Tattoo Cover Up: A Quick Makeup Guide

a lady having her makeup done by a makeup artist

Tattoos are pretty common, even in professional settings, but sometimes you need to conceal them. If they are in places that clothes can't easily cover, you can use makeup to hide your ink. 

Makeup artists have been using cosmetics to cover tattoos for a long time. You can practically erase any tattoo temporarily if you know what you're doing. You don't have to be a professional to learn how to cover your tattoos properly. There are many different products and techniques you can use to get the job done. 

We are going to go over everything you need to know about hiding a tattoo. You will learn quick and easy steps to cover up your ink.

Makeup That Covers Tattoos

There are a few makeup products you will need to cover your tattoos. 

Foundation

A buildable full coverage foundation is the first thing you need. You'll want a liquid foundation since it can offer high coverage and is easy to blend out. Liquid foundation is also the most hydrating form of foundation, so you won't have to worry about drying out your skin

Similar to when you're doing your makeup on your face, a foundation is the base of your tattoo makeup. It will keep you from having to use more concealer than necessary by providing the first layer of coverage. 

If you're looking for a foundation, try HIDE Premium Foundation. It is specifically formulated to cover tattoos. It is long-lasting, transfer-proof, and sweat-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about it rubbing off on your clothes. Our foundation is also highly pigmented, which helps cover the ink in your tattoo.

Concealer

The second makeup product you'll need is a high-quality concealer. The concealer should be able to hide any pigment in your tattoos. 

HIDE Premium Concealer is a waterproof product that can cover anything. It is also lightweight and oil-free so that it won't clog your pores.

Color Corrector

If you've never heard of color correcting, it's the process of using the opposite color to neutralize another color. For example, if your tattoo has blue hues, you will need a peachy color correcting concealer to counteract the color of your tattoo. 

Keep in mind HIDE products are often pigmented enough that you may not need a color corrector. 

Translucent Powder

You'll need a translucent powder to lock everything in place after you're done applying your liquid products. The powder will help it from sliding off your tattoo as you go through the day. 

A face powder with color can darken when applied over the liquid products you're wearing. The powder shade changes when it touches the water in your makeup, just like your clothes get darker when they get wet. If this happens, it will be obvious that you have makeup on your skin, and you won't have a seamless finish. 

HIDE products can set themselves, so you may not need a powder at all!

How To Cover a Tattoo

Now that you know all of the products you may need let's go over how to use them step-by-step. 

Step 1: Prep Your Skin

Just like when applying makeup to your face, you need to prep your skin. Clean the area of the tattoo you're going to cover with soap and water. Next, moisturize the skin to give the makeup a smooth surface. 

If you're covering a tattoo on your arm, you may want to consider shaving your arm hair. Shaving will create a better surface for makeup application.

Step 2: Color Correct

If you feel like you need a color corrector, it is the first makeup product you need to apply. For tattoos with black ink that has a blue undertone, reach for a pinkish-peach-toned concealer. 

If you have a tattoo with various colors, you may need to neutralize each color with a different color corrector. Green will cancel out red, yellow will hide purple hues, and peachy orange colors cancel out blue. 

You may need to go through a bit of trial and error to find the right shade of color corrector to cancel out the colors in your tattoos. Experiment with different shades to find the right coverage for your skin. Once you figure it out, you won't have to spend time thinking about it every time you cover your tattoo. 

Step 3: Foundation

Once your color corrector is on, you can apply your foundation. When it comes to your foundation, you need to find one that matches your skin shade and tone. HIDE Premium Foundation comes in several shades. 

If you are covering a tattoo on skin that sees the sun, it's probably a little darker than the skin on your face. Therefore, you may not be able to use your everyday foundation shade for this step. If your makeup doesn't match, it will be obvious that you’re trying to cover a tattoo.

When you feel like you've found your match, apply it over the tattoo with a stippling brush or a damp makeup sponge. If you're wearing a color corrector, you want to avoid moving it off the tattoo. Gently dab the foundation over the tattoo until you can't see the color corrector. 

You'll also want to buff out the foundation along the edges, so it seamlessly blends with your natural skin. The last thing you want is a harsh foundation line around your tattoo, so don't skip this step! 

Step 4: Concealer

After you've applied a thin layer of foundation, reach for your concealer. You don't want your skin to look cakey, so don't go in with a thick layer of concealer. 

If you're using HIDE Premium Concealer, a little goes a long way. Use your damp makeup sponge or stippling brush to apply a small amount of concealer over your tattoo. It is easily buildable, so if you feel you need more, add another thin layer. 

Step 5: Set Your Makeup

Once you're happy with the level of coverage, set everything in place. You don't want your makeup to shift or come off as you go through the day. Use a little bit of translucent powder on a fluffy brush and cover the area.

You can also use a setting spray instead of a powder to set your makeup. HIDE products should stay in place all day without a setting spray or a translucent powder.   

Extra Tip To Quickly Cover Tattoos

If you have to cover a decent-sized tattoo regularly, you may want to invest in an airbrush machine. It allows you to cover a large area quickly and evenly. 

You can still use your favorite liquid foundation, but you may have to thin it out before putting it in the machine. You can thin out your foundation by adding a little water or a liquid designed to thin out products for airbrush makeup. Once it's the proper consistency, you can use it to cover your tattoo. 

This machine can save you some serious time by cutting out the work it takes to stipple or dab on the product over a large area. You can also apply thin layers one at a time and build up the coverage quickly without adding too much. 

In Summary

Covering your tattoos can be a simple process once you perfect the routine. When you know what shade matches your skin, you can take away a lot of the guessing time it takes in the beginning. 

HIDE premium products can cover anything, including tattoos. They are highly pigmented, weightless, and last all day. They are the perfect products to trust to keep your tattoos hidden! 

 

Sources:

How To Cover Up A Tattoo Using Makeup | AuthorityTattoo

How to control oily skin| AAD

Can I Use Any Foundation With an Airbrush Machine? | Fashionisers