Whether you want to hide a tattoo from conservative relatives, cover it up for a wedding or special event, or want to look more professional at your next job interview, if you know what approach to take, you can quickly and easily cover up a tattoo with makeup.
The right makeup can cover many styles, from small tattoos, huge sleeves, and everything in between and when applied correctly, it won’t rub off.
Celebrity makeup artist Aaron Berry suggests using a full coverage foundation and concealed setting powder and sealing spray to conceal a fully healed tattoo. “Powder is great for setting and blurring concealed giving you a skin-like finish, powder alone will be transparent to hide a tattoo,” Berry tells Seventeen.
Tattoos are so common these days that it’s becoming increasingly rare to meet someone who doesn’t have one. And it’s not unusual to see crowds at your local tattoo parlors at the end of the year – a new year and new beginnings call for permanent declarations in the form of body art.
If you want to hide your ink for any reason, you can turn to makeup as your go-to tattoo cover up. Whatever the case, the good news is that hiding a tattoo is pretty easy if you have the right makeup products like tattoo concealed.
Below is an easy way to temporarily hide a tattoo with makeup
1. Using Regular Makeup
Cleanse your skin:
- Before you cover the tattoo with makeup, it’s a good idea to clean your tattooed skin with a wipe or a light facial wash. If you have a large tattoo, showering prepares the skin to receive this type of makeup.
- You should be aware that you should not try to cover the tattoo with makeup first unless it is completely healed, otherwise you may ruin the ink or develop an infection.
- It can take up to 40-45 days for the tattoo to heal completely. Note that you should not attempt to cover up a tattoo that is fresh and has not yet peeled off.
2. Apply a light concealer
- Whenever you’re using a makeup sponge or stippling brush to apply concealer to a tattoo, try dabbing or blotting the concealer into the skin instead of rubbing it in. Rubbing just pushes the product around rather than adding coverage.
- Because of this, blotting can also help you avoid wasting too much of your concealer. And once you coat the tattoo in an even layer, wait two or three minutes for it to dry.
3. Add foundation
- In the third step, choose a foundation that perfectly matches your skin tone. You can easily use spray foundations and spray foundations provide the most even coverage, but liquid or cream foundations are also used.
- If you are using a spray foundation, shake the can well and then hold it about 6 to 8 inches away from the tattoo. Spray the foundation in a spray rather than a continuous stream. This will prevent you from going too heavy with it. Spray until your tattoo is evenly covered, then let it set for 60-65 seconds.
- If you’re using a liquid or cream foundation, use a makeup sponge or stippling brush to apply the product, using the same blotting technique you used with concealer. If needed, you can use your fingers to smooth the top layer and blend around the edges.
4. Cover it with translucent powder
A large powder brush should then be used while applying the translucent powder over the foundation. And using this large powder brush provides this matte finish
5. Spitz the makeup with setting spray
- When you’re done layering foundation, concealer, and powder, finishes with light sprits of makeup setting spray. This sets the coverage and will prevent the makeup from rubbing off on any clothes or furniture. Allow it to dry before touching the area or trying to cover it with clothing.
6. If you wish does a trial run before the event
If you want to cover up your tattoo for a specific event like a job interview or a wedding, it’s a good idea to do a trial run beforehand. This will give you a chance to practice your technique and make sure your makeup is the right color for your skin tone.
Below are the steps on how to use makeup to cover your tattoo
STEP 1: Prime Your Tattoo
Before proceeding to the hidden part of the tattoo, it is important to prepare your tattoo with a primer for makeup application. A primer helps ensure you have a smooth base to apply the rest of your makeup and allows your makeup to wear evenly throughout the day.
Step 2: Use Color Corrector
If you have a colored tattoo, you can conceal it with a color-correcting crayon. Choose a color that you know will help mask the appearance of the colors in your tattoo.
Step3: Apply Foundation with a Makeup Blender
When you have your full-coverage foundation ready to go, it’s time to apply it. The best way to apply your foundation to help hide a tattoo temporarily is to dab on the product using your fingers, then use a makeup blender to apply your foundation over your tattoo, then blend. Build up coverage as needed until most of your tattoo is covered.
Step4: Follow Up with Concealer
Apply the concealer with a makeup blender, pressing the formula on top of the foundation until you’ve completely covered your tattoo. Then use the shade that most closely matches your skin tone for a seamless look.
Step5: Set with Translucent Powder
Your tattoos will stay covered until you’re ready to wash off your makeup, which means it’s a good idea to set everything with face powder. Use a dipped fluffy brush to set your makeup and keep concealer and foundation in place as the day wears off.
Step6: Spritz on Makeup Setting Spray
If you want your makeup to have even more staying powder, it doesn’t hurt to follow up with a makeup setting spray.
Summary
Covering a tattoo with makeup can be a tricky process, but there are a few steps you can follow to help ensure the best results:
Choose the right products: Look for a high-coverage, full-coverage foundation or concealer that matches your skin tone. You’ll also need a setting powder and a makeup setting spray to keep the makeup in place.
Prepare your skin: Clean the area with soap and water and pat it dry with a towel. Apply a moisturizer to the area to make sure it’s hydrated, and then use a primer to create a smooth base for the makeup.
Apply the makeup: Use a small, flat brush to apply the foundation or concealer to the tattoo, blending the edges carefully to create a seamless finish. Apply the makeup in thin layers until you achieve the desired coverage. Use a setting powder to help the makeup stay in place, and then mist the area with a setting spray to lock it in.
Touch-up as needed: If you notice any areas where the makeup has worn off, use a small brush to apply more foundation or concealer to those areas.
Remove the makeup: At the end of the day, use a gentle makeup remover to remove the makeup from the tattoo.
It’s important to note that covering a tattoo with makeup can be a tricky process, especially for large or complex tattoos. If you need to cover a tattoo for a special occasion, it may be best to seek the help of a professional makeup artist.
