Your Ultimate Guide to Covering Up Tattoos With Makeup

7 Makeup Products You’ll Need to Cover Your Tattoo

1. Toner

Before you even think of going in with a color corrector or concealer, New Jersey-based makeup artist Rhina Lopez says you need to first apply a toner to the area to “prep the skin before applying additional makeup products.” Similar to how you would prep your skin before makeup application, you should prep it before a tattoo cover-up. Something like the BYROE Apple Matcha Tea Clearing Toner is a great option because it mattes oil, so it won’t break up your makeup during the day, and it helps exfoliate to leave you with a smooth surface.

2. Primer

Lopez reminds us that primer is essential during the makeup prep process, which is why it’s important for the tattoo cover-up process. She does stress that “all products should be applied in layers, allowing time to dry between each step.” Once the toner is dry, go in with a primer. We recommend the ACE BEAUTÉ Layer Grip Primer before applying tattoo cover-up makeup because it leaves your skin smooth, helps balance oil levels, and contains vitamin E to protect your skin (and your tattoo) underneath all the makeup.

3. Color Corrector

Next, it’s time to go in with a color corrector “to cancel the tattoo ink,” says Lopez. Similar to how you’ll use a green color corrector on blemishes or an orange color corrector to cover up dark spots on your skin tone, putting one over a tat will neutralize all unwanted colors. Szalai, who was once an apprentice to a tattoo artist, says that “a healed tattoo can often fade into a green or blue tinge” and to use the color opposite of it to cover it up. That color would be red or orange, depending on the fading. The KIMCHI CHIC BEAUTY Undercover Hoe in Universal Corrector contains every color corrector you should ever possibly need, which is why we recommend snagging it not just for this, but for all your makeup needs.

4. Concealer

“Once [the color corrector] dries, the concealer is applied to cover [it],” says Lopez, who recommends dabbing the product onto your skin with your finger and using a damp beauty sponge to blend it in. You can use a concealer you already have, because you do want something that matches your skin tone. We swear by the ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS Magic Touch Concealer for its creamy, buildable formula and long-lasting coverage. Once you use it, you won’t need any other full-coverage concealer.

5. Foundation

After your concealer has dried, you can then cover it with a full-coverage foundation. Lopez shares, “Foundation is applied to make a seamless transition to the rest of the skin.” The KVD BEAUTY Good Apple Full-Coverage Transfer-Proof Serum Foundation covers everything, and has even been known to cover tattoos really well (Kat Von D knows what she’s doing). What we love most is how light the makeup feels, unlike other full-coverage foundation or body makeup that can feel heavy on the skin. A little goes a long way, too, so start in small layers and work your way up until you’ve reached the coverage level you desire. Spencer says she “blends it out with a makeup brush for a seamless finish, working in layers and letting each layer sit for about 30 to 60 seconds.”

6. Setting Powder

Time for some powder! Spencer swears by the HUDA BEAUTY Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder in the shade Cupcake. “This translucent powder locks the coverage without dulling the tone, keeping everything in place for hours. It’s simple, effective, and once it’s set, the ‘evidence’ is gone until you’re ready to reveal it again.”

7. Setting Spray

The final product you’ll need is a setting spray to “increase wear and reduce transfer,” according to Spencer. She recommends the ONE/SIZE On 'Til Dawn Setting Spray to keep your makeup waterproof, transferproof, sweatproof, and smudgeproof for up to 16 hours.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Tattoo Cover-Up

Step 1: Prep the Skin

Before any makeup application, skin prep is essential. We’re sure we sound like a broken record at this point, but without proper skin prep, all the work you put into covering up your tat won’t amount to much. So, to start, cleanse and dry your skin with your cleanser of choice. A reminder that Lopez says to go in next with a toner before applying additional makeup products. This will help create a long-lasting base, says the MUA. Something exfoliating and gentle can help clear the area of additional dirt and oil to ensure you’re starting with as smooth a surface as possible.

Step 2: Apply a Primer

Now that your skin is prepped with skincare products, you can apply your primer. The type of primer you use will depend on your skin type. If the area you’re covering is dry, go in with a hydrating primer like the CIATÉ LONDON Everyday Vacay Hydrating Face Primer to moisturize the skin. If your skin is oily, try the YENSA BEAUTY YENSA Primer to minimize oil production.

