What Are the Best Concealers for Birthmarks and Tattoos?
With a good concealer and the right technique, you can cover up just about any complexion 'flaw'. From tattoos to birthmarks, here’s how to get the ultimate coverage.
Gather Your Tools
- Primer: If you want your makeup to stick around, start with a primer. For normal and dry skin, we adore Inika Pure Primer. For oily skin, Jane Iredale Smooth Affair Facial Primer & Brightener for Oily Skin leaves your skin matte and helps your makeup stick around for ages.
- Concealer: You’ll need a good-quality concealer for serious coverage. Cheapo one-size-fits-all concealers need not apply! Go for something specifically formulated to cover tattoos and birthmarks.
Makeup artists love Jane Iredale Disappear Concealer. From red spots to black tattoos, this highly pigmented cream will cover it all. Made with antioxidant green tea, the product is perfect for irritated blemishes but heavy enough to cover a new tattoo. Another great and incredibly versatile option is Napoleon Perdis Pro Palette Concealer. The Conceal power pack comes with three different colours. This means that you can blend the shades to get the perfect mix of tones for 100% coverage. The Napoleon Perdis Pro Palette Concealer also comes in a Correct and Conceal palette that features mint green to counteract redness, mauve to counteract yellow tones, and yellow to hide dark tattoos and veins.
- Translucent setting powder: Want a flawless look that lasts all day? MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Loose Translucent Powder is the ticket!
- Foundation: Concealer alone won’t cover it all. You’ll need a full-coverage foundation like Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation SPF 15.
- Setting spray: Last but not least, use a top-notch setting spray like Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray to set all your makeup in place.
Steps for Covering Tattoos and Birthmarks
- After you wash your face, apply your primer. Use a sponge, your fingertips, or whatever tool you like, but don't skip this step.
- Use a sponge or brush to apply concealer. Dab the concealer onto your skin rather than rubbing it in.
- Lightly dust your translucent setting powder over the concealer to lock your coverage in place.
- If you want heavy-duty coverage, you need to double down. Dab on another layer of concealer to seal the deal and cover a dark tattoo or birthmark.
- Use foundation to blend telltale concealer edges into the rest of your skin. Opt for beauty blender to get a smooth look.
- Lightly dust on one last layer of translucent setting powder.
- To make your concealment sweatproof and long-lasting, give it a spritz of setting spray.
- If you're looking for a full coverage foundation to help cover tattoos, check out our guide 5 of the Best Makeup to Cover Tattoos
