Dark circles usually need two moves: a tiny bit of colour correction to cancel the blue/purple or brown tone, then a thin veil of concealer that brightens without caking. Below are three concealers that reliably do both on school-run mornings—plus shade tips, a 60-second routine, and pro fixes for creasing.
Quick Picks
- Best Overall (most skin types): NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer — flexible medium coverage, natural finish, great shade range.
- Best Hydrating (mature/dry under-eyes): Tarte Shape Tape Ultra Creamy — the cushier, less-dry version of Shape Tape that brightens without cracking.
- Best Budget: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser — quick roll-on, buildable brightening with a soft, skin-like finish.
Bonus helper: e.l.f. Camo Color Corrector (Peach) — one dot under concealer neutralises purple/blue tones.
We may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you.
1) NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer — Best Overall
Coverage: Medium (buildable) | Finish: Natural, softly radiant
Why it works
Thin, elastic texture that lays smoothly over fine lines, brightens without looking heavy, and resists creasing when set lightly.
How it looks on dark circles
- Cancels mild-to-moderate shadows on its own
- Layers well over a tiny dot of peach corrector for stubborn blue/purple
Application tips
- Dot the inner corner trough only (that’s where darkness lives), add a small dot under the outer corner, let sit 15 seconds, then tap in with a damp sponge or fingertip.
- Set with a whisper of micro-fine powder just where you crease.
Pros
- Huge shade range with useful undertones
- Polished, real-skin finish
Cons
- Pricey; use sparingly
2) Tarte Shape Tape Ultra Creamy — Best Hydrating / Mature Under-Eyes
Coverage: Medium-full (thin layers) | Finish: Natural to satin
Why it works
Adds the famous Shape Tape coverage but with cushion and moisture, so it doesn’t grab on dryness or emphasise texture.
How it looks
- Bright, lifted under-eye with fewer touch-ups
- Good for long days, photos, and allergy season puff
Application tips
- Use one micro-dot per eye (a lot goes a long way).
- Press in with a sponge; skip heavy baking—set with a tiny amount of powder on a small brush.
Pros
- Stays put; friendly to fine lines when used thinly
- Wide shade range
Cons
- Can look heavy if over-applied
- Original Shape Tape is drier—choose Ultra Creamy
3) Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser — Best Budget
Coverage: Light-medium | Finish: Natural
Why it works
Fast, forgiving brightener with a soft-focus look. Sponge tip keeps dosing tiny so you don’t overdo it on busy mornings.
How it looks
- Great for everyday “I slept” look
- Layerable over peach corrector when circles are deeper
Application tips
- Click a tiny amount, dot inner corner only, blend outward with fingertip.
- If you crease easily, set with a pressed blurring powder tapped on sparingly.
Pros
- Affordable, easy to find
- Looks fresh all day when applied thinly
Cons
- Lower coverage; stubborn circles need a corrector underneath
Shade & Undertone Guide (quick)
- Depth: Choose a tone close to your foundation or one half-shade lighter for the inner corner only. Going too light turns grey.
- Undertone:
- Peach/Salmon helps blue/purple.
- Yellow brightens olive/green tones.
- Neutral is safest if unsure.
- Corrector first, then concealer. Use the tiniest dot of peach only where it’s dark.
60-Second Routine (no caking)
- Eye cream (optional): A tiny dab of lightweight hydration; let it sink 2–3 minutes.
- Correct (if needed): One pin-dot of peach at the inner corner; tap to vanish.
- Conceal: Micro-dots of your concealer at inner corner and just under outer corner. Press to blend; don’t smear.
- Set smart: Tap off brush; set only where you crease (usually the fold under the pupil).
- Finish: A spritz of setting mist melts layers for a skin-like look.
Fixes for Common Problems
- Looks grey or ashy → Use a peach corrector first or pick a warmer concealer.
- Creasing → Use less product, blend, then look up and tap out lines before powder.
- Dry/crepey → Hydrating concealer (Tarte Ultra Creamy), thinner layers, and no heavy baking.
- Won’t last → Set with a micro-fine pressed powder and finish with setting spray.
Wrap-Up
Bright under-eyes come from smart colour correction + thin, elastic concealer.
- NARS Radiant Creamy is the do-it-all, polished option.
- Tarte Ultra Creamy keeps drier, mature under-eyes looking fresh.
- Maybelline Age Rewind is the speedy budget brightener.
Go tiny with product, correct only where you’re dark, and set just the crease zone—you’ll look more rested in under a minute.
FAQ
Do I need both corrector and concealer?
Not always. If circles are mild, concealer alone works. For blue/purple shadows, a pin-dot of peach under concealer makes a huge difference.
Can I use my face concealer under my eyes?
Yes if it’s hydrating and not too thick. Face concealers meant for spots can be drier—apply very thinly.
What brush or tool is best?
For speed: fingertip. For the smoothest finish: damp sponge presses product so it sits flat over texture.
How do I stop powder from aging me?
Use the smallest amount of a silky, micro-fine powder only on the crease zone—nowhere else.
See Also
- Best Eye Cream for Dark Circles — caffeine AM, retinol PM, tinted SPF for protection.
- Best Foundation for Mature Skin Over 60 — base picks that won’t emphasise texture.
- Best Foundation for Dry Skin — if concealer clings or looks patchy.
- Best Foundation for Large Pores — smoothing tricks for the centre of the face.