Step 3: Go in With a Color Corrector

You’ll need a color corrector to conceal the ink, especially if you’re trying to cover a tattoo with colors in it. The key to color correction is to use colors that are opposite on the color wheel. So green covers red, red covers green, orange covers blue, blue covers orange, and so on. It may take some extra effort to discover which colors are opposite yours if your tat is filled with unique hues, but there’s a color corrector that’ll work for it. The DOMINIQUE COSMETICS Wide Awake Full Cover Concealer comes in a range of shades to help you neutralize the colors in your tattoo for better coverage.

Step 4: Apply a Full-Coverage Concealer

Once you’ve layered up on color corrector, you can layer concealer. Work in layers, using small amounts at a time to cover the area. You can use your fingers if you like, though Spencer recommends using a makeup brush “to stipple and blend the edges into surrounding skin. Avoid swiping across the tattoo so you don’t shear off coverage.” The MODA® BRUSH MŌDA® Pro White Glam Kit contains every brush you’ll need to not only cover your tattoo, but also to create a variety of makeup looks for years to come.

Step 5: Cover With a Full-Coverage Foundation

Szalai says that “the biggest thing is finding a pigmented foundation.” We love the DANESSA MYRICKS BEAUTY ColorFix™ Nudes Multi-Use Waterproof Liquid Pigment because they almost function like stage makeup when it comes to the level of coverage they offer. And you can use them all over, so no matter where you need to cover up a tattoo, these have you covered.

Again, the key is to work in layers. Spencer recommends starting with a thin layer, letting it dry for 30 to 60 seconds, then layering another one on top until you’ve achieved the coverage you’re hoping for.

Step 6: Set It With a Translucent Powder

Now that you’ve covered your tattoo, it’s time to set it with a setting powder of your choice. Spencer recommends “pressing (not sweeping)” the powder over the area and letting it bake for one to two minutes before dusting off any excess. “This sets the pigment and cuts any shine,” she adds. Any setting powder you have should work, but if you need help picking the right color, this guide can help you decide.

Step 7: Finish With Setting Spray

The final step is to use a setting spray to lock it all into place. Spencer says to “hold the mister at arm’s length and let [the product] fully dry” before heading out of the house. “A setting spray increases wear and reduces transfer,” she reminds us.

6 Makeup Tips for Long-Lasting Coverage

1. Prep and Primer Are Essential

Once more for the people who need to hear it: Skin prep and primer are as essential a part of the process as everything else. “Your skin is the base,” says Szalai. “If it’s not looked after, nothing you put on will last long.” She also stresses the importance of letting your primer set after applying your skincare products. “I see people apply it and jump straight into foundation, and it actually kills me to watch. You need that barrier to form, or else your makeup will slide.” Don’t skip these steps. Consider this your final warning.

2. Take Your Time

Patience is a virtue you need during this entire process. From letting your skincare products seep into your skin before moving on to the next ones to waiting for your foundation layers to dry, the key to this whole thing is to take your time. Don’t rush the process if you want a flawless result; otherwise, that’s not what you’ll get.

3. Work in Layers

Spencer touches on this above, saying that working in layers helps you better control the outcome. If you put too much on too soon, it can be harder to take off and you may need to start over. So start with a thin layer of product and build up from there; that way, you don’t end up wasting product or time.

4. Press, Don’t Sweep

Another tip from Spencer is to press your powder into and not sweep it over your foundation. “I take a fluffy powder brush or a makeup sponge, pick up a generous amount of powder, and press it directly onto the covered area,” she says. “Never sweep, because sweeping can disturb the coverage.”

5. Grab a Fan

Lopez swears by a fan to speed up dry time. “Having a hand fan handy is my go-to. In doing so, I feel the products have time to settle and last longer.”

6. Be Mindful of the Makeup

When all is said and done, Spencer says it’s important to remember you have makeup on your body in the first place. “Makeup is not fully waterproof or smudge-resistant, so avoid rubbing or leaning heavily against the covered area. Think of it like preserving a crime scene—the less disturbance, the longer the evidence stays flawless.” We will absolutely keep that in mind.

Final Thoughts: Covering Your Tattoo Doesn’t Need to Be Difficult

As long as you follow the steps above and use the products correctly, your tattoo shall remain hidden for as long as you need it to. We know that sometimes you don’t have all the time in the world to cover your tattoos, which is why the experts recommend finding products that are multihyphenates. If there’s a concealer that also offers color correction, combine steps 3 and 4 in the process. Szalai notes that numerous brands offer specific products to cover up tattoos (see DERMABLEND and Spencer’s fave, DERMACOL), so you can always start there. She also stresses working with what you’ve got. “Honestly, my whole approach to makeup is making do with what I have. Even if you’re working with ‘meh’ products, if you know how to use them right, you can usually make them work.”