If you’re no stranger to dark spots and discoloration, the best color correctors can help mitigate everything from dark circles to redness in just minutes. Unlike dark spot serums that contain exfoliating acids, vitamin C and retinols to correct skin discoloration at its root, color correcting skincare and makeup products often contain pigments that cancel out red, purple and blue tones, offering a quicker fix compared to a skincare product that may take longer to see results.
On the quest for the best color correctors out there, we spoke with dermatologists, makeup artists and Glamour editors to uncover the best products they’ve ever used, and after testing close to a dozen, we were able to narrow down the very best ones. Our top overall pick is the Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment, because it was not only recommended by experts, but it also serves as both a moisturizer and primer for under makeup, zaps red and purple tones and even contains SPF to help protect against UVA/UVB rays that can create sun damage (which leads to more spots). We also found options for dark circles, the best red-hued correctors for deep skin tones, and an all-in-one color correcting palette that takes the guesswork out of the process.
The best color correctors, at a glance
- Best Overall: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment, $25
- Best for Dark Circles: Kosas Revealer Extra Bright Serum, $32
- Best for Deep Skin Tones: Live Tinted Huestick, $26
- Best for Acne Scars: Stila Correct & Perfect All-In-One Color Correcting Palette, $42
- Best for Mature Skin: L’Oreal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Redness Eraser, $13
How we picked the best color correctors
What to look for in a color corrector
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron
To find the right shade, color theory is the way to go. “The right color depends on your skin tone, so lighter complexions should go for soft peach, and deeper skin tones can benefit more from rich orange tones,” says Brielle Pollara, a New Jersey based pro makeup artist. “These hues sit opposite blue and purple on the color wheel, which helps cancel out any cool tones.” If you have redness, green is the way to go, because green is opposite of red on the color wheel, and will neutralize any pink or red tones in the skin. “Whether it’s rosacea, acne or general irritation, a green corrector can help even things out before applying foundation or concealer,” she says.
How we tested
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron
We tested color correctors by looking at a few things, including pigmentation, consistency and longevity. The best ones had potent tone-canceling hues for varying skin tones, from bright greens to brick reds and deep oranges. A little product goes a long way with these and they all had thick consistencies that blended down nicely and evenly onto the skin. We evaluated if they lasted all day long, paired well under our makeup, and didn’t flake or crease throughout the day. In fact, our skin looked more even-toned and bright during our wear.
Best Overall: Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Dr. Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment
ChevronChevron
Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment SPF 30
Amazon
- Shades: Green
- Format: Moisturizer
- Size: 0.5 fl oz
“This formula is a favorite of mine,” says Pollara. “It combines skin care and makeup that’s perfect for redness. It starts out green and then adjusts to your skin tone as you blend. It also contains soothing ingredients like centella asiatica, which help calm sensitive or irritated skin.” This one made it to the top of the list because it’s unique in the fact that it’s both a skincare and makeup product, effectively helping color correct redness from its root.
Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary loves this one, too. “This color corrector is an O.G. that I always find myself going back to when my skin is a little irritated or red (especially post-spending time in the sun, or in the depths of winter when skin is dry and flakey). It has the smoothest, creamy consistency that glides right onto the skin and sinks in, immediately correcting and evening out the redness I typically have around my nose and on my acne scars. It’s quite gentle, too, and contains SPF, making it the perfect makeup primer for before foundation,” she says.
Best for Dark Circles: Kosas Revealer Extra Bright Serum
- Courtesy of brand
- Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Kosas Revealer Extra Bright Serum
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Kosas Revealer Extra Bright Serum-Powered Color Correctors
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Kosas Revealer Extra Bright Serum-Powered Color Correctors
ChevronChevron
Kosas Revealer Extra Bright Serum-Powered Color Correctors
Nordstrom
Sephora
- Shades: 5 (Pinks, oranges and red)
- Format: Concealer
- Size: 0.17 oz
This full-coverage color correcting concealer will change the game if you deal with reddish-purple undereye circles. It comes in a few shades with deep orange and red pigments plus hyaluronic acid and peptides that neutralize discoloration and puffiness.
“I love using this concealer when I’m looking particularly fatigued and need a little pick-me-up. I love pairing it under its counterpart concealer for a natural-looking, brighter finish. All it takes is a swipe or two, and my face instantly looks more radiant and put together. It’s one of the best concealers I’ve ever used,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary.
Best for Dark Circles: NYX Professional Makeup Pro Fix Stick Correcting Concealer
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Miah Hardy testing NYX Professional Makeup Pro Fix Stick Correcting Concealer
ChevronChevron
NYX Professional Makeup Pro Fix Stick Correcting Concealer
Amazon
- Shades: 6 (Pink, yellow, red, green, deep orange)
- Format: Multi-use stick
- Size: 0.05 fl oz
This multi-use stick can be used under the eye area or on areas of discoloration and dark spots. It has a buttery formula that glides onto the skin without skipping or smudging, and a little certainly goes a long way.
