Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brands and editorsSave this storySave this story
Let’s get one thing out of the way: You don’t need to conceal anything. The best concealers aren’t here to convince you otherwise. Dark circles happen, acne pops up, and dark spots can even appear despite diligent sunscreen use. But we also get those days when you simply want your complexion to look a little more even—and there’s nothing wrong with that, either.
Today’s concealers have come a long way from the thick, cakey cover-ups you may remember from your first makeup bag. Many are packed with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, caffeine, peptides, and antioxidants, so coverage feels more like an extension of your skin-care routine than an extra layer sitting on top. Ahead, we tapped makeup artists and put plenty of formulas to the test to find the ones that cover what you want—and let everything else still look like you.
Our Top Concealers
- Best Overall: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Concealer, $42
- Best Full-Coverage: Nars Soft Matte Concealer, $36
- Best for Combination Skin: Tower 28 Swipe All-Over Hydrating Serum Concealer, $24
- Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer, $8
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- How do I choose the right concealer shade?
- What makes a concealer move well with the skin?
- What concealer looks best on mature skin?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Concealer
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Armani Beauty
Luminous Silk Concealer
Nordstrom
Sephora
Allure senior director of commerce audience & analytics Lexi Herrick applying the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Concealer
Lexi Herrick
Why we love it: Some beauty products need a little time to earn their icon status, but Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Concealer was an instant hit: When it launched in 2020, it immediately won an Allure Best of Beauty Award—and then did it again in 2025. (Yes, it’s that good.) With caffeine, vitamin E, and glycerin to hydrate and brighten, the formula delivers buildable coverage with the second-skin finish that made the Luminous Silk line famous. “This concealer truly melts into the skin thanks to its serum-like texture,” says Ngozi Olandu Young, a makeup artist based in Baltimore. “It layers beautifully without ever looking heavy or creating that crepey, mask-like effect, especially under the eyes.” Build it up when redness, dark circles, or blemishes need extra attention, or keep things sheer when you want to keep skin more breathable. Its “radiant satin finish creates a rested, lifted look by softly reflecting light,” says Young, all while wearing throughout the day without creasing or separating.
Herrick before applying the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Concealer
Lexi Herrick
Herrick after applying the Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Concealer
Lexi Herrick
Tester feedback from senior director of commerce audience & analytics Lexi Herrick
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"This concealer has quickly become a staple in my routine. It's the perfect amount of coverage for addressing some of my problem areas, including breakouts and acne scars. A little really goes a long way, and the felt tip application makes application a breeze. The shade range is also impressive, and it holds up great throughout the day." —Lexi Herrick, senior director of commerce audience & analytics
More to know
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- Key ingredients: vitamin E, caffeine, glycerin
- Shades: 25
- Coverage: medium/buildable
- Finish: natural
Best Full-Coverage: Nars Soft Matte Concealer
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Nars
Soft Matte Concealer
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Allure social media manager Bianca Richards applying the Nars Soft Matte Concealer
Bianca Richards
Why we love it: Purple-toned dark circles can be especially hard to hide, which is where the Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer’s full-coverage formula comes in. Think of it as the more matte, concentrated cousin of the beloved Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (an editor-favorite formula that won a 2024 Readers' Choice Award). The creamy pot formula uses light-diffusing powders to blur the look of discoloration and uneven texture, while its soft-focus finish keeps the undereye area from looking overly shiny. And despite the word “matte” in its name, it’s designed to stay flexible rather than dry or cakey, with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamins A, C, and E helping to condition and smooth skin. Even better for undereyes, the waterproof, sweat- and humidity-resistant formula ”holds where you place it without creasing,” says Renée Loiz, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles. “The full coverage means I use this sparingly and strategically.”
