The best self-setting concealers are the secret to crease-proof under-eye coverage. In how it differs from your average concealer, the name offers a hint. “Traditional concealers usually stay creamy, which means they require powder to prevent creasing,” Lauren D’Amelio Ventre tells Vogue. “On the other hand, self-setting textures use breathable film-formers and lightweight ingredients that evaporate after blending, leaving behind a smooth, crease-resistant finish.” By not having to layer concealer and setting powder together, you’re left with a lighter feel on skin and less chance of slippage or creasing—so dark circles and crow’s feet won’t be making any surprise reappearances.
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The best self-setting concealers are the secret to crease-proof under-eye coverage. In how it differs from your average concealer, the name offers a hint. “Traditional concealers usually stay creamy, which means they require powder to prevent creasing,” Lauren D’Amelio Ventre tells Vogue. “On the other hand, self-setting textures use breathable film-formers and lightweight ingredients that evaporate after blending, leaving behind a smooth, crease-resistant finish.” By not having to layer concealer and setting powder together, you’re left with a lighter feel on skin and less chance of slippage or creasing—so dark circles and crow’s feet won’t be making any surprise reappearances.
Vogue’s Favorite Self-Setting Concealers
Best Clean Beauty
Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Concealer
Best Drugstore
Maybelline Superstay Concealer
Best Natural Finish
Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
From hot climates and special events to mature skin that’s prone to caking or oily skin that tends to break down makeup by day’s end, there are more occasions than you might expect which warrant this two-in-one formula. “Self-setting concealers save time in a makeup routine by eliminating the need for powder, drying down quickly, and reducing creasing,” fellow pro makeup artist Brielle Pollara tells. “They give a natural, long-lasting finish, which is perfect for under eyes or areas prone to movement.”
There is, however, a certain knack to applying a self-setting concealer. For starters, prep is essential—those with dry skin will want to use a hydrating eye cream to keep the formula from clinging to rough patches. “The key is intention and speed,” says D’Amelio Ventre, who prefers to use a self-setting concealer after foundation and before blush. It’s best to take a less-is-more approach: a small dab on the inner and outer corners of the eye rather than coating the entire under-eye area. Pollara agrees, offering a few more tips: “Apply a small amount with a brush or fingertip and blend quickly before it sets,” she says. “Work in thin layers for buildable coverage without disturbing the formula.” Ahead, the self-setting concealers beloved by Vogue editors and makeup artists alike. Read on to discover our favorites.
In This Story
Best Overall: Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Brightening Concealer
Westman Atelier
Vital Skincare Concealer
- Why We Love It: Gucci Westman has mastered the self-setting game with the launch of her Vital Skincare concealer, which beautifully blurs the look of pores and wrinkles via soft-focus pigments. “I am always concerned about pores and I know that [texture] is more of a concern for mature skin,” she previously told Vogue. So, she created something with skincare-first properties so that “skin still feels alive without feeling like it’s being masked.” D’Amelio Ventre also cosigns the formula, because it keeps skin looking natural, while still boasting medium coverage. “This formula is a dream on clients with normal to dry skin, especially those who are nervous about looking heavy or cakey in photos. It melts in seamlessly and gives a healthy look that translates well in daylight and flash photography,” she says. Its also great for no-makeup-makeup look thanks to its blurred yet natural-looking finish.
- Key Ingredients: Mini hyaluronic acid, peptides, Vital Wakeup Complex (gentian root, coffee leaf extract, and licorice root)
- Finish: Blurred
- Coverage: Medium
- Shades: 16
- Size: 0.20 oz / 6 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Entirely clean formula | Pricier than other concealers on this list |
| Skincare-makeup hybrid |
Best Full Coverage: Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Concealer
Pat McGrath Labs
Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection Concealer
- Why We Love It: Pat McGrath Labs’s concealer is the ultimate full-coverage, long-wearing formula. “If I need iron-clad performance for a red carpet, press junket, or a bride with oily skin, this is the concealer I reach for,” says D’Amelio Ventre. “It is one of the truest full-coverage self-setting formulas on the market.” She particularly loves how the formula instantly brightens dark circles and dries down to a filtered finish that’s sweat-proof for all-day wear. It’s also great for those with textured under-eyes, as the addition of dimethicone helps create a smoother appearance.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, dimethicone, silica, raspberry leaf extract
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Full
- Shades: 36
- Formulation: Cream
- Size: 0.16 fl oz /4.7 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Extremely long-wearing and brightening formula | Might be a bit drying for those with dehydrated or patchy skin |
| Sweat-proof, tear-proof, and smoothing | |
| Wide shade range for different undertones and skin tones |
Best Drugstore: Maybelline Superstay Concealer
Maybelline
Superstay Concealer
- Why We Love It: On a budget but still want long-lasting results? This drugstore under-eye concealer punches above its price point. Whether it’s dark circles before an early commute or redness that needs veiling before a night out, this concealer steps in with high-pigment and skin-like coverage that stays in place—even through a long day or late night. It dries down to a natural matte finish without creasing or feeling cakey, so you can skip frequent touch-ups and still look polished.
- Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, iron oxides, tocopherol, glycerin
- Finish: Soft matte
- Coverage: Full
- Shades: 16
- Size: 0.33 fl oz / about 9.7 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Affordable price point | Limited shade range won’t suit deeper skin tones |
| Long-wearing formula |
Best Natural Finish: Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer
Hourglass
Vanish Airbrush Concealer
- Why We Love It: One of the more versatile coverage options, Hourglass Cosmetics’s self-setting concealer works equally well for everyday makeup or a night out with full glam. Take Gracie Abrams and Julianne Moore as inspo. Here, microspherical powders help diffuse the look of skin for a subtly airbrushed finish while also preventing creasing. “This formula gives the most weightless, soft-focus finish while still delivering serious coverage,” says D’Amelio Ventre, who notes that it also holds up under flash photography and bright lights (whether for a special occasion or an editorial shoot). “It has a matte-but-not-flat finish.”
- Key Ingredients: Centella asiatica extract, licorice root extract, rosemary leaf extract
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium-to-full
- Shades: 22
- Size: 0.2 oz / 6 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Long-lasting and waterproof | Some find this gets cakey with re-application—so apply sparingly. |
| Blurs under-eye circles and imperfections |
Best Color Correcting: Make Up For Ever HD Skin Smooth & Blur
Make Up For Ever
Skin Smooth & Blur Concealer
- Why We Love It: Make Up For Ever’s feather-light gel-cream texture melts into skin and layers so seamlessly for a never-cakey finish. The secret is in its moisturizing compositoin, which blends a trio of jojoba seed oil, hyaluronic acid, and snow-mushroom extract to keep dryness at bay. Meanwhile, coated pigments help color-correct while they conceal. This combination gives the under-eye area a smooth, softly-blurred look that stays fresh throughout the day. Even after hours of wear, it maintains a skin-like finish that resists settling into fine lines.
- Key Ingredients: Jojoba seed oil, hyaluronic acid, snow mushroom extract, dimethicone
- Finish: Semi-matte
- Coverage: Medium, buildable
- Shades: 32
- Size: 0.17 oz / 5 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Inclusive shade range with color correcting options | Some find it requires a couple of layers for adequate coverage |
| Creamy, buildable formula |
Best Blurring: Makeup By Mario SurrealSkin Awakening Concealer
Makeup By Mario
SurrealSkin Awakening Concealer
- Why We Love It: Once makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic’s most-requested product, his SurrealSkin Awakening Concealer is still a fan-favorite two years after its debut. Loved for its creamy texture, infused with caffeine and fermented marine microorganisms which helps the look of puffiness and dark circles—what makes it standout is its blurring, almost mattifying effect. “It sets, it blurs, it has caffeine, it lifts the complexion, it’s self-setting so you don’t even need powder,” he previously explained of the formula over TikTok. “Just press it in to blend it.” Vogue’s Kiana Murden once called it a concealer-meets-powder—even Salma Hayek swears by it.
- Editor’s Experience: “Though it boasts multi-use benefits, this concealer just feels simple. It’s one of those formulas that I know I can trust no matter the beauty look I’m after. From camera-ready glam to go-to officewear, its creamy, blurring finish will bring life to my complexion.” —Kiana Murden, beauty editor, shopping
- Key Ingredients: Caffeine, fermented marine microorganisms
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium, buildable
- Shades: 26
- Size: 0.2 oz / 5.8 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Shade range is balanced across fair to deep skin tones | Can be drying on dehydrated skin types |
| Enriched with depuffing and brightening ingredients |
Best Hydrating: Kulfi Main Match Concealer
Kulfi
Main Match Concealer
- Why We Love It: Another hydrating concealer, indie brand Kulfi Beauty packs a plethora of botanic extracts into one tiny bottle, while keeping it lightweight. “This formula is perfect for everyday wear or minimal makeup looks, providing just enough coverage to even out skin tone without looking heavy,” says Pollara. “The radiant finish is smooth and soft, making it comfortable for long days while still giving a polished, effortless look.” Plus, the blendable formula easily masks dark spots and pimples, just as well as it covers under eye circles.
- Key Ingredients: Amla fruit extract, saffron flower extract, rosehip extract, licorice root extract, silica, tocopherol
- Finish: Radiant
- Coverage: Medium, buildable
- Shades: 23
- Size: 0.17 Oz./5 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Vegan and cruelty-free | Some with oily skin still noticed minor under eye creasing |
| Lightweight and hydrating formula |
Best Airbrushed Finish: Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Luminous Matte Concealer
Huda Beauty
- Why We Love It: Huda Beauty founder Huda Kattan’s bright, airbrushed under eye is integral to her full glam, thanks in large part to #FauxFilter. “This is a full-coverage concealer that still feels skin-like and luminous. It blends easily, provides long-lasting wear, and resists creasing, making it ideal for under eyes, blemishes, or evening out skin tone,” says Pollara. “It’s perfect for events, photoshoots, or long days, because it gives that flawless, airbrushed finish without feeling heavy.”
- Key Ingredients: Talc, dimethicone, tocopherol, sweet almond oil
- Finish: Matte
- Coverage: Full
- Shades: 29
- Size: 9ml
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| No filter necessary—this gives an airbrushed finish | Not talc-free |
| Long-wearing, waterproof, and vegan |
Everything You Need to Know
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity makeup artists—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to self-setting concealers, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, application, packaging, finish, coverage, and how the formula wears throughout the day. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet The Experts
- Lauren D’Amelio Ventre is a celebrity makeup artist, beauty educator, and founder of The Art of Enhancement, D’Amelio Cosmetics, and La Ve Da Beauty.
- Brielle Pollara is a professional makeup artist and licensed esthetician based between New York and New Jersey.