If, like me, you have dark circles, you’ll know that they are extremely stubborn to treat. The truth is, whilst there are plenty of ways to make dark circles less noticeable, there’s no real way to fully “get rid” of them. Dark circles are usually down to genetics, individual facial structure and lifestyle. This means that no eye cream will ever make them entirely disappear—despite the magical claims that many skincare brands might make.
Whilst there are certain aesthetic treatments that can address dark circles, you’re generally better off putting your money towards good skincare and wearing SPF to treat the delicate skin around the eye area and help your eyes look their best. However, makeup can be transformative in temporarily concealing dark circles day to day, and has allowed me to accept mine with the knowledge that I can disguise them when I want to.
The good news is that there are many great concealers for dark circles out there, but finding the right one can be tricky. If the formula has too much coverage or is too heavy it will look cakey and settle into fine lines. Too light and it won’t provide enough coverage to disguise the blue, purple or green tones that we often see under our eyes. Of course, it also comes down to preference. Some may favour a matte concealer to conceal their under-eye area, whereas others might prefer a dewy, radiant finish that reflects light to detract from dark circles.
And with so many under-eye concealers on the market, it can be hard to know where to start and which is the best for you. So, I’ve listed the best concealers for dark circles that have made their way into the Who What Wear UK beauty cupboard and now have permanent residence in my makeup bag. Ahead, you’ll find one for every skin type and preference.
Why It Makes the Cut: On the days I need heavy duty yet radiant coverage, I always reach for this tube. A little goes an incredibly long way—you only need the tiniest amount and it conceals absolutely everything, dark circles included. I prefer to apply this with my fingers, tapping it into the darkest area and diffusing it outwards. It melts into the skin to leave your under-eye area looking bright and radiant.
Price shown is member price. Why It Makes the Cut: Ok, now this one is technically a colour corrector, but allow me to explain. This is designed to be worn either alone or underneath a concealer, and it helps to cancel out the dark tones under the eyes, doing all the heavy-lifting without you having to pack on a tonne of concealer on top. It comes in three different shades which are each designed to counteract the colour you see in your dark circles. Pick the Light/Medium shade if yours are blue-toned, Medium/Deep for brown-toned or Deep for blue/purple-toned dark circles on darker skin tones.
Why It Makes the Cut: If you want an under-eye concealer that packs full coverage with a radiant finish, you have to try this. It elegantly conceals darkness with a radiant finish that dries down and does not budge all day—it’s incredibly long-wearing and somehow manages not to settle into fine lines around the eyes, either. A little goes a long way, so apply a touch of product where you need it and pat it out with your finger for the best finish.
Why It Makes the Cut: I’ve put many friends onto this corrector, which has a dewy finish that bounces light away from dark circles for a truly radiant result. As it’s a corrector, it can be worn alone to soften the intensity of dark circles, or layered underneath concealer to give your makeup a helping hand. And the creamy formula makes it a dream to blend.
Why It Makes the Cut: I rate so many of Rose Inc’s products, but the concealer is amongst my top favourites. It gives full coverage with a hydrating and luminous finish that leaves your under-eyes bright and even-toned, without looking cakey. In fact, this concealer is a great all-rounder for hiding blemishes and pigmentation, too. It’s a staple in my makeup bag that I reach for daily.
Why It Makes the Cut: If your under-eye area is dry, you’ll want a lightweight, creamy formula with enough slip to glide over rough patches without clinging to the skin’s texture. Glossier’s Stretch Concealer is the amongst the best I tried when I had eczema and dryness around my eyes, and its name is very apt. It’s described as a flexible concealer, and it really does move with your skin throughout the day, so it won’t settle into areas where you don’t want it to. It has a very dewy finish which makes the under-eyes look bright and hydrated, so it’s definitely best suited for those with dry skin.
Why It Makes the Cut: This is one of the few concealers that I’ve used up to the very end (I vividly remember scooping out every last drop out with the doe foot before I could bear to throw the tube away), and it’s one of the best long-wearing concealers that I’ve ever tried. It has a silky, creamy texture that holds up throughout the day, and it does a great job of concealing darkness around the eye area. It’s a 10/10 from me.
Why It Makes the Cut: Beauty editors love this affordable concealer that rivals its expensive counterparts. It boasts a long-wearing formula with a matte finish that blends beautifully into the skin, disguising dark circled with ease. Despite this it still feels lightweight and doesn’t make fine lines look more pronounced. I’m shocked at how good it is for the price.
Why It Makes the Cut: This is my current go-to concealer for dark circles. What I love about it is that it’s light as a feather to wear yet offers so much pigment that you only need a tiny dot under each eye to effortlessly brighten the under-eyes. This is one of the more hydrating concealers on this list, so it you want something luminous that also keep the area feeling moisturised throughout the day, make it this. It’s also designed to be used all over as a foundation if you like, so it’s a great multipurpose product to have in your makeup bag for on the go.
Why It Makes the Cut: Hailey Bieber loves this, and now I do too. I’d heard amazing things about the brand ahead of its launch in the UK earlier this year, and the concealer is now a permanent fixture in my makeup bag. I reach for this when I want a dewy and radiant finish under my eyes. The coverage is medium but can be built up to full without looking cakey on the skin. I’m obsessed.
Why It Makes the Cut: Charlotte Tilbury wasn’t messing around when she made this full coverage concealer. This disguises just about anything and everything with its creamy formula. The sponge-tip applicator makes it ideal for touching up on the go and getting into all the contours around your eyes—just be careful not to squeeze too much out in one go!
Why It Makes the Cut: A more budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on results—I can understand why this flies off the shelves in stores. Both creamy and full coverage, it melts into the skin, leaving the under-eyes looking bright and smooth. If you see this in stock, move quickly.
Why It Makes the Cut: When Benefit says that this is “industrial strength”, it really means it. This concealer has been around for years but remains a classic. It has a waxy consistency that makes it a dream for blending around the eyes, before drying down to a soft, matte and flawless finish.
Why It Makes the Cut: Falling somewhere between a foundation and a concealer, you can expect a full-coverage application with this creamy concealer, which settles into a matte yet radiant finish. It really is a fool-proof concealer, and it can be used anywhere you need it. It applies equally brilliantly with fingertips or a brush and can be built up for more coverage.
