How to Conceal Your Acne, Dark Spots, Gray Hairs, and More

0
122

When it comes to covering up skin imperfections like dark spots and acne, sometimes you need more in your toolkit than just a good concealer (although that's certainly important). Having the right primer, foundation, setting mist, and, yes, concealer for your specific skincare concerns can help you get a flawless complexion that looks natural-looking, not caked with makeup. Here, the best way to use concealer and other smart product picks to disguise current blemishes, old acne scars, dark spots, gray hairs, and more.

cover-up-acne-scars-blemishes cover-up-acne-scars-blemishes ). "It will act almost as a spackle does when filling a hole, giving you a flatter surface to work on," says Lijha Stewart, Make Up For Ever's director of artistry and education. Then apply your foundation, followed by a full-coverage concealer to disguise discoloration. (Most women use concealer first, but you'll actually achieve better coverage if you start with foundation.) A concealer we like: Dermablend Quick-Fix Concealer ($26; macys.com). Be sure to tap it on instead of stroking so you can build coverage. Finish with a setting spray, such as Kat Von D Lock-It Makeup Setting Mist ($26; sephora.com).

To hide an active blemish, dab on a treatment product first. Then apply a darker shade of concealer than the one you typically use to brighten your undereye circles, says Stewart; otherwise, it will highlight the spot.

cover-up-redness-dark-spots cover-up-redness-dark-spots ) before foundation. And to disguise hyperpigmentation, try Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Correcting Fluid in Peach or Deep Peach ($28; sephora.com) for light and dark skin tones, respectively—just dot along the undereye or on a brown spot and blend to cancel out darkness. Finish with your regular concealer.

cover-up-gray-hair cover-up-gray-hair for salon locations), advises Tiffany Chiapparelli, lead educator at Amika. Sweep it on and it makes hair appear thicker while hiding those grays. If your strands are already full and you just need a quick way to get your color to look uniform, a spray is ideal—spritz at the roots and you're good to go. Our pick: eSalon Cover Story ($15; esalon.com).

cover-up-patchy-brows cover-up-patchy-brows ), lets you cover grays and groom at the same time. Bulk up patchy arches with Touchback BrowMarker ($20; touchbackbrow.com): It's like a felt-tip pen for sparse eyebrows.

cover-up-stretch-marks-cellulite cover-up-stretch-marks-cellulite ), is especially helpful for tightening and toning.

cover-up-varicose-veins cover-up-varicose-veins ), to spray foundation on top of the color correction. (Try the water-resistant Temptu Perfect Canvas 24-Hour Hydra Lock Airpod Foundation, $48; temptu.com.) "This keeps the layers of makeup from mixing," says Rebecca Perkins, founder and head makeup artist at Rouge makeup salons in New York City.