If you want your make up to be flawless and radiant, then you need to apply concealer to cover up those spots and discolorations. Concealers work in tandem with primers and foundations, and you cannot use a concealer on its own as a form of make-up. They are meant to be applied to spot fixes rather than the whole face application. There are various concealer brands out there. Choosing the right concealer is crucial, considering the role it plays of disguising blemishes, improving your skin tone, and fading your skin imperfections. What should you consider when choosing the best cheap concealers under $20? Here is a quick guide.

Factors to Consider in Cheap Concealers

Concealers come in different textures and shades, for different skin types and so on. You need to know what’s best for you and how to apply it, for a flawless make-up appearance. Here are some factors that will help you make that decision.

Skin type

There are five skin types; normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive skin. You need to know your skin type before purchasing any concealer. If you have dry skin, go for a balm concealer. Don’t purchase a liquid concealer, as this would only make your skin look dry after some time. It will make the imperfections and spots look more conspicuous. On the other hand, don’t settle for a creamy concealer if you have oily skin. However, liquid concealer is perfect for normal, oily, combination and sensitive skin types.

Type of shade

The type of shade is very important, especially in the under-eye region. The skin under your eye tends to be darker than the rest of the areas. The goal here is to even out this area, and you need the perfect shade for the job. If your under eyes are too dark compared to the other parts of the face, you will need to go a shade or two lighter than your foundation. Sometimes, depending on what you are trying to cover up, you will be required to use more than one concealer shade to have a flawless outcome.

Texture

There are four types of concealer textures; liquid, stick, cream, and balm. Different skin types need different concealer textures, so you need to be sure of your skin type before purchasing any. With the perfect concealer texture for your skin type, you will be able to cover up all the flaws and have an easy time applying the rest of the make-up.

Coverage

The concealer needs to create a good finish that is even. Some areas need more coverage, examples are; corners of the mouth, and under the nose. A good concealer should mask off any flaws in your face. The coverage can either be light, medium, or full. If you have too much to cover or if your flaws run deep, then you need to go for full coverage concealer.

Top 10 Best Cheap Concealers 2024 (Under $20)

1. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift and Firm Concealer

Texture
It is available in an ultra-creamy texture, which makes it suitable for normal to dry skin. Oily skin will make the concealer greasy. It is also lightweight, which is an important feature for ease of application and blending with the skin.

Coverage
You only need to take a small amount of the concealer and apply it on the flawed area to get a full coverage. The Ceramide triple complex will help make the skin firm and revitalizes it. The added vitamins help nourish the skin, making it youthful and wrinkle-free. The coverage is also long-lasting thus no touch ups.

Shade
Some of the shades of this concealer like ivory make your skin complexion lighter if you have pale skin. It gives you a skin glow.

Verdict
This concealer is not sensitive to the eye, and it uses different skin care technologies like CPT and CTC. It reduces the wrinkle lines by making the skin firm.

2. L’Oréal Paris concealer

Texture
The fine texture makes it dry very fast, so it is suitable for oily skin. Don’t mix it with powder, because in doing so, it will dry up quickly and be prone to caking. It is easy to apply on the face, not to mention how easy it is to blend to get a good finish for your complexion.

Coverage
This concealer provides full coverage. Just a little application and it will cover a large area fully. However, take care not to apply too much in order to minimize the need to wipe off the excess as this could get messy very easily. It also thick and this will help it stay put for more than 24 hours, which is a good feature for the price. It conceals much of the dark eye area without exaggerating.

Shade
The concealer is available in 25 different shades,sta and they are all easy to tell apart thus easy to choose from. If your skin complexion is warm toned, go for the Eggshell shade. This would give you a yellow undertone. The other shade is the porcelain shade, and it’s perfect for those with pale skins. If you are not pale enough, your skin would have a pinkish hue.

Verdict
One issue that makes this concealer stand out is the ability to retain colour. The colour you applied in the morning is the colour you will remove before sleeping. It doesn’t oxidize. It also does a good job in concealing skin flaws.

3. Gabriel cosmetic concealer

Texture
Available in balm and creamy options, for people who have either dry or oily skin. The consistency of the Gabriel concealer is light and thin. This makes it very easy to spread on the area you wish to conceal. You don’t have to worry about your matte finish. A light consistency means that you apply a little of the concealer and your skin will glow. Moreover, it is best suited for the summer heat. The light texture ensures that your skin can still perspire.

