Have you ever woken up with a hickey and cringed at the thought of having to cover it up? Hickeys, those pesky love bites, can be embarrassing and unsightly, especially when you have an important meeting or a special event to attend. But fear not, for there’s a way to effectively disguise them with makeup. With the right techniques and a touch of patience, you can conceal your hickey and restore your confidence in no time.
The key to successfully covering up a hickey lies in choosing the right makeup products. Opt for a color corrector in a shade that complements your skin tone. Green correctors are ideal for neutralizing the reddish-purple hue of hickeys. Once you’ve applied the color corrector, gently pat it into place using a makeup sponge or a brush. Next, apply a layer of your regular foundation, making sure to blend it well around the edges to avoid creating a noticeable line.
For added coverage, you can use a concealer that matches your skin tone. Apply a small amount directly onto the hickey and blend it outwards. Repeat this process as needed until the hickey is no longer visible. To set your makeup and ensure it lasts throughout the day, use a setting powder. Apply the powder lightly over the concealed area using a fluffy brush, and you’re all set! With a bit of practice, you’ll master the art of covering up hickeys with makeup, allowing you to feel confident and radiant in any situation.
Color Correcting the Darkness
Hickeys, also known as love bites, are small bruises that can form on the skin after sucking or kissing. They can be unsightly and embarrassing, especially if they’re in a visible area. Fortunately, there are a few ways to cover up a hickey with makeup.
The first step is to color correct the darkness. This involves using a color wheel to find a shade that is opposite to the color of the hickey. For example, if the hickey is purple, you would use a yellow color corrector. Apply the color corrector directly to the hickey and blend it in with your fingers or a makeup sponge. This will help to neutralize the darkness and make it less visible.
| Hickey Color | Color Corrector |
|---|---|
| Red | Green |
| Purple/blue | Yellow |
| Brown | Peach |
Once you have color corrected the hickey, you can apply your foundation or concealer. Be sure to use a light touch and blend in the product well. You can also use a setting powder to help keep your makeup in place.
If the hickey is still visible, you can try using a green concealer. Green is a complementary color to red, so it will help to neutralize the redness of the hickey. Apply the green concealer over the hickey and blend it in well. You may need to apply several layers to get the desired coverage.
Neutralizing the Redness
The first step in concealing a hickey is to neutralize the redness. This can be done by applying a green corrector. Green is the complementary color to red on the color wheel, which means that it will cancel out the red tones in the hickey, making it less noticeable.
When choosing a green corrector, look for a shade that is slightly lighter than your skin tone. If the corrector is too dark, it will make the hickey look worse.
To apply the corrector, use a small brush to dab it onto the hickey. Be sure to blend the edges well, so that the corrector doesn’t look obvious.
Color Correctors for Different Skin Tones
| Skin Tone | Corrector Shade |
|---|---|
| Light to Fair | Light to Medium Green |
| Medium | Medium Green |
| Dark | Dark Green or Yellow-Green |
Once the corrector has been applied, you can set it with powder. This will help to keep the corrector in place and prevent it from smudging.
Using Foundation and Concealer
To cover up a hickey with foundation and concealer, you will need the following:
- Foundation
- Concealer
- Makeup sponge or brush
- Setting powder (optional)
Once you have your materials, follow these steps:
Step 1: Apply Foundation
Apply a thin layer of foundation to your entire face, including the area where the hickey is. This will help to create an even base for the concealer.
Step 2: Apply Concealer
Apply a small amount of concealer to the hickey. Use a makeup sponge or brush to blend the concealer into your skin. Be sure to blend the edges of the concealer so that there are no harsh lines.
Step 3: Set Your Makeup
To set your makeup and help it last longer, apply a light layer of setting powder to your face. This will help to keep your concealer in place and prevent it from smudging.
Here are some additional tips for covering up a hickey with foundation and concealer:
- Use a color corrector to help neutralize the color of the hickey.
- Apply concealer in thin layers and build up coverage gradually.
