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   ![A Make-Up Artist Guide To Covering Spots](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_800x800/public/articles/2019/11/how-cover-spots.jpg?itok=Qa1eQZzi)

  

 

 



 

 

[Skincare](/beauty/skincare)

 /  25 November 2019  

#  A Make-Up Artist Guide To Covering Spots  


Covering an unsightly spot is a make-up challenge most of us have faced. Get it right and it disappears, get it wrong and you draw more attention to it. Here, Hannah Martin, celebrity make-up artist and former UK Pro &amp; Artistry manager for Bobbi Brown, shares her top tips for getting it right...  


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### Firstly, how to prep the spot… 

If you have a particularly angry blemish, try sleeping with an acne patch - I love ZitSticka and Squish. A patch will draw out impurities and reduce swelling making the spot easier to cover. If not, I highly recommend using an overnight spot treatment like Malin and Goetz Salicylic Gel.

 

 

 



 

 

 ![KILLA Patches from ZitSticka](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_600x600/public/articles/2019/11/zit-sticka.jpg?itok=bBAOqrm3)

 

 

 

[#### KILLA Patches](https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/zitsticka-killa.html?ranMID=35269&ranEAID=etT1jgERWYw&ranSiteID=etT1jgERWYw-3bi0j8..aCTwrsNLgCwcHg&utm_source=LS&utm_medium=affil&utm_campaign=generic&siteID=etT1jgERWYw-3bi0j8..aCTwrsNLgCwcHg&publisher_name=SheerLuxe.com)

##### ZitSticka, 



£27

 

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 ![Salicylic Gel from Malin + Goetz](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_600x600/public/articles/2019/11/malin-goetz-salyclic-acod.jpg?itok=I5n_gaad)

 

 

 

[#### Salicylic Gel](https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/malin-goetz-salicylic-gel.html?ranMID=35269&ranEAID=etT1jgERWYw&ranSiteID=etT1jgERWYw-8s5pxdlgIeOn_nl7VYSjrQ&utm_source=LS&utm_medium=affil&utm_campaign=generic&siteID=etT1jgERWYw-8s5pxdlgIeOn_nl7VYSjrQ&publisher_name=SheerLux)

##### Malin + Goetz, 



£19

 

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 ![Flower Power Patches from Squish](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_600x600/public/articles/2019/11/squish-patches.jpg?itok=5-_YoZ43)

 

 

 

[#### Flower Power Patches](https://squishbeauty.com/products/flower-power-acne-patches)

##### Squish, 



$14

 

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### Covering a whitehead

- Firstly, don’t squeeze it. A freshly squeezed whitehead is often a bit weepy and concealer simply won’t adhere to wet or broken skin.
- To avoid breaking the skin, use a make-up brush to apply concealer very gently over the top. If you’re concerned about spreading bacteria, use a cotton bud.
- Cover the entire spot using a full coverage concealer like Tarte Shape Tape or Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer and then set it with loose powder.
- Repeat both steps making sure you don’t touch the area with your fingers.

 

 

 

 ![Shape Tape Contour Concealer from Tarte](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_600x600/public/articles/2019/11/shape-tape-concealer-tarte.jpg?itok=R8_AM4gX)

 

 

 

[#### Shape Tape Contour Concealer](https://www.qvcuk.com/Tarte-Shape-Tape-Contour-Concealer.product.239524.html)

##### Tarte, 



£20

 

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 ![Translucent Powder from Laura Mercier](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_600x600/public/articles/2019/11/laura-mercier-translucent-powder.jpg?itok=0MeRy4bd)

 

 

 

[#### Translucent Powder](https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/laura-mercier-translucent-loose-setting-powder.html?ranMID=35269&ranEAID=etT1jgERWYw&ranSiteID=etT1jgERWYw-3EhiBQPQEydXm3D1CNs4Cw&utm_source=LS&utm_medium=affil&utm_campaign=generic&siteID=etT1jgERWYw-3EhiBQPQEydXm3D1CNs4Cw&pu=)

##### Laura Mercier, 



£30

 

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 ![Lasting Perfection Concealer from Collection](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_600x600/public/articles/2019/11/collection-2000-concealer.jpg?itok=Co8UHGWj)

 

 

 

[#### Lasting Perfection Concealer](https://www.boots.com/collection-lasting-perfection-concealer-10196692?affwin=&cm_mmc=affiliates-_-Editorial%20Content-_-SheerLuxe.com-_-69421&utm_source=affiliates&utm_medium=Editorial%20Content&utm_campaign=SheerLuxe.com-69421&awc=2041_1574429153_a05c026)

##### Collection, 



£3.99 *(was £4.19)*

 

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### Covering a blackhead

- Start with a quick exfoliation treatment. Apply a face oil to the problem area (I like Votary Blemish Rescue Oil), leave for a few minutes and then buff the area with a flannel or muslin cloth in circular motions.
- I often find blackheads start to come away with this gentle massage. The oil will also help hydrate the skin so the concealer sits more smoothly.
- If pores are an issue, apply a pore minimising primer to smooth and fill in the pore without clogging it. I recommend Smashbox Minimize Pores Primer.
- Then apply concealer over the area and set with a powder. I’d avoid stick concealers over blackheads as they may be too dry. Instead, I would use some Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer on a fluffy concealer brush.

