The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living
Now you see it, now you don't.
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Tattoos are works of art. They mark important times in our lives, and spark old memories, but you may not always want to see them. Take it from some people who have one or two tattoos that they regret (but are still constantly fighting the urge to get more) — there are times when you wish you could make them disappear. When it comes to covering up tattoos, makeup is a quick and easy temporary fix for anyone who’s not quite ready to go all in on tattoo removal.
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Similar to the way we apply makeup to our face, there are factors that you must consider to ensure longevity and a smooth application for tattoo cover-up. Skin type, daily routines, skincare practices, and the color of the tattoo ink all play important roles in an effective cover-up. “Skin tones are so different on everyone and it’s important to understand undertones and freckling,” says Rebecca Wachtel, TV and film makeup designer and the artist behind the beauty looks on hit shows such as Daisy Jones and the Six.
Maybe you have an important new job interview, your tat doesn’t exactly match your outfit that day, or you got up from the tattoo chair and it’s just not what you expected. No matter what situation you may find yourself in, we’ve gathered a list of products, with the help of expert makeup artists, that will help you cover up any tattoo.
Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Conceal and Correct Palette
Pros
- Easy to blend
Cons
- Some prefer that the colors be sold separately
Color correcting is extremely important when covering up tattoos to cancel out the color of the ink and ensure that the foundation or concealer matches specific undertones. The corrector can be mixed with foundation or applied on its own before adding makeup.
Mac Cosmetics star rating: 4.7/5 stars
“As the saying goes, 'If it's not broke, don't fix it—and that's the case with this OG palette. The creamy, full coverage formula is so versatile! You can color correct, make dark spots disappear, and even contour with this palette. This is a longtime favorite.” — Danielle James, Digital Beauty Director
| Coverage | Medium to Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Finish | Natural |
| Formulation | Cream |
| What It Is | Mac Cosmetics Studio Fix Conceal and Correct Palette is a professional palette of four concealers and two corrector shades that helps to correct skin tone and conceal dark circles, blemishes, moles, tattoos and birthmarks. |
Dermablend Quick-Fix Body Makeup Stick
Pros
- Convenient and easy to use
Cons
- Difficult to shade match
Celebrity makeup artist Ana Marie Rizzieri is used to covering up tattoos for Victoria's Secret models. She suggests using makeup sticks to allow for easy application in traditionally hard to reach places. (A common problem for lingerie models with ink.)
Amazon star rating: 3.9/5 stars
An Amazon Reviewers says: “It covers all scars blemishes imperfections and stays on until you wash it off. Even if I sweat from working out the cover stick foundation stays on.”
| Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Finish | Natural |
| Formulation | Stick |
| What It Is | Dermablend Quick-Fix Body Makeup Stick is a long-wearing, full coverage makeup concealer contour stick that provides a natural, flawless coverage for a range of skin imperfections: birthmarks, blemishes, dark spots, scars, and bruises. |
Makeup Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Some don't like the smell
If you’re looking for a product that will make you forget that you even had a tattoo—this is the one. The smooth full coverage formula allows for comfortable all-day wear, with a natural skin-like finish that is great for all skin types.
Sephora start rating: 4/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “This foundation stick blew me away. It’s so creamy and buttery on the skin. Super easy to blend and it looks like second skin!”
| Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Finish | Natural |
| Formulation | Stick |
| What It Is | A creamy, blendable foundation stick with long-lasting, buildable coverage that glides on like a second skin. |
Jordane Total Tattoo Coverage Palette
Pros
- Long lasting
Cons
- Dries down quickly
Erin Guth, an LA-based celebrity makeup artist, pulls her experience from covering up actors’ tattoos on set. Her go-to product is Jordane’s Total Tattoo Coverage. The long-wear formula is highly pigmented and does not smudge or transfer once it sets.
| Coverage | Buildable Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Finish | Natural Matte |
| Formulation | Cream |
| What It Is | Jordane Total Tattoo Coverage is a cream product formulated to cover tattoos, dark circles, and blemishes blending seamlessly to deliver coverage that’s non-greasy, flexible, and won’t crease or smudge. |
Skin Illustrator Dark Fleshtone Makeup Palette
Pros
- Effective
Cons
- Pricey
Having done the makeup for one of this year's hottest shows, Daisy Jones and the Six, makeup artist Rebecca Wachtel often reaches for Skin Illustrator palettes for tattoo cover-ups. This palette is formulated specifically for melanin-rich skin tones with colors that can be mixed together to get the perfect shade. For the best results, activate this product using alcohol.
Amazon star rating: 3.8/5
“The Skin Illustrator line is nice, their pigments are thinner and take more to cover and I like both the light and dark skin tones.” says Wachtel
| Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Finish | Natural |
| Formulation | Cream |
| What It Is | Skin Illustrator Dark Fleshtone Palette is a professional grade concealer that provides long-lasting full coverage and is formulated for darker skin tones. |
Pros
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Takes a long time to dry completely
Dermacol's Makeup Cover Foundation is a waterproof long-wear, full-coverage product. Formulated without any preservatives or harmful chemicals, the foundation leaves your skin looking and feeling healthy. And for an added bonus, its compact packaging makes it easy to take it with you wherever you go.
Amazon star rating: 4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Your one-stop-shop for the best foundation that covers you perfectly and is just right for your skin type. Absolutely love this product! It covers everything I don’t want shown and stays put till I want it off.”
| Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Finish | Natural |
| Formulation | Liquid |
| What It Is | Dermacol's Makeup Cover Foundation is a liquid formula that conceals dark under-eyes, skin discolorations, pimples, acne scars, surgical bruising, and even tattoos! |
Pros
- Blends easily
Cons
- Some users experience creasing
A cult favorite concealer, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer goes on smooth for a highly pigmented, breathable finish. Its hydrating formula leaves skin with a luminous non-cakey look. For the best result for tattoo cover-up, try using an extra coat or two and setting with a powder and setting spray.
Sephora star rating: 4.3/5
“I've been using Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer for a while now and no matter how many times I try to switch it up I always come back to it. I love that I can build the coverage to what my heart desires and it never feels drying which is great for my dry skin.” —Tasha Nicole Smith, Beauty Assistant
| Coverage | Buildable Coverage |
|---|---|
| Finish | Natural |
| Formulation | Liquid |
| What It Is | A multipurpose concealer that brightens, corrects, and perfects for up to 16 hours with a creamy medium-to-buildable coverage and natural, radiant finish. |
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Can transfer easily
You don’t have to break the bank to get great coverage. This product allows for quick and easy application with extreme pigment and a lightweight finish.
Amazon star rating: 3.8/5 stars
An Amazon Reviewer says: “The Mehron is hands down the best! I covered only half of my very dark tattoo and with just two layers, it’s nearly invisible.”
| Coverage | Full Coverage |
|---|---|
| Finish | Natural |
| Formulation | Cream |
| What It Is | Mehron Makeup Tattoo Cover is designed to help mask tattoos, birthmarks and skin discolorations with a creamy formula goes on smooth and even. |
Meet the Experts
Rebecca Wachtel is a television and film makeup designer and the makeup artist behind the 2023 hit show Daisy Jones and the Six
Erin Guth is an LA-based celebrity makeup artist
Ana Marie Rizzieri is a celebrity makeup artist
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this story Tasha, beauty assistant and fellow tattoo lover, consulted makeup experts to provide insight on the best products to cover tattoos.
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