Buying guide for Best drugstore concealers
Tired-looking dark circles under your eyes? Angry red blemishes on your chin? Concealer can hide nearly any discoloration you choose to camouflage. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to find a good one, either. In this buying guide, we shine the spotlight on drugstore concealers that perform just as well as their high-end counterparts.
Drugstore concealers are available in several formulas, making it fairly easy to find one that suits your skin type. You can also choose from different finishes, depending on the makeup look you prefer. Many drugstore concealers feature impressive shade ranges, too, so you can find the right shade for under-eye circles, acne, and other discolorations. There are even concealers designed for highlighting and contouring.
Whether you’re on a budget or just love a great bargain, drugstore concealer is an excellent beauty tool for your makeup bag.
Key considerations
Skin type
When choosing a drugstore concealer, your skin type should be your primary concern. You’ll have a much easier time finding the right formula if you keep your skin type in mind.
Oily skin produces excess oil, which leaves the skin shiny and prone to acne and enlarged pores. This extra oil can make it difficult to keep makeup from fading or melting off the skin. If you have oily skin, opt for an oil-free concealer that absorbs oil and minimizes shine. There are even some concealers that contain acne-tempering ingredients like salicylic acid.
Dry skin doesn’t produce a lot of oil; it lacks natural moisture and hydration. It can appear dull and rough, and it may be prone to irritation. If you have dry skin, you need a concealer with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, so the makeup won’t cling to dry patches.
Normal skin is neither oily nor dry. It’s not particularly sensitive either, so you can use nearly any drugstore concealer without issue.
Combination skin typically features an oily forehead, nose, and chin, also known as the T-zone. Dry patches exist elsewhere on the face. For combination skin, an oil-free drugstore concealer is usually the best bet.
Mature skin is similar to dry skin and in that it may lack moisture. It’s typically textured with fine lines and wrinkles. Moisturizing concealers are a great choice for mature skin because they are less likely to settle into fine lines.
Formula
Drugstore concealers come in liquid, stick, and cream formulas. Formula impacts how a concealer is best applied and what type of skin it’s suited for.
Liquid concealer: These are the most common concealer formulas at the drugstore. They’re usually the most versatile, too, working well under the eyes and on the face. Liquid concealers are typically buildable so you can achieve light to full coverage. Liquid concealer is an excellent option for normal, combination, and oily skin, but you can also find hydrating formulas for dry skin.
Stick concealer: This is another popular option at the drugstore. Stick concealers have a semi-solid texture and usually come in a tube, like lipstick. They’re fairly thick and creamy and provide medium to full coverage. Stick concealers typically have a satin or semi-matte finish and work best for normal, dry, and mature skin. You can find some oil-free stick concealers that work well for oily and combination skin as well.
Cream concealer: This type of concealer isn’t as common at the drugstore as liquid and stick formulas, but you can find a few options. It’s similar in texture, coverage, and finish to a stick concealer, but it comes in a small pot or compact. These products work well for normal, dry, and mature skin.
Did You Know?
A good concealer can double as an eyeshadow primer. Add a few dots to your eyelid, and blend well to provide a smooth canvas for your eyeshadow.
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Features
Shade
Getting the right shade of concealer is crucial. When covering blemishes and dark spots on the face, you want a shade that matches your skin tone exactly. If you’re using concealer under your eyes, however, you can choose a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone to help brighten dark circles in that area.
Some drugstore concealers feature as few as three shades; other brands offer more than 40 shades. The more shades that are available, the easier it will be to find your ideal match.
Coverage
At the drugstore, you can find plenty of light- and medium-coverage concealers. There are also some full-coverage options if you have a great deal to cover.
Many consumers prefer a concealer with a buildable formula. With buildable makeup, you can apply a single layer for light coverage, and the concealer won’t cake up if you decide to add more layers for medium to full coverage.
Finish
Drugstore concealers come in several finishes: matte, semi-matte or satin, and dewy or radiant.
Matte concealers have a flat finish without any shine. They work well for oily and combination skin and are great for covering blemishes and dark spots on the face.
