How to Hide Pimples With Makeup

Textbooks, calculators, notepads are officially a reality now that back-to-school season is here. The first days back to the hallways or college campus are always a little stressful. You might be up late the night before wondering if you’ll remember old faces or make it to your classes on time. All that stress can throw your skin for a loop and lead to unwanted breakouts. First things first, don’t panic! Below find a step-by-step guide on what you should do to hide and treat back-to-school breakouts.

How to Hide Breakouts

Alright, here’s the game plan. If your pimples start to rear their ugly heads less than 24 hours before class, chances are you won’t be able to make them disappear by morning. That’s the bad news. The good news is that there are ways you can reduce the appearance of the bumps and mask any redness when you’re in a time crunch. Here’s our five-step guide.

STEP 1: Use Acne-Fighting Skincare

“The best way to address and control acne is to use good products every day, even when the acne is seemingly under control,” says Dr. Ted Lain, a board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant. Remember, not all blemishes are equal. You may not have a red, juicy pimple, but you could have another blemish that falls under the acne umbrella, such as a blackhead or whitehead. “To control a flare, the best options are concentrated applications of acne-fighting ingredients,” Dr. Lain says. “Look for ingredients like alpha- or beta-hydroxy-acids or benzoyl peroxide.” 

Shop some of our favorite acne-fighting products here. You may not notice an immediate improvement in the appearance of your acne, but it’s important to address the root problem in tandem with your camouflaging efforts.

STEP 2: Neutralize Redness With a Color Corrector

Now that you’ve prepped your skin, it’s time to break out a color corrector. If you’re dealing with a red pimple, a green-hued color corrector can help neutralize its appearance. Just dab a small amount onto your zit before following up with a foundation in your skin tone. The Dermablend Quick Fix Color-Correcting Powder Pigments are no-fuss, powder-to-cream color correctors that neutralize discoloration while smoothing the appearance of your skin. 

STEP 3: Apply Foundation

After applying your color corrector, reach for an oil-free foundation. Try the Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation. This natural-looking medium coverage liquid foundation makeup comes in 40 shades, so you know you'll find a fit for your skin tone. It helps refine pores and is best for normal to oily skin.

STEP 4: Apply Concealer

The foundation will make your skin tone look more even and matte, but it might still need some extra reinforcement on problem areas. That’s where concealer comes in. Lancôme Teint Idole Camouflage Concealer— available in 18 natural-looking shades — camouflages imperfections with a weightless, comfortable feel that’s never cakey. Stash it in your purse for on-the-go touch-ups in between classes.

STEP 5: Set It All in Place

The last step is to lock all of your hard work in place. NYX Professional Makeup Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Matifying Powder is a no-brainer because it’s infused with oil-absorbing rice powder that keeps unwanted shine at bay. Choose from 12 different shades that offer a matte veil over your foundation and concealer.

Photo: Chaunte Vaughn

Read More:

The Ultimate Back-to-School Skincare Guide

5 Acne Patches Worth Trying the Next Time You Break Out

We Tried All of the Dermablend Foundations — Here Are Our Thoughts