Almost everyone gets acne, but that's pretty cold comfort, isn't it? Dealing with spots is enough of a hassle, so covering them up shouldn't be. As I was cursing a particularly stubborn cystic spot this morning, I thought you might like to see how to cover up your pimples. So for my step-by-step guide—including pictures—read more
You'll need to use different techniques depending on the blemish. Cystic acne—the spots that just show up as red, "under-the-skin" bumps—requires a different approach from the zits that are coming to a head. Read on.
- Step One: After applying your moisturizer, put a very small dab of concealer on your clean index finger. This will help warm the concealer, making it go on smoothly. I used Amazing Concealer ($40) in Fair. It's very concentrated, and because it's creamy, I find it easy to work with.
- Step Two: Cover your cystic acne by dabbing the concealer on and around the spot. Gently tap it into the skin in quick motions, until the concealer blends with the rest of your skin. (In the picture you see here, I hadn't yet blended.)
- Step Three: For pimples that are raised or that have come to a head, I recommend using a small, pointed concealer brush. I got mine at Sephora; it's on sale for $7, and has proven valuable during those times when I've needed to put just a tiny dab of concealer on a pimple. Dip the point of the brush in your concealer, then gently "paint" the pimple in question. Be sure to get the point on not just the top of the pimple, but on the sides and at the base as well.
- Step Four: Follow by applying foundation. (I used my Prescriptives Custom Blend.) I also like to use a little bit of Touche Eclat on my chin area (where I tend to be red) and on top of any large blemishes. This diffuses the light, and it helps everything look more natural.
Hope this helps! I'm always trying to improve my pimple-concealing skills, so if any of you have other tips, feel free to share them!
Ikks
Dessous
Fornarina
What good timing - A just got a nasty cystic one today. I feel gross!
1Thanks!!!
2I try to use a mask once a week and that seems to have halted any random breakouts I get.
Still can't stop the ones on that time of the month though :-/
I love Amazing Concealer! It works great for anything you might want to conceal!
3I'm with you, Candace — my whole face is mostly clear, except for the monthly bumps. ugh. Speaking of which, does anyone have any chocolate?
4Yep, I get those at that time of the month too! Hate it!
5Amazing's concealer is pricey, but it looks like it works quite effectively!
6I'm thankful for this review and the pics. This concealer will not provide the full coverage I'm looking for.
7Wow, Bella, great tips! Thank you so much for turning your pain into our gain!
8very useful tip, thanks:)
9How brave you are to post pics! Thanks for the tips
And I need some chocolate
too.....
10a good tip if you get a really bad cystic spot and cant deal with it on your face--go to the derm and get a shot of i believe cortisone in it. it works miracles within the hour! of course this is only for major emergencies like an event or if its really huge and painful...
11blah! Thank you.... I HATE PORES!!!! THEY suck
12any tips on types of over-the-counter treatments for cystic acne?? is there a certain facewash or blemish cream I can buy from the store? I don't get them often but when I do, it sucks. I had one near the side of my nose for like 2 weeks and it's JUST going away now..it hurt really bad for a while there too. >P
13But I don't have the time or money to run to a derm for a shot every time I get frustrated with a pimple lol so any home tips would be helpful!
MiyaBi_na: I have found that cystic acne (which I had for years and years) is difficult to treat with over-the counter products. I know a lot of people who swear by Proactiv, but it is expensive. You can try any of the cheaper kits - the active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide, which is an antibacterial agent, and I believe Proactiv uses a 2% level. Personally, I use a 10% benzoyl peroxide spot treatment, which is a store brand and very inexpensive, and there are face washes you can also try. Whenever I tried solutions with salicylic acid, another common ingredient, they never took care of the job, but they might work better for you.
When I do have stubborn pimples, I use a similar method as Bella. However, I first use a very, very thin layer of Physicians Formula green concealer, which I apply with my finger because the brush deposits way too much. This really neutralizes a lot of the redness and helps me use less concealer in the later steps. I also finish off with a dusting of translucent loose powder (I use Coty airspun) to set the concealer.
