Until I started writing about beauty a few years ago, I always thought concealers were one-size-fits-all. I assumed they worked for anything you're trying to cover up, whether that's hiding blemishes, evening out skin texture, or dealing with discoloration. And while many are pretty versatile, some are best used for brightening dark circles. Others might work better on acne, and so on.
So if you want a concealer that really does it all, makeup artists told me to opt for a cream concealer. "A cream concealer is usually denser in consistency and gives a fuller coverage than, say, a liquid concealer," says celebrity makeup artist Emma White Turle. Makeup artist Gita Bass agrees, adding that since they tend to have more pigment and a thicker texture, they're great for covering scars, dark spots, and blemishes, but they can also be sheered out and used under the eyes or to highlight cheekbones or jawbones.
And they work on just about every skin tone. In fact, Turle recommends cream concealers for dry skin types. But she adds that if you have oily skin, you might want to check the ingredient list, as some are made with shea butter or avocado oil and might not be ideal for your skin.
How to Apply Cream Concealer
When it comes to applying cream concealers, all the makeup artists I spoke to suggest using a brush. "I like to apply cream concealers with a stiff brush, patting gently to cover the imperfection completely," says makeup artist Jamie Dorman. "If I need to blend the edges, I will use a small fluffy eye brush. I like Rèphr Brush 21 and Rèphr Brush 13." Sometimes if she needs to, Turle will use the heat of her fingertips to melt the product into the skin and help it blend flawlessly into the foundation or bare skin.
And if you're doing a spot treatment, Bass recommends using a small brush and dabbing directly over the spot. Then, use your finger or a Beautyblender to blend the edges for a seamless finish. "When applying cream concealer under eyes or to highlight, apply it to the back of your hand first and warm it up with your fingers. This creates a more sheer consistency that won't crease or settle into lines," Bass adds.
Ready to shop for a cream concealer? Take a look at some makeup artist and editor-recommended options below.
Best Overall Cream Concealer: Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer SPF 27
Both Bass and Turle recommend Clé de Peau's concealer. "Clé de Peau is the holy grail of cream concealers! It covers beautifully and stays put without drying out the skin," Bass says. "It has the perfect texture and works beautifully on both oily and dry skin types. It can be sheered out to create a lightweight concealer that works wonders for under-eye circles."
Customer review: "I've been using this concealer for months, and it's by far the best. Covers and stays put all day. Blends and looks perfectly natural."
Pros: Imperfection-blurring finish
Cons: High price point, limited shade selection available
Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Correct and Brighten Concealer Duo Stick
"This concealer is very thick and requires little product but packs a punch," Dorman says. "After warming the product with fingers, use a flat brush to apply. Blend out with fingers or a small brush and set with a light powder like Kari Gran Mineral Setting powder. This is my favorite concealer for acne and scarring but is too thick for under the eyes."
Customer review: "This product works great. The formula is lightweight but thick enough to deliver full coverage. The brightening side really does a lot to illuminate dark under eyes. Both sides were easily blended."
Pros: Lightweight, breathable formula
Cons: May crease when applied to dry areas
Customer review: "Great product! Creates a matte look to the finish of the foundation or face tint. Transparent and not noticeable, like some thicker powders. I am enjoying it as part of my makeup routine."
Pros: Affordable price point
Cons: None
Glossier Stretch Concealer
Turle also likes Glossier's Stretch concealers. "They have a slightly illuminating effect, and this is perfect under the eyes to help brighten away any shadows," she says.
Customer review: "The coverage is natural but not very heavy. The formula is amazing. It blends so nicely out and feels really comfortable under my eyes. This would be great if you're going for something natural."
Pros: Dewy, natural-looking finish
Cons: May crease when applied under the eyes
Lys Beauty Triple Fix Brightening Concealer
Dorman says this creamy formula brightens, hydrates, and conceals, leaving a flawless finish.
Customer review: "I have very oily skin and strong smile lines that peek through my makeup. I used this concealer as my foundation, and I've never had my smile lines look almost invisible after a long day."
Pros: Smooth, skin-like finish
Cons: Applicator gets stuck within product opening
Westmore Beauty Magic Effects Powder-to-Cream Concealer
"This has an incredibly light texture for a cream concealer," Dorman says. "As you work it into the skin, it emulsifies then sets into the face for long wear. This product has a texture that works on the eye area as well as the rest of the face."
Customer review: "Love this product. It goes from powder to cream with blending and is so creamy. I also use it to hide blemishes and discoloration on my face, and it works so well."