Coverage
The consistency goes hand in hand with coverage. Gabriel concealer being of light consistency means that it provides the best coverage if you have nothing much to conceal. If your skin has some deeper flaws and imperfections, then this is not the best concealer for you because lighter-medium coverage means some of the flaws will still be visible. However, if you decide to still buy it, you will need to apply a layer of powder foundation for full coverage, and the good thing is that they provide it in addition to the concealer.

Shade
This concealer is available in light and medium shade. The light shade is best suited for fair skin as it makes the skin radiant. The medium shade is a bit dark, not good for under the eye application. The good news is that you can purchase different colour shades and mix them. The result will be a good shade that works best on the face and under the eye.

Verdict
This concealer is made from natural botanical extracts that are safe for your skin. This gives you a natural look. And, it comes at a low price which most shoppers can afford
Again, the concealer is light and good if you have nothing much to conceal. If you have serious flaws and imperfections on your skin like acne spots and dark spots under the eye, this might not be the best choice unless you plan on combining it with another concealer or powder.

4. Neutrogena Hydro Boost concealer

Texture
This concealer comes in a gel form thus making it a good option for people with dry skin. The consistency is even, and it’s also super easy to apply and blend. If your skin is oily, don’t worry. The Neutrogena Hydro Boost is certified as Non-comedogenic. It is free from substances that clog your pores. The gel consistency makes your skin glow.

Coverage
This concealer is creamy and blends very well in your skin, hiding the skin flaws that your foundation might find hard to hide. It provides medium to full coverage, especially when you want to go full glam. The gel will not look too thick or too light.

Shade
Though it’s orange in colour, it works well for some skin tones. If you want to do a stick foundation, in addition to a touch-up, it is highly recommended that you settle on a light-medium shade. Besides, you can always use the foundation powder to tone down the concealer’s orange colour. For people with a light complexion, go for a light shade. This will bring out the best of your skin complexion.

Verdict
Its ability to moisturize and prevent clogging in pores makes it a unique concealer that solves two skin care problems at once. The gel also works very well in concealing hard to reach areas like under the nose and around the lips.

5. L.A Girl Pro-Conceal

Texture
This concealer is creamy and light textured. This makes it easy to apply in normal to dry skin types. It is thick enough to stick on the skin surface and holds the foundation in place. It is also non-comedogenic; it does not clog your skin pores. This leaves you with flawless skin.

Coverage
The coverage is good. It completely disguises the dark circles around your eye and minimizes the facial lines, so that the make-up won’t sink. The result is a natural, flawless, and an even skin tone. This concealer is crease resistant when applied under the eye.

Shade
The different colour correctors play different roles. If you wish to correct redness, you will use the green colour corrector. The orange corrector will neutralize any dark spots that may arise in medium to dark shades. The yellow colour corrector plays a role in correcting the dullness that may be caused by purple undertones.

Verdict
The colour correctors give you a very bright skin, which is devoid of any colour undertones. Each colour plays a role in highlighting different regions in your face. This makes this concealer unique from the rest we have reviewed.

6. bareMinerals Bareskin concealer

Texture
The Bareskin concealer has an ultra-light texture, making it very easy to apply with your foundation make-up. It is best suited for people with oily skin, and there will be no irritation or clogging of skin pores. The silky smooth gel will leave your face brimming with brilliance after every application.

Coverage
The Bareskin concealer is best suited for faces with imperfections like dark eyes and application in hard to reach areas like under the eyelids and chin. It has a special formula, the Lilac plant stem cells, that make your skin complexion nourished and younger. The applications provide a good layer over the foundation make up without looking too cakey.

Shade
There are different shades of this brand; the medium golden, dark and regular medium. These are the most popular shades out there. You will always find a match for your complexion. The medium golden is good for a white complexion, whereas, a pink-like complexion is good for a regular medium shade. The incorporated serum concealer reduces the need to apply two different shades at once. It helps lighten the dark circles under your eye and also the facial lines will be well concealed.

