How To Cover a Tattoo With Makeup

These days, tattoos are so commonplace it’s becoming increasingly rare to meet someone who doesn’t have one (or several). Still, if you have visible tattoos, there may be moments when you’d prefer your ink to stay under wraps. That’s where tattoo cover-up makeup can come into play. Contrary to what you may assume, you don’t need any special equipment or stage makeup to cover up a tattoo—a full-coverage concealer (and the right technique) can get the job done, too. Whether you simply want to see what you’d look like sans ink or you need to hide a tattoo fast, keep scrolling. We’ll explain how to cover your ink with tattoo cover-up makeup ahead.

What Is The Best Makeup Product to Cover Tattoos?

Arguably, the best makeup to cover tattoos is tattoo makeup—that is, makeup specifically formulated for tattoo coverage. That can be hard to find, though (not to mention pricey). If you don’t have any tattoo makeup on hand, a color corrector, foundation, and concealer will get the job done, too. Here are a few of our top picks.

1. Color-correcting primer

Healed black tattoos lose their intensity over time, turning slightly blueish over time. To help neutralize blue tones and make your tattoo less obvious, color-correct with peach or orange-tinted makeup, such as the L’Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Dullness Reducer. This step helps even out your skin a bit and minimizes the amount of foundation needed for full coverage. 

2. Full-coverage foundation

You don't need specialized tattoo makeup if you have a reliable full-coverage foundation. It forms the base of your tattoo cover, ensuring you achieve a smooth, even finish. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 32 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation—the ultra-thin formula applies evenly and offers up to 32 hours of breathable, lightweight coverage. It’s buildable, too, so you can add more as needed to help mask your ink.

3. Full-coverage concealer

A full-coverage concealer can also be helpful for covering up unwanted ink. We’re fans of the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer Up To 24H Full Coverage. Its ultra-pigmented formula dries down matte and provides up to 24 hours of transfer-resistant, waterproof coverage. 

How To Cover Your Tattoo With Makeup in 5 Simple Steps

After gathering the right products, follow these steps to achieve a successful tattoo cover-up.

Step 1. Prime your skin

Begin by prepping the area with a makeup primer. This step helps create a smooth, even base for your makeup application. The aforementioned L’Oréal Paris Prime Lab Up to 24H Dullness Reducer is an excellent pick, as it helps color-correct while prepping the skin for your makeup application. 

Step 2. Use a color corrector

After priming your skin, dot a peach (for fair skin) or orange (for deep skin) color-correcting concealer over the tattoo. Then, blend it out with a damp makeup sponge. Your ink won’t be completely hidden yet, but it should be less noticeable. 

Step 3. Layer on foundation

Next, dab foundation (in a color that matches your skin tone) over the tattoo. Use a damp makeup sponge to blend out the pigment for an even finish. Be sure that the foundation covers the entire area you color-corrected to avoid any orange tones peeking out from beneath. 

Step 4. Follow up with concealer

For additional coverage, apply a few dots of your chosen concealer to the area, using the same sponge to blend out the pigment until your tattoo is completely hidden and no obvious lines of demarcation remain. Keep in mind that depending on how dark your tattoo is, you may need to add more concealer than you would to camouflage dark spots or blemishes. 

Step 5. Set with powder and setting spray

When you’re satisfied with your tattoo cover-up, ensure your ink remains hidden by setting your makeup with both setting powder and spray. Start by patting the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blur-Fection Longwear Loose Setting Powder on top of the concealer to help set it into place. Brush off any excess powder, if needed, then lightly mist the area with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible 3-Second Setting Spray. The ultra-light formula dries instantly and provides up to 36 hours of transfer-resistant wear. 

Pro Tips for a Seamless, Long-Lasting Cover-Up

Covering a tattoo with makeup is relatively straighfortward, but if you want to ensure a seamless-looking end result, follow these tips: 

1. Use light layers: Avoid piling on thick layers of product, as doing so can look unnatural (and if your makeup is super thick, it may be more likely to smudge). Instead, use thin, even layers of full-coverage makeup to conceal the ink without the need for piles of product. 
2. Choose your shades carefully: The foundation and concealer shades that you need to cover up a tattoo on your arm or leg may not be the same as the shades you use on your face. Be sure to swatch your products before buying them to ensure an accurate shade match. 

• Opt for waterproof makeup: If possible, reach for waterproof foundation and concealer to help prevent your makeup from transferring onto your clothing if you sweat. 

How To Hide a Tattoo Without Makeup

If you’re short on time or running low on tattoo makeup, you can also hide your tattoos with a few well-placed accessories. 

Neck tattoos, for example, can easily be hidden with a scarf, a turtleneck, or a large statement necklace. For wrist tattoos, swap out your thin bracelet for a thick bangle or oversized watch, or wear a long-sleeved shirt instead of a tee. Chunky rings, gloves, or even bandages can be used to cover up small finger tattoos. And if your ink is on your legs or feet, wear pants, tights, or thigh-high socks to cover up your tattoo without sacrificing style.

Next Up: 6 Tips for Minimizing Large Pores with Makeup

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris