The clock struck six and I saw Vogue’s beauty shopping editor Kiana Murden swiping an unfamiliar red tube across her face; then blending with her fingers, to seemingly cover dark spots and brighten her under-eyes. She was headed to a dinner, she eventually told me. This was odd because I know Kiana to typically get ready in the beauty closet. “I’m running so late,” she rattled off, quickly checking in a little compact mirror to make sure everything was blended. Her skin looked great, so I asked what the mystery stick was. Her answer: the TirTir Glide Hide Blurring Concealer, which has a creamy tint on one end, and a silky balm on the other. Kiana says she likes the balm side—it’s her perfect shade, as she explained, and blends in just a few taps.
The timing was surreptitious; because earlier that day I had learned that Milk Makeup’s next debut was a click-and-go concealer housed in a vibrant blue stick (the same collection as its viral skin tint). True to its name, Hydro Grip Hydrating Gel Stick Concealer which launched this week, is designed for 12 hours of wear—smoothing, evening, and brightening without budging.
It seems the concealer stick has made a 2026 comeback; though, professional makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre said they never left pro kits to begin with. “What really shifted was consumer trends, not the performance of concealer sticks,” she tells Vogue. “Liquids became popular because they felt lighter and easier, but sticks offer a level of precision, longevity, and reliability that liquids often can’t.” Where sticks shine, she continues, is in their efficiency and longevity—often delivering better staying powder than liquids and creams. Fellow pro makeup artist Catrina Breitweiser agrees, “for everyday makeup routines, they are a smart, multitasking staple that delivers reliable results.”
And if you’re like me and have a nostalgic memories of digging around in your mom’s makeup bag (I can still see my mom’s sage green train case now), these formulas are no longer at risk of becoming cakey with a heavy-handed swipe—evidenced by the active-rich ingredient lists and innovative textures. “Modern-day concealer sticks have evolved to blend better, feel more comfortable, and give targeted coverage without looking heavy,” D’Amelio Ventre adds.
Scroll to discover are the eight best concealer stick formulas of 2026, loved by editors and experts alike for their on-the-go ease and excellent coverage.
In This Story
- What’s the difference between a concealer stick and a foundation stick?
- Do concealer sticks provide better coverage?
- How We Tested
- Meet The Experts
Best Multi-Tasking: Merit The Minimalist
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- Why We Love It: A go-to for discerning beauty lovers—from Vogue editors to Martha Stewart—Merit’s multi-tasking complexion stick comes in 30 shades and seemingly limitless ways to apply it. Take you pick, you’re only a shades decision away from deciding whether to use it as an under-eye concealer, spot coverage on a dark spot, a foundation, or contour. “Merit really nailed the balance between skincare and makeup with this,” pro makeup artist Alexa Persico previously told Vogue. “It’s creamy, quick to blend, and ideal for women who want to even out tone without layering too many products.” The formula boasts a blend of fatty acids, sea daffodil extract, and glycerin add just enough slip for a smooth application, and naturally polished look.
- Editor’s Experience: “I was a concealer stick disbeliever until I tried Merit’s option. For starters, the natural looking finish is superior—it erases my tired under-eyes in seconds, and conceals my hyperpigmentation left over from old pimples. Meanwhile, my favorite liquid formulas tend to let dark spots peak through after a couple of hours of wear. Plus, this product stays in place, even on my oily skin.” —Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Fatty acids, sea daffodil extract
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Buildable, light-to-medium
- Shades: 30
- Size: 0.13 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Easy to use, natural finish | Without proper skin prep and hydration, the product can cling to texture |
| Great shade range (recently expanded, for what it’s worth) |
Best K-Beauty: Tirtir Glide&Hide Blurring Concealer
- Why We Love It: Aside from from the joys of innovative Korean makeup formulas, there’s Tirtir’s concealer which offers you the choice of options—a dual sided stick offering a cream and liquid formula. “TirTir’s concealer stands out for its innovative dual formula design. The liquid tip allows for precise correction, while the balm stick melts into the skin to blur and smooth fine lines and dark circles,” says Breitweiser. “It offers impressive coverage with long-lasting wear, which is key for long days and events.” Plus the formula boasts up to 72 hours of wear—pull an all-nighter (or longer) to let us know how long your concealer holds up.
- Editor’s Experience: “I was initially really drawn to the fact that the TirTir concealer is basically two formulas in one. The top end is a silky balm that I’d liken to a foundation stick, designed to blur pores and skin texture. The second end is more traditional concealer liquid—for veiling blemishes and dark circles. The finish of neither side is like the brand’s coveted Cushion Foundation—rather than soft matte, it leans into more natural, featherlight, buildable coverage that really looks like skin. And because my shade match is impeccable, I love it for no-makeup makeup days.”—Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, glycerin, propanediol, hyaluronic acid
- Finish: Blurred (on the stick end)
- Coverage: Full
- Shades: 20
- Size: 0.28 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Dual-ended concealer offers two texture options in one product | Some say the formula dries down quickly—so you have to blend fast |
| Lightweight feel and long-lasting wear | |
| Blurred finish and buildable coverage conceals dark circles with ease |
Best with SPF: Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer SPF 27
- Why We Love It: For a concealer stick with added protection, Clé de Peau offers an SPF-infused option. “It’s lightweight, full coverage, and gives a seamless, airbrushed finish,” pro makeup artist Jenna Scavone previously told Vogue. Another skincare-makeup bonus, the formula blends ginger extract for brightening and hyaluronic acid for added hydration. Plus, it’s Michelle Yeoh’s go-to, as seen in her Vogue Beauty Secrets episdoe.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, argan oil, chestnut rosa fruit extract
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Full
- Shades: 10
- Size: 0.17 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Smooth application | Some feel the formula could be more moisturizing |
| Provides added sun protection thanks to SPF 27 |
Best Drugstore: NYX Pro Fix Stick Correcting
- Why We Love It: For a well-loved drugstore concealer, NYX’s option offers 18 complexion shades and 6 color correcting options—all that for just $10, rather than, say, spending it on an overpriced latte. Thanks to a blend of meadowfoam seed oil and hyaluronic acid, this concealer stick glides on with ease for a tug-free formula. Plus, this pick boasts up to 12 hours of wear if longevity is of concern.
- Key Ingredients: Synthetic wax, dimethicone, meadowfoam seed oil, dimethicone, hyaluronic acid
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium, buildable
- Shades: 24 (18 complexion shades and 6 color correcting)
- Size: 0.05 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Offers color correcting and complexion shades | Some report under-eye creasing |
| Affordable price point |
Best Long-wearing: Bobbi Brown Skin Cream Concealer Stick
- Why We Love It: Breitweiser has kept Bobbi Brown’s skin cream concealer stick as a staple in her professional kit for years. “It offers solid, buildable coverage with a smooth, skin-like finish that works beautifully on under eyes and targeted areas,” she says, noting the formula is creamy and lightweight, making it a great choice for mature skin. D’Amelio Ventre agrees, saying this pick is particularly great for special occasions and long-wearing makeup looks thanks to its 12-hour wear time.
- Key Ingredients: Kaolin, tocopheryl acetate, sea asparagus, coffee seed oil
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium, buildable
- Shades: 18
- Size: 0.1 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Creamy, tug-free application | Some report clinging to dry skin patches without proper skin prep |
| Long-wearing |
Best Brightening: Exa High Fidelity Brightening Concealer Stick
- Why We Love It: Clean beauty brand Exa creates high-performing makeup products from plant-derived ingredients. . Blended with sour plum oil, hemp oil, and vitamin E, the hydrating formula never clings to dry patches while providing up to 12 hours of wear—with a second-skin finish that effortlessly covers hyperpigmentation, spots, and under eye circles. Plus, the slender design allows for precision spot coverage.
- Key Ingredients: Sourplum oil, hemp seed oil, vitamin E, synthetic wax
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium, buildable
- Shades: 28
- Size: 0.05 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Long-wearing, vegan, and cruelty-free | Some experience creasing if not set |
| Made without gluten-derived ingredients, and dermatologist tested. |
Best Pencil: Jones Road The Face Pencil
- Why We Love It: Jones Road’s concealer stick takes a unique approach to concealing via an easily sharpened pencil format. Like all Jones Road products, the face pencil aims to even skin tone effortlessly while maintaining a a no-makeup-makeup look. “I don’t want people to say, Wow, look at your makeup,” Brown previously told Vogue. “I want them to say: You look really great.” The formula’s clear base prevents chalky or ashy undertones, while shea butter and castor seed oil ensure smooth, easy application.
- Key Ingredients: Shea butter, castor seed oil
- Finish: Natural
- Coverage: Medium buildable
- Shades: 25
- Size: 0.1 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Precise application | Shea butter isn’t ideal for acne-prone skin types |
| Long-lasting coverage |
Best Gel-To-Cream: Milk Makeup Hydro Grip 12-Hour Hydrating Gel Stick Concealer
- Why We Love It: Milk Makeup’s long-wearing concealer stick boasts an innovative gel-to-cream formula. Why does that matter? For superior blendability, and a dewy finish. Plus, while the product is pocket-sized, it works well for all-over complexion. Meanwhile, the blend of multi-weight hyaluronic acid, squalane, and aloe, impart hydration to keep the formula from caking, pilling or settling into fine lines.
- Key Ingredients: Sunflower seed wax, squalane, hyaluronic acid, blue agave extract, aloe leaf extract
- Finish: Dewy
- Coverage: Buildable
- Shades: 25
- Size:
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Clean, vegan, and cruelty-free | Not entirely non-comedogenic—contains a few pore cloggers |
| Dermatologist-tested |
Everything You Need to Know
What’s the difference between a concealer stick and a foundation stick?
“The difference comes down to purpose and pigment—concealer sticks tend to be more concentrated and precise. Concealer sticks designed to correct and perfect specific areas like under eye darkness, blemishes, or pigmentation,” says D’Amelio Ventre, adding that foundation sticks usually have more slip and flexibility to blended across the face.
Here’s the catch: you still can use concealer sticks as complexion products—the pros do all the time. “When you apply concealer sticks only where coverage is actually needed and blend thoughtfully, they can replace foundation entirely and give the most beautiful, skin like finish,” she says.
Do concealer sticks provide better coverage?
For stubborn spot coverage, you can’t get much better than a concealer stick. “Concealer sticks are typically more concentrated, which makes them ideal for under eye darkness, blemishes, and hyperpigmentation,” says Breitweser. “Their creamier, denser texture allows for precise placement without excessive product. When blended correctly, they give seamless coverage that still looks like skin.”
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity makeup artists—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to concealer sticks, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, application, packaging, finish, coverage, and how the formula wears throughout the day. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet The Experts
- Lauren D’Amelio Ventre is a celebrity makeup artist, beauty educator, and founder of The Art of Enhancement, D’Amelio Cosmetics, and La Ve Da Beauty.
- Catrina Breitweiser is a pro makeup artist with over 20 years experience. She’s also the founder of Makeup by Catrina and MBC Cosmetics.
