It never fails. A party, wedding or big date is on the calendar and a day or two before, you get an acne breakout. There's something about important events that causes skin to rebel. Don't panic this time. You can cover troubled skin without makeup looking cakey or overdone.
The key here is layering lightly – and not all at one time. Keep in mind that skin still needs dimension, so packing on foundation will only make matters worse. Read along for some tips to conceal blemishes while still looking captivating and fresh.
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1. Prime your canvas
You may be hesitant about applying primer or moisturizer, but it serves an important purpose. Acne blemishes can be flaky around the edges, and a thin coat of primer ensures a blotch-free foundation application. (Look for one that is specific to your skin type. Many oil-free and mattifying versions really help.
You may be hesitant about applying primer or moisturizer, but it serves an important purpose. Acne blemishes can be flaky around the edges, and a thin coat of primer ensures a blotch-free foundation application. (Look for one that is specific to your skin type. Many oil-free and mattifying versions really help.
2. Apply foundation in downward strokes
Even though you may be accustomed to applying foundation in circular motions or from side to side, move in a downward direction when you're covering acne because you don't want to irritate the skin.
Even though you may be accustomed to applying foundation in circular motions or from side to side, move in a downward direction when you're covering acne because you don't want to irritate the skin.
3. Use green color corrector on angry blemishes
With foundation in place, you can now see where you need the greatest coverage. On blemishes that are very red, dab a bit of green color corrector on first, and follow with your regular concealer.
With foundation in place, you can now see where you need the greatest coverage. On blemishes that are very red, dab a bit of green color corrector on first, and follow with your regular concealer.
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4. Use lighter concealer to bring dimension back to your face
To avoid an allover "mask" look, you need to bring some light back to the high points of your face. With a light concealer, go over your cupid's bow, around your nose and on the top of your cheekbones to give your face some life.
To avoid an allover "mask" look, you need to bring some light back to the high points of your face. With a light concealer, go over your cupid's bow, around your nose and on the top of your cheekbones to give your face some life.
5. Spot conceal with the right size brush
When you're trying to cover acne scars or bumps (not active blemishes), choose a small brush. You only want to cover the spot itself, not beyond, so dot on concealer and pat in with your finger.
When you're trying to cover acne scars or bumps (not active blemishes), choose a small brush. You only want to cover the spot itself, not beyond, so dot on concealer and pat in with your finger.
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6. Set with colored powder
You've done some hard work, so don't head out the door without setting the concealer. It's best to use a colored powder that's close to your skin tone. Avoid anything shimmery. You want it to blend in, not stand out.
You've done some hard work, so don't head out the door without setting the concealer. It's best to use a colored powder that's close to your skin tone. Avoid anything shimmery. You want it to blend in, not stand out.
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