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With a packed social calendar and plenty of reasons to travel this month, it’s easy to skimp on a few hours of sleep. And while that morning coffee (or two) will help get even the ultimate snooze-button enthusiasts out of bed, there’s nothing worse than showing up with a face that looks as tired as you feel. Enter the almighty concealer: a powerful tool that can erase even the darkest of dark circles and hide unwanted sun spots in a matter of seconds.
But with a myriad of choices out there, ranging in shades, textures and coverage, how then to navigate the best of the best? Here, 11 makeup artists—because, really, who better to ask for beauty advice than the experts who work with Jennifer Lopez, Gigi Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski?—open their kits and unveil their long-wearing favorites, from weightless blends to ultra-hydrating formulas that work overtime. Because when it comes to looking your best, do it the red-carpet approved way: With no bags in sight.
Mary Phillips
“I love this pigmentation level and lightweight blend-able coverage,” says Mary Phillips, who has worked with everyone from Jennifer Lopez to Chrissy Teigen. “It feels calming and soothing—not drying. It's super hydrating, which is especially great for eyes or blemishes.”
Pati Dubroff
“[This] is my go-to concealer for spots and blemishes,” says Pati Dubroff, who counts Gwyneth Paltrow and Dakota Johnson as clients. “The two tones make it easy to custom match the shade perfectly and the dry cream formula means it stays put. I use a small concealer brush and warm the formula on the back of my hand before applying.”
Hung Vanngo
“This concealer is a great choice for anyone needing full coverage,” says Hung Vanngo, who has worked with Selena Gomez, Emily Ratajkowski and Taylor Hill. “It comes in a big range of shades and it’s good for normal-to-dry skin.”
Patrick Ta
“I love to mix NARS creamy concealer with this sheer option by Becca because it covers but also gives the illusion of skin,” says makeup artist Patrick Ta, who transforms names like Alessandra Ambrosio and Olivia Munn. “I typically don't set the under eyes with much but when I do, these never crease!”
Jenn Streicher
“I use this either with a moist Beauty Blender, or my ring finger,” says Jenn Streicher, one third of the sister-team behind L.A.'s celebrity-adored salon, Striiike. “It's the perfect combination of great coverage with just enough moisture. I also love that it's a stick—very convenient.”
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Michael Ashton
“When I need to give the under eye areas a quick pick-me-up to ensure they look well rested, this is my go-to product,” says Adele’s makeup artist Michael Ashton. “It has enough pigment to conceal and brighten any darkness but [since] it is light in weight, it [disappears] like a second skin.”
Ariel Tejada
“I love how effortlessly this blends,” says Kylie Jenner’s makeup artist, Ariel Tejada, of the believably natural finish of Urban Decay's Naked formula. “It holds up to its name!”
Nam Vo
For under eyes, "my favorite thing in the universe—and I have not found anything on the market like it—is Shiseido's Future Solution foundation used as a concealer," explains makeup artist Nam Vo, who has been known to give a signature glow to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. The pro recommends applying the moisture-rich formula with a flat brush, then "roll and push it under the eyes with a Beauty Blender."
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Carola Gonzalez
"I love Le Correcteur de Chanel because the formula is light, creamy, with buildable coverage" says Carola Gonzalez, the woman behind Kerry Washington's glow. "It’s long lasting and becomes one with the skin."
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Andrea Tiller
For a drugstore solution that provides coverage and hydration, makeup artist Andrea Tiller suggests Maybelline's dark circle eraser. "I love this product because of the applicator sponge," says Tiller, who has worked with everyone from Hailey Baldwin to Olivia Palermo, "it's so soft and blends beautifully."
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Kelsey Deenihan
"When a client has more mature skin this is my go-to since the coverage is there without a drying finish," says Kelsey Deenihan, who regularly gives Jessica Chastain and Millie Bobby Brown a flawless glow. The pro reaches for It Cosmetics' formula which "is buildable with a luminous finish," she explains, "which is great [since] it catches the light and also brightens the under-eye area."
