The best concealers, expert tested by the GHI (original) (raw)
1
Best concealer
Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
Pros
- Great shade-matching service
- The GHI's highest scoring makeup product ever
- No cracking or creasing
Cons
- Could have more shades
- Expensive
Score: 97/100
With a comprehensive shade-matching quiz, 22 available colour options and a helpful ‘formulated without’ list on the website to help you work out whether there are any ingredients in there you’re trying to avoid, we were impressed with this concealer from the very beginning.
The formulation contains reflective micro-spherical powders, which diffuse across pores and fine lines to smooth out their appearance, while the creamy consistency is buildable and designed to help blend seamlessly. The brand claims the product is long-wearing and crease-resistant for 16 hours. But is that true?
Well, our testers were fans. Feedback included: “It was creamy and full coverage but in no way cakey,” and it “lasts on the skin literally all day.” The ultra-padded applicator is a dream to use and the concealer itself is, according to one tester, “great for under the eyes and delicate areas, as you don’t have to tug at it so much to blend it in.”
The consensus was that it leaves no cracking or creasing, and every single panellist said it sits nicely on skin. It also received the highest score we’ve ever awarded to a makeup product at the GHI. Where’s the catch? It’s relatively expensive, but it sounds like you get what you pay for.
2
Best under-eye concealer
Kosas Revealer Concealer
Pros
- Hydrating and nourishing
- Available in 38 shades
- Long-wearing
Cons
- Too illuminating to use on blemishes
Score: 85/100
If under-eye shadows are your biggest bugbear, this is the product for you. It scored just as highly in the lab as our winner for its staying power, and it corrected dark circles like a dream. Many mentioned the brightening effect of this one, and lots commented on its colour-correcting capabilities. It didn’t sit in creases (according to most), which is pretty essential when you want to mask tired eyes.
It’s marketed as a spot treatment, eye cream and concealer all in one, and it definitely delivered on hydration, all while feeling lightweight and luxurious.
Because it’s brightening, it may be better used for evening out skin tone and tackling pigmentation, rather than taking attention away from blemishes. It’s also available in 38 shades, so whatever your skin tone, Kosas should have you covered.
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3
Best value concealer
Collection Cosmetics Lasting Perfection Concealer
Pros
- High coverage
- Long-wearing
Cons
- Fewer shades available than other brands
- Divisive doe-foot applicator
Score: 83/100
You may remember a previous iteration of this product from Boots aisles gone by, as it’s made a name for itself as a great value concealer. Pocket-money friendly and boasting full-coverage, it’s always been a perfect pick for teenagers. But the brand, which has been beautifying us for over 30 years, has had a glow-up – it used to be called Collection 2000 and the packaging has been upgraded.
The product name and website claim 16-hour staying power, and it actually scored higher than our winner and runner-up for its brilliant budge-proof formula. A little went a long way, too, and for one tester with sensitive eyes, it was impressively gentle.
The doe-foot applicator was divisive – some said it was perfect for avoiding “overloading”, while others said it “felt cheap” – but overall, the packaging was a hit. It’s available in fewer shades than the first two products on our list (20) but it also comes in at under a fiver, so it’s a bargain buy if you’re lucky enough to find the right shade for you.
4
Best concealer for ease of application
Maybelline Instant Anti Age Eraser Eye Concealer
Pros
- Pillowy-soft applicator
- Sits comfortably on skin
- Non-comedogenic
- Full coverage
Cons
- Only available in 18 shades
Score: 83/100
We can’t write about this concealer without first talking about the spongey, soft applicator. Combining a beauty sponge with a dispenser, it delivers even, blended coverage, without the need for extra brushes and tools. The cushion tip is protected with an antimicrobial system to ward off germs and is rounded to create uniform coverage, even in hard-to-reach areas.
Every single panellist said this formula was easy to blend into skin, with one telling us, “The tip means you can use it on the go without all the extra paraphernalia.” Everyone found it sat comfortably on skin and it didn’t feel greasy or claggy either.
Considering the price, all our panel said the packaging felt luxurious and they were happy with the amount they got. It’s a full coverage, matte option, however, so it won’t suit everyone, but it’s good for covering blemishes and is non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores while it’s covering spots. Smart. It’s only available in 18 shades though, so the brand has work to do here.
