This shift is about control. A good concealer allows you to even out where needed, leave skin alone where it’s already good, and build a complexion that looks lived-in rather than perfected. Think under-eyes that look rested, redness softly neutralised, and skin that still reads as skin.

It’s also why concealers have evolved so dramatically. The new generation blurs, hydrates, reflects light, and behaves more like skincare than makeup. They’re comfortable enough to wear alone, refined enough to replace foundation, and precise enough to make every application feel deliberate.

For many, this has become the grown-up way to do makeup: fewer layers, better formulas, and a focus on placement rather than coverage. It’s less about masking and more about editing - and the right concealer is the only tool you really need.

Here are the 7 concealers replacing foundation right now…

Hourglass - Vanish Airbrush Concealer

A true complexion workhorse. Weightless but highly pigmented, it smooths and blurs without settling, making it ideal for targeted coverage that still looks polished.

NARS - Radiant Creamy Concealer

Still quietly undefeated. Reliable, flexible, and flattering across skin types, it’s the kind of product you come back to when you want your skin to simply look better.

Kosas - Revealer Concealer

Where makeup meets skincare. Hydrating, light-reflective, and forgiving, it’s especially loved by those who want coverage without compromising skin comfort.

Victoria Beckham Beauty - Concealer Pen

Discreet, precise, and very intentional. Perfect for touch-ups, brightening, and subtle correction - the kind of concealer that feels more like a styling tool than makeup.

Clé de Peau Beauté - The Concealer

Luxury, but with reason. Dense, refined coverage that disappears into the skin, designed for those who prefer perfection without excess.

Asteri Beauty - Aura Radiant Concealer

A long-lasting, buildable concealer that feels like a second skin, delivering seamless coverage for blemishes, redness, dark circles, and pigmentation with a truly natural finish.

Laura Mercier – Real Flawless Weightless Perfecting Concealer

Laura Mercier’s serum-infused concealer delivers seamless, buildable coverage with a skin-like, undetectable finish that smooths, hydrates, and refines bare skin over time.

Estée Lauder – Double Wear Stay-In-Place Concealer

Infused with skin-conditioning minerals and emollients, this oil-free, transfer-resistant concealer delivers buildable coverage with a natural finish that stays put.

This isn’t about skipping steps - it’s about choosing better ones. As makeup continues to move toward restraint and realism, concealer has become the most intelligent way to build a base. Thoughtful, adaptable, and quietly powerful, it’s no longer a supporting act - it’s the main event.