10 Best Concealers for Brides of 2023

Brides / Kristin Kempa

While it may not be quite as fun as a new lipstick or glimmer-y highlighter, a good concealer is one of those workhorse staples in your makeup routine whose importance can’t be underestimated. And that holds especially true for brides. According to celebrity makeup artist Andrew Sotomayor, concealer (along with powder) is one of the most important products that will help you look your best in photos. Plus, in his experience, concealer is one of those things that most people aren’t happy with, making this the perfect time to experiment and find something that you really like and works for you.

That can be easier said than done, though, given that there are so many different types, formulas, and shades on the market. The format and coverage level is largely a matter of personal preference. When it comes to the color, Sotomayor suggests opting for one shade lighter than your skin tone.

Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered! To help, we researched the best concealers available, with options that offer a little something for everyone. We made our final selections based on shade options, wear-time, coverage, ingredients, and overall quality.

Read on for the best concealers for brides.

Sephora

The foundation from this line tends to gets a lot of hype, but don’t sleep on this concealer. True to the name, it’s a great all-around pick and is just as good at concealing dark circles as it is camouflaging dark spots and blemishes. It’s great for normal, dry, or combination skin, with a hydrating formula that never settles into fine lines or creases. If you are using it under your eyes, you’ll appreciate that it contains caffeine, a top ingredient for combating dark circles and puffiness. With medium coverage and a radiant finish, it always looks totally natural and never mask-like.

Price at time of publish: $39

Shades: 23 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural

Amazon

Sotomayor loves this pick, lauding the phthalate-, paraben-, and mineral oil-free, vegan formula. “The price is so low that you can easily buy two shades to test out without breaking the bank,” he adds. He also notes that most people end up needing a slightly lighter shade under their eyes than for the rest of their face, so having two on-hand could actually prove quite useful. Coconut milk and aloe keep this nice and hydrating, so you don’t have to worry about caking or creasing.

Price at time of publish: $12

Shades: 14 | Coverage: Lightweight | Finish: Dewy

Amazon

Using concealer on top of pimples can be a little bit tricky—the last thing you want to do is inadvertently end up clogging your pores by using too much makeup. Enter this solution, a perfect pick for those with acne-prone skin. Yes, it’s a concealer, but it also pulls double duty as a spot treatment. There’s salicylic acid in the mix, a choice acne-fighting ingredient for its ability to dissolve excess oil and keep pores clear. We also like the built-in sponge tip, which makes application a breeze.

Price at time of publish: $7

Shades: 5 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural

Sephora

This sheer concealer helps to both hide unwanted discoloration and brighten the under-eye area. The addition of skin-brightening vitamin C and light-reflecting particles in the formula help make you look refreshed and wide awake. There’s also caffeine in the mix to help with puffiness and dark circles, plus hydrating squalane and hyaluronic acid to ensure it never settles into fine lines or crows’ feet. The glass rollerball tip, which makes it feel extra refreshing going on, is just the icing on the cake.

Price at time of publish: $28

Shades: 7 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Radiant

Sephora

Once upon a time, not so long ago, concealers typically came in only a handful of shades. Happily, that’s no longer the case. Exhibit A: This hydrating concealer, which comes in a whopping array of 20 colors with varied undertones. Sotomayor is a fan, noting that many of the hues have rosy or peach undertones that help prevent concealers from looking white-ish or gray-ish when applied on dark circles. He also lauds the fresh coverage (medium yet buildable), and the fact that it stays put all day with a smooth finish.

Price at time of publish: $30

Shades: 20 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Radiant

Nordstrom

For those in the market for a splurge-worthy pick, go for this luxury option. It’s been a beloved cult-classic for years, and for good reason. The stick is crazy creamy, delivering up to six hours of hydration, thanks to the addition of hyaluronic acid and argan oil. It also goes on in a very thin layer that melts beautifully into skin, yet is still easily buildable. While it’s a bit expensive, a little goes a long way, so one tube will last you for a very long time.

