There’s certainly no shortage of skincare hacks and TikTok tips to treat the appearance of discoloration. But one quick and easy method makeup artists and editors are aligned on to brighten under-eyes? Applying a few swipes of one of the best concealers for dark circles.
Many of these coveted concealers not only treat the issue on a surface level, but also contain brightening ingredients like vitamin C, to help diminish lingering darkness over time. When searching for your next holy-grail concealer, “look for hydrators such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which attract water, making your eyes appear plumper and less dull,” board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon Margarita Lolis tells Bazaar. “Some concealers contain brighteners, such as vitamin C or niacinamide, which are good at eating up pigment and reducing inflammation.”
Shop the Best Concealers for Dark Circles
Best Makeup Artist-Approved
Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Awakening ConcealerRead more
Expert Pick
Ilia True Skin Serum ConcealerRead more
Best Celebrity-Approved
Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-Puffing ConcealerRead more
According to the expert derm, concealers can work in three ways to disguise dark circles, by using peach or orange color-correcting pigments to neutralize blue-purple undertones. “They provide coverage with a layer of pigment on top of dark circles, which masks discoloration, and creates a smoother, more even tone,” she says. “Some concealers also use light-reflecting particles to help decrease shadows.”
With professional guidance from Lolis, along with makeup pros Brigette Pheloung and Dara Levitan, we found the best concealers for dark circles, to help temporarily hide and brighten the delicate under-eye area.
Related: The Best Eye Creams for Dark Circles
Best Makeup Artist-Approved
Makeup by Mario SurrealSkin Awakening Concealer
Pros
- Great for textured or acne-prone skin
- Long-wearing
Cons
We're fans of just about everything celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic creates, including this highly pigmented concealer. If you're already a fan of his SurrealSkin foundation, we're betting you'll also love this medium coverage pick, since it features a similar, skin-like formula.
One satisfied customer writes: "More coverage than other concealers I have tried. It does not crease as long as it isn’t over applied. This is my go to concealer for everyday wear." —AvaLovesMakeup2
Expert Pick
Ilia True Skin Serum Concealer
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
Ilia’s lightweight serum concealer tops beauty expert Brigette Pheloung’s list of favorites—and for good reason. Its formula is packed with skincare ingredients, like brightening vitamin C, making discoloration instantly less visible.
One satisfied customer writes: “This blends like a dream. The coverage is amazing and doesn’t crease. I hardly even need setting spray from how well it lasts! I have oily skin, and it doesn’t melt at all. I have a lot of redness and acne scars, but this beautifully covers them up.” —MinnieSTAY
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Best Celebrity-Approved
Haus Labs by Lady Gaga Triclone Skin Tech Hydrating + De-Puffing Concealer
Pros
- Wide color range
Cons
Lady Gaga’s Triclone Skin Tech concealer comes with an impressive shade range—up to 31 different options—and is considered the little sister to Haus Labs’ viral foundation. It also nicely contains niacinamide to brighten under-eyes, fermented arnica to soothe any irritation, and a hyaluronic acid complex to plump and hydrate.
One satisfied customer writes: “The finish is like skin! This last all day without creasing, with or without setting powder. So easy to blend & very lightweight.” —Lashawnsss
Best Luxe
Valentino Very Valentino Concealer
Pros
- Great for contouring and concealing
Cons
- Color range may not be ideal for certain skin tones
Blood running through veins in your under-eyes can sometimes settle in place, causing dark circles to become more prominent. Valentino’s coveted concealer uses key ingredients like caffeine to help get the blood flowing again, and diminish discoloration over time.
One satisfied customer writes: “My new go-to concealer. It applies smoothly and it’s buildable—just perfect for everyday use!” —Gemstxr
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Best With Clean Formula
Kosas Revealer Concealer
Pros
- Formula aims to reduce appearance of dark circles over time
Cons
Professional makeup artist Dara Levitan recommends this beloved vegan concealer from Kosas. Its buildable, plumping formula features key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and caffeine to treat discoloration while also expertly disguising it.
One satisfied customer writes: “It’s creamy, it brightens a bit, it blends well, and it lasts. I love the consistency; the color is great for me.” —beautyfanBenton
Pros
- Versatile
Cons
- Formula may be too lightweight for some
Levitan also loves this pick from Tower 28 because of its lightweight texture—it feels like a second skin. Since it applies more like a serum than a makeup product, it’s also extremely buildable if you’re looking for a little more coverage.
One satisfied customer writes: “Love this concealer! Really good coverage, super light, and very easily blendable. Everything you want in a concealer.” —Charissa
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Pros
- Full-coverage
Cons
This popular pick from Tarte is another favorite on Lolis’s list, thanks to its creamy texture and full-coverage formula. Along with smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, it also stays put for up to 16 hours.