14I forgot to mention that I use the 10% benzoyl peroxide cream for treatment, when I actually have a blemish, and also as prevention. I put a thin layer on my oily areas where I am prone to break out - my nose and chin- every evening before bed. It is quite drying so you may peel some, but I use moisturizer once it has dried and it works well for me.
15I'm breaking out in those too! What is up with that? The time of year or something? Maybe the weather changing has caused more dry skin to clog pores. Plus, you get red face from the heating/cold.
16I will be trying those techniques. I use a waterproof concealer to dab on, then pat it into skin and blend instead of rubbing.
I dont use foundation, if i get one, i just let everyone to see, not because i want to, but because i cant cover it naturally, i gave up!
17I'm a makeup artist and I've always reccomended applying your foundation before concealer. If you put your concealer on first you can end up messing it up when applying the foundation on top. But different things work for everyone!
18You did a great job covering up your 'spots'!
I might just have to pick me up some of that 'amazing concealer'!!
19Good point, Megafie. I've toyed around with both ways, but for some reason, doing the concealer first works well for me. (I don't usually put foundation on my entire face, so sometimes it's just the concealer workin' its magic!) But that's a good point, and everyone might want to try both ways—I think there will be some variance depending on what kind of concealer/foundation you're using.
20Physician's Formula makes a concealer called "Conceal RX"...its like $8 and its a dupe for the Amazing concealer. Plus it is oil + fragrance free (I believe the Amazing concealer has mineral oil in it..ewww) and non-comedogenic. I love it...it covers anything...even those big ol' cystic guys!
21Yup... just checked out the ingredients and Amazing concealer has mineral and lanolin oil which are major pore cloggers.
22I just purchased the amazing concealer online at sephora. My sister recommended it to cover up dark circles. She loves it. She also says the tube lasts her for about a year, so i think it's a great buy. I can't wait to try it!
23I'm surprised no one has mentioned MAC concealer. I am ethnically Indian, so I've got a tan skin color and it was murder trying to find the right concealer that blended perfectly, but MAC did the trick! (I had tried CoverGirl and Stila before, among other brands...)
Anyway, I normally do what Bella did and just dab the concealer into the blemish. But afterwards, I don't use foundation (I never do, it feels too heavy on my face) and instead just pat on some sheer powder (which is also MAC.)
MAC's great for minorities! (Though their makeup artists are always borderline rude, but that's another topic altogether.)
24Great tip! It really worked out well!
25I usually do the same because my face doesn't break out too bad unless it's girl stuff...isn't it wonderful!!!!
LOVE Amazing concealer! Covers even dark tattoos!!
26seems like it really works!
27but 40 bucks to conceal is a bit steep, no?
I just love Estee Lauder Maximun Cover Camouflage Makeup for Face and Body SPF 15. It sounds a bit dramatic but it works fabulous. i have good skin its just the 1 or 2 big red nasty pimples. I just use this on the pimples and my face looks flawless and it stays on for like 12 hours its even waterproof!
28Worth trying is a tattoo cover product from www.tattoo-cover.co.uk. They do a pot with 5 colours so it is handy for summer sun when you get a suntan.
29Last note: Not tried the MAC range for concealer, but their lip gloss is great
30Belive me acne can really take over your life...Ive had it eversince 6th grade (using makeup reliogously)BUt have faith in your doctor and the makeup & most importantly in your self:)
31coolioo=)
32well, i get my monthly acne too, but my faceis otherwise very clear=)
but when a pimple develops, its hell. literally hell. i hate them=( i use concealer but it never wrks if the pimple hs come to its head or if it is raised=( =(
like right NOW! arghhhhhhhhhhhh
:@
pimples are gods way of telling you:- Yo, Dawg Go drink waterr! =)
33tehe
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