How To Cover A Pimple: Makeup Artist Advice

Meghan Markle’s Makeup Artist Swears By This Unique Blemish-Disguising Trick

For the times when a sole coat of concealer just won't do - by Delaney Loane

Blemishes happen, however committed you may be to your beloved skincare routine. And while we’re all for embracing the ‘let them breathe’ approach most days, every so often there comes an occasion where you’d really just prefer not to bring a pimple as your plus one.

So, if you’re looking to cover up an uninvited complexion guest in a flash (and a sole coating of concealer doesn’t appear to be doing the trick), celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin (AKA the very man who created Meghan Markle’s outrageously stunning wedding day look) has some advice that can help.

“Quarantined and bored, I decided to share how I cover a zit,” he explained via Instagram. “Here’s a method I use on my clients that I hope you can learn too.”

And while one of his product recommendations is perhaps a tad treacherous in our books, he noted that subbing it out in favour of something more your skin’s speed is always an option. “By all means use what you feel comfortable with, but this is what I have in my apartment right now,” he says.

Now, onto the tips…

Step 1: Detox

“Use [a detoxing] mask to tighten up the skin,” advises Martin. “This helps [with] smoothing down the texture as well. Let this dry down for about 10 minutes, [and then] once you feel like it’s ‘tight’, use a cold washcloth to remove.”

Applying a purifying charcoal mask over the blemish will help to clear out congestion that could be the cause of the pimple – you ideally want to avoid trapping excess bacteria beneath the makeup, so a quick detox is always a great way to start.

Dermalogica Charcoal Rescue Masque, $74 at adorebeauty.com.au

Step 2: Disinfect

Now comes the unique part. Our advice? Take this particular recommendation with a grain of salt… “After wiping off the mask, I use hand sanitiser to disinfect and clean the area. It may sting a little but I want to protect it for what comes next,” Martin explains.

However, as he mentioned earlier, he’s making do with what he already had around his home. Realistically, while it is an antibacterial formula that contains alcohol (and so will help in the bacteria-banishing and drying-out departments), hand sanitiser may be a little harsh for the face, especially if your skin is reaction-prone.

Long story short, it’ll do in a pinch, but we’d still recommend swapping it for a blemish treatment containing benzoyl peroxide, a bacteria-fighting ingredient that’s a little more face-friendly. Whichever option you’re using, though, be sure to tread carefully – just use a cotton tip to apply a small amount to the spot, as precisely as possible as to not aggravate surrounding skin.

Palmolive Cherry Blossom Hand Sanitiser, $3.69 at priceline.com.au

Natio Acne Purifying Spot Treatment, $10.95 at myer.com.au

Step 3: Prime

Once your pimple is prepped, it’s time to get ready for coverage – Martin advises starting with a particular kind of primer. “Using an eyeshadow primer before the concealer helps create a barrier from the zit and the concealer on top of it,” he shares. “It acts as a magnet and grips onto the texture.”

Heir Atelier Eye Primer, $52 at adorebeauty.com.au

Step 4: Conceal

“Lastly, apply your concealer,” he adds, naming a Dior formula as his personal favourite. “I like this one in particular because it’s long-wearing for 24 hours and is also water resistant,” he says, dabbing the concealer in with a sponge to finish.

Dior Forever Skin Correct Concealer, $65 at myer.com.au

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Step 1: Detox

Step 2: Disinfect

Step 3: Prime

Step 4: Conceal

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