These are the very best concealers for dark skin - and we know because we’ve tried them
The power of a good concealer is unmatched. They often come in the form of a wand, and for good reason because just like magic, they can transform you from 'I haven't slept in seven weeks look' to 'I've been drinking from the fountain of youth' with not an eyebag in sight - all in a matter of seconds.
Concealer is a lifeline for a lot of women out there. It's one of those staple makeup products - a proper desert island item. However, not all concealers are made equal, and for dark skin women, shopping can feel like a real headache. In fact, an independent research commissioned by Superdrug revealed that two thirds (70%) of black and Asian women feel the high street does not cater for their beauty needs.

Finding a concealer that perfectly matches your skin hues and undertone is a task that's made difficult by brands offering up limited shade ranges or muddling deeper undertones with ashy pigments that make you look casket ready... those are not Black girl friendly.
When you get it right though – that's where the magic happens. The explosion of ultra considered and trustworthy brands like Fenty Beauty, Pat McGrath Labs and Uoma, covering stick, liquid and powder formulas offered up more choice to add to historical favourites like Nars, MAC Cosmeticsand Estée Lauder who have truly stood the test of time.
But we asked Adeola Gboyega, Pat McGrath Lab's UK Education and Artistry Manager, to share her tips to getting your shade and coverage bang on.
What to look for
"When choosing a concealer, it is important to decipher first how and where you are going to use it," says Adeola. "For example, if you are using it under the eyes, be sure to go with a shade that gives you just enough brightness to counteract darkness. I suggest going two shades lighter than your foundation shade. Anything brighter than that can cause a makeup mishap of drawing attention to the under eyes in the wrong way."
The formula you choose is equally important to ensure it matches with your skin type. "Choose formulas that complement your skin and its concerns. So, if you tend to have drier skin, especially around the eyes, then choose a hydrating formula to provide hydration and lessen the risk of the concealer creating texture," recommends Adeola. "If you tend to have oilier skin, use a formula that is longer lasting and provides a matte finish."
As for spots or blemishes, or general face coverage, "choose a concealer shade that matches your foundation perfectly," Adeola says. "When it comes to concealing the face and spots it is not about drawing attention to that area with a brighter shade but rather a shade that matches your skin tone perfectly, to ensure that you can successfully camouflage the area and blends in."
How to find your undertone
"Your undertone can be identified in a few ways. The jewellery you wear can help. For example if you wear a lot of gold jewellery you would most likely have a warm undertone. Whereas if you wear a lot of silver jewellery then you more than likely have a cool undertone but this is subject to jewellery preference too so isn’t always accurate," says Adeola.
"You can also look at veins in your wrist too, if your veins are blue then you have a cool undertone. Whereas if you see green in your veins then you have a warm undertone. If you see a mixture of both blue and green, then you have a neutral undertone," she adds.
"Choose the shade that you think will work for you and swatch in the intend area in natural day light. If you want to use a concealer for corrective purposes, then I would suggest a peach tone concealer to correct any brown areas of discolouration or a pink toned/bisque concealer for any blue or purple areas of discolouration. Then I would apply a skin tone correct concealer on top to ensure it all blends in," she says.

How to apply
As with everything, moderation is key. "I believe that less is more," says Adeola. "If you apply too much concealer you can end drawing attention to the area that your trying to hide. It’s always best to start with a light layer and build up where necessary."
In terms of the best order to apply, "I tend to apply my foundation first and then go in with concealer afterwards, so you avoid the mistake of over-applying," she says.
"You can use whatever tool you prefer but my experience is that fingers will give you a sheer application whereas brushes and sponges tend to achieve a more buildable application that is targeted," Adeola explains.
Finally, "if you are applying concealer to a blemish or spot," says Adeola, "then I would suggest using a clean brush or sponge that is specific to that area to avoid spreading bacteria."
We have round-up some of our absolute favourite concealers to make the task at hand a bit easier for you. No matter what your shade, undertone, formula or budget, you are bound to find the perfect one. Don’t worry sis, we got you!