Richards before applying the Nars Soft Matte Concealer
Bianca Richards
Richards after applying the Nars Soft Matte Concealer
Bianca Richards
Tester feedback from social media manager Bianca Richards
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"This Nars concealer was the very first product I tested as a beauty intern back in 2016, and I haven't looked back since. It's the first product I use in my makeup routine because it creates such a flawless, even canvas, especially for my undereyes, where I experience some discoloration due to lack of hydration, sleep, etc. It instantly makes me look awake, and though it's the only matte concealer that doesn't dry out my skin due to its blendable formula." —Bianca Richards, social media manager
More to know
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- Key ingredients: peptides, hyaluronic acid, vitamin A, C, and E
- Shades: 30
- Coverage: full
- Finish: matte
Best for Acne: Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Complexion Perfector
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Laura Mercier
Secret Camouflage Complexion Perfector
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Complexion Perfector
Deanna Pai
Why we love it: Here’s the thing about blemishes: They don’t always show up in exactly the same shade. One spot might be angry and red, while another has faded into a darker post-breakout mark, which is where Laura Mercier’s Secret Camouflage Complexion Perfector gets clever. Each compact comes with a base shade plus two adjusters: Mix in the cooler shade when your match is looking too light, or the warmer shade when it’s looking too dark, letting you customize your coverage from blemish to blemish—or as your skin tone changes throughout the year. The full-coverage formula sets to a natural matte finish and promises up to 16 hours of waterproof, sweat-, crease-, and transfer-resistant wear, so spots stay undercover. Vitamin C, vitamin E, and chamomile extract round things out with antioxidant and soothing benefits, particularly welcome when you’re concealing breakout-prone skin.
Pai before applying the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Complexion Perfector
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Complexion Perfector
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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"I've been using this concealer since high school, and it has worked wonders in concealing breakouts and dark spots alike. The original version had two shades to mix, but I'm loving the addition of a third, which gives me more flexibility to make a good color match. The creamy texture makes it easy to pick up and dab with my (clean!) fingers, and all I have to do is press it onto spots to conceal them." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: blend of emollients, vitamin C, vitamin E, chamomile extract
- Shades: 8
- Coverage: full
- Finish: matte
Best for Combination Skin: Tower 28 Swipe All-Over Hydrating Serum Concealer
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Tower 28
Swipe All-Over Hydrating Serum Concealer
Amazon
Sephora
Revolve
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Tower 28 Swipe All-Over Hydrating Serum Concealer
Sarah Han
Why we love it: Combination skin likes to keep you guessing: Your T-zone might be shiny and your undereyes could be dry, so your concealer has to make peace with both. Tower 28’s Swipe All-Over Hydrating Serum Concealer is up to the task, pairing a featherlight, serum-like texture with buildable coverage. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid pull moisture into skin without the richness of heavy oils or butters, while Centella asiatica (a.k.a. cica), green tea, and vitamin E soothe and condition, which is especially nice when you’re covering an angry breakout. “This is one of my favorites because it’s super lightweight and hydrating while still being long-wearing,” Los Angeles-based makeup artist Ash K Holm previously told Allure. Swipe it over blemishes and redness or tap it beneath your eyes; either way, it leaves behind fresh, natural-looking coverage that plays nicely with both the oily and dry parts of your face.
