These purse-friendly picks make light work of concealing dark circles, blemishes & more…
Concealer is the unsung hero of our make-up bag. Use it correctly and it can help perfect your complexion, counteracting dark circles, disguising blemishes and reducing redness, without the need for a heavy layer of foundation. And by investing in a couple of shades, it can be used to highlight and contour, too.
If we had to choose between concealer and foundation, concealer would win hands down. A handbag essential, this multitasking wonder can be used on the go to touch-up your make-up as and when needed. Even better, you don’t have to break the bank when buying a new concealer. Many of the top-rated formulas that are loved by beauty editors and make-up artists alike cost less than £10. All you need is strategic placement and expert blending to help perfect and brighten skin.
How to find your concealer shade
"It’s important to choose the correct shade based on your concealing needs," says Aimee Connolly, make-up artist and founder of Sculpted by Aimee. "For example, if you’re looking to conceal blemishes or pigmentation, then I would suggest keeping your concealer shade as close to your foundation shade as possible – this will help disguise the area and it should blend right in.
"However, for the under-eye area, I’d suggest a concealer one shade lighter than your foundation shade as this will work to conceal the area, but will be more effective at highlighting and brightening."
How to avoid common concealer mistakes
According to Aimee, the two most common mistakes are choosing the wrong shade or applying more product than needed. "If you’re concealing under your eyes, you don’t need to apply foundation to that area as well," says Aimee, "The two need to blend together, but they don’t need to be layered on top of each other." Layering can lead to a cakey finish and no one wants that.
Too much product can also cause creasing (where the concealer settles into fine lines). "To prevent this, make sure your skin is prepped with the right skincare or primer," says Aimee. "I’d also suggest setting the concealer in place with a lightweight, invisible powder." Try Sculpted by Aimee Velvet Veil Mini for a smooth, seamless finish and a compact that’s small enough to fit into any bag.
If you’re covering a blemish, remember that less is always more. "Be strategic and target your concealer directly over the blemish to pinpoint that area and avoid build-up," adds Aimee.
Discover more tips and tricks for applying your concealer like a pro in our tutorial.
How to find the right concealer formula for you
This all comes down to your specific concealer needs. Looking to cover up blemishes? "Go for something with a thicker texture, such as a cream or stick, as these formulas usually have higher coverage and are designed for camouflaging," recommends Aimee. For hyperpigmentation or redness, apply light layers to avoid it looking cakey. Aimee suggests also applying a colour corrector like her Brighten Up Colour Corrector before concealer to help counteract any uneven tones.
And for highlighting the face or brightening under the eyes, "look for a slightly thinner, hydrating and light-reflecting formula that’s less likely to sink into fine lines or crease throughout the day".
How to brighten dark circles with concealer
"For underneath your eyes, go one shade lighter than your natural skin tone to help brighten the area," suggests Val Garland, L’Oréal Paris global make-up director. "And if you want to colour correct, opt for a peach undertone as this will help counteract any discoloration."
Val’s favourite? L’Oréal Paris True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer. "I am obsessed with this concealer – it’s enriched with hyaluronic acid to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and blends in seamlessly."
8 of the best budget concealers at Boots
Whether you’re looking to help conceal dark circles or target uneven skin tone, we’ve got all bases covered. Here are nine of our favourite budget-friendly concealers to meet any coverage need.
Best for medium coverage
Try: 17. Second Skin Enhancing Concealer, £2.50*
• 10 shades
• Vegan-friendly**
• Medium, buildable coverage
This heavy-duty concealer is a total steal at just £2.50. Loaded with pigment, the creamy formula helps conceal blemishes and dark spots in seconds. To apply, we recommend spot concealing, which is where you dot the product onto any problem areas before patting it in with your fingertips.
Best for covering dark circles
Try: NYX Professional Makeup HD Photogenic Concealer Wand, £6*
• 23 shades
• Vegan-friendly**
• Natural-looking coverage
Keen to hide dark circles? Give this pick a whirl. The creamy liquid blends in effortlessly, counteracting dark under-eyes without creasing or cracking, thanks to nourishing coconut oil and glycerin. Swipe on before buffing it in with a small fluffy brush. It also has a great shade range.
Best for one-step skin reviving
Try: Rimmel London Multi-Tasker Wake Me Up Foundation & Concealer, £12.99*
• 12 shades
• Vegan formula**
• With caffeine, vitamin C & 2% niacinamide
Looking to simplify your make-up routine? This liquid concealer and foundation in one has a gorgeous buildable formula that leaves a radiant finish, perfect for applying all over the face or for targeting blemishes. The metallic applicator feels like a relaxing facial tool, creating a soothing cooling effect when you apply – fab for waking your skin up!
Best for brightening under-eyes
Try: Max Factor Miracle Pure Colour Correcting & Anti-Fatigue Eye Enhancer, £10.99*
• 4 shades
• Vegan formula**
• With caffeine & vitamin C
Eight hours of sleep in a tube? Check. Meet Max Factor’s colour-correcting and anti-fatigue cream concealer. This lightweight and buildable formula melts effortlessly into the skin while smoothing the appearance of fine lines. It’s perfect paired with your fave foundation or on its own, and that’s not all – it’s clinically proven to reduce the appearance of dark circles!^
Best for sensitive skin
Try: The Beauty Crop Dewy Bounce Concealer, £12*
• 20 shades
• With ceramides, peptides & hyaluronic acid
Those with sensitive skin will understand the struggle of finding make-up formulas that don’t irritate the skin. The Beauty Crop’s lightweight formula creates a natural-looking second skin, perfect for covering up blemishes and dark circles. Whether you’re after a sheer tint or more medium coverage, this buildable concealer helps give your skin the look of a fresh-faced glow without clogging pores.
Best for covering blemishes
Try: e.l.f. Camo Colour Corrector, £4*
• Green colour corrector
• With hyaluronic acid & rose flower water
Master the colour-correcting techniques you’ve seen over your social feed with e.l.f.’s selection of colour correctors. Apply the green one to help balance out any redness and blemishes before the rest of your face make-up, making it easy to cover discolouration without the layers upon layers of concealer.
Best for fine lines
Try: L’Oréal Paris True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer, £10.99*
• 8 shades
• SPF20
• Brush applicator
• Sheer coverage
This double-duty concealer combines the skincare benefits of an eye cream with the coverage of a concealer to help brighten under-eyes. L’Oréal’s Val says ‘it gives instant dark circle correction and nourishes the eye area at the same time’ – which is thanks to hydrating hyaluronic acid.
Best for full coverage
Try: Revolution IRL Filter Finish Concealer, £6.99*
• 30 shades
• Vegan** & PETA-certified cruelty-free
• With okra extract & hyaluronic acid
The concealer counterpart to Revolution’s iconic IRL Filter Foundation, this full-coverage concealer feels breathable and it’s easy to blend – basically, it won’t let you down. With a soft matte finish, why not use a darker and lighter shade to your usual skin tone for contour and highlighting?
