While love bites might be seen as a teenage rite of passage, the reality is that people of all ages experience them. But what if you need to hide one? Internet hacks involving frozen spoons or scarves are often ineffective and impractical. The good news is that covering a love bite with makeup is entirely possible. We consulted with professional makeup artists to get their expert advice on how to conceal a hickey effectively. With the right products, tools, and a bit of patience, you can make your love bite disappear.
Step-by-Step Guide to Covering a Hickey
Here’s a comprehensive guide to concealing a love bite using makeup:
1. Prime Your Skin
Before applying any makeup, start with a primer. This crucial step creates a smooth base for your makeup, minimizes shine, and helps your concealer stay in place longer. Since you might need to layer several products to cover the hickey, a primer prevents your makeup from looking cakey or slipping off. Opt for an oil-free, mattifying primer to ensure a long-lasting, flawless finish. Recommendations include Stila One Step Prime for its hydrating and oil-free formula, or mattifying primers from brands like Cover FX, Make Up For Ever, and e.l.f.
2. Color Correct Like a Pro
Hickeys are essentially bruises, and bruises change color as they heal, transitioning from purple-red to black-blue, then to yellow-green. To effectively conceal a hickey, you need to neutralize these colors with a color corrector. Choose a shade opposite the hickey’s color on the color wheel:
- Purple-Red Hickey: Use a green color corrector.
- Black-Blue Hickey: Opt for a red or orange corrector. Salmon tones work well for fair skin, while mango suits darker complexions.
- Green-Yellow Hickey: Use a purple color corrector.
You can use a color-correcting primer or a separate color corrector after applying your regular primer. Popular options include color-correcting palettes from Tarte, crayons from Japonesque, targeted correctors from Becca, and Stila One Step Correct.
3. Blend with Foundation and Concealer
After color correcting, apply a full-coverage foundation and concealer that match your skin tone perfectly. Choose opaque and dry formulas to ensure maximum coverage and prevent the makeup from smudging or creasing. Stila Stay All Day Foundation + Concealer is a good option for its long-lasting, dry finish. For a more liquid foundation, set it with powder to prevent slippage and enhance its staying power.
Conclusion: Mastering the Art of Hickey Concealment
Covering a love bite effectively requires the right techniques and products. By following these steps and using quality makeup, you can confidently conceal a hickey and achieve a flawless look. Remember to start with a good primer, color correct strategically based on the hickey’s color, and blend seamlessly with foundation and concealer. With a little practice, you’ll be a master of disguise in no time!
