HOW TO USE BODY MAKEUP TO COVER STRETCH MARKS

Stretch marks are a common skin issue that can affect many people at different stages in their lives. Stretch marks are the result of the skin stretching in a relatively short time frame. Despite being natural and harmless, some people may prefer to cover their stretch marks to help boost their confidence or have a perfected appearance. In addition to a regular preventative skincare, body makeup can be used year-round to conceal stretch marks. In this guide we’ll show you how you can use body makeup to cover stretch and achieve a flawless end result. 

What Are Stretch Marks and Why Do They Appear? 

Before we look at body makeup to cover stretch marks, it's important to have a basic understanding of what stretch marks are and why they might appear on your body in the first place. So, let's take a quick look at why and how they start to form on the skin.  

In simple terms, stretch marks are a kind of scar. They form when the skin undergoes rapid stretching or shrinking, which is usually associated with some sort of bodily transformation, like quick weight gain, weight loss, or pregnancy. They can also occur during puberty or if you start working out heavily and gaining muscles at an accelerated rate that stretches your skin. 

As the skin stretches or shrinks, it causes the collagen and elastin - proteins that serve as building blocks for skin cells - to break down and rupture. This is essentially what causes the formation and appearance of stretch marks. They usually appear red or purple at first and can fade over time, becoming paler. 

Using Body Makeup to Cover Stretch Marks 

Many people look for ways to get rid of stretch marks. The reality of the matter is that, just like any other kind of scar, stretch marks are not easy to eliminate with traditional skincare products. 

Not only that, but people can respond differently to different products. So, what works for one person to fade their stretch marks might not work as well for the next person. This is why the quickest and easiest way to deal with stretch marks if you don’t like the way they look is to cover them up, and body makeup can help with that. 

As the name implies, body makeup is makeup that is designed for use on the body. Usually thicker, high coverage, and more transfer resistant than facial makeup, body makeup is great for applying on areas like your legs, arms, chest, hips, stomach, and so on. It can be a fantastic choice for applying in those areas where stretch marks tend to form, allowing you to easily feel confident in your appearance and wear different types of clothing that may expose certain areas where stretch marks are present. 

Benefits of Body Makeup for Stretch Marks 

So, why might you like to use body makeup to cover stretch marks instead of opting for an alternative? Well, one of the best things about body makeup is that it works instantly. So, unlike certain stretch mark treatments that can take weeks or months to see results when working with body makeup, you can transform your look in minutes. 

In addition, body makeup is versatile enough to work for everyone. There are lots of different body makeup concealers, foundations, and other products out there that you can use to suit your specific skin type, tone, or preferred skin finish.  

How to Use Body Makeup to Cover Stretch Marks 

Here are some simple step-by-step instructions to follow: 

1. Exfoliate first - In order to help your stretch marks fade naturally over time, it's important to look after the area and keep it clean. So, before you apply any body makeup, make sure to use an oil-free exfoliator to clean the area. This will help to remove dead surface cells, dirt, and debris, giving you a smooth, clean base to apply your makeup. 
2. If applying product to an area like your legs, ensure you have shaved the area for a smooth application process and appearance.  
3. Use oil-free moisturizer- This will act as a primer for the area, helping to nourish the skin for a hydrated appearance, while acting as a foundational layer for other makeup products to be applied so that you can avoid accentuating dryness or uneven texture on the skin’s surface. You must use an oil-free product, as oil is often used as a makeup-removing ingredient affecting your results and inhibiting the formula from setting to ensure all-day wear and transfer resistance.  
4. Apply your body makeup, depending on y
   our preference and the scale of your stretch marks. It's usually best to spot conceal the scar first, allow the product to set for a full 10 minutes, then follow up with an additional layer of body makeup to cover the entire area for an even skin appearance. If you are concealing a large area– such as arms, legs or chest – it may be best to apply the makeup with a large body brush to effortlessly blend the product into your skin.  
5. Finish with setting powder - When using body makeup, just like facial makeup, setting powder can provide the ideal finishing touch. This step is completely optional, but this product can help to extend the wear time of your body makeup and provide a natural matte finish if that is your preference.  

The fact is, there are a lot of people who have developed stretch marks over their lifetime for one reason or another. Whether you want to conceal your stretch marks on a daily basis or just want to have flawless-looking skin for special occasions, the full line of Westmore Beauty products and makeup can help provide that instant, effortless transformation you are looking for!