Tip Tuesday: How to Properly Hide a Pimple

Posted by Alexandra C. | Tuesday July 17, 2012

We've all been there, you go to bed looking pretty darn cute (if you do say so yourself); your skin is luminous and you can hardly see any under eye circles (sweet!). Then, you wake up well rested and out of nowhere, a big, red bump has appeared and made it's home on your face. So not fun!

First things first, you need to clean, dry and prep that sucker, doing so will eventually clear away blemishes but it takes time. More time than you have. For the next few days you'll need to put some makeup magic to work. Your goal in covering a pimple is to reduce redness and try to make the bump not as noticeable. We'll go through 5 tips to help camouflage your unwanted friend.

1. Bobbi Brown Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush (C$28.00)
2. MAC #209 Eyeliner Brush (US$18.00)
3. Sephora Rectractable Lip Brush #60 (C$14.00)
4. NYX Small Concealer Brush (US$7.99)

Tip #1: Use a fine tip concealer, eyeliner or art brush with your product of choice. A retractable lip brush is a handy product to have on hand for travel. Remember that brushes also need to be disinfected and cleaned to help stop the spread of acne!

1. Essence Forget It! 3 in 1 Concealer (C$2.99)
2. Vichy Normaderm Drying and Concealing Anti-Imperfection Stick (C$14.95)
3. CoverGirl Smoothers Concealer (C$7.99)
4. Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage (US$28.00)
5. Lise Watier Portfolio Professional Correctors (US$31.00)

Tip #2: Look for a less emoilient, drier concealer. A very smooth, soft concealer will just slide off your skin. You want your makeup to stick and stay there.

Tip #3: Shade with more than one colour. Look for palettes with multiple colours to properly conceal redness. Because pimples are raised bumps, they cast shadows making them look even bigger. Use lighter shades where there is a shadow and darker shades where the light hits to create the illusion of smooth, flat skin.

Tip #4: Use the least possible amount of layers on a pimple. As you add on layers of makeup, and each layer oxidises, they actually just start to pull and slide off of each other. Use minimal makeup to look more natural and uniform in coverage.

Tip #5: After applying concealer, dust lightly with a translucent setting powder for long lasting staying powder. We like Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder (C$35.00).

What are your go-to methods and tips/tricks for dealing with pimples?

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7 Comments

	on July 19, 2012 KatelynRose1984 20,704 said: Great tips! I always have used concealer to hide minor blemishes, but never topped with a translucent powder! Definitely trying this next time! Thanks.
	on July 19, 2012 farouknabela 3,469 said: Somehow I like more emollient, cream concealers to hide my pimples. To each their own, I guess!
	on July 18, 2012 fredamans 12,209 said: Thanks for the tips!
	on July 17, 2012 bubbles77 28,057 said: I'll try anything to hide blemishes. I have never had a problem before, now in my 30's I get pimples with my period every month. I always get them around my chin, it drives me crazy, and they are very hard to clear up. One thing I find that works for me also is toothpaste. If I have a really bad one I will put toothpaste on it before bed, and it is way less red in the morning. Thanks for the great tips and advice, I will try anything and everything.
	on July 17, 2012 Cassie_ 2,311 said: I wish I would have known this for my middle school photos hahah
	on July 17, 2012 takoda 28,648 said: Physicians Formula green concealer stick is great for hiding any red blemishes and even red purple scares. It might sound a bit funny to add green to a red bump, but it works. It all has to do with the ways color mix and blend. If you know anything about art, or have taken art in school then you've heard about this in art class. Makeup is a lot like painting on a canvas. Think of your face as the canvas and your makeup your paint. That's how I always covered my brake outs, blending color to hide the color you don't want seen.
	on July 17, 2012 amyknows 2,352 said: Definitely some great tips! Sounds about the same as my routine. Setting the concealer with a translucent powder is key!! :)