Evelinda: We all have secrets to conceal, not just the skeletons in our closets but the imperfections on our faces. So Style Matters went in search of the best under-eye concealers.

Judie: The test of a good concealer is simple: The product shouldn't settle into fine wrinkles under the eye or sit on the skin shouting "Look at me, I'm covering up black circles."

Evelinda: We spoke with several makeup artists and they agree that concealers should be applied with a brush, not fingers or the applicator. We used a brush, but in a time pinch, we gently patted on the concealer with our fingertips. Concealer goes on after foundation, otherwise it gets wiped off.

Judie: Under the eyes is the most popular place to use concealers, but they can also be used to cover facial blemishes, redness around the nose and brown spots. If you use a concealer to camouflage pimples, look for products that contain salicylic acid, but don't use them under your eyes.

Now you see it . . .

We tested five concealers at all price points, and the news is good. Every product worked with minor differences. Here are our results from best to worst:

1. Prescriptives new Custom Blend Concealer: $32, available at department stores

This concealer is mixed at the cosmetic counter to match your skin shade exactly. You can add skin treatments such as: firming and lifting line minimizer, oil controller and moisturizers.

• Pros: Best skin color match; lasts a long time

• Con: Expensive

2. Clinique line smoothing concealer: $13.50, department stores

Another good product, it goes on smoothly, lasts a long time and has many skin-color options.

• Pros: Good value; sales staff available to help find the closest color match

• Con: Claims to "bridge" fine lines and wrinkles. If you believe this, we have a bridge to sell you.

3. L'Oreal True Match: $7.59, King Soopers

This line offers many different color options, so many that we needed help, which was hard to get at a grocery store. The product glided on nicely, but we had to use more to get the same coverage results. It also didn't last as long as the first two.

• Pro: Product comes in lots of skin tones

• Con: Need to keep reapplying

4. Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish: $15, Ulta

This gives great coverage, but settled stubbornly into our wrinkles. This product is applied best with fingertips.

• Pro: Claims to double as an eye shadow base.

• Con: Harder to apply.

5. Amazing Cosmetics: $40, Ulta

The Ulta salesperson raved about this product, convincing us to blow 40 bucks. This thick and gooey concealer was difficult to apply and settled into fine undereye lines.

• Pro: Can't think of one

• Con: Expensive for poor performance

Style Matterswill emcee the Fashion Project, a competition for Colorado fashion designers with proceeds benefiting Dress For Success Denver, April 4, 11, 18, 25 at Tamarac Square, fashionproject tamarac.com

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