“Outside of work, I’m typically a full beat girl. My foundation, two different concealers, baking powder, translucent powder, cream blush, the whole nine yards. As you can imagine, the full beat routine is not ideal for work. The NYX Professional Makeup Pro Fix Stick Concealer is the answer to my prayers! They’re perfect on the go as they are creamy and thick, but also compact. The color correction assisted with brightening some of my dark spots,” says Condé Nast associate manager of audio audience strategy, Miah Hardy.
Best for Redness: Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Super Light Sunscreen
- Courtesy of brand
- Original video from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Super Light Sunscreen
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Super Light Sunscreen
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Super Light Sunscreen
ChevronChevron
Hero Cosmetics Force Shield Superlight Sunscreen (SPF 30)
Amazon
Ulta
- Shades: Green
- Format: Sunscreen
- Size: 1.69 fl oz
This sun screen does double duty as it’s both a color corrector and skin protector. It’s one of our favorite sunscreens for acne-prone skin because the green shade completely neutralizes redness and helps even out tone, whether you pair it under makeup or wear it alone.
“My skin type (combination and prone to breakouts) and skin tone (olive) have made it hard for me to find a good sunscreen,” says Glamour contributor Deanna Pai. “Most tend to feel cloying or prove hard to blend out invisibly.” This lightweight sunscreen is different, she says, noting it blends in seamlessly. It’s not at all heavy or shine-inducing—even if you have acne-prone or oily skin, she says.
Best for Deep Skin Tones: Live Tinted Huestick
- Courtesy of brand
- Original image of Monique Wilson testing the Live Tinted Huestick
- Original image of Monique Wilson testing the Live Tinted Huestick
ChevronChevron
Live Tinted Huestick
Amazon
- Shades: 4 (Pinks, oranges and red)
- Format: Multi-use stick
- Size: 0.1 oz
Deep red hues are perfect for deep and darker skin tones, and this Huestick formula is a favorite amongst Glamour editors because it really works. It comes in a handful of warm shades from orange terracotta to red. “This stick is formulated to neutralize darkness and boost brightness on a wide range of skin tones. It’s hydrating and blendable, and will layer beautifully under concealer, and the creamy formula glides on effortlessly — perfect for quick spot-correcting or under-eye brightening,” says Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, global makeup artist based in NYC.
“Ever since I started wearing makeup, I’ve heard about the powers of color correcting. But it always felt like a niche group of people like Jackie Aina who used it in their routine. When I applied the Live Tinted Huestick Color Corrector in Rise for the first time, I noticeably saw a difference in my ‘problem’ areas. I have discoloration under my eyes and around my laugh lines, so I tend to put concealer there. However, applying the color corrected before the concealer made it apply more smoothly and consistently while brightening and evening out my skin tone. Also, the stick application makes it really easy to use, and throw in my bag when I’m on the go,” says Glamour editorial assistant Monique Wilson.
Best for Acne Scars: Stila Correct & Perfect All-In-One Color Correcting Palette
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Stila Correct & Perfect All-In-One Color Correcting Palette
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Stila Correct & Perfect All-In-One Color Correcting Palette
ChevronChevron
Stila Correct & Perfect All-In-One Color Correcting Palette
Amazon
- Shades: 7
- Format: Palette
- Size: 0.45 oz
Acne scars come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors, so they may require a little extra TLC while color correcting. That’s where this all-in-one palette comes in: it can correct purply tones with peach and orange hues, cover active blemishes with a green pigment, and correct dullness with the lavender mattifying setting powder.
“This palette truly is a secret weapon,” says Glamour’s Kilkeary. “You can mix and match the shades as you need, and I find that using the green corrector and orange corrector in various spots does just the trick for masking acne scars I have around my nose and on my chin. The pigments themselves are easy to manipulate and very buildable—you can go with just a touch for sheer coverage or add multiple to fully cover up. My makeup always looks brighter after using this, and although it’s a little pricey, it’s well worth the investment.”
Best for Mature Skin: L’Oreal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Redness Eraser
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Charlotte Twine testing L’Oreal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Redness Eraser
- Original photo from Charlotte Twine testing L’Oreal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Redness Eraser
ChevronChevron
L’Oreal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Redness Eraser Face Primer
Amazon
- Shades: Green
- Format: Makeup primer
- Size: 1.01 fl oz
If you have mature skin with sun spots, melasma, fine lines or sallowness, a color correcting primer might just be the way to go. This redness eraser not only evens out skin imperfections and tone with a slight green hue, it has discoloration and line-zapping niacinamide that works to correct other forms of hyperpigmentation too.
