The best concealers, expert tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute

Score: 97/100

With a comprehensive shade-matching quiz, 22 available colour options and a helpful ‘formulated without’ list on the website to help you work out whether there are any ingredients in there you’re trying to avoid, we were impressed with this concealer from the very beginning.

The formulation contains reflective micro-spherical powders, which diffuse across pores and fine lines to smooth out their appearance, while the creamy consistency is buildable and designed to help blend seamlessly. The brand claims the product is long-wearing and crease-resistant for 16 hours. But is that true?

Well, our testers were fans. Feedback included: “It was creamy and full coverage but in no way cakey,” and it “lasts on the skin literally all day.” The ultra-padded applicator is a dream to use and the concealer itself is, according to one tester, “great for under the eyes and delicate areas, as you don’t have to tug at it so much to blend it in.”

The consensus was that it leaves no cracking or creasing, and every single panellist said it sits nicely on skin. It also received the highest score we’ve ever awarded to a makeup product at the GHI. Where’s the catch? It’s relatively expensive, but it sounds like you get what you pay for.

Score: 85/100

If under-eye shadows are your biggest bugbear, this is the product for you. It scored just as highly in the lab as our winner for its staying power, and it corrected dark circles like a dream. Many mentioned the brightening effect of this one, and lots commented on its colour-correcting capabilities. It didn’t sit in creases (according to most), which is pretty essential when you want to mask tired eyes.

It’s marketed as a spot treatment, eye cream and concealer all in one, and it definitely delivered on hydration, all while feeling lightweight and luxurious.

Because it’s brightening, it may be better used for evening out skin tone and tackling pigmentation, rather than taking attention away from blemishes. It’s also available in 38 shades, so whatever your skin tone, Kosas should have you covered.

Score: 83/100

You may remember a previous iteration of this product from Boots aisles gone by, as it’s made a name for itself as a great value concealer. Pocket-money friendly and boasting full-coverage, it’s always been a perfect pick for teenagers. But the brand, which has been beautifying us for over 30 years, has had a glow-up – it used to be called Collection 2000 and the packaging has been upgraded.

The product name and website claim 16-hour staying power, and it actually scored higher than our winner and runner-up for its brilliant budge-proof formula. A little went a long way, too, and for one tester with sensitive eyes, it was impressively gentle.

The doe-foot applicator was divisive – some said it was perfect for avoiding “overloading”, while others said it “felt cheap” – but overall, the packaging was a hit. It’s available in fewer shades than the first two products on our list (20) but it also comes in at under a fiver, so it’s a bargain buy if you’re lucky enough to find the right shade for you.

Score: 83/100

We can’t write about this concealer without first talking about the spongey, soft applicator. Combining a beauty sponge with a dispenser, it delivers even, blended coverage, without the need for extra brushes and tools. The cushion tip is protected with an antimicrobial system to ward off germs and is rounded to create uniform coverage, even in hard-to-reach areas.

Every single panellist said this formula was easy to blend into skin, with one telling us, “The tip means you can use it on the go without all the extra paraphernalia.” Everyone found it sat comfortably on skin and it didn’t feel greasy or claggy either.

Considering the price, all our panel said the packaging felt luxurious and they were happy with the amount they got. It’s a full coverage, matte option, however, so it won’t suit everyone, but it’s good for covering blemishes and is non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog pores while it’s covering spots. Smart. It’s only available in 18 shades though, so the brand has work to do here.

Score: 81/100

Perhaps the most iconic concealer on this list, Touche Éclat is known for its nifty but fancy packaging and beautiful brush dispenser, along with its perfectly liquid and lightweight formulation.

For evening skin tone and tackling dullness, this works a dream. It’s surprising it hasn’t topped the list considering its reputation, but that’s what the GHI’s expert testing is all about.

It may have been scored lower by those looking for fuller coverage, but it doesn’t claim to compete on pigment with your matte Maybelline or thick Collection Cosmetics concealers. This is silky, soft and smooth, and ideal for those looking for a more natural, no-makeup look and glowing skin.

Score: 81/100

Revlon touts this formulation as having 24 hour staying power, but is that even possible or, you might ask, necessary? Well, our panel vouched for its long-wear capabilities.

Everyone who tried this said they didn’t notice any patchiness throughout the day, and almost everyone said it stayed on perfectly for the duration.

“It was a great product that lasted literally all day and gave great coverage without going clunky in creases,” said one panellist. It also aced our lab tests where we trialled it against others to see how long it lasted, so it does live up to its bold claims.

Score: 74/100

Patented AI technology, you say? This definitely steals the show when it comes to innovation, but we wanted to see if all the tech talk was just smoke and mirrors. Well, for one, the concept is way more inclusive than existing shade ranges, which are limited by the issue of wasted stock if they offer lots of options.

And how does the shade matching work? All you need to do is go to the website and scan a picture of your face with your phone camera, then answer a few questions about what you use concealer for and what type of coverage you’re after.

Testers loved the design and angled applicator, which they said, “blended nicely with a nice creamy consistency”, referring to the concealer’s satin finish (not too matte, not too dewy).

Everyone found the instructions clear and easy to follow, despite the extra quiz step on-site, with some wowed by the colour match, while others weren’t as impressed. One thing to note is that there’s a ‘brightening concealer’ option for those who want to use it under the eyes, and a ‘skin tone match’ option, so don’t opt for the latter if ditching dark circles is the aim.

Score: 71/100

This full-coverage option wins extra points for its multi-tasking abilities. It’s a dual-tray palette, with one side offering a colour-correcting concealer, while the other helps to brighten pigmentation and dark circles. We’ve got a hard worker on our hands.

The compact allows you to customise your shade too, according to the time of year (and potential tan levels, although SPF on the face every day, ladies). You can mix the two shades with a brush on the back of your hand to adjust them accordingly. However, although you get both colours in one, there are only seven palette combos to choose from.

And what did our testers think? Those looking to address dark circles in the delicate under-eye area were put off by the “cakey-ness” of the consistency and found it tricky to apply without a brush, but those looking to cover up spots or remove redness much preferred it. The formulation is thick, but if you’re looking for full coverage that lasts all day, plus customisability with the colour, you’ve come to the right place.