Frantic over a freshly formed zit? Concealer is your best friend. In keeping with the critical nature of this crisis of the complexion, let’s get straight to it:
STEP 1. REDUCE REDNESS
The first order of business is to squelch the red swelling that makes pimples so unpleasantly prominent. You can use your go-to treatment gel, but I much prefer cooling it as if you were icing an injured knee.
Simply hold a cold compress against the blemish for about two minutes, then pat dry. The dip in temperature shrinks the skin’s blood vessels (say “vasoconstriction” if you want to impress your dermatologist), calling back the blotchiness of the blemish. Bonus: This cool trick also takes care of puffiness, pores and such – essentially any and every cosmetic concern.
STEP 2. FAKE IT WITH A HYDRATING FOUNDATION
Prep your face with your usual skincare unguents, then move on to makeup proper. Now for the million-dollar question: Foundation or concealer first?
I sit squarely on the foundie-before-concealer side of things, and I’m glad to report that James Molloy, director of makeup artistry for M.A.C Cosmetics Asia Pacific, has my back: “Always apply your foundation first, because you might find that might be enough coverage. If you need a little bit more, go back in with a small brush and finish the job with concealer.”
Product recommendation? The best base for blemished skin bar none is Clinique’s Moisture Surge CC Cream Swirl Compact SPF30/PA++, stuffed with thirst-quenching moisture magnets and a brightening blend of white, pink and peachy pigments to “colour correct” patchy complexion.
Simply buff into skin with the accompanying puff, take a step back and scrutinise yourself in the mirror. Pleased with the level of coverage? Congrats, you’re good to go. If the pimples are still peeking through, proceed to the next step.
STEP 3. ADD A CREAM CONCEALER
On to concealer. When it comes to this makeup essential, everyone and their mother seems to have the most vociferous of opinions, but I’ve found that a creamy product infused with soothing oils, like Shiseido’s sensational new Perfecting Stick Concealer, is your best bet. Why? The chances of unsightly caking and creasing are drastically reduced if your already delicate skin is kept perfectly pampered and well hydrated.
How to apply? Take it from James Molloy, director of makeup artistry for M.A.C Cosmetics Asia Pacific: “What I do is to use a very small fluffy brush– M.A.C 217 is perfect for this purpose – and literally go over each and every spot with an industrial-grade concealer like Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer, as if your brush were an eraser. This way, you get an even-looking canvas without looking like you’re wearing a ton of makeup.”
That means – pun alert – poring over each acne-affected area, blemish by blemish, instead of blanketing your entire face with warpaint,which can look very artificial on problematic skin. Oh, and always use the exact same shade as your skin, never lighter: A pale hue will only highlight the very problem you’re trying to hide.
SOME FINAL TIPS
Use light stippling actions to deposit the product directly onto your little red monsters, then tap with clean fingers around the edges to blur out the demarcation between the blemish and “good” skin. Set with just a smidgen of translucent powder; the talc in the formula will sop up sebum through the day to prevent the concealer from sliding off the spot.
(Aside: Covering up post-acne scars are an entirely different kettle of fish, but let’s hope your blemish heals without a hitch and that you’ll never have to cross that bridge!)
And voila, you’re done! All ready to “face” the day. Consider this the first module of basic beauty school. Good luck, class dismissed!
Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream Swirl Compact SPF30/PA++, $53, ia available at all Clinique counters. For more information, visit www.clinique.com.sg and follow Clinique Singapore on Facebook.
M.A.C Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer, $31, and 217 Blending Brush, $41, are available at all M.A.C Cosmetics counters. For more information, visit www.maccosmetics.com.sg and follow M.A.C Cosmetics on Facebook.
Shiseido Perfecting Stick Concealer, price TBD, is available from January 2015 at all Shiseido counters. For more information, visit www.sg.shiseido.com and follow Shiseido Singapore on Facebook.