Let’s face it, we all hate breakouts. Whether it’s a red pimple on your chin or a rash patch on your T-zone, flare-ups can make us feel really self-conscious. While I would always advise having a healthy skincare routine first, I also understand the desire to cover them up with makeup and make them magically disappear. With that in mind, here’s a no-nonsense six-step guide on how to conceal blemishes and fake perfection when your skin isn’t cooperating…
1. Choose Your Formula Wisely
If you tend to use oil-based foundations, then you may be making your breakout worse. Instead, you should opt for a base product that will make your skin look great whilst also supporting its recovery.
I’d recommend using a water-based foundation like Clinique's Anti Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup, or, if your skin is really oily, a mattifying one like Maybelline Fit Me! Matte and Poreless Foundation.
2. Apply Foundation Like It’s Any Day
Despite popular belief, you don’t actually need to pull out the big guns right off the bat. To conceal blemishes, start by applying your foundation all over your complexion as you would if you didn’t have any spots. Make sure that you blend it seamlessly over your face and neck.
3. Pause, Step Back And Assess
When your skin is making you feel self-conscious, it can be tempting to start dabbing concealer everywhere. Resist the urge, though, and take a good, hard look at your skin first. Assess where you actually need that extra coverage and only conceal those areas. Trust me, this method will prevent you from creating a cakey, mask-like look, achieving instead a fresh finish.
4. Opt For The Right Concealer
You should never just conceal blemishes, always aim to treat them at the same time too. The PÜR Disappearing Act Concealer is formulated with salicylic acid (an acid which helps to breakdown congestion in flare ups), giving your skin an even tone and healthy glow, whilst concealing imperfections. Apply it directly onto your blemishes with a clean makeup brush, then feather the edges so that it blends naturally over the skin.
5. Set Your Concealer With Powder Foundation
In the same way that you’d set your makeup with powder, you really need to set your concealer if you want the coverage to last. Using a puff, press a powder foundation over the top of the areas you’ve concealed. A setting powder would work too, but a powder foundation will just give you that extra bit of coverage.
For this, I’d suggest using either MAC's Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation or bareMinerals' Blemish Rescue Skin-Clearing Loose Powder Foundation. This last one is also infused with salicylic acid to help fight acne as it covers blemishes.
6. The Finishing Touch
Now that everything is concealed as it should be, you need to ensure that your whole look stays in place. Dusting a light translucent powder all over your face will not only set your makeup, but soften the area you have concealed too.
Of course, when it comes to setting powder, you can’t beat Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder. It keeps your makeup in place for 12 hours and gives your skin a natural, luminous finish.
And there you have it, your six-step guide on how to conceal blemishes. Remember, it’s all about using the right products and taking your time to apply them correctly. No more confidence-knocking spots or flare-ups!
Subscribe To GLOSSYBOX
Want to feel like your best self? Every month, we send our subscribers 5 skincare and makeup treats that make them look and feel their best. Don’t miss out! Subscribe to GLOSSYBOX now…
