeup products — I was impressed from the moment I applied it. The formula is thick and creamy (just how I like my concealer) without being too thick — it's very comfortable once applied. It magically makes dark circles disappear, but still manages to look like my natural skin. Even better, once dry, it does not budge. I typically like to set concealer with a setting powder, but even without it, the concealer holds up throughout busy days at the office and post-work activities.

The doe foot applicator allows me to easily pinpoint imperfections, like minor blemishes and discoloration, too. Aside from my under eyes I use it to conceal redness along my cheeks and chin. If you like to contour your face like I do, this is also a great option to pick up in a shade that’s a bit darker than your skin tone for a natural, yet sculpted look.

My one strife with the product is that it’s not completely weightless. I can feel it sitting on my skin, particularly on my under-eyes during the day, but it’s not necessarily uncomfortable and the results are totally worth that minor inconvenience.

Shades: 30 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte

Best for Dark Skin Tones

Black Opal Brightening Concealer

View On Amazon $11 View On Ulta $11 View On Target $11

Though the beauty industry has made progress when it comes to inclusivity, it’s still difficult to find drugstore concealers with extensive shades ranges, especially ones that have an adequate selection for those with darker skin tones. That’s why Black Opal developed the True Tone Brightening Concealer specially for those with melanated skin.

According to our tester, the brightening formula feels creamy and hydrating thanks to a mix of vitamin E and cucumber extract. But it’s great for more than just evening out hyperpigmentation and covering imperfections. “This would work well on the eyelid to add brightness or as an eyeshadow base,” she says. “I would love to use the deeper shades as a bronzer to warm up my face, too.” This concealer also self-sets, so you won’t need to layer a translucent powder on top to make it stay put.

We love that the brand is catered to those with darker skin tones, but we wish they provided swatch images online to make finding the perfect match a more seamless process.

Shades: 12 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Radiant

Best Natural Finish

Milani Conceal + Perfect Concealer

View On Amazon $10 View On Ulta $11 View On Milanicosmetics.com

Choosing a full-coverage concealer is your best bet for ultimate staying power, but many come specifically in a matte finish. If you want something a little more natural-looking that doesn’t skimp on coverage or longevity, grab Milani Conceal + Perfect Longwear Concealer. The formula lingers somewhere in between matte and natural, appearing like a second skin once blended in.

But Bauer thinks it’s “a little trickier to blend” because of how thick it is. She advises using “a damp beauty blender” in order to “really ensure it melts into the skin.” The end result makes the tedious blending worth it for Bauer, though. “Dark spots, redness, and blemishes are all covered with just a dot of product. I swiped it on straight from the tube and it was almost too much product — a tiny dab goes a long way.”

Shades: 18 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Semi-Matte/Natural

Best Matte Finish

Rimmel London Stay Matte Concealer

View On Amazon $5 View On Walgreens $2 View On Walmart $5

Nothing is worse than makeup that melts off in hot, humid weather. You won’t have to worry about that happening when you wear Rimmel London Stay Matte Concealer, though. The creamy, longwear formula stays put through muggy weather, high intensity workouts, and tears — all while maintaining its shine-free, matte finish.

“This promises a matte finish and it comes through! It dries quickly and is easy to build if more coverage is needed,” says our tester. “It covers my dark under-eyes and blemishes flawlessly and completely takes away that tired look to leave behind a fresh, clean look.” Some longwear and full-coverage concealers can start to feel heavy throughout the day, but this one remains weightless for hours on end.

With 20 shade options, everyone should be able to find a perfect match, but our tester does note that finding the shade name on the bottle is difficult because it’s not clearly listed. Other than that, she’s a huge fan. “I've loved Rimmel since I was a babe with no money — and it still hits.”

Shades: 20 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte

Best Shade Range

Makeup Revolution Beauty Conceal & Define Concealer

View On Ulta $7 View On Revolutionbeauty.com $5

Makeup Revolution sets the gold standard for inclusivity with their Conceal & Define Concealer. Since it was introduced in 2018, it’s been available in an impressive range of 48 shades — hitting just about every skin color and undertone on the spectrum. (Most other products have 25 shades or less.) Such a large selection can sometimes make finding the best match more difficult, but the brand’s site clearly lays out and describes each shade, so you can find your ideal match without the guesswork.

The full coverage formula is optimal for covering dark spots and circles, and our tester was amazed at how her dark spots vanished when she applied this. “It still looks good after 30 minutes, wears well, and is very comfortable,” she says. It’s also non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts — which is especially important with longwear concealers since you’ll be wearing it, well, for a long time. (This one stays in place for up to 16 hours.) Our tester wishes she could change the doe foot applicator, though, because it was too thick and flimsy. We suggest dabbing the product on your fingers and then applying it for the best results.

Shades: 48 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte