François Nars built his brand as a photographer as much as a makeup artist, and concealer is where that shows. He launched in 1994 and started shooting his own campaigns in 1996, and a camera is brutal about coverage that looks like coverage. Nars concealer comes in two formulas. Radiant Creamy is the hydrating, medium coverage one with a natural, radiant finish that lasts up to sixteen hours, and it is the one I would give anyone who has never found an under-eye concealer that does not crease. Soft Matte Complete is the full coverage pot with hyaluronic acid, better for spots and redness. The brushes matter more than people think. The number 10 is small and fluffy and made for Radiant Creamy, and the number 11 is built for cream formulas like Soft Matte, and both press product in rather than dragging it around. Warm the product on the back of your hand first so it melts into skin. Tap, do not swipe.

The second row is concealers from houses with their own long stories. YSL's Touche Éclat launched in 1992 in a single shade, created by the makeup artist Terry de Gunzburg, and the click pen exists because a supplier once sent the wrong component and she filled it with her own formula. It is a brightener more than a cover-up. Kosas Revealer is creamy with caffeine and hyaluronic acid, from the Los Angeles brand Sheena Yaitanes started in 2015. Armani's Luminous Silk concealer comes from the line whose Luminous Silk foundation launched in 2000, and it smooths and brightens. Dior Backstage is the waterproof, crease-proof full coverage concealer, the one for long days and photos.

The last row splits into two camps. Tower 28's Swipe is a hydrating serum concealer from Amy Liu, who started the brand in 2019 after a lifetime of eczema made most makeup feel clinical to her. Westman Atelier's Vital Skincare Concealer is a full coverage, matte liquid from the makeup artist Gucci Westman. Huda Beauty's FauxFilter concealer is matte and waterproof, and Too Faced's Born This Way is super coverage that also works for contour and highlight. What I would skip is using the heavy formulas under the eyes. Save them for spots and use the lighter ones where skin creases.

If you only get one, make it Radiant Creamy with the number 10 brush. Add Soft Matte if you have spots to cover, and one of the brighteners from the middle row if dark circles are the main issue. Match concealer to your skin under the eyes, half a shade lighter at most. Set with the smallest amount of powder, or not at all. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together The Morphe Soulmatte Velvet Lip Mousse Meets the Rest of the Soft Matte Crowd and NARS Powermatte Lipstick.