Han before applying the Tower 28 Swipe All-Over Hydrating Serum Concealer
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Tower 28 Swipe All-Over Hydrating Serum Concealer
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“Tower 28's Swipe Serum is my absolute ride-or-die concealer. I've been using it since it launched in 2023, and it comes with me on every trip. (The highest honor!) I love a skin-care-infused makeup product, and this creamy formula blends in like a dream with a sponge and has never pilled on me even once! This isn't necessary by any means, but I sometimes use two shades: DTLA (my main shade and what I often use alone) under my eyes, on my forehead and chin, and on my cheeks and nose. I tend to have more discoloration in the center of my face, so I like a deeper shade in those areas, whereas DTLA is great for brightening and adding subtler coverage to areas that don't need as much. I always blend out my undereyes and T-zone first, while I let the formula sit for a minute and really meld into especially redness-prone areas (around my nose) and stubborn dark spots (on my nose—one of my worst skin habits is that I'm a stress-picker!). The finish is just perfectly radiant and covers everything I want to, while still looking like skin. It's also reasonably priced at $24 and one of the best-valued concealers you'll find at Sephora—trust. (My second-fave concealer, also available there, is almost $60. Eek!)” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hyaluronic acid, lysine, caffeine, cica, glycerin
- Shades: 28
- Coverage: medium/buildable
- Finish: natural
Best for Dark Spots: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
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Tarte
Shape Tape Concealer
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Allure editorial assistant Jennet Jusu applying the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
Jennet Jusu
Why we love it: The repeat Readers' Choice Award winner earned its holy-grail status in part because a little goes a very long way: Its full-coverage pigment can camouflage stubborn dark spots, post-acne marks, and other discoloration without requiring layer after layer of product. Licorice root adds a skin-care bonus, as the botanical is commonly used in brightening formulas to improve the look of hyperpigmentation, while shea and mango butters and olive oil give the formula enough slip to keep all that coverage from looking dry or cakey. Once set, it dries down to a natural matte finish that keeps dark spots from peeking back through. “I also love Shape Tape because I know once it’s set, it’s not going anywhere,” Los Angeles-based makeup artist Alondra Excene previously told Allure.
Jusu before applying the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
Jennet Jusu
Jusu after applying the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
Jennet Jusu
Tester feedback from editorial assistant Jennet Jusu
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“I use Tarte’s Shape Tape Radiant Concealer in 47H (Tan-Deep Honey) to brighten under my eyes, and the Shape Tape Contour Concealer in 53H (Deep Honey) to cover hyperpigmentation while subtly contouring for an everyday glow. A little goes a long way, and paired with a touch of blush, it pulls the whole look together effortlessly.” —Jennet Jusu, editorial assistant
More to know
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- Key ingredients: mango seed, shea butter, licorice root, shea butter
- Shades: 50
- Coverage: medium/buildable
- Finish: natural matte
Best Longwear: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place 24-Hour Concealer
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Estée Lauder
Double Wear Stay-in-Place 24-Hour Concealer
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel applying the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place 24-Hour Concealer
Jessica Cruel
Why we love it: According to our editor in chief, Estée Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-in-Place 24-Hour Concealer has held up through live TV filming, in-office meetings, and dinner events—all in the same day—so, yes, it’s built for the long haul. The Best of Beauty-winning formula uses oil-absorbing silica to keep shine at bay, while film-forming ingredients like flexible silicones create a lightweight layer that grips skin and moves with it, preventing coverage from cracking, creasing, or sliding around. Despite all that staying power, glycerin and hyaluronic acid keep the full-coverage formula from feeling dry, while caffeine gives tired undereyes a brightening, de-puffing assist. Even the wand applicator is an overachiever, with three distinct edges designed for everything from precise spot-concealing to highlighting and contouring.
Cruel before applying the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place 24-Hour Concealer
Jessica Cruel
Cruel after applying the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place 24-Hour Concealer
Jessica Cruel
Tester feedback from editor in chief Jessica Cruel
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“I am a big Double Wear foundation fan, so when this concealer came across my desk, it was a must-try. It is a bit thicker than your average concealer—something the Double Wear formula is known for. What I like is that one swipe erases the panda pads under my eyes. Because it is already full-coverage, I like to use my fingers to blend the formula naturally. That way it's not too cakey or splotchy. I often just use this concealer instead of foundation. This product has a 24-hour claim, but I have never put it to that long of a test. The farthest I have gotten is a marathon day of live TV filming, in-office meetings, and dinner events. It stood up through all of that, which is what a busy woman needs.” —Jessica Cruel, editor in chief
More to know
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- Key ingredients: micro silica spheres, sodium hyaluronate, caffeine
- Shades: 30
- Coverage: medium/buildable
- Finish: natural
Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer
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E.L.F. Cosmetics
16 HR Camo Concealer
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen applying the e.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer
Sarah Kinonen
Why we love it: “Creamy, concealing, and consistent”—according to our tester, those are the only three C’s you need to remember when it comes to e.l.f. Cosmetics’ 16HR Camo Concealer. The budget-friendly formula offers full coverage and a matte finish that stays put for up to 16 hours. Film-forming polymers keep pigment in place, while oil-absorbing silica and kaolin tamp down excess shine, which is especially handy for oily skin and blemishes that you want to keep undercover all day. Boron nitride gives the formula its silky slip and creates a blurring effect, while avocado oil adds conditioning moisture so a matte doesn’t look like skin is parched. Not bad for a drugstore concealer that costs less than a venti Starbucks.