 

 

 

 

 ![Blemish Rescue Oil from Votary](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_600x600/public/articles/2019/11/votary-belmish-rescue-oil.jpg?itok=EzyYMUBO)

 

 

 

[#### Blemish Rescue Oil](https://www.votary.co.uk/product/blemish-rescue-oil/)

##### Votary, 



£35

 

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 ![The Sensual Skin Enhancer from Kevyn Aucoin](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_600x600/public/articles/2019/11/kevyn-concealer.jpg?itok=XwLD_ddG)

 

 

 

[#### The Sensual Skin Enhancer](https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/kevyn-aucoin-the-sensual-skin-enhancer.html?affwin=&cm_mmc=affiliates-_-Editorial%20Content-_-SheerLuxe.com-_-69421&utm_source=affiliates&utm_medium=Editorial%20Content&utm_campaign=SheerLuxe.com-69421&awc=2041_1574429225_dc514)

##### Kevyn Aucoin, 



£38

 

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 ![Pore Minimising Primer from Smashbox](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_600x600/public/articles/2019/11/phot-finish-minimze-pores.jpg?itok=5p0R1aTH)

 

 

 

[#### Pore Minimising Primer](https://www.boots.com/smashbox-pore-minimizing-photo-finish-primer-30ml-10182210?affwin=&cm_mmc=affiliates-_-Editorial%20Content-_-SheerLuxe.com-_-69421&utm_source=affiliates&utm_medium=Editorial%20Content&utm_campaign=SheerLuxe.com-69421&awc=2041_15744292)

##### Smashbox, 



£28

 

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### Covering an angry red bump

- Resist the urge to squeeze. A red bump may be painful but it’s easier to conceal than a scab.
- Conceal a larger area than the blemish alone, so it looks more natural.
- Be sure the concealer matches your skin tone as a hint too light or too dark will draw attention to a blemish that might otherwise go unnoticed.
- Take a full coverage concealer like the L’Oreal Infallible More Than Concealer and draw a cross right over the bump. Dab gently with a clean ring finger to spread the concealer.
- Although full coverage concealers tend to be long wearing, it’s still beneficial to set with powder.

 

 

 

 ![Infallible More Than Concealer from L'Oréal](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_600x600/public/articles/2019/11/loreal-infallible-more-concealer.jpg?itok=ui2Rf5bB)

 

 

 

[#### Infallible More Than Concealer](https://www.boots.com/loreal-paris-infallible-more-than-concealer-10259314?affwin=&cm_mmc=affiliates-_-Editorial%20Content-_-SheerLuxe.com-_-69421&utm_source=affiliates&utm_medium=Editorial%20Content&utm_campaign=SheerLuxe.com-69421&awc=2041_1574430007_9f8)

##### L'Oréal, 



£6.99 *(was £9.99)*

 

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 ![Soft Matte Complete Concealer from Nars](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_600x600/public/articles/2019/11/nars-concealer-pot.jpg?itok=faQWKMsr)

 

 

 

[#### Soft Matte Complete Concealer](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=35269&murl=https%3A//www.cultbeauty.co.uk/nars-soft-matte-complete-concealer.html)

##### Nars, 



£24

 

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 ![Overachiever Concealer from Huda Beauty](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_600x600/public/articles/2019/11/huda-concealer.jpg?itok=T0YeKhsH)

 

 

 

[#### Overachiever Concealer](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=35269&murl=https%3A//www.cultbeauty.co.uk/huda-beauty-overachiever-concealer.html)

##### Huda Beauty, 



£23

 

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### Covering a dry or flaky spot

- Prep your skin as normal and then apply the tiniest bit of emollient using a cotton bud on the offending area to soften the skin. Bobbi Brown Skin Salve is excellent for aiding blemish healing by nourishing the damaged skin.
- Dry, flaky spots are best concealed with a brush so you can work your concealer right into and around the area.
- I like to use a little Cover FX Power Play Concealer on a fluffy synthetic brush then stipple over the blemish. Use a tapping motion to get the hairs of the brush in amongst the dry skin for full coverage.

 

 

 

 ![Skin Salve from Bobbi Brown](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_600x600/public/articles/2019/11/beauty-remedies-bobbi-brown.jpg?itok=kty-ckXj)

 

 

 

[#### Skin Salve](https://www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en/product/1048593/bobbi_brown/no-57-skin-salve-restoring-treatment--17g?cm_mmc=LinkshareUK-_-etT1jgERWYw-_-Custom-_-LinkBuilder&siteID=etT1jgERWYw-MVipP_h1RFYCJRgjMJyFRg&SheerLuxe_com=SheerLuxe.com&dclid=CPPPvt_4_eUCFcPU3g)

##### Bobbi Brown, 



£29.50

 

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 ![Power Play Concealer from Cover FX](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_600x600/public/articles/2019/11/cover-fx-power-play.jpg?itok=p3x5n57H)

 

 

 

[#### Power Play Concealer](https://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/cover-fx-power-play-concealer.html?ranMID=35269&ranEAID=etT1jgERWYw&ranSiteID=etT1jgERWYw-EKFz9K8gBGruNx_X4Iys5Q&utm_source=LS&utm_medium=affil&utm_campaign=generic&siteID=etT1jgERWYw-EKFz9K8gBGruNx_X4Iys5Q&publisher_name=Shee)

##### Cover FX, 



£24 *(was £15.60)*

 

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 ![217S Blending Brush from MAC](/sites/sheerluxe/files/styles/max_600x600/public/articles/2019/11/mac-brush.jpg?itok=R70WRgGy)

 

 

 

[#### 217S Blending Brush](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=5678&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.asos.com%252Fmac%252Fmac-217s-blending-brush%252Fprd%252F9672789%253F%5D%5D)

##### MAC, 



£17

 

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### And finally, how to guarantee long lasting coverage…

It’s also always worth powdering your concealer in place to really fix it to the skin. I prefer a loose powder as you can get lots of product on your brush for effective setting rather than trying to pick up lots of pigment from a pressed powder. If you worry a brush will move the concealer, try using a pad or sponge to deliver the powder instead, and dab rather than sweep.

 

 

 

 

  

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