- If the hickey is still visible, try using a heavier concealer or a mixture of concealer and foundation.
- Be patient and don’t give up if you can’t cover up the hickey perfectly on the first try.
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Choose a shade: Select a blush or bronzer that complements your skin tone. For fair skin, opt for a light pink or peach shade; for medium skin, try a warm coral or terracotta; and for dark skin, choose a deeper bronze or burgundy.
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Apply to the surrounding area: Using a blush brush, apply the blush or bronzer to the area surrounding the hickey, blending outward toward the cheekbone.
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Use a soft brush: For a more natural finish, use a soft, fluffy brush to blend the color seamlessly into the skin.
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Layer the colors: If necessary, apply multiple layers of blush or bronzer in a stippling motion to build up the coverage and create a gradual transition.
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Use a setting powder: Once the blush or bronzer is applied, use a setting powder to lock it in place and prevent it from smudging.
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Avoid direct application to the hickey: Do not apply the blush or bronzer directly to the hickey, as it can emphasize the discoloration. Focus on creating a blended transition around it instead.
- Start with a concealer that is slightly lighter than your skin tone for the highlights.
- Select a concealer that is slightly darker than your skin tone for the shadows.
- Cleanse and dry the area around the hickey.
- Apply a light layer of primer to create a smooth base.
- Using the lighter concealer, draw small, curved lines along the edges of the hickey.
- Blend these lines outward with a small brush or sponge to create a subtle highlight.
- With the darker concealer, draw small, curved lines on the opposite edges of the lines made in Step 3.
- Blend these lines inward to create shadows that contour around the hickey.
- Use a brush or sponge to blend the lines together seamlessly.
- Start from the center and work outwards, gradually fading the highlights and shadows.
- Apply a light dusting of translucent powder to set the makeup and minimize creasing.
- Use a light touch to avoid disturbing the concealer blend.
- Wet a washcloth with cold water.
- Place the washcloth over the hickey for 10-15 minutes.
- Repeat the process several times a day.
Table of recommended color correctors for different hickey colors:
| Hickey Color | Recommended Color Corrector |
|---|---|
| Red | Green |
| Purple | Yellow |
| Blue | Orange |
| Green | Red |
Blending and Buffing
Step 1: Use a small, fluffy brush or a beauty sponge to apply the concealer to the hickey. Pat the concealer onto the spot, being careful not to rub it in.
Step 2: Use a blender sponge to gently blend the concealer into the surrounding skin. Use circular motions to work the concealer evenly into the skin.
Step 3: Set the concealer with a translucent powder. This will help to keep the concealer in place and prevent it from smudging or fading.
Step 4: For extra coverage, you can apply a color corrector before applying the concealer. A green color corrector will help to neutralize the redness of the hickey, making it easier to cover up.
Tips for Blending and Buffing:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use a light hand | When blending and buffing, it’s important to use a light touch. Don’t press too hard, or you could end up rubbing off the concealer. |
| Start in the center | Start blending and buffing in the center of the hickey and work your way out. This will help to prevent the edges of the concealer from becoming too harsh. |
| Use a variety of brushes | Different brushes can be used for different effects. A small, fluffy brush is good for blending, while a larger, denser brush can be used for buffing. |
Applying Powder to Set
The final step to cover up a hickey with makeup is to set it with powder. This will help to keep the makeup in place and prevent it from smudging or rubbing off. For best results, use a translucent powder that is one shade lighter than your skin tone.
To apply powder, use a large, fluffy brush to gently dust it over the hickey. Be sure to blend the powder well so that it does not look cakey. You can also use a cotton ball or sponge to apply powder, but be careful not to rub the makeup off.
Once you have applied powder, your hickey should be completely covered up. However, it is important to note that makeup will not completely hide the hickey, especially if it is dark or swollen. If you are concerned about the appearance of the hickey, you may want to consider using a color corrector before applying makeup.
