The Waterproof Concealers Makeup Artists Swear By to Withstand Rain, Tears, and More (2024)

Our Top Picks

Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 26 | Size: 0.17 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Benefit’s Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer is a waterproof concealer that’s versatile enough to become your new go-to. The liquid concealer gives lightweight coverage that won’t cake or crease. And it draws on classic hydrators—like butylene glycol and dimethicone—to give you that smooth, natural finish you’re looking for. The concealer is meant to keep you going for up to 24 hours, and because it's great for a range of different skin types (oily, dry, and combination), it’s a particularly well-rounded pick. Just keep in mind that it does have a very thick consistency, so those who prefer a lighter feel may want to skip this one.

Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 8 | Size: 0.23 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Looking for a solid waterproof concealer that won’t break the bank? Maybelline has you covered. The brand’s Super Stay Concealer gives lightweight coverage that will last up to 24 hours, and it’s loaded with moisturizing ingredients that help it go on smoothly. Thanks to this nourishing formula, you shouldn’t have to worry about your concealer caking—instead, you can expect an even, natural finish. Also nice: The concealer comes in a smaller container, so you can toss it in your bag and take it with you on the go.

Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 25 | Size: 0.33 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

L'Oréal’s Infallible Full Wear Concealer is a solid buy—and since you can score it at the drugstore, you’ll never have to worry about going without it. The concealer gives the lightweight coverage you crave. It boasts a larger-than-average applicator that you can use for everything from acne to dark circles. The nongreasy formula goes on smooth and matte, and lasts for up to 24 hours. And if you want to use it as a highlighter or a contour product, you can; just scale your concealer up or down a couple of shades.

Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 16 | Size: 0.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Makeup artist and aesthetician Ivey Rogers swears by this breathable, water-resistant concealer that she says has been top-tier in the beauty industry for decades. “The coverage is full, buildable, and you only need a small amount,” she adds. “If you want more of a matte look, you can set this one with a bit of translucent powder.” We also co-sign the tiny tube’s ability to hide undereye circles, blemishes, dark spots, and tattoos, thanks to its 16 color-correcting shades. The fact that it’s packed with vitamin E to protect, moisturize, and calm the skin, plus cucumber extract to depuff is a built-in bonus. The only gripe we have is that the product can only be found on Amazon and the brand’s site.

Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 37 | Size: 0.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

“If you have oily skin, you should avoid anything too emollient like lanolin, beeswax, or cocoa butter,” Fong says. “These ingredients tend to crease or cause a slip-and-slide effect.” Tarte’s waterproof concealer is not only void of these, but it moisturizes your skin while absorbing excess oils, helping you balance out your skin without overly drying it out. And since the product is a concealer, first and foremost, it gives the full, crease-proof coverage you’re looking for. It’s also packed with conditioning ingredients like mango butter, so it will glide on extra-smooth and keep you going for up to 16 hours at a time.

​​Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 10 | Size: 0.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Make Up For Ever’s Full Cover Concealer is creamy but oil-free—a combination that makes it a great pick for a variety of different skin types. The concealer draws on plastic polymers to lock in moisture and microcrystalline cellulose powder (an anti-caking agent) to absorb excess oils, keeping you hydrated while giving you a smooth, even finish. Though the concealer goes on creamy, it dries matte and a bit faster, so Rogers advises building your coverage quickly. “The finish is natural on this one, so no powder is necessary, especially if you're using it under the eyes,” she says.

Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 29 | Size: 0.34 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Danessa Myricks’ cult-loved concealer isn’t just designed to cover. The product was crafted to balance out your skin every time you wear it, helping you cut down on the need for concealer in your routine. The waterproof formula draws on vitamin E to nourish and protect your skin from sun damage, along with plant-derived squalane to stabilize oil production. Since the foundation-concealer hybrid is designed for adjustable coverage and the tiniest bit lasts all day, it’ll make an easy addition to your makeup kit. Just to note, it has a strong fragrance, which might not be for everyone. If you have an aversion to fragrance in your cosmetics, opt for another pick on this list.

Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 15 | Size: 0.33 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Dermablend’s Cover Care Concealer is a waterproof concealer that is designed to be gentle and sensitive skin-friendly. The concealer is vegan, fragrance-free, and noncomedogenic—which is a fancy way of saying it won’t clog your pores. And it’s loaded with hydrating ingredients that will moisturize your skin—like glycerin and vitamin E—while giving you the coverage you’re looking for. The creamy concealer is designed to go on smoothly, with a lightweight finish that looks matte and feels comfortable.

Coverage Level: Buildable | Finish: Natural | Shades: 30 | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Laura Mercier’s shade-matching technology offers three incredibly easy ways to find your perfect shade. Simply start by classifying your skin tone as fair, light, medium, or deep. Then, consider whether your skin undertones are warm, cool, or neutral. After activating these two filters, their site will give you a few concealer shades it thinks are right for you. There’s also an option to virtually try it on, as well as a handy tool that pairs one of their shades with another brand you’re currently using. This way, you’ll connect with a concealer that's weightless and hydrating but also completely right for you.

Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 24 | Size: 0.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer delivers on its name. The waterproof concealer gives high-pigment coverage that won’t crease or crack. And since it’s loaded with moisturizing and firming ingredients—like collagen and hyaluronic acid—it helps keep puffy under-eye bags and dark circles at bay. We were also impressed by the concealer’s ability to withstand sweating through the hottest temps—for up to 24 hours. Celebrity makeup artist Ivy Ermert Nadire recommends using a good eye cream before application to ensure a smooth finish and loves that it doubles as an excellent spot concealer.

Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Matte | Shades: 24 | Size: 0.34, 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This concealer from Juvia’s Place is formulated to be both waterproof and weightless—two words we love to hear when it comes to concealer. The concealer glides on smoothly and sticks around for hours, giving you the low-maintenance, long-lasting coverage you’re looking for. It's also available in 24 different shades, so it’s easy to find an option that suits your skin undertone. And since it comes in a tiny, travel-friendly tube, it’s incredibly easy to throw in your purse or carry in your pocket. Note: it can be a little drying, so be sure to apply a nourishing facial moisturizer first.

Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Radiant | Shades: 30 | Size: 0.035, 0.22 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Looking for a vegan concealer that genuinely works? Tarte’s Maracuja Creaseless Concealer gets the job done without creasing under your eyes. The creamy concealer provides full, long-lasting coverage, looks like skin, and doesn’t settle or crease at all. And it draws on skin-beneficial ingredients—like vitamin C, vitamin E, and passion fruit extract—to nourish your skin every time you wear it. When it comes to this concealer, a little goes a long way. (Really, you may be surprised at how far a single dot can get you.) And since the concealer comes in 30 different shades, it’s easy to find an option worth committing to and sticking with.

Coverage Level: Medium | Finish: Natural | Shades: 50 | Size: 0.30 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

With a whopping 50 shades to choose from, Rihanna has the waterproof concealer competition beat as far as color matching goes—and we would expect nothing less from the queen who thinks of everyone when it comes to her eponymous makeup line. Infused with prickly pear cactus extract and sodium hyaluronate, the transfer-proof formula hydrates and conditions the skin as it conceals, brightens, and masks puffiness for a solid 12 hours. Our only caveat? The coverage is more light-to-medium than medium-to-full so if you’re in the market for a super heavy-duty concealer, this might not be the perfect pick for you.

Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 16 | Size: 0.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Designed to be used as a multipurpose spot concealer, foundation, or contour tool, legendary makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin had sensual skin in mind when he created his radiance-enhancing corrector. The palm-sized pot is infused with good-for-your-skin ingredients like jojoba oil, vitamin E, and honey, and the full-coverage, waterproof formula can instantly zap surface redness into oblivion (a smidge of shade 12 is the best for that, BTW). We noticed that it didn’t settle into pores or fine lines and felt nice and bouncy—never tacky. If you want to thin it out, pros suggest adding a little primer and blending it with your fingers or a brush, then set it with loose powder for longevity.

Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 29 | Size: 0.27 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Loads of five-star reviews praise Smashbox’s last-all-day waterproof concealer for its bag-erasing superpowers and thin, yet buildable consistency. Ermert Nadire is also a fan, saying that when she wants makeup that lasts, she trusts Smashbox. “This concealer comes in a wide range of colors and a little goes a long way,” she shares, adding that it glides on and sets in a soft, diffused manner, making it easy to work with. Another reason to add to cart? “It’s excellent for combination or oily skin types.”

Coverage Level: Full | Finish: Natural | Shades: 24 | Size: 0.55 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We live for a full-coverage formula and this one of the best we’ve encountered. With a doe-foot applicator on one end and a built-in brush on the other, this waterproof concealer was designed with multipurpose makeup touch-ups in mind. Use the applicator to tap on product and the brush to buff it out, or a combo of the two to minimize blemishes and dark circles. Although the formula contains vitamin E, some reviewers noted it wasn’t as hydrating as they would have liked so keep that in mind if you’re on the dry side.

FAQ

• How should you apply waterproof concealer?

  Waterproof concealers tend to be thick and quick-drying, so Fong recommends warming them up on the back of your hand before applying. “You don’t have much playtime because waterproof concealers tend to settle fast, so light taps with your ring finger are best for blending and application,” she says. “If you prefer makeup brushes, opt for fluffier, round brushes which will apply the product delicately.”
  

• Can you use waterproof concealer on dry skin?

  “Waterproof concealers tend to be a bit more full-coverage, so you’ll need a workaround for dry, flaky skin,” Fong says. “Opt for more hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E.” Fong adds that you can also start by applying a fast-absorbing eye cream before putting on concealer.

• Can you wear concealer while swimming?

  Yes, as long as you use a waterproof concealer like one on this list. Using a setting spray after applying may help protect your concealer on hot days or when you're in the pool, lake, or ocean. Many traditional concealer formulas may say "sweatproof" or something along those lines, but for the best chance of holding up in high heat and humidity, a waterproof concealer is key.

• Is waterproof concealer full-coverage?

  Yes. Most if not all waterproof concealers are on the thicker side, so they won't budge and provide full-coverage.