My patients often ask me which concealer they should be using. The answer is, It depends on your skin type, budget, and what you’re trying to hide. Whether the problem is dark under-eye circles, melasma, or sun spots, there’s a concealer that will do the trick. Here are some of my faves:

If your under-eye skin is thin and the circles aren’t too dark, look for a liquid concealer with light-diffusing particles. A liquid formula is less likely to crease and flake, and the reflecting particles (usually minerals like mica) help brighten the area. Try Yves Saint Laurent’s Touche Éclat ($40 at department stores) or Maybelline’s new Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer (about $8 at drugstores). Because the coverage these products offer is sheer to light, you may need to build it up in layers to get the amount of coverage you need.

If your under-eye circles are very dark or if you want to hide red or brown spots, use a cream concealer. Because cream fomulas are thicker than liquids, apply the concealer in thin layers to help minimize creasing. If you have dry skin, use moisturizer first. Try Fresh Umbrian Clay Absolute Concealer, a creamy formula with hydrating algae extract ($22 at fresh.com). I also like Revlon Age Defying Moisturizing Concealer, which contains glycerin and hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin. As an added bonus, it contains zinc oxide for SPF 25 protection to help prevent further darkening (about $10 at drugstores).

If you need heavy-duty coverage (tattoos, birthmarks, serious sun damage), look for a highly pigmented concealer. I use Clé de Peau — it’s pricey, but it’s intensely pigmented and it stays put. The stick lasts me almost a year ($70 at barneys.com). A makeup artist friend of mine swears by Amazing Concealer by Amazing Cosmetics. It’s also highly pigmented and is super-emollient and waterproof, so she uses it on her clients for photo shoots ($28 to $42 at amazingcosmetics.com). To hide tattoos, try a heavy-duty, long-wearing concealer like Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer, which is budge-proof and waterproof ($25 at Sephora).