9 Mistakes You Make Covering Up a Pimple

It's time to stop blending with your fingers, folks.

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When you have a big blemish on your face, it can feel like the whole world is looking at it — until you cover it up, of course. But concealing it incorrectly can actually lead to more people noticing it. So be sure you're not making these coverup mistakes the next time you have a pimple.

Mistake #1: Applying too much, too fast.

When it comes to base makeup, the less you wear, the more natural it looks. Loading on concealer all at once rather than building it up gradually makes your skin appear cake-y and overdone. Instead, dot on and blend each layer of makeup one at a time, allowing you to more accurately judge how much you'll need to adequately conceal the blemish.

Mistake #2: Using a color that's too light.

Remember back in art class when your teacher told you that lighter shades stand out while darker ones retreat into the background? When you use a foundation or concealer that is too light, it's essentially like shining a flashlight on it. To make that blemish disappear, find a shade as close as possible to your skin tone, or blend two together for a customized hue.

Mistake #3: Not blending enough.

You would apply a lipstick to half your lips then just leave it that way, would you? Same goes for your coverup. After applying it to the blemish, always blend it into the rest of the surrounding skin for an effect that's as natural as possible.

Mistake #4: Skipping exfoliation.

By now, you probably know how great it is for your skin to get rid of the dead cells on its surface, but did you know that not exfoliating can make your makeup look worse? When you have flaky, dead skin cells — particularly around a protruding blemish — your makeup can't blend smoothly onto your skin. Instead of getting a natural finish, you wind up with a flaky, uneven mess.

Mistake #5: Popping the pimple beforehand.

First of all: you totally know better! Don't pick at your skin, even if it's really tempting, as you could cause more blemishes, or even scar your skin. Another reason to resist temptation: If you pop a pimple, then apply makeup over it, you risk getting makeup inside of the open, raw abrasion — definitely not conducive to proper healing and a smooth finish.

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Mistake #6: Using your fingers to apply concealer.

When covering up a blemish, tools like a concealer brush, Beauty Blender ($20, Sephora), and powder brush can make the job much easier. Concealer brushes allow you to get into the nooks and crannies around the blemish so your coverup is more even, makeup sponges blend it seamlessly into the skin, and powder brushes plus fine-milled translucent powder keep your coverage in place.

Mistake #7: Skipping the primer.

If you want smooth-looking skin, primer is your best friend. This miracle product helps even out the texture of your skin, giving you a smooth surface to apply concealer to.

Mistake #8: Using dirty brushes.

If you're using brushes for your makeup and not cleaning them regularly, you could be spreading bacteria all over your blemishes, making it increasingly likely that you'll get more. Wash your brushes at least once a week with warm water and a gentle shampoo between uses — your skin will thank you.

Mistake #9: Applying products in the wrong order.

Applying concealer before foundation can result in rubbing off some of your coverage, so remember this order: first comes primer, then foundation, then concealer, and lastly, translucent powder to finish it off.

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