Price at time of publish: $75

Shades: 12 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Radiant/Natural

Mented Cosmetics

Finding the right shade of concealer can be challenging in general, but even more so for those with darker skin. Deeper shades of concealer have traditionally been very limited, with not many options for varying undertones. Enter this winner. Sotomayor loves it for use either on the face or under the eyes. “It’s made with enough pigments to work beautifully on deeper skin tones, and the hyaluronic acid in it keeps it looking fresh, not oily,” he explains.

Price at time of publish: $18

Shades: 8 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural

Nordstrom

“Touch-ups are an important part of makeup on a special day, but you usually don't want to re-apply a full coverage concealer,” says Sotomayor. He loves this pick for brides, noting that it has a built-in applicator and works especially great for refreshing and brightening up the under-eye area if you’ve shed some joyful tears. The pen shape is also small enough to easily stash in your clutch.

Price at time of publish: $78

Shades: 5 | Coverage: Light | Finish: Radiant

Dermstore

This squeaky-clean formula is free of a laundry list of potentially-questionable chemicals. What it does contain is plenty of good-for-your skin ingredients, so much so that you could easily call it a skincare-makeup hybrid. We’re talking antioxidants such as vitamin C to help brighten the skin and ward off damaging free radicals, hydrating aloe and glycerin, and more. It also imparts a medium amount of coverage—almost surprisingly so, given how lightweight it feels.

Price at time of publish: $32

Shades: 20 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural

Premiere Products Inc.

Originally created by an Oscar-winning makeup artist for use on film sets, this is a favorite among makeup pros, Sotomayor included, who says he always has it on hand. The coverage is enough that you could even use it as a full-coverage foundation, although it’s great for hiding dark circles or spot-treating imperfections, too. He also calls out the lightweight and simple packaging that won’t take up space or weigh down your makeup bag. His top tip: “Lay a concealer brush on top of it, rather than digging into the pot, then tap the product right onto where you need coverage.”

Price at time of publish: $17

Shades: 6 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural

Ideally, you probably want to have two shades of concealer at your disposal. “Concealer that you’re using around the eyes should be about one shade lighter than your skin tone and ideally have peachy undertones to it to avoid looking ashy or gray once it goes on over dark circles,” he explains. Concealer that you’re using to hide imperfections on your face should match your skin tone. To make your life easier, look for products that come in a wide range of shades with varying undertones, like the Rose Inc. Softlight Clean Dewy Hydrating Concealer.

Whether you opt for a liquid, cream, or stick formula, the choice really does come down to a matter of personal preference. However, you should take your skin type into consideration, notes Sotomayor. If you’re on the drier side and choose a formula that isn't hydrating enough, it may end up looking cakey or creasing. If you’re oilier, and go for something too moisturizing, you up the likelihood of it slipping off the skin.

Again, how you apply concealer does come down to your likes and dislikes (more on that in a minute), but some concealers do have built-in applicators that can make the process a little bit easier. The winning Sisley Paris Stylo Lumiére Highlighter Pen has a cushion tip; the Milk Makeup Sunshine Under Eye Brightening Light Coverage Concealer has a glass rollerball.

You can really do it however you want to, but the pro version is as follows. Tap the product on with your finger or a brush, then use a fluffy brush to help spread it out and blend it in, suggests Sotomayor.

“You don’t,” says Sotomayor. “Concealer around the eyes should be a little lighter than your skin, concealer for the face should be the same shade as your skin.” Point being, use your complexion as a guide, rather than your foundation.

According to Sotomayor, concealer should go basically anywhere there is redness, discoloration, or a blemish that isn’t easily covered by foundation.

Meet the Expert

Andrew Sotomayor is a celebrity and Emmy-winning makeup artist and the host of “Masters of Makeup.”

Brides contributor Melanie Rud has nearly 15 years of journalism experience covering the beauty and lifestyle space for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She’s also a recent newlywed, and has used many of the concealers on this list.