Skip to Content

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

portrait of young beautiful woman with perfect smooth skin
CoffeeAndMilk//Getty Images

Color Correctors That Actually Conceal Dark Circles and Pesky Pimples

Eye bags, blemishes, and redness are no match for these neutralizers.

By

If your sleep schedule looks anything like mine, then you know the pain of piling concealer over your dark circles in an attempt to fake a full night’s sleep. Spoiler alert: it’s never quite enough to mask those zombie-chic under eyes. Those who deal with rosacea know that redness always finds a way to peek through your favorite foundation. No matter what kind of discoloration you’re dealing with, color correctors have got you covered—literally.

Essentially, color correctors utilize color theory to neutralize uneven tones across your face. “Instead of layering on too much concealer and overloading your face with pigment that doesn’t change the tone, you are strategically using a tone of product to cancel out another color,” explains celebrity makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell. The theory works by offsetting one color with its opposite color on the color wheel. For instance, green pigment cancels out redness, orange pigment cancels out blue dark circles, and red pigment cancels out green or olive tones. “It’s the best, most natural way to conceal problem areas on the face,” Sewell says.

Now that you know how it works, it’s time to find the color corrector that deserves a spot in your collection. And to make your quest a little easier, I consulted Sewell, tested out a few fan-favorites, and scoured the internet for online shoppers’ top-rated picks. Somewhere over the rainbow lies your perfect match—and ahead, you’ll find the eight best color correctors to neutralize any skin issue across the color spectrum.

Best Overall

Kosas Revealer Extra Bright Color Corrector

Revealer Extra Bright Color Corrector

Pros

  • Skincare-infused

Cons

  • Small shade range

Made to brighten up under the eyes, the Revealer Extra Bright Color Corrector uses orange and peach tones to quickly conceal any dark circles. Formulated with hyaluronic acid and peptides, the two ingredients work together to fight puffiness and restore hydration. “I love the Kosas correctors because they are extremely hydrating and dewy, and never cakey,” says Sewell, who also chose the product as her number one pick.

Shades: 4

Targets: Dark circles

Nordstrom rating: 4.1/5

An ELLE editor says: “I’m always looking for new and improved ways to cover up my eye bags, and the Kosas Revealer Extra Bright Color Corrector works like a charm. I blended the lightest peachy pink color throughout my under eyes, and topped it off with my usual concealer. My dark circles seriously disappeared, and my under-eyes stayed super hydrated despite the layers.”—Emma Aerin Becker, associate beauty e-commerce writer

Best Full Coverage

Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Brightening Under Eye Color Corrector

#FauxFilter Brightening Under Eye Color Corrector

Pros

  • Transfer-proof

Cons

  • Packaging leaks

Calling all full-glam makeup lovers: Huda Beauty created a crease-proof, sweat-proof, and transfer-proof formula for its #FauxFilter Brightening Under Eye Color Corrector. With seven full-coverage shades, boasting warm and cool undertones, everyone can conceal their eye bags with one quick brush swipe.

Shades: 7

Targets: Under eyes

Sephora rating: 4.6/5

Our expert says: “For a full coverage look, I love the Huda Beauty correctors. The pigments are perfect, and they are thin and dry down, allowing you to really layer on for full glam and last longer!”—Kelli Anne Sewell, celebrity makeup artist

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best Shade Range

Givenchy Prisme Libre Corrector

Prisme Libre Corrector

Pros

  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Too sheer for some

Made with 90 percent skin care ingredients, the Givenchy Prisme Libre Corrector melts into the skin for a seamless, ultra-natural finish every time. The product comes in five neutralizing shades: peach for under eyes, green for redness, blue for radiance, pink for brightening, and purple for yellow undertones.

Targets: Dark circles, redness, dull skin, hyperpigmentation

Shades: 5

Bloomingdale's rating: 4.8/5

A Bloomingdale's reviewer says: “Gorgeous color corrector especially the light blue, which I love to use to neutralize too-peachy foundations! The green is lovely too. No foundation ever is a 100 percent match to my complexion and these tools help me to customize any product.”

Best for Redness

Embryolisse SOS Corrective Cream

SOS Corrective Cream

Pros

  • Multi-use

Cons

  • May pill

Unwanted redness is no match for the Embryolisse SOS Corrective Cream. This moisturizer not only uses green pigments to neutralize, but it's also formulated with sacred lotus flower extract that calms the skin on contact. The best part? You can wear it as a daily moisturizer, makeup primer, or spot treatment.

Targets: Redness

Shades: 1

Amazon rating: 4/5

An Amazon reviewer says: “The Embryolisse SOS Corrective Cream has become a must in my skincare and makeup routine. I apply it slowly as a base layer after exfoliating, and it spreads evenly without any pilling—a huge plus. It noticeably calms redness thanks to the green tint and feels soothing on contact, leaving my skin hydrated and balanced. The hyaluronic acid gives a nice plump finish, and the cream layers well under makeup as a primer. My complexion looks more even and calm all day. For anyone dealing with redness or sensitivity, this cream truly delivers.”

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best for Under Eyes

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Vanish Color Corrector

Magic Vanish Color Corrector

Pros

  • Easy application

Cons

  • Too thick for some

Watch your eye bags disappear with a few pats of the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Vanish Color Corrector. The buttery, featherlight formula works to both neutralize and brighten under eyes, thanks to its perfectly peachy undertone. The small pan packaging also makes the application a breeze.

Targets: Dark circles

Shades: 4

Nordstrom rating: 4.2/5

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “I have medium to light skin color on my face and have Very dark circles due to young kids and this stuff is like an eraser! I use the medium color after I put on foundation and I am amazed by the improvement. Add a little concealer over and you will have the perfect bright eye. I have been looking for a product like this for too long!!”

The Best for All-Over Correcting

Stila Correct & Perfect All-In-One Palette

 Correct & Perfect All-In-One Palette

Pros

  • 7-in-1

Cons

  • Not long-lasting

Why choose one color when you can have them all? Stila made color correcting extra easy with its Correct & Perfect All-In-One Palette. The product features seven separate shades—both cream and powder—to ensure your neutralizing needs are always met.

Targets: Everything!

Shades: 7

Amazon rating: 4.4/5

An Amazon reviewer says: “This is a very versatile palette that comes with instructions for use for a variety of different discoloration skin challenges. There is a generous amount of product in the palette and I’m very happy with this purchase”

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Best Budget-Friendly

E.l.f. Camo Color Corrector

Camo Color Corrector

Pros

  • Very pigmented

Cons

  • Drying

For those on a budget, meet E.l.f.’s Camo Color Corrector. The highly pigmented product comes in yellow, peach, orange, green, and blue hues, addressing all discoloration concerns for under $5.

Targets: Dark circles, redness, dull skin, hyperpigmentation

Shades: 5

Ulta rating: 4/5

An Ulta reviewer says: “This is the best corrector I've used—highly recommend it! Great coverage and blends perfectly.”

Best Color Corrector with SPF

Dr. Jart Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment

Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment

Pros

  • Sensitive skin-friendly

Cons

  • Not suited for darker skin tones

Everything’s better with a little SPF in it, right? This K-beauty color corrector from Dr. Jart starts out green and turns beige as you blend, instantly evening out your skin tone and neutralizing redness. The Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment is also packed with SPF 30 for a healthy complexion that stays protected.

Targets: Redness

Shades: 1

Amazon rating: 4.1/5

An Amazon reviewer says: “Holy wow! This stuff is amazing! I wasn’t sure what to expect, really, but it covers my redness better than anything I’ve tried. Concealer and foundation always look cakey, sit in my pores, or wear off after a few hours. This went on like a moisturizer and was still going strong after 12 hours (!), and it just looked like my skin without the redness. I like a natural look, but have rosacea and need to cover it. This made me look like I had naturally clear skin.”

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Meet The Expert

a simple black horizontal line

Kelli Anne Sewell is a celebrity makeup artist and content creator based in New York City.

How do you apply color correctors?

a simple black horizontal line

While it may seem overwhelming, applying color corrector is actually quite simple. Sewell starts with skincare, sharing, “I like to apply color correctors on a hydrated, clean face.” Once your skin is all prepped and ready, “go in and spot correct any areas you want to hide.” Whether that's adding red under your eyes, green over a blemish, or blue on hyperpigmentation (or all of the above!), simply place the correct color over the area and blend it in. Finally, cover the corrector with your foundation and/or concealer of choice, and continue your routine as usual.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Why Trust ELLE Beauty?

a simple black horizontal line

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Emma Aerin Becker spoke with a renowned makeup artist about color correctors. She also tried a few herself, searched the internet for color correctors, perused reviews for dozens of popular options, and evaluated each on its features and customer reviews.

Shop More ELLE Beauty Essentials

a simple black horizontal line

The Best Waterproof Mascaras Survive Sweat and Summer Heat

The Best Concealers to Erase Dark Circles

The Best Concealers for Acne to Fake Clear Skin

The Best Eye Creams for Getting Rid of Puffiness

Watch Next 
best color correctors
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Page was generated in 4.4476850032806