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How To Cover Up a Tattoo With Makeup

Tattoos were once relatively niche, but have become more and more popular in recent years. Now, countless people around the world are getting tattoos, and they can be a great way to express part of your personality, honor someone special, or decorate your body with a design that is fun, original, and meaningful for you.
However, there may be times when you wish you could cover up your tattoo. Maybe you want to conceal it before a big job interview, for example, or when meeting with certain friends or relatives. Either way, body makeup is great for covering up tattoos, and this guide will talk you through how to use it.


Body Makeup for Tattoos

So, what exactly is body makeup for covering tattoos? Well, it's just like regular face makeup, only designed for use on the body. Body makeup tends to be a little thicker and more transfer-resistant than facial makeup, and you can use bigger applicator tools like brushes and sponges to spread it onto your skin.

Apart from that, body makeup should be very familiar for anyone who uses standard facial makeup each day. It can come in liquid and cream forms, with products like body concealer and body foundation being particularly effective for covering up all kinds of marks, including scars, blemishes, veins, and, of course, tattoos.

There are lots of benefits of using body makeup to cover a tattoo. Firstly, it’s really easy to work with, and it’s completely safe for your skin, as well. Good quality body makeup will also allow you to get the results you want and wear whatever clothes you want without feeling like you need to cover up your tattoos with pants, shirts, or accessories.

How to Use Body Makeup to Cover a Tattoo

So, we’ve seen that body makeup is the best choice for covering up a tattoo temporarily. But how do you use it? Well, it’s quite a simple process, but you need to carry out each step with care and attention to detail to get the best results. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide for covering tattoos with body makeup:

Step 1. Shave and Clean
Before you start applying any makeup products like concealer and foundation to your skin, it's a good idea to clean and shave the area you want to work with. Shaving the hair in the area you plan to cover will help ensure that you have a smooth base for makeup application. For best results, you should always apply makeup onto clean skin. An exfoliating body wash is a great choice as it will get rid of any dirt or debris and polish the skin for a smooth finish. Just make sure to use oil-free products as oils can cause body makeup to transfer.

Step 2. Add Some Concealer
Usually, if you want to hide something on your face, like a scar or mark, you might add foundation first, followed by concealer. However, for tattoos on the body, it’s usually best to start off with concealer and apply it to the tattooed area. Try to use your fingertips or a light sponge to dab it in and use a shade of concealer that closely matches your skin.

Step 3. Layer the Foundation
Your tattoo should still be visible at this stage, but we’re about to fix that. Once the concealer is dry, start adding some body foundation. Pick a foundation that matches your skin's natural tone and start applying it to your skin. Aim for even coverage all across the tattoo and surrounding area, and use a large brush, sponge or your fingers to blend it in.

Step 4. Use Translucent Powder to Set
Once you're happy with how the foundation has hidden your tattoo, you can move on and make use of some translucent powder. This helps to give your skin an even, matte finish, preventing it from looking wet, dewy, or standing out compared to the rest of your body. Use a big, wide powder brush to spread the powder all over the area. 
However, depending on the body makeup you use this step can be optional. You can simplify your tattoo coverage routine by using Body Coverage Perfector, a transfer- resistant and waterproof body makeup that self-sets without powder! All you’ll need to do is ensure you apply the product to clean, dry, oil-free skin, pat excess off, and wait 10 minutes to ensure transfer resistance.

Tips for Using Makeup to Cover Tattoos

Next, let's look at a few tips and tricks that you might want to consider when using body makeup to cover a tattoo:
  • Consider an Oil-Free Primer - It can sometimes be helpful to apply a layer of body priming moisturizer to your skin before you apply and foundation or concealer. This can help to even out the area and give you a solid base for your other makeup products to adhere to.
  •  Use a Brush - When it comes to blending foundation and concealer into large areas of skin like the legs, arms, and so on, a large brush can be used to help blend everything in nicely, ensure a hassle-free application process without a clean-up, and help you get those hard to reach places like the back of our arms, legs, or back.
  •  Use Oil-Free Body Products – Oils generally make body makeup to transfer, so make sure you’re using oil-free products to prep your skin and while wearing body foundation or concealer.
Now that you know how to cover up those tattoos with makeup, be sure to check out the full line of Westmore Beauty products. From foundation to finisher, lipstick to eye makeup, and more we have every inch of you covered.