Here is the shortlist before anything else: NARS for a versatile everyday formula, Collection for a cheap fuller-coverage pick, and Dior if you want a premium finish.
The best concealers for dark circles are the ones that match your undertone, feel comfortable and don’t make you use half the tube. I’ve picked 11 sold in the UK, from purse-friendly staples to splurges. Prices are typical and shift between retailers.
Not all dark circles are the same problem
Blue or purple shadows often need a peachy corrector underneath. Brown-toned darkness looks better with a warm, golden concealer. And if your concealer settles into fine lines by lunchtime, a thinner layer can do more for you than another layer of full coverage (I learned that the hard way, after piling on product before a 9am meeting and spending the afternoon wondering why I looked older). Pick one that suits your face, not just the packaging.
Best overall picks
These cover three different needs: a polished everyday finish, a brightening option and a fast application for mornings when the bus is already due. None will erase your skin texture. Good. Skin that still looks like skin usually wears better.
NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, around £27. A well-known liquid concealer with buildable coverage and a softly radiant finish, so it brightens without going flat. It works for under-eyes and small patches of redness alike. The catch is the applicator, which can deposit more than you need, so wipe off the excess before tapping it in.
L’Oréal Paris True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer, around £10.99. A sensible choice if your under-eyes feel dry or concealer catches on little flakes. The creamy texture looks fresh rather than powdery and suits lighter everyday coverage. On very dark circles it won’t manage alone, so try a thin peach corrector first.
Maybelline Instant Anti Age Eraser Concealer, around £9.99. The sponge tip makes quick touch-ups easy, and the formula blends without a full brush kit. Start with a small dab rather than swiping it across the whole under-eye. Not everyone likes a built-in applicator for hygiene reasons, so a clean fingertip or brush is a fair alternative.
Drugstore concealers under £10
If you’re testing coverage, or just need something dependable for your everyday bag, start here. Prices sit around £10 or below, though promotions and shade ranges vary by retailer. For any under eye concealer UK search, check shades in person where you can.
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, around £4.99. A classic budget buy with fairly strong coverage, handy for dark circles and the odd blemish. Use a small amount and blend the edges carefully, because piling it on makes the under-eye look heavier. It may feel a touch dry on dehydrated skin, so moisturise first.
e.l.f. Hydrating Camo Concealer, around £7. More coverage than a sheer tint, with a comfortable, creamy feel that gives an easy brightened look. One dot at the inner corner and another near the outer corner is usually plenty. Apply a thick coat and it can crease. Keep it thin.
Revolution Conceal & Define Concealer, around £4.49. Fuller coverage for people who want one product for both under-eyes and blemishes, at a very low cost. Use a tiny amount around the eyes and build coverage on marks separately instead of spreading a heavy layer everywhere. It can look matte on dry patches, so it suits normal or oilier skin better than very dry under-eyes.
Is a premium concealer worth it?
Sometimes. Premium formulas can offer elegant textures and a refined finish, though a higher price guarantees nothing about your match. These are worth swatching if you like a polished base or want something that blends neatly over skincare.
Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer, around £36. A creamy formula with buildable coverage that works on under-eyes and small areas of the face. A little goes a long way, which makes the price easier to swallow if you use it sparingly. If you prefer a barely-there finish it may feel too rich, so test a small amount before committing to a full under-eye layer.
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer, around £27. A popular pick for high coverage and a lifted, brightened look. It helps when you want dark circles to recede in photos or on a long day out. The formula is substantial, so use a pinhead-sized amount on each side if you don’t want it to emphasise fine lines.
Bobbi Brown Skin Full Cover Concealer, around £30. Good coverage in a compact liquid, with a finish designed to look natural rather than heavily powdered. It’s a nice option for a smart workday base when you don’t fancy foundation all over. The shade range is hard to judge online, so swatching in daylight is worth the extra stop.
Shade matching for deep, medium and fair skin
Matching matters as much as formula. Too pale a concealer turns grey or chalky, particularly on deeper skin, while one that’s too warm can make fair skin look orange. These two ranges offer plenty of options, but undertones still deserve a close look.
Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Luminous Matte Concealer, around £26. The broad shade range is worth exploring if you’ve struggled to find a close match, including options for deeper skin tones. It gives fuller coverage, so it handles pronounced darkness or blemishes without several products. The finish leans polished rather than sheer, and a damp sponge can soften it.
Fenty Beauty Bright Fix Eye Brightener, around £22. A lighter, more natural choice if you want a fresh under-eye rather than full camouflage. The shades cover a wide range of complexions, so look for a tone that brightens gently instead of jumping several shades lighter. Coverage is subtler than the fuller concealers above, which is its main limit on very dark circles.
Stopping creases before they start
Begin with comfortable, hydrated skin, but don’t apply concealer over a thick, slippery layer of eye cream. Give skincare a minute to sink in. If your circles look blue or purple, tap on a little peach corrector first; for brown-toned shadows, a warm-toned corrector may blend more naturally.
Next, place two or three tiny dots where the darkness is strongest, often near the inner corner and along the hollow. Blend by tapping with a fingertip, small brush or sponge. You don’t need to cover the whole area from lash line to cheek, and that’s the bit people overdo, which makes creasing more obvious.
Look straight ahead in a mirror and soften any lines before setting. If you use powder, press on a whisper-light amount only where the concealer moves. Mature skin often looks fresher with less powder and a flexible, medium-coverage formula, and if you have fine lines, thin layers are your friend.
What if it still creases after all that?
Then the formula probably doesn’t suit your skin. No need to blame your face.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What colour concealer cancels out blue or purple dark circles?
A peach or salmon corrector works best underneath, because it neutralises the blue tone. Brown-toned darkness usually blends better with a warm, golden concealer.
Why does my concealer crease under my eyes?
Usually the layer is too thick, or there is too much eye cream underneath. Use a thin layer, let skincare sink in for a minute, and set only where the product moves.
Is an expensive concealer better than a drugstore one?
Not automatically. Premium formulas often have refined textures, but a well-matched £5 concealer can beat a poorly matched £36 one.
Which concealer suits dry under-eyes?
Creamy formulas such as L’Oréal True Match Eye Cream in a Concealer or e.l.f. Hydrating Camo are the gentler choices. Matte, full-coverage formulas can look patchy on dry skin.
How much concealer should I use?
Far less than you think. Two or three tiny dots where the darkness is strongest, then tap to blend.
