8 Of The Best Drugstore Concealers For Flawless Coverage On A Budget
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You can put on concealer without adding extra makeup, but you probably don't put on makeup without first doing a touchup with a concealer. Concealers are our unsung heroes and are a must for looking our absolute best. Let's face it — there is no such thing as perfect skin. No matter how diligent our skincare routine is, our skin cannot possibly be flawless 24/7.
Add in long shifts at work and fatigue, and we get the dreaded dark circles under our eyes. We can also get hyperpigmentation spots from sun exposure and hormonal changes, per Cleveland Clinic. The list of factors (most of them beyond our control) leading to problem skin is endless, and it only proves that no matter what we do, our skin usually needs a little help to look clear. And this is where our trusted concealers step in and rise to the occasion.
Of course, since concealers are so important, we should probably splurge on them, right? Well, not really. It does sound counterintuitive, but not all beauty products need to be expensive to be effective. There are some excellent beauty and makeup products out there that are fabulous and quite affordable, and this includes concealers. So, to help you look your best without breaking the bank, here is a list of our favorite drugstore concealers for flawless coverage on a budget.
How we selected products
Before narrowing down our list of products, we conducted research on affordable brands and looked at the best-selling concealers from each. Nevertheless, wanting to keep the selection unbiased, we also considered consumer reviews and ratings before presenting them to you. We also took a closer look at the best concealer Glam Beauty 2023 awards for inspiration.
In curating our selection of the best affordable concealers, we adhered to a stringent set of criteria. First and foremost, we ensured that all chosen products were actually affordable, with a strict max price of $20. This criterion was vital to ensure that you receive high-quality concealers while still being budget-friendly. Additionally, we evaluated the concealing potency of each product, assessing how effectively they hide imperfections and blemishes to achieve a flawless finish, per customer reviews and official site product descriptions.
Of course, beyond mere coverage, we are looking for concealers that not only make our skin look better but are also good for it. So we considered the inclusion of beneficial skincare ingredients an added bonus. For instance, products that hydrate and conceal were shortlisted, since we recognize the value of products that contribute to overall skin health. By focusing on these criteria, we present a thoughtfully curated list of six of the best drugstore concealers for flawless coverage on a budget.
Best overall concealer: NYX Bare With Me Concealer Serum
Consumers highly rate and absolutely love the NYX Bare With Me concealer serum. It comes in 13 different shades, so you should find the perfect match for your skin color. This product not only flawlessly conceals but also reflects light, giving your skin highlighted accents that make those dark circles disappear. As a bonus, the formula hydrates and calms the skin. It contains tremella mushroom, cica, and green tea, and is vegan.
Purchase the NYX Bare With Me Concealer Serum on Amazon for $9.99.
Best concealer for acne: Maybelline New York Fit me Concealer
Maybelline New York Fit me Concealer ranks among the best for acne-related concerns. This product is perfect for individuals who want to cover up their acne without further irritating the skin. This high-coverage concealer comes in 12 different shades (to make sure you are not using the wrong one to cover your blemishes) and provides a natural-looking finish. Being non-comedogenic, it allows the skin to breathe without clogging your pores. It is great at hiding acne scars, redness, and blemishes. Containing chamomile extracts, the oil-free formula soothes your skin.
Purchase the Maybelline New York Fit Me Concealer at Walmart for $7.58.
Best concealer for a non-oily finish: L'Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer
A number of concealers do a perfect job at concealing but, unfortunately, leave the skin looking rather shiny. L'Oréal's Infallible Full Wear Concealer ranks best for giving consumers a flawless matte finish while doing a superb job at evening out skin tone and covering discoloration. With a 4.4-star rating on Amazon and over 16,000 reviews, it's a popular option. It comes in 25 different shades.
Purchase the L'Oréal Infallible Full Wear Concealer at Amazon for $12.98.
Best concealer for darker skins: Black Opal Brightening Concealer
With 12 different shades, Black Opal Brightening Concealer is ideal for individuals with darker skin tones. The lightweight concealer formula not only seamlessly blends into the skin but also incorporates ingredients that aid in brightening darker spots and under-eye dark circles. Infused with vitamins C and E, along with turmeric and cucumber extracts, it gives skin a smoother look, delivering a radiantly flawless finish. The convenient applicator ensures a hassle-free application, making the entire makeup process a breeze.
Purchase the Black Opal Brightening Concealer at Target for $10.59.
Best concealer for individual spots: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Concealer
Consumers love Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Concealer because it does a perfect job of camouflaging individual spots without drying them out. Infused with hyaluronic acid, the concealer hides and hydrates at the same time. The formula is oil-free and non-comedogenic, helping keep those pesky breakouts under control without clogging your pores. It's available in five different shades.
Purchase the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Concealer at Target for $13.69.
Best concealer for mature skin: Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Concealer
Infused with goji berry and collagen, the Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Concealer works wonders toward brightening and rejuvenating the under-eye area. Specially designed for mature skin, this formula employs a micro-corrector applicator that helps smooth fine lines and diminish dark circles, leaving you looking radiantly flawless. This concealer is a great deal and enjoys a 4.6-star rating from over 8,600 reviewers.
Purchase the Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Concealer on Amazon for $10.43.
Best concealer for full-coverage: CoverGirl TruBlend Undercover Concealer
The dewy and glass-skin beauty trends are everywhere. However, sometimes, you just need a good concealer to cover everything. After all, plenty of areas need extra covering up, whether due to discoloration, redness, acne scars, or more. Luckily, CoverGirl's TruBlend Undercover Concealer provides ample coverage for anyone looking to mask undesired skin problems. With over 10,000 reviews raving about its intense coverage, there's a reason this drugstore favorite has its cult following.
Purchase TruBlend Undercover Concealer on Amazon for $7.19.
Best concealer for dry skin: ColourPop Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Creamy Concealer
While concealer covers up patches you don't want to be seen, they can cause more problems if they aren't the proper formula. For dry skin, this means needing hydrating concealers to give you moisture to help your skin look plump. For those dry areas, ColourPop's Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Creamy Concealer contains hyaluronic acid, making it a great choice to replenish your skin. Out of the 1,000 Ulta users, a majority have given the product a four-star review, cementing it as a must-have for those with drier skin.
Purchase Pretty Fresh Hyaluronic Creamy Concealer on Ulta's website for $5.40.