Camouflaging with Blush or Bronzer
Blush or bronzer can be used to create an illusion of depth and warmth, effectively camouflaging a hickey. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide:
| Skin Tone | Blush or Bronzer Shade |
|---|---|
| Fair | Light pink, peach |
| Medium | Warm coral, terracotta |
| Dark | Deep bronze, burgundy |
Adding Contour and Highlight
Step 1: Choose the Right Products
Select a contouring product that is one shade darker than your skin tone and a highlighting product that is one shade lighter. Cream or liquid formulas tend to provide better coverage than powder formulas.
Step 2: Apply Contour Cream/Liquid
Using a small brush or sponge, apply the contouring product to the areas where you want to create shadows, such as the hollows of your cheeks, temples, and jawline.
Step 3: Blend the Contour
Blend the contouring product outwards using a larger brush or sponge to soften the edges and create a natural-looking definition.
Step 4: Apply Highlight Cream/Liquid
Apply the highlighting product to the areas where you want to emphasize, such as the tops of your cheekbones, brow bone, and chin.
Step 5: Blend the Highlight
Blend the highlighting product upwards using a small brush or sponge to create a gradual blending effect.
Step 6: Set the Contour and Highlight
Use a translucent or slightly tinted setting powder to set both the contour and highlight, ensuring they stay in place all day.
Step 7: Build Gradually
Don’t try to cover the hickey completely in one application. Apply thin layers of contour and highlight and build up the coverage gradually to achieve a natural-looking finish. Additionally, use a light touch and blend thoroughly to avoid creating harsh lines or a cakey appearance. Below is a table summarizing the steps:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Choose the right products |
| 2 | Apply contour cream/liquid to shadow areas |
| 3 | Blend the contour |
| 4 | Apply highlight cream/liquid to emphasized areas |
| 5 | Blend the highlight |
| 6 | Set the contour and highlight with powder |
| 7 | Build gradually for natural coverage |
Creating False Lines or Shadows
This technique aims to create shadows around the hickey that blend it better with the surrounding skin tone. It’s especially effective for red or purple hickeys.
Step 1: Choose Concealer Shades
Step 2: Prep the Area
Step 3: Create Highlights
Step 4: Create Shadows
Step 5: Blend it Out
Step 6: Set it
| Concealer Shade | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Slightly lighter than skin tone | Highlights |
| Slightly darker than skin tone | Shadows |
Using a Cold Compress
Applying a cold compress to a hickey can help reduce swelling and discoloration. Here’s how to do it:
Tips
* Use a clean washcloth.
* If you don’t have a washcloth, you can use a cold spoon or ice pack.
* Apply the compress for as long as possible, especially before makeup application.
* The cold will help constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation.
* Repeat the process throughout the day, or as often as needed, to maintain the reduced swelling and discoloration.
Additional Information
| Benefit | How it works |
|---|---|
| Reduces swelling and discoloration | Cold temperatures constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation. |
| Prepares skin for makeup application | Reduced swelling and discoloration make it easier to cover up the hickey with makeup. |
| Minimal materials required | Only a cold washcloth or ice pack is needed. |
Distraction Techniques
If you’re worried about a hickey being too noticeable, you can distract others’ attention from it with makeup or accessories. Some of the most effective distraction techniques include:
Jewelry
Wearing a necklace or earrings can draw attention to your face and away from your hickey. Choose large, statement pieces that will make a bold impact.
Scarf
A scarf can cover up a hickey on your neck while also adding a stylish touch to your outfit. Choose a scarf with a bold pattern or color to further distract attention from the hickey.
Turtleneck
If your hickey is on your neck, wearing a turtleneck or scarf can conceal it completely. turtlenecks come in a variety of colors and styles, so you can choose one that complements your outfit.
Accessories
Small accessories such as hats, glasses, or headbands can also be used to draw attention away from a hickey. Choose accessories that complement your outfit and add a touch of personality.
| Accessory | Area covered |
|---|---|
| Necklace | Neck |
| Earrings | Face |
| Scarf | Neck |
| Turtleneck | Neck |
| Hat | Face, neck |
| Glasses | Face |
| Headband | Face, hair |
