Tuesday, January 5, 2016

How To Cover Dark Spots and Acne Marks



Yay for another "How To" series, this time for my dear readers who have been emailing me to learn tips on how to cover their pimple spots or acne marks.  

Thankfully, my dear client was so gracious to let me take a photo of her pre-makeover.  She actually has gorgeous glowing skin but because she is going through skin treatment through her dermatologist, she was left with marks (not scars) that is just on the verge of healing.  So, as her make up artist that day, I am tasked to make her look like herself, at the same time, cover the spots that hides her lovely face!


a photo of before and after photo on makeup for acne marks

I personally have gone through a stage almost like my client, but most of the spots are on my cheeks so I looked like I had natural "blush" from afar.  It may sound silly to some but I almost never wanted to go to school!  I wished I knew about concealers back then! #hehehe


 So today, I'm paying it forward by sharing some of the makeup tips I learned through my Make Up teacher (holler to Ms. Cheryl Cabanos) and through experience!

Step 1:  Hydrate and moisturize
If you have occasionally have acne or pimple marks, that means your skin tends to be on the oilier side.  And because of that, most of you tend to skip moisturizer, and because of that, based on experience, most of the clients who have oily skin usually have the driest skin upon touch!  So it is very important to hydrate the skin prior to makeup application, in this way, the base won't look cake-y or patchy!

Use oil-free or lightweight moisturizers.  Here are just some of the top lightweight, oil-free moisturizers I use on clients.  These are my pick because they are winner in the lightweight and oil-free department, at the same time, it keeps the skin's moisture intact without adding up oil and moisture thus makeup stays longer.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

a photo of Clinique Dramatically Different moisturizing gel

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Lotion
a photo of Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Lotion
 Origins Make A Difference Plus+ Rejuvenating Treatment

a photo of  Origins Make A Difference Plus+ Rejuvenating Treatment

Step 2: Use Oil-Control Primers
These will help base makeup stay the whole day even on humid weather!  I've tried so many face primers to date and I personally love Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Light and I still use this on clients to date!  Next on my list is the MAC Prep + Prime Face Base.

Step 3: Use Correctors
For dark spots or marks, using a regular concealer won't make the cut!  It is very important to use those colorful correctors and learn the basic technique.

As for my client, I used green colored concealer from my Graftobian Hi-Def Glamour Corrector Palette and spot correct each dark spot.  When I say "each" I mean it!

You may also use Make Up For Ever Camouflage Cream Palette no. 5.
If you are starting up to be a professional make up artist and you wanted something for practice, you may go for the Pro 15 Color Corrector Palette.
And if you plan to start on "correcting" without the scary bright colors, you may also go for the subtle route with Benefit Perk Up Artist Custom Complexion Corrector.

Step 4: Oil-Free Foundation and Concealer
The green corrector may look crazy and scary at this point but fret not!  I usually remind client not to worry because ... "The Makeover is done!  You may leave my chair!"  #hahaha  

Joking aside, I always remind my client, at this point, not to worry and let the corrector do its' job, I usually pick a shade darker foundation than her original complexion (if client is NOT acidic) to lessen possible white cast from the corrector.  

There are so many brands of good foundations and concealers out there!  So feel free to try and test which products work for you the best.  Just an additional tip though, with all the primers and correctors, even oily-skinned individuals may end up with dry and fake-looking skin after foundation application, feel free to read the article I've written before:

Step 5: SET With Oil-Free Translucent Powder
But before that!  You may use a "colored" powder foundation for additional coverage!  If, and only if, your client is extremely oily!  The extra step of applying powder foundation will add coverage at the same time lessen the greasy look.

Now, here's the final step you shouldn't miss!  Set everything with an oil-free translucent powder!  And yes, even after piling all the products, YOU STILL NEED TO DO THIS STEP! Trust me on this one!

And here are some of my favorite setting powder brands ---

RCMA No Color Powder

Ben Nye Banana Luxury Powder


Make Up For Ever High Definition Powder

  Nars Light Reflecting Setting Powder
(For users who have normal skin)
 DermaBlend Setting Powder


And I found the inexpensive route in mixing both Ben Nye Banana Powder and RCMA No Color Powder to create the ultimate fresh-face without breaking the bank!  Read my Match Made In Heaven Setting Powder post!

Well, that's it for now!  I hope I didn't bore you with my tips!  Feel free to share your tips below especially if you have experienced having these marks and you were successful in covering them!

The comment section is open for everyone to help each other!  

For those who plan to be a Professional Make Up Artist and want to know what to pack, here's my article on ---
Readers' Corner: What to Pack (Make Up Artist Edition)


Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
 

6 comments :

  1. Wow!! You did an amazing job!!! :D Thanks for the recommendations - I really need to check out that NARS powder!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. aww thanks Jenn! How are you??? It's been awhile!

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  2. I agree with color corrector at first I'm afraid to look like a united colors of Benetton but now I'm somewhat comfortable :D

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