“I am pleasantly surprised by this green color corrector,” says Glamour contributor Charlotte Twine. “I have always been intimidated to try color correctors because they usually come in shades like green or peach, so I was scared that I would need to have Pat McGrath–level skills in order to blend them properly (they go on before your foundation). Fair warning: You do have to be a little careful about how you apply it. If you use your fingers, you have to use a very light hand, otherwise you’ll look like Elphaba. But after watching a YouTube video for guidance, I decided to use a Beauty Blender sponge instead of my fingers. After tamping the green product (just use a small amount, taken from the back of your hand) onto my cheeks and chin—where I have the most discoloration—I was happy to see it ‘erased’ my redness without a green cast. Next time I do a full beat of makeup, I’ll definitely be using this product. It works.”
Best for Fair Skin Tones: Bobbi Brown Under Eye Color Corrector
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Norell Zable testing Bobbi Brown Under Eye Color Corrector
- Original photo from Norell Zable testing Bobbi Brown Under Eye Color Corrector
ChevronChevron
Bobbi Brown Under Eye Color Corrector
Amazon
Blue Mercury
- Shades: Peach, pink
- Format: Concealer
- Size: 0.04 fl oz
Dark circles have nothing on this peach color palette that brightens under-eye circles with just a few swipes. This pick has a thick, creamy consistency too that stays put for hours even if you’re sweating or wearing it during a long eight-hour work day.
“I am no stranger to Bobbi Brown products and the corrector for under eye dark circles did not disappoint! I had always used concealer under my eyes, just as I do on spot imperfections on my face, but this formula is next-level. I selected a shade based on my need to correct purple/blue/red discoloration under the eyes and it did just that,” says Condé Nast executive director of Global Strategy, Norell Zable. “My mom was visiting and she tried it on too and instantly said she’s buying one for herself! 10/10 recommend and I will use it everyday from now on!”
Best for Hyperpigmentation: Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Brightening Under Eye Color Corrector
- Courtesy of brand
- Original video from Jenifer Calle testing Huda Beauty Faux Filter Brightening Under Eye Color Corrector
- Original photo from Jenifer Calle before Huda Beauty Faux Filter Brightening Under Eye Color Corrector
- Original photo from Jenifer Calle after Huda Beauty Faux Filter Brightening Under Eye Color Corrector
ChevronChevron
Huda Beauty Faux Filter Brightening Under Eye Color Corrector
Sephora
- Shades: 6 (Pinks, oranges, red)
- Format: Concealer
- Size: 0.3 fl oz
If you need a boost of brightness in your makeup look, try this under correcting concealer. It comes in six orangey-pink and red hues to help cancel out darkness in the under eye area, plus vitamin C and niacinamide for lasting color correction over time. We’re especially a fan of the doe-foot applicator that also makes the formula easy to apply with just a swipe, and the formula itself is smooth and non-cakey, which we love.
“I have hyperpigmentation around my mouth and this Huda Beauty color corrector helps tame it down. I like to use the Huda concealer for a more brightening effect,” says Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best color corrector for dark circles?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron
The key to correcting blue and purple undertones often found under the eyes is through balancing them out with orange tones, says Ventre. “Orange and peach correctors brighten and neutralize darkness without adding heaviness to under the eyes,” she notes.
- For fair to light skin tones: Look for correctors with soft peach or pink undertones
- For medium to tan skin tones: Go for mid-tone peach or apricot shades
- For deep to rich skin tones: Rich orange, terracotta or red-orange tones work best
What’s the best color corrector for redness?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron
If you deal with breakouts, rosacea or sensitivity, green-based correctors are the way to go. “For the most natural result, choose a formula that matches your skin tone’s depth. Fair tones need lighter green, while deeper skin tones benefit from olive or sage hues that will blend into the skin seamlessly,” says Ventre.
Can you color correct dark spots?
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron
As far as dark spots go, color correctors can help improve hyperpigmentation, melasma and post-acne marks, but they aren’t a longterm solution. “To completely neutralize dark spots, focus on lightening them with effective actives available like vitamin C, azelaic acid, tranexamic acid and glycolic acid,” says Brooke Jeffy, MD and board-certified dermatologist based in Arizona. If you want a quicker fix, color correctors can help in the meantime.
- For fair to light skin tones: Ventre says to look for peach of salmon tones to correct dark spots
- For medium to tan skin tones: Use orange-based correctors to neutralize these areas
- For deep to rich skin tones: Red or deep orange can help minimize the appearance of dark spots
Ventre recommends applying color correctors only to the affected areas, blend lightly, then layer foundation or concealer over top for best results.
Meet the experts
AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevron
- Lauren D’Amelio Ventre, global makeup artist based in NYC
- Brielle Pollara, a New Jersey based pro makeup artist
- Brooke Jeffy, MD and board-certified dermatologist based in Arizona
The post 9 Best Color Correctors We Tested, Approved by Makeup Artists appeared first on Glamour.
