Raise your hand if you’ve ever made a beauty mistake. We’re not talking about using eyeliner as lip liner or using a flatiron without heat protector — although, we’re guilty of these at least twice a month. We’re talking major mishaps, like accidentally dying your eyebrows pink (yes, it really happens) or getting a silly tattoo that ends up looking more like a bruise than that Japanese phrase you wanted. We all make mistakes, but having a tattoo that’s lame, boring and just plain old whack is never fun.
Thankfully, there are beauty brands that have our backs (literally) and offer tattoo cover-ups that hide our decisions from those crazy nights from our 20s. And even if you’re lucky enough to have a tattoo that you like and you just need to camouflage it for a special event, these brands have you covered, too.
Here, a few of our favorite concealers that do the heavy lifting, plus a few tips on how to cover up tattoos with makeup.
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Must-Try Concealers That Cover Any Tattoo
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Cover FX
Sure, this concealer is great for masking dark circles, but it's heavy enough to disguise your darkest tattoos, too. The tip makes application very precise and the formula is buildable, so you can reapply as much as needed.
Tip: Select a tattoo cover-up that's a shade or two lighter than your normal color. The shade will look darker when blending over a dark tattoo.
Cream Concealer, $27 at DermStore
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Judith August
We love that this concealer comes in five different shades, offering something for almost everyone. What's more? The formula is heavy enough to also hide scars, vitiligo, birthmarks, bruises and even veins.
Tip: Prep your skin first with an exfoliator to get rid of dead skin. Having a smooth, clean surface leads to the best results.
Killer Cover Concealer, $36 at Amazon
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MAC Cosmetics
When you have a very dark tattoo, opaque concealer is the way to go. We especially like this one because it contains an SPF of 35, is rich in antioxidants and is water-resistant. You'll be hard-pressed trying to find a tattoo this concealer won't hide.
Tip: Use a primer (we like Pixi by Petra Flawless Beauty Primer) first to ensure the tattoo cover-up stays put.
Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer, $21 at MAC Cosmetics
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Dermablend
Sixteen hours of no-worry wear that is smudge-free? Yes, we'll take this liquid body foundation in a heartbeat. Opt for this concealer for darker tattoos that require high levels of pigments.
Tip: Make sure the tattoo cover-up is completely dry before putting on clothing. Most concealers transfer easily, so you want it to be dry before touching it with your finger or clothing.
Leg and Body Cover Broad Spectrum SPF 15, $31 at Sephora
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Hard Candy
We'll be honest — when we saw this pencil, we weren't sure how much coverage we could get from it. But the shade-matched pencil is used to precisely outline the spot you are concealing to prevent smudging. Translation: You'll never miss a spot again.
Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer With Concealer Pencil, $6 at Walmart
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Benefit Cosmetics
Most concealers leave your skin with a shiny or glossy finish, but this tattoo cover-up hides imperfections while leaving a matte finish that lasts over 10 hours. Best of all it won't crease, crack or cake.
Boi-ing Industrial Strength Concealer, $20 at Sephora
