The 10 Best Concealers That Hide Dark Circles Under Your Eyes

My son loves nothing more than waking up at the crack of dawn and jumping in our bed, Superman style…only to pass out three minutes later. Isn’t he so lucky to be able to wake up and go back to sleep at the drop of a hat? For me, that’s not the case. Once I’m up, I’m up. Needless to say, sleep is a luxury I’ve learned to live largely without, and I felt like you could really see the effects of sleeplessness on my face. For so long, I blamed the dark circles under my eyes on my kids.

But did you know that those circles may be caused by something other than lack of sleep? Factors such as hyperpigmentation due to excessive sun exposure and oxygenated blood visible through the delicate eye area can also cause darkness. No matter the cause, there are some pretty darned good solutions. Check out the slideshow for the ten best concealers that hide dark circles.

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10 Best Concealers to Hide Dark Circles

Pearl
Combats Multiple Symptoms

When problematic dark circles are aggravated by puffiness and dullness, skin can be challenging and frustrating to cover up. Opt for a concealer that combats multiple symptoms at once, like Laura Mercier High Coverage Concealer ($28). Its combination of hydrating honey and mildly exfoliating fruit acids leaves skin exceptionally soft. And it’s available in twelve colors, so there’s one for every skin tone.
Covers and Brightens

Truly exhausted eyes require more than just a dab of concealer. You’ll find success with a product that both covers and brightens, such as Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat ($41), which immediately lights up the eye area for a refreshed appearance. Consider it an eraser for even the most troublesome dark circles—it touches up with a quick click and is available in twelve versatile shades.
Fight Aging and Dark Circles

Combat aging skin and dark circles at once with Trish McEvoy Instant Eye Lift ($38). Available in two shades (fair and medium), it hydrates dull under-eye skin and fills lines on contact—which, in turn, makes tired eyes look livelier in an instant.
Great Staying Power

The most important feature you can ask of any concealer is staying power. Maybe more than any other product, your under-eye cover really needs to stay put—and Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer ($24) definitely does. Available in nine shades, this creamy formula offers full coverage without appearing matted or pasty. A little bit goes a very long way, so applying strategically with a brush yields the best results.
Oil-Free Formula

Your concealer doesn’t have to be oil based to be effective. Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer ($24) is an oil-free formula that is a veritable godsend for those with stubborn circles. With a matte finish, it wears like a second skin and doesn’t cake up (and it can even be used on the body!).
Barely-There Appearance

A concealer that dries down to a powder finish will also call attention to dark circles by sinking into lines. Opt for a non-cakey product, like Shiseido Natural Finish Cream Concealer ($25). It’s the “natural” here that is key. With its barely there appearance, it mimics the appearance of healthy skin and keeps darkness at bay.
Glides on Easily

A too-thick concealer can be tricky to handle. The skin around the eyes is papery thin, so a product that requires excessive blending is unnecessary. Look for a smooth concealer that glides on easily, like Neutrogena Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector ($13.99). The brush applicator makes it a breeze to use, and it contains SPF 25 to protect from harmful UV rays.
Neutralize Blue Tones

Blue-based dark circles are extremely common, and also some of the hardest to cover. This bluish tone is best neutralized with a shade of peach. Dip into a pot of It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Corrrector ($29)—it’s available in three shades, all with a peachy undertone, and masks those stubborn circles beautifully.
For Brown Undertones

Circles with a browner undertone are best neutralized with a brightening cover, like Sephora Smoothing & Brightening Concealer ($17). Light-reflecting particles brighten skin and lend your complexion a fresher, more awake appearance.
All-in-One Product

The Tom Ford Concealing Pen ($52) is a treatment and cover-up in one. It contains the Tom Ford Infusing Complex, a nutrient- and antioxidant-rich blend that revitalizes, nourishes, and repairs damage, all while leaving skin flawless. The added caffeine also helps decrease puffiness, another common concern. Best of all is its thick, luxurious brush applicator, which delivers product precisely where it’s needed most.