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5
Best light coverage concealer
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Illuminating Pen
Pros
- Comfortable brush dispenser
- Lightweight, dewy finish
Cons
- Not enough coverage for blemishes
Score: 81/100
Perhaps the most iconic concealer on this list, Touche Éclat is known for its nifty but fancy packaging and beautiful brush dispenser, along with its perfectly liquid and lightweight formulation.
For evening skin tone and tackling dullness, this works a dream. It’s surprising it hasn’t topped the list considering its reputation, but that’s what the GHI’s expert testing is all about.
It may have been scored lower by those looking for fuller coverage, but it doesn’t claim to compete on pigment with your matte Maybelline or thick Collection Cosmetics concealers. This is silky, soft and smooth, and ideal for those looking for a more natural, no-makeup look and glowing skin.
6
Best in lab concealer
Revlon ColorStay Skin Awaken 5-in-1 Concealer 24HR Wear
Pros
- Long-wearing
- Doesn't go patchy or clog in creases
Cons
- Coverage too full for those looking for a dewy finish
Score: 81/100
Revlon touts this formulation as having 24 hour staying power, but is that even possible or, you might ask, necessary? Well, our panel vouched for its long-wear capabilities.
Everyone who tried this said they didn’t notice any patchiness throughout the day, and almost everyone said it stayed on perfectly for the duration.
“It was a great product that lasted literally all day and gave great coverage without going clunky in creases,” said one panellist. It also aced our lab tests where we trialled it against others to see how long it lasted, so it does live up to its bold claims.
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7
Best cream concealer
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Concealer 7.7g
Pros
- Full coverage
- Long-wearing
- Colour corrects and brightens
Cons
- Formulation feels thick if you aren't used to cream concealers
- Slightly harder to blend and apply
Score: 71/100
This full-coverage option wins extra points for its multi-tasking abilities. It’s a dual-tray palette, with one side offering a colour-correcting concealer, while the other helps to brighten pigmentation and dark circles. We’ve got a hard worker on our hands.
The compact allows you to customise your shade too, according to the time of year (and potential tan levels, although SPF on the face every day, ladies). You can mix the two shades with a brush on the back of your hand to adjust them accordingly. However, although you get both colours in one, there are only seven palette combos to choose from.
And what did our testers think? Those looking to address dark circles in the delicate under-eye area were put off by the “cakey-ness” of the consistency and found it tricky to apply without a brush, but those looking to cover up spots or remove redness much preferred it. The formulation is thick, but if you’re looking for full coverage that lasts all day, plus customisability with the colour, you’ve come to the right place.
The verdict: Which concealer should I use?
For a top-performing concealer for all-round coverage and non-creasing, opt for Hourglass Vanish Airbrush.
If you want to erase those dark circles, grab yourself the brightening Kosas concealer. If you're after a good value golden oldie, Collection Cosmetics is calling.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
We’ve been testing products for over 100 years at the GHI – from mattresses and shampoos to hair dryers and treadmills – so we know what we’re looking for when it comes to analysing performance.
Our team are also experts in their fields. Senior Beauty Writer Florence Reeves-White has years of experience in the industry, writing about skincare, haircare and beauty tools.
Denny Daily, our lead tester on concealers, has been analysing makeup and skincare products for years and has spoken on panels with Cosmetics Executive Women (CEW) about the process.
Florence is our Senior Beauty Writer, specialising in expert-tested beauty and grooming reviews — from toothbrushes to the latest skincare launches. She’s committed to sharing recommendations for products that truly work and make people feel confident and healthy. Prior to this she was at Tropic Skincare, where she worked closely with biochemists in the lab, delving into the functions of each fresh, natural ingredient and conveying its efficacy to her audience in easy-to-digest terms.
With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work.
When she isn’t packing for a trip away, working out, eating out or reading up on retinol serums, you’ll probably find her experimenting with her film camera and building her portfolio of portraits. Florence’s photography can be found at florencereeves-white.com, her Instagram is @florencereeveswhite and her twitter is @floreadsnwrites
Denny is our Beauty and Grooming Tester and has an in-depth knowledge and background in beauty and PR. She has spoken on panels with Cosmetics Executive Women (CEW) and has worked with many beauty brands as a commercial model. Since joining in October 2022, she has worked on numerous testing categories including over 18 different brands for vitamin C serums, scalp scrubs, shampoos for dry hair and many more. She has over 20k followers on TikTok where she shares beauty and fashion tips otherwise better known as Denny Daily.