Bargain vs Bougie: A Beauty Writer Reviews the Best Concealers for Dark Circles in NZ
Sadaf Razi is Adore Beauty's Senior Beauty Editor.
She's a former fashion editor (who worked at various glossy mags) and stylist-turned digital beauty and lifestyle writer. She has been in the lifestyle/media industry for over 10 years and her work has also been featured on international covers like Elle France and Vanity Fair Mexico.
Some of her fave Adore Beauty products include Cicaplast B5, CeraVe Cleansing Oil and Lancôme Renergie Triple Serum.
Key Takeaways
- Concealer is essential in my everyday makeup routine, especially for covering dark circles that often make me look fatigued.
- Diverse circle hues require tailored approaches, such as using colour correctors to neutralise dark circles before applying concealer.
- Full-coverage concealers are vital for those with dark circles; my reviews outline their effectiveness and key features that I personally value.
- Product performance varies, with some concealers offering better staying power and coverage than others; testing is crucial to find the right match for your needs.
- Hybrid formulas shine in both skincare and makeup benefits, as seen in products that include hydrating ingredients to nourish the under-eye area.
- Application technique matters, with suggestions to start small and build up coverage while avoiding excess rubbing to prevent irritation.
- Confidence through coverage has been a transformative experience for me; embracing these products has made me feel more secure in my skin.
If I had to pick the MVP of my everyday makeup routine, it would be concealer.
I have very visible dark under eye circles, so a full-coverage concealer is truly my saving grace.
In fact, there’s nothing I’ve searched high and low for more than ‘the best concealers for dark circles in Australia'.
And now, with so many great full-coverage concealers in Australia doing the Lord’s work in masking, camouflaging and blurring dark circles, I feel much better about embracing mine.
If you’re someone with dark circles and are on the hunt for a heavy-duty concealer, then keep scrolling to read my thoughts on five full-coverage concealers for dark circles.
Because we know Kris Jenner works hard, but these concealers in Australia work harder.
How to Find the Right Under Eye Concealer for Dark Circles in Australia.
Not all dark circles are the same, so having some guidance on how to cover dark circles is always great.
Some (like mine) have a deeper brown colour and are genetic - meaning, no eye cream or magic serum is going to erase them.
Others have more of a purplish tinge or undertone, and some are more of a hollowness under the eyes that creates a shadow.
So before I dive into reviewing five full coverage concealers for dark circles, here’s a pro tip our resident makeup artist Megan Miloshis gave us:
“The best way to brighten darkness around the under eye is to lean into colour correcting.”
"A colour corrector can be applied underneath your concealer to counteract the darkness you may be experiencing. Your concealer can then go over the top and will work to add coverage and brighten the area."
"Red based colour correctors will counteract dark circles for those with deep skin tones. Orange based colour correctors will counteract dark circles for those with medium skin tones. Peach based colour correctors will counteract dark circles for those with light skin tones.”
You can shop our range of colour correctors here (I recently tried the affordable Maybelline colour corrector which you can see here, and wow, I'm not sure how I ever did my makeup without it now) or watch my YouTube video on how I like to prep and conceal my dark circles below:
Best Full Coverage Concealers for Dark Circles.
Because my brownish hue circles are quite noticeable and darker than the rest of my face, they can often make me look fatigued if I don't lay down a concealer first.
Here are the main features I look for in a concealer for dark circles:
- Heavy and full coverage.
- Brightens under eye area - brightening concealers can instantly awaken eyes and face.
- Staying power - can this concealer last all day?
- Creasage factor - concealer creasing is unavoidable, but I’m looking for a concealer that doesn't settle into my creases too much or look cakey.
OK, let's get into my reviews of concealers for dark circles.
1. e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer, $14
Fast facts:
- Full coverage and designed to effectively disguise dark circles, blemishes, and uneven skin tone.
- Comes in 10 different shades.
- Contains skin-loving ingredients such as rosehip oil and hyaluronic acid.
- Made with a large, doe-foot applicator to allow for a smooth and seamless application process.
- Has a creamy texture and is vegan and cruelty-free.
My e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Camo Concealer review:
For $14, which was less than what my lunch cost today, I didn’t expect much from this concealer.
I had my doubts, but I was pleasantly surprised. If I had to sum up my first impression in just one word, it would be: woah. But let me elaborate…
This formula is creamy, but thick, so it may not be everyone’s everyday go-to. That said, if you’re dealing with deep, genetic dark circles (like I am) and need a super full-coverage, heavy-duty concealer to see you through a special occasion or event, this one really delivers.
It’s literally like an instant magic eraser for dark circles, the coverage is super impressive for such an affordable concealer.
Best of all, a little goes a long way with this one too, so just a tiny dab does the trick either which, in this case, means you’re actually getting serious bang for your $14 bucks. So I would say this is the best under eye concealer in the budget category.