Kinonen before applying the e.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer
Sarah Kinonen
Kinonen after applying the e.l.f. Cosmetics 16HR Camo Concealer
Sarah Kinonen
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
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"Creamy, concealing, and consistent is how I’d describe e.l.f’s 16 HR Camo Concealer. A little bit goes a long way with this stuff, so I usually only need a dot or two on my dark, puffy undereyes to truly cover any evidence of getting less than six hours of sleep (when the enemies finally become lovers, how do you expect me not to stay up and keep reading?!). And once it’s blended, it doesn’t budge. It comes in so many shades (20!)—I use Light Ivory—and is only $8; you can’t beat it!" —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: silica, boron nitride, avocado oil
- Shades: 24
- Coverage: full
- Finish: matte
Best for Melasma: Lancôme Teint Idôle Ultra Wear All Over Concealer
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Lancôme
Teint Idôle Ultra Wear All Over Concealer
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Lancôme Teint Idôle Ultra Wear All Over Concealer
Christa Joanna Lee
Why we love it: Melasma can be particularly tricky to conceal: It often covers larger patches of skin than your average dark spot or blemish, so piling on an opaque formula can quickly look cakey with the wrong formula. Lancôme’s Teint Idôle Ultra Wear All Over Concealer offers buildable, natural-looking coverage that can camouflage melasma, sunspots, and other hyperpigmentation without masking your skin entirely. “This concealer is long-lasting yet hydrating, thanks to moringa seed and rose extract,” says Paris-based makeup artist Kelly McClain. Better yet, you won’t have to worry if your concealer is melting off as the day goes on: “It’s crease-resistant and impressively long-wearing, yet still feels completely weightless,” says Carl Ray, a makeup artist based in Washington, D.C. The brand claims up to 24 hours of wear—and while we’d certainly recommend double-cleansing well before you hit that mark, it’s nice to know your coverage can clock some serious overtime when you need it to.
Lee before applying the Lancôme Teint Idôle Ultra Wear All Over Concealer
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after applying the Lancôme Teint Idôle Ultra Wear All Over Concealer
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“I had high hopes for this concealer since the foundation version topped our list of best full-coverage foundations—and it did not disappoint. During the winter, I use prescription tretinoin to fade melasma, but since it leaves my skin more sun-sensitive, I rely on concealer for a smooth, even-toned finish the rest of the year. It offers full coverage, but it's so breathable and skin-like that I can forget I’m even wearing makeup with this on." —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: glycerin, water lily extract, moringa seed extract
- Shades: 24
- Coverage: full
- Finish: natural matte
Best for Mature Skin: Kosas Revealer Concealer
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Kosas
Revealer Concealer
Nordstrom
Sephora
Allure tester applying the Kosas Revealer Concealer
Allure
Why we love it: Kosas Revealer Concealer is pretty much eye cream dressed up as makeup—and mature skin gets the best of both worlds. The super-creamy formula pairs medium, buildable coverage with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to draw in moisture, squalane and panthenol to keep skin soft, and peptides to smooth the look of fine lines. Caffeine also gives tired undereyes a brightening, de-puffing assist. Instead of drying down flat or cakey (and calling extra attention to every little crease), “the super creamy texture is incredibly hydrating, but once it sets, it stays,” Tomy Rivero, a makeup artist based in New York City and Los Angeles, previously told Allure. Plus, with 38 shades (plus brightening, color-correcting versions), “the full range of skin tones covers everyone,” says Rivero.