Pros: Offers full coverage
Cons: Product may shift on the skin shortly after application
Maybelline New York Dream Brightening Creamy Concealer
Maybelline's cream concealer comes in a crayon stick, so it's so easy to apply. It's a brightening concealer, which is perfect for those dark circles.
Customer review: "This concealer is very forgiving. It goes on smoothly. Stays on all day without settling into fine lines. Has a bit of a light reflective quality to it that brightens your eye."
Pros: Effectively brightens the under eye area
Cons: Shiny finish
Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer
This full-coverage, oil-free concealer leaves a matte finish. It's also enriched with nourishing and protective ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants.
Customer review: "I wanted the most coverage possible for spot concealing. This has coverage but is still so blendable. And a little goes a long way, so it's going to last a long time."
Pros: Ideal for spot concealing
Cons: Possibly irritable to dry/acne-prone skin
RMS Beauty "Un" Cover-Up
For a lightweight, buildable option, try this one from RMS. You can use it to minimize pores, brighten and rejuvenate the skin, and conceal blotchy, red skin.
Customer review: "This concealer matches seamlessly to my skin. It is light reflecting and can be layered for more coverage. A morning 'go-to' that lasts all day."
Pros: Light reflecting and brightening
Cons: Formula contains coconut oil; possibly irritable
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiant Brightening Cream Concealer
Neutrogena's creamy concealer will not only hide imperfections but also nourish the skin. It features ingredients such as peptides and the antioxidant vitamin E. It's also noncomedogenic, so it won't clog pores.
Customer review: "I really like this concealer for its hydrating serum-like qualities. This blends out super easily with a natural healthy skin-like finish. I really enjoy using this concealer on days when I'm not wearing much makeup just to conceal some dark spots, etc."
Pros: Lightweight, non-comedogenic formula
Cons: Affordable price point
Nudestix Nudefix Cream Concealer
This long-wearing cream concealer is buildable, so it can go on sheer or provide medium coverage. It's also formulated to balance the skin's microbiome and reduce redness and inflammation. Best of all, it has a gel technology that moves with your skin, so it won't feel cakey or heavy.
Customer review: "The coverage of Nudefix Cream Concealer is exceptional. It effortlessly conceals my dark circles, blemishes, and redness without looking cakey or heavy. It provides a natural-looking finish that makes my skin look flawless."
Pros: Natural looking, skin-like finish
Cons: Thick formula
Benefit Boi-ing Industrial Strength Full Coverage Cream Concealer
Benefit's full-coverage concealer pretty much does it all. Use it to hide dark circles, blemishes, and discoloration. It leaves a matte finish.
Customer review: "This is the best concealer I've ever used. Great for doing cut crease looks. The colors really pop when applied on this concealer and stay put. It also tends to not crease."
Pros: Buildable coverage
Cons: Limited shade selection available
Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Perfecting Concealer
This concealer works well on all skin types, including dry, oily, blemish-prone, or sensitive. It is crease-free and made with good-for-the-skin ingredients such as coconut oil, grape-seed oil, jojoba oil, and vitamins C and E.
Customer review: "This has been my go-to concealer since I first tried it a few years ago. Buildable, natural-looking coverage that looks great. Doesn't crease and brightens my eyes."
Pros: Provides seamless coverage
Cons: Chalky formula
Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Concealer
Koh Gen Do's palette comes in three different shades so you can customize the color to match the areas you want to conceal.
Customer review: "Love the three different shades for different areas. Creamy texture that sinks into skin nicely. Does a great job of covering and blending."
Pros: Natural-looking texture
Cons: Potentially difficult to blend
Lilah B. Virtuous Veil Concealer + Skin Perfector
Both a concealer and a skin perfector, this product is buildable and works to brighten and even complexion. It contains sea fennel essence for hydration, aloe to soothe and moisturizer, and agar (red algae) to retain moisture.
Customer review: "The perfect light flawless finish! I love this foundation, it’s like no other—so light and airy you can’t even feel it yet is makes your skin so even and beautiful. I have sensitive skin and have had no reactions to it. It’s buildable so I can add more in areas if I needed to."
Pros: Brightening, flawless finish
Cons: Little product for price point
Rituel de Fille The Ethereal Veil
Available in 12 shades, Rituel de Fille's cream concealer can be used to spot conceal, brighten the under-eye area, and enhance the complexion. The natural finish product is infused with jojoba oil, frankincense, castor oil, and lanolin, so it's moisturizing and nourishing.
Customer review: "I was searching for a concealer that would provide full coverage but not look heavy, dry, or crease, and this is amazing! I don't even have to set it, and a little goes a long way. I feel like this is going to last a very long time! Definitely recommend it if you have fine lines!"
Pros: Easy to blend
Cons: Possible creasing over fine lines
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
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