2. Clinique Even Better All-Over Concealer + Eraser, $55.
Fast facts:
- Comes in 42 shades and I wear Toasted Wheat or Biscuit.
- A skincare and makeup hybrid that includes vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and caffeine to plump and energise under eyes.
- Has a crease, sweat and humidity-resistant formula.
- Is ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested.
- 12-hour wear for correcting and blurring dark spots and dark circles.
My Clinique Even Better All-Over Concealer + Eraser Review:
The perfect concealer for dark circles doesn’t exi- scrap that, this concealer is magic for dark circles like mine.
It was when I first discovered brightening concealers thanks to my ‘This New Concealer Is Legit an Eraser for Dark Circles Like Mine’ story.
From there, my concealer game transitioned from dull-looking to healthy and bright-looking.
This creamy concealer covers all your bases - hydrating, brightening, masking and wears so lovely on the skin.
It matches and blends into my skin tone so well that on lazy makeup days, I wear this on its own without foundation.
It never fails me. A love story for the ages.
3. IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer, $57.
Fast facts:
- Comes in an impressive 47 shades, I tried shade 32.5/Tan Amber.
- Is water-resistant, sweat-proof, humidity-proof, cruelty-free and promises 24 hour long-wear.
- Ideal for mature skin, targets age spots, redness, dark under-eyes and discolouration.
- Has skin-loving ingredients like peptides, collagen, hyaluronic acid and antioxidants to plump, smooth, nourish and protect delicate under eye area.
- 89% of testers said the product corrects the appearance of uneven skin ton, while 86% found the product corrects the look of imperfections.
My IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer review:
This top rated undereye concealer wasn’t lying when it said it comes on thick!
A little goes a long way peeps! Start with a tiny dab, warm up with your fingers - then apply.
There’s no doubt this heavy-lifting concealer with a beautiful golden undertone delivers on its full coverage promise. It brightened my under eyes with a luminous finish.
I found it to be a little too heavy for day-time use, and it requires more blending for a seamless finish.
This is perfect for those nights out when I need a full coverage concealer that won't budge.
Would I wear this concealer on a 9am Zoom meeting? Nah. But I give it 10 points for mitigating the darkest of circles like mine!
4. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer, $57
Fast facts:
- A long-wearing concealer with a hydrating, weightless formula.
- One of the best full coverage concealer options I've tried, offering medium to full coverage.
- Has a soft-focus matte finish that blurs the look of imperfections.
- Promises up to 24-hour stay-in-place coverage.
- Has a lightweight, breathable formula.
- Controls oil and shine.
- Designed with a 3D sculpting wand with a micro precision edge for targeted application, a curved side for all-over coverage, and a micro tip for small and hard to reach areas.
My Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Concealer review:
This is amazing under eye concealer! This is the one I currently have on highest rotation and would say is my current favourite.
You can read my full review of this concealer for dark circles here (and see what shade I used) but long story short: It almost erases my dark circles on initial application:
I find that because of its slightly more matte formula, I get the least amount of creasage throughout the day with this one too.
It does a brilliant job at neutralising and masking my dark circles and while the brand says it has a matte finish, the formula still brightened the under-eye area rather than making it look dull (I’ve experienced this with matte concealers before).
I also only needed ONE application for the coverage I was happy with which says a lot. This also means I won't be going through the product as fast which matters when you're spending $57.
Final Verdict...
My dark circles are something I was insecure about for a very long time, but just like textured skin, having dark circles is totally normal!
And thanks to full-coverage concealers like these in Australia, I feel a little more confident in my skin.
I’m sure I’ve only scratched the surface with these four and I’m always looking to expand my concealers for dark circles repertoire...
So shall we do a part two?
How to Use Concealer to Cover Dark Under-Eye Circles
If your dark circles are faint, you don't have to correct them first, so you can skip Step 2 below. If you have significant dark circles, though, you'll need a bit of extra help. Here's how to cover your under-eye circles in just a couple of minutes—no foundation needed:
1. Begin with an eye primer formulated for your skin type. Primer gives your makeup something to stick to and can prevent it from becoming greasy or settling into fine lines as the day wears on.
2. Apply a colour-correcting product to the area. You might need to experiment to find the right one for your needs. If your under-eye circles are reddish, then green hues work best. For blue-green circles, yellow or red will do the trick3. Dab on concealer with your fingers or a concealer brush. Blend any visible edges by dabbing or tapping, not rubbing, since excessive rubbing can irritate the delicate skin under your eyes.
P.S. You can learn EVERYTHING there is to know about concealers in this episode of the Makeup School podcast below.
Want more concealer and dark circles product recommendations in Australia? Check out these articles:
