Several factors, including acne, rosacea prone skin, allergies, and sunburn, can cause redness on the face. While it can be difficult to eliminate redness, makeup can be a powerful tool for covering it up and achieving a flawless, even complexion. Here are some of the best tips and tricks for covering the redness with makeup.
Prep Your Skin Before Using Makeup to Cover Redness
If your skin is red, you must prepare it before putting on makeup if you want a flawless look. Here are some steps to follow when preparing your skin for makeup to cover redness:
Cleanse Your Skin
Cleanse your face with a gentle cleanser specifically designed to be non-irritating. This will help remove dirt, oil, and makeup without irritating the skin further. Avoid using harsh scrubs or exfoliants, as this can aggravate and cause more redness on the skin. Pat your skin dry and allow it to air dry for a few minutes before proceeding.
Apply Toner
Applying a toner can be a great way to minimize redness and even out your skin tone before applying makeup. Toners made for sensitive skin or skin that tends to get red are gentle enough not to irritate the skin while still helping it get the pH balance it needs for makeup to go on well. Decongesting the skin and shrinking the pores can reduce redness before applying your makeup.
Moisturize
Applying tinted moisturizer is essential in any skincare routine but is especially important when dealing with redness. Look for a lightweight and non-greasy moisturizer, as heavy moisturizers can clog pores and exacerbate redness. Hydrating the skin helps to create a smoother canvas for makeup application and prevents flaking or caking of the makeup.
Use Skin Calming Ingredients
A soothing serum with natural ingredients like green tea, aloe vera, chamomile, or lavender can help calm and reduce redness of the skin. Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which can reduce inflammation and calm the skin. Aloe vera helps to moisturize and hydrate the skin while providing a calming effect.
Apply Sunscreen
Sunscreen is good for protecting all skin types from the sun's UV rays and preventing further redness. Choose a sunscreen specifically designed for sensitive or acne-prone skin, as many regular sunscreens can be too harsh and worsen the redness. When choosing a sunscreen, look for formulas that use physical blockers such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients act as a physical barrier to protect skin from sun damage and redness.
Use Color-Correcting Techniques
Color correcting can be an effective way to neutralize redness before applying foundation. Follow the color-correcting steps to learn how to color-correct the redness on your skin:
Choose the Right Shade
When selecting a green color corrector, look for a shade that is a close match to the redness on your skin. A light green shade may work for mild redness, while a darker green may be needed for more severe redness.
Color Corrector
Apply the green color corrector directly to red spots, like your cheeks, nose, or chin, with a small brush or your finger. Blend the color corrector into your skin using a dabbing motion, being careful not to rub it too much.
Layer on Foundation
After applying the green color corrector, apply your foundation on top. The foundation should closely match your skin tone and provide full coverage. Use a makeup brush to apply the foundation, blending it into your skin and over the green color corrector.
Finish With Concealer
If you still have areas of redness showing through your foundation, use a green tinted concealer that matches your skin tone to cover them up. Apply the concealer using a small brush or your finger, and blend it into your foundation for a seamless finish.
Choosing and Using a Foundation to Cover Redness
Choosing and applying the right foundation is key to achieving a flawless, even complexion and covering redness on the skin. Here are some steps to follow when choosing and applying a foundation:
Identify Your Skin Type
Before choosing a foundation, it's important to determine your skin type. If your skin is oily, look for an oil-free foundation with a matte finish. If you have dry skin, look for a moisturizing foundation with a dewy finish.
Choose the Correct Color
When choosing a foundation, select a shade that matches your skin tone. The best way to do this is to try the foundation on your jawline or neck. This will give you the most accurate indication of the foundation's appearance on your skin. Additionally, select a foundation in your undertone to ensure a natural-looking finish.
Consider the Coverage
Foundations come in a wide range of coverage levels, from sheer to full. If you want to cover skin redness, then a medium- to full-coverage foundation may be the best choice. These foundations are more pigmented and provide more coverage than sheer or light coverage foundations, making it easier to conceal redness. Additionally, full-coverage foundations typically contain more oil-absorbing agents than sheer formulas, making them a better choice for oily skin.
Using the Foundation
For best results, apply foundation after cleaning and moisturizing your skin. Start by dotting the foundation on your forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin. Then blend the foundation outwards using a makeup sponge or brush.
Build up Coverage
If you need more coverage in certain areas, apply a second layer of foundation using a stippling brush. This is a good way to hide any redness or spots that are still on the skin. The bristles on stippling brushes are close together, so they pick up more product and help spread it evenly on the skin for a smooth finish.
Finish With Powder
To set the foundation and make it last longer, use a brush or sponge to apply a translucent powder to your face. This helps to soak up any extra oil and keeps your makeup from getting smudged or moving to other places. Also, it will give the skin a final touch of coverage and help hide any redness that is still there.
Conceal any Remaining Redness
If you still have areas of redness showing through your foundation, use a concealer that matches your uneven skin tone to cover them up. Apply the color correcting concealer using a small brush or your finger and blend it into your foundation for a seamless finish. A lighter green color corrector may be all you need for mild redness, while a more pigmented concealer may be necessary for deeper redness. Finish off your look by applying a setting powder to keep irritated skin in place and reduce shine. You can cover skin redness with the right foundation for a smooth and even complexion.
Set Your Makeup
Once you've applied your foundation and concealer, use a setting spray or powder to help keep everything in place. Setting sprays lock in makeup for up to 12 hours, while powders absorb excess oil and reduce shine. This will give you a flawless finish that lasts all day. It's also a great way to protect your makeup from water, sweat, and other elements.
