People aren't hashtagging their selfies #iwokeuplikethis with nearly as much vigor anymore. Partially, it's because we're all still basking in the blessed afterglow of Lemonade — a natural radiance even better than golden hour. But truthfully, no one wakes up looking like an Amaro filter was washed over their face — that's what concealers are for.
Even if you choose not to use a base, a few swipes in the right places is like your own personal cheat code to flawlessness. For example, one line along the bridge of your nose instantly lengthens your profile. And drawing triangles beneath your eyes? It could make any skeptic think that you had eight solid hours of sleep — instead of five, thanks to a long night of Snap stalking.
Of course, even just a few years ago it was far more difficult to find the right shades, as there was a limited range of cover-ups that fit deeper skin tones, just like the struggle to find amazing foundations in deeper shades. But now, there's a gamut of glorious café au laits, mochas, and deep chocolates that blend right in — and we went right to the pros for a short list of the best ones.
Scroll on to see the best pro-approved concealers to add to your makeup bag now — no Beyoncé track needed.
"I use this Hourglass concealer a lot — it's very similar to Clé de Peau — but it’s half the price," Carola Gonzalez, Kerry Washington's makeup artist, reveals about this formula, which rivals the pricey cult formula. "It gives the exact same coverage, but it's a little more dewy, so you have to set it."
Hourglass Hidden Corrective Concealer, $34, available at Hourglass.
"It's easy to blend and helps with masking imperfections without creasing or caking," Gonzalez says about this budget-friendly pick. "Whatever shade you need, they've got it!" Tip: Because this product has a variety of shades, the lightest one that she recommends for darker skin tones is Almond.
LA Girl HD Pro Conceal, $5, available at LA Girl.
"Liquid concealer that's rich and easy to blend is best for under the eyes and on blemishes," Nick Barose, who works with Lancôme spokesperson Lupita Nyong'o, advises. "A long-wearing and natural-looking formula is key."
Lancôme Effacernes Waterproof Protective, $31, available at Lancome.
"Nars Concealers are the holy grail, especially for darker skin tones," Uzo, the global artistry director of Nars Cosmetics says. "They come in skin-matching shades and blend away areas of uneven skin tone and discoloration with minimum effort, all with formulas that are lightweight and creamy."
Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer, $30, available at Nars.
"This comes in a pot, but it's not heavy or dry," Barose, who also works with Uzo Aduba and Aja Naomi King, notes. "You can use it for spot coverage and in place of foundation as well. It's perfect if you need a bit of a natural face for an evening out."
Glossier Stretch Concealer, $18, available at Glossier.
"While the Soft Matte Complete Concealer is perfect for diminishing dark circles under the eyes and perfecting brows, the Radiant Creamy Concealer can be used to create contour and highlight," Uzo says.
Nars Radiant Cream Concealer, $30 available at Nars.
"If you don't need heavy coverage and are looking for something fresh, this is perfect for your under eyes," Barose says. "I love the applicator — it's made for targeted, on-the-go application."
Laura Mercier Candleglow Concealer and Highlighter, $32, available at Laura Mercier.
"I love the texture of this concealer and how well it blends and lays on skin," Gonzalez (who recommends both Medium and Medium/Deep for dark to deep skin tones) says. "It’s a full-coverage, high-resistance concealer that camouflages dark circles."
Maybelline FaceStudio Master Conceal in Medium and Medium/Deep, $8.99, available at Ulta Beauty.
"I love the crayon pencil formula," Barose muses. "It helps you target specific spots, and the formula is rich, so it sits perfectly on top of where you need to conceal."
Bobbi Brown Retouching Face Pencil, $32, available at Bobbi Brown.
"It has an orangey tone in it to balance out the dark circles and dark spots on dark skin," says Barose. "I love applying it under liquid foundation"
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Corrector, $29, available at It Cosmetics.
"One concealer really never enough...there are different tones on the face!" Barose says. "A palette like this is great to get perfect match. You don't need to use all six at all times, but I find myself sometimes using two or three to get the perfect match."
Mac Studio Conceal & Correct X 6: Cover Me, $40, available at Mac.
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