Verdict
There are three skin care technologies that are in play here; the lilac stem cells, the serum concealer, and the humectants, that all help nourish your skin. This leaves an even-toned complexion especially on the dark circles around the eye.

7. Maybelline instant concealer

Texture
The liquid texture of this concealer makes it good for oily skin. When doing the application, you will notice that it doesn’t settle in skin pores or sink in the facial lines if you have any. The opacity is also good, even after multiple layers it doesn’t lose opacity. Its texture also highlights your face, giving it a flawless look.

Coverage
The thin texture makes it easy to apply over your face. Again, the included anti-microbial sponge is a plus, no hygiene worries. Besides the hygiene, the sponge holds enough concealer to finish 80% of your application. You just need a good brush to wrap the application process up. This is also good for hard to reach areas like under your chin and eyes.

Shade
This concealer comes in different shades like the fair shade. However, if you are a little bit pale in skin complexion, don’t go for the Fair shade because your face will appear pink and very light. Instead, you should settle for a light shade, which makes the facial lines disappear in your skin complexion. Better still, it is easy to differentiate between the two shades. The light shade has a pale yellow colour while the fair shade is pink in colour.

Verdict
Its success in concealing the dark circles around the eye makes it good for eliminating facial lines. It also holds for a very long time after application without caking with the primer. You can also cover scars with this concealer.

8. Laura Geller Concealer

Texture
This concealer comes in a cream form, with heavy pigmentation. If you have dry skin, then this is the brand to purchase. The creamy texture makes it easy to apply on your face, and it also improves the coverage. For people living in high temperature and humidity areas, this concealer will help the skin hydrate and stay nourished. Though some people have concerns about it being slippery after application, different reviews show that it blends well with your skin.

Coverage
You can opt for light to full coverage. Full coverage is better because it conceals all the skin flaws with a small application. It can be worn for a whole day because of the consistency. This concealer can be worn alone, or with powder. For best coverage, only mix it with powder and apply.

Shade
The two most important shades are light and medium. If you are light skinned, go for a medium shade. This will give you a good looking pink undertone in your skin. If your skin is dark and somehow pale, go for the light shade. It will brighten up your skin under the foundation. The dark circles around your eye will also be a thing of the past.

Verdict
The Laura Geller concealer provides the best coverage with a small sized application. You can also wear it for a whole day. It is exceptionally good in concealing the dark skin around your eye and discoloration.

9. Milani conceal concealer

Texture
The Milani conceal has a light texture. This makes it easy to apply under the foundation. You can mix it with powder for a more stable foundation. It is suited for dry skin. Though it can still be used for oily skin, it can crease or cake up with the foundation.

Coverage
The coverage is good, especially for people with redness on the cheeks and nose. With a little powder, it can conceal all the acne spots on your face. At a low price, you get medium to full coverage. The coverage is thick and does not irritate the skin. Though you may need a separate concealer for the eye region, you can try it out and see the coverage for yourself.

Shade
There are different shades to choose from, having in mind that you need to know your complexion. For lighter skin, there are three shades to choose from; tan, almond and amber. If you are both light and pale, don’t go for the creamy vanilla shade, it might make your skin appear dark and have an orange hue in natural sunlight. Bear in mind that a good concealer should be lighter than the skin tone.

Verdict
With the various shades, you will definitely get one that meets your needs perfectly. The coverage is also good, and you will not need to touch it up throughout the day.

10. It Cosmetics concealer

Texture
It Cosmetic Concealer is easy to apply on your face because of its smooth texture. This makes it suited for dry skin. This texture helps in settling the foundation. You can blend it with powder to avoid creasing. It also prevents clogging in skin pores.

Coverage
The It Cosmetic Concealer offers you full coverage. Just a small amount of the concealer will help clear all the imperfections caused by acne spots and wrinkles. It helps conceal the dark under eye region and the dark circles that are conspicuous without a concealer.

Shade
The two most popular shades are light and medium. If you have too dark circles around your eye, consider using the medium shade or the neutral medium shade because the light shade might be too light thus not give the desired results.

Verdict
The ability to provide the skin with anti-aging properties and antioxidants makes this concealer a must have if you wish to hide the wrinkles and other undesired spots. It does well in covering the dark circles that are conspicuous under the eyes as well. If applied well, it doesn’t cake, crack or crease.