Semi-matte or satin concealers have a slight sheen that resembles natural skin. They can work well for normal, dry, and mature skin.
Dewy or radiant concealers have a visible sheen that creates a bright, glowy finish. They work well for dry and mature skin and are excellent for under the eyes.
Waterproof
Some drugstore concealers are waterproof, which means they won’t run or smear if you sweat or get caught in the rain. These concealers usually have a matte finish, so they’re ideal for oily skin. Some formulas boast longer wear times than other concealers, with a few claimed to last on the skin up to 24 hours.
Applicator
Drugstore stick concealers can be applied directly from the tube. Cream formulas require you to use a brush or finger for application. Liquid concealers have a sponge tip applicator in the cap that allows you to apply the concealer.
Some sponge tip applicators are purposefully small for precise application around the nose and under the eyes. If you have more to conceal or want to use your concealer for highlight and/or contouring, however, you may prefer a larger sponge tip applicator instead.
Cruelty-free
A portion of drugstore makeup brands avoid animal testing. If you’re concerned about using products that have been tested on animals, look for a drugstore concealer clearly labeled with the Leaping Bunny logo that certifies it as cruelty-free.
Did You Know?
A concealer that is two shades lighter than your skin tone can work as a highlighter for areas of your face you wish to emphasize.
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Accessories
Makeup brushes: You can use your fingers to blend concealer, but you may get a more flawless look if you use a makeup brush instead.
Makeup sponges: If you have dry skin, a makeup sponge is often a better option for blending in concealer and other makeup.
Loose setting powder: If you want your concealer to last all day, you need to use a loose setting powder to lock it in place.
Did You Know?
A concealer that is two shades darker than your skin tone makes an excellent contour product for your forehead, jawline, and the hollows of your cheeks.
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Drugstore concealer prices
Inexpensive
The most affordable drugstore concealers tend to be liquid formulas. They offer light coverage and may not provide more than a few hours of wear before they start to crease. Expect pay between $3 and $6 for these concealers.
Mid-range
For a little more money, you can get drugstore concealers in liquid, stick, and cream formulas with buildable light to medium coverage. These concealers typically wear for at least five or six hours without creasing or fading. Expect to pay between $6 and $10 for these concealers.
Expensive
The most expensive drugstore concealers are usually liquid, stick, and cream formulas that offer buildable to full coverage. You can also find some cream concealer palettes with multiple shades in this price range. These higher-quality formulas can wear for up to 10 hours without creasing or fading. Expect pay between $10 and $15 for these concealers.
Tips
- You can apply concealer before or after your foundation, but most people prefer to add concealer after foundation. That’s because the foundation may cover some of the dark spots and breakouts, so you don’t need as much concealer afterward.
- Use a patting or dabbing motion to blend concealer into your skin. This concentrates the coverage to cover blemishes or dark spots effectively.
- You can use clean fingers to blend in your concealer. In fact, with cream concealers, the heat from your skin can help the product blend more easily.
- Lightly dusting your concealed areas with setting powder can help prevent creasing and fading. This is especially useful if you need your concealer to last all day.
FAQ
Q. How should I prep my skin for concealer?
A. Prepare your skin just as you would for foundation. Start with a freshly washed face and apply your usual serums and moisturizer. If you plan to apply concealer under your eyes, use a hydrating eye cream, too. Next, apply a quality foundation primer. The reason for primer: whether you plan to apply concealer before or after foundation, you want to make sure the makeup has a good base, so it applies more evenly.
Q. Can I wear concealer without foundation?
A. Yes, absolutely! Some people prefer a lighter makeup look, so they only apply concealer to areas that need coverage and leave the rest of the face bare. Just make sure you blend the concealer in well for a seamless look.
Q. Does concealer expire?
A. Like foundation and other liquid and cream makeup products, concealers have a limited shelf life. In most cases, they should be used within 12 to 18 months of purchase. If you notice your concealer starting to separate or developing a strange smell, stop using it even if you haven’t had it for a full year.