Allure tester before applying the Kosas Revealer Concealer
Allure
Allure tester after applying the Kosas Revealer Concealer
Allure
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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"This is like the Swiss Army Knife of concealers for me. I use the flat sponge to deposit just a few dabs of concealer beneath my eyes or the more precise tip to spot-cover redness around my nose. I've also found that it blends in seamlessly with my fingers—no brushes needed, which is always a plus." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: caffeine, pink algae, hyaluronic acid, arnica, peptides
- Shades: 38
- Coverage: medium
- Finish: radiant
Best for Undereyes: Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Concealer
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Haus Labs
Triclone Skin Tech Concealer
Sephora
Lee applying the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Concealer
Christa Joanna Lee
Why it's worth it: It doesn’t just win for shade range (51 shades—the most of any pick on our list); Haus Labs’ Triclone Skin Tech Foundation also marries makeup and skin care. It offers breathable, buildable coverage and highlights the brand’s patent-pending fermented arnica, which calms redness and reduces puffiness while supporting a more even-looking complexion. “This Haus Labs concealer is one of my most-used concealers because it moves with your face,” says Loiz. “It evens tone without masking expression and wears beautifully over time.” The formula is flexible with a skin-like finish, “which is critical as skin texture changes—it never looks stiff or over-applied,” Loiz says.
Lee before applying the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Concealer
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after applying the Haus Labs Triclone Skin Tech Concealer
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from Lee
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“Lately, I’ve been noticing that the more pigmented the concealer's formula, the more it seems to show off every little fine line under my eyes. This one has the nicest creamy, second-skin consistency, but it’s also very pigmented, so I only need the tiniest amount to get the coverage I want. That means I’m not piling on layers under my eyes only to have them settle into creases later. I also love using whatever’s left on my finger or brush to tap over patches of melasma—it covers them well without making my skin look like it’s wearing a ton of makeup.” —Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: fermented arnica, BioFerment 7 Complex (fermented green tea, marine algae, squalane), IntelliZen 7 Complex (chamomile, licorice root, dandelion, tiger grass)
- Shades: 51
- Coverage: medium/buildable
- Finish: natural
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right concealer shade?
For the most natural-looking coverage, choose a concealer that closely matches your skin tone and undertone, especially when covering blemishes, redness, or dark spots. And remember: Your perfect match may change with the seasons. “People run into difficulty when blending and shade-matching, especially when they rely on one shade year-round,” New York City-based makeup artist Tommy Napoli previously told Allure. “We know this is trouble because we are not the same shade in summer as we are in winter.”
If your usual concealer suddenly looks too light or dark, consider when you bought it—you may need a different shade as your skin tone changes throughout the year. For undereyes, you can also go about one shade lighter than your current skin tone for a subtle brightening effect.
What makes a concealer move well with the skin?
Concealers that move with the skin tend to have emollient, moisturizing ingredients that keep the formula flexible rather than letting it dry down into a stiff layer. “Hydrating, rich ingredients like jojoba oil, vitamin E, and petrolatum will allow the concealer to move naturally with the skin,” says Michelle Radow, a makeup artist based in Beverly Hills. That flexibility can be especially helpful around expressive areas like the undereyes, where a drier formula may be more likely to emphasize fine lines or look cakey as you smile, squint, and talk throughout the day.
What concealer looks best on mature skin?
Concealers with hydrating, natural-looking finishes tend to be especially flattering on mature skin because “they create reflection and bounce to the skin and can create the illusion of smoother skin,” says Radow. On the flip side, she notes that very matte finishes can make skin appear drier and duller, potentially drawing more attention to fine lines, pigmentation, and loss of elasticity.
Meet the experts
- Ash K Holm, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles
- Renée Loiz, a makeup artist and founder of Color May Vary based in Los Angeles
- Kelly McClain, a makeup artist based in Paris
- Tommy Napoli, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Michelle Radow, a makeup artist based in Beverly Hills
- Carl Ray, a makeup artist based in Washington, D.C.
- Tomy Rivero, a makeup artist based in New York City and Los Angeles
- Ngozi Olandu Young, a makeup artist based in Baltimore
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best concealers, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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