One satisfied customer writes: “I literally swam in the ocean all day and this concealer was still covering my dark circles! It doesn’t wear off easily but comes off easy with makeup wipes. Which is perfect. It blends beautifully and it isn’t too drying.” —Mikayla
Best Under-Eye Color Corrector
Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Under Eye Corrector
Pros
- Waterproof and sweatproof
Cons
- Best applied with a brush
While a slight departure from traditional under-eye concealer, Lolis recommends layering Bobbi Brown Cosmetics’ color corrector under your go-to concealer—or even your foundation—to neutralize darkness.
One satisfied customer writes: “I have genetic dark circles and have all my life. It’s something I’ve been self conscious about since I was a preteen but this stuff is like the holy grail! Cancels out my blue and darkness perfectly!” —wheezysteezy
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Best All-Around Concealer
Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
Pros
- Buildable
Cons
Nars Radiant Creamy is an icon in the world of concealers—and Lolis agrees. “It conceals and highlights, so that you can build coverage but still attain a radiant brighter finish,” she says.
One satisfied customer writes: “It goes on smooth yet offers full coverage, doesn’t dry too quickly, sets beautifully and is easy to blend.” —Miikii
Best for Brightening
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Positive Light Under Eye Brightener
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
Lolis counts Rare Beauty’s Positive Light Under Eye Brightener among her personal makeup go-tos. “It’s super lightweight with a fluid texture. You can wear it for a no-makeup look to instantly brighten and hydrate, or layer it on top of a concealer for a brightening effect,” she explains. “It also has vitamin E, which keeps your skin hydrated. And an extra perk is the metal applicator, which soothes and cools the skin upon application.”
One satisfied customer writes: “I love the metal applicator and makes it refreshing to use in the mornings. The formula is a plus too it’s not caked all.” —bebemh19
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Best for On-the-Go
Urban Decay Quickie 24HR Full-Coverage Waterproof Concealer
Pros
- Lasts for up to 24 hours per wear
Cons
In addition to this concealer’s full-coverage formula with hydrating vitamin E, the applicator is pretty clever too. Dab the product on with the doe-foot side, and then blend seamlessly with the brush end for a flawless finish.
One satisfied customer writes: “I couldn’t be happier with the results! It did completely brighten my eyes. It wasn’t cakey, didn’t crease, it has a nice buildable coverage.” —sgates
Pros
- Vegan
Cons
There’s not much this buildable concealer doesn’t do when it comes to disguising dark under-eyes. Its long-wearing formula uses pro-vitamin B5 to keep skin moisturized, along with soothing Centella asiatica to minimize redness. And since its formula is flexible, you won’t have to worry about unsightly creasing.
One satisfied customer writes: “Super soft formula doesn’t oxidize and change colors and it doesn’t cake up and get weird by the end of the day.” —alanas40
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Best With Skincare Benefits
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Dark Spots Concealer + Brightening Serum
Pros
- Aims to improve the appearance of fine lines
Cons
A combo of niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and caffeine works on dark circles beneath the skin, while the serumlike formula provides temporary coverage.
One satisfied customer writes: “This product feels good, goes on very smoothly, and doesn’t smell. It really does lighten dark spots over time, too!” — Shani Whilby
Meet the Experts
- Margarita Lolis, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.
- Dara Levitan is a celebrity makeup artist and content creator in New York City.
- Brigette Pheloung is a beauty expert and content creator in New York City.
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What causes dark circles?
If your dark circles are hereditary, it’s not possible to get rid of them permanently—which is where a great full-coverage concealer comes in. According to Lolis, dark circles can be caused by thin under-eye skin, hyperpigmentation from chronic irritation, and blood vessels, among other factors. She adds that volume loss around the eyes happens naturally over time, contributing to hollowness and shadows that make dark circles more visible.
Why trust Harpers Bazaar?
For more than 150 years, Harper’s Bazaar has been the preeminent fashion and beauty resource for women at every age. We cover what’s new and what’s next in beauty by working with the world’s leading authorities in dermatology, plastic surgery, cosmetics, skincare, hair care, and fragrance. Every story we publish has been thoroughly researched and vetted by our team of beauty editors and industry experts.
Nykia Spradley
Nykia Spradley is a beauty journalist with over 10 years of experience. She has served as the interim beauty director at Elle.com, commerce editor for Allure, and beauty editor at Essence. Nykia’s writing has also appeared in ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Coveteur, TZR, and more. She holds a master’s degree in digital journalism from Columbia University. Nykia is a red lipstick and hot sauce enthusiast (respectively) and forever lover of ’90s R&B. Keep in touch on Instagram @nyksprads and learn more at nykiaspradley.com.