Facial makeup should be tested on the jawline, not on the wrist or the back of the hand, as the skin here can have a completely different colour.
You don’t have to be an expert makeup artist to get great results from camouflage makeup. Follow these steps to get long-lasting, natural-looking coverage that will boost your confidence every time you use it.
High-quality camouflage makeup can be life-changing, covering scars, blemishes and other skin issues so you can present your best self to the world. But how do you use it?
If you suffer from rosacea, blemishes, vitiligo, pigmentation marks, dark circles, or another skin concern that needs camouflage coverage, you may not be sure where to begin – especially if you don’t usually wear makeup. In this step-by-step beginner’s guide, we walk you through everything you need to know to make camouflage makeup work for you.
1. What do you need?
Do you want coverage for your face, body or both? How much coverage you need, and where you want it, will determine what you need to buy when shopping.
Dermablend comes in a few different forms, suitable for different types of application.
- Dermablend Corrective Fluid Foundation gives high coverage for use all over the face.
- Dermablend Total Body Corrective Foundation offers high coverage for use on the body.
- Dermablend Corrective Stick is a solid product that can be applied over specific areas on the face or body, increasing coverage when combined with foundation.
- Dermablend Corrective Compact Cream Foundation is an alternative to fluid foundation – it’s a solid product that can be applied with a sponge.
- Dermablend Setting Powder is used on top of foundation to make it last longer and prevent it from smudging.
You should also consider how you want to apply your foundation. Will you be using your fingertips to blend, or would you rather use a brush? A good-quality foundation brush may be more suitable for skin prone to redness or rosacea.
Dermablend products can be used alone or in combination. So for example, if you wanted to cover dark circles under your eyes you could use Dermablend Corrective Stick blended with a fingertip, either on its own or with your usual makeup.
Or if you wanted to cover an unwanted tattoo on your shoulder, you could layer up Dermablend Total Body Corrective Foundation, then use Dermablend Corrective Stick for extra coverage on darker areas. Finally, applying Dermablend Setting Powder would provide a smudge-free finish to keep the makeup from rubbing off on clothes.
2. Choose your shade
Your goal is to find a shade that will blend in naturally with your skin. Because you are also counteracting the tones of what you’re covering, the shade you need may not be 100% the same as your skintone. For example, to cover redness you might want a more yellowish tone to balance this out.
Facial makeup should be tested on the jawline (not on the wrist or the back of the hand, as the skin here can have a completely different colour). Apply a little to your jawline and then blend. The correct colour will seem to disappear into your skin.
Remember you can mix shades together – all Dermablend products are designed for blending (as the name suggests!) and can be combined to create a wider spectrum of shades.
3. Prepare your skin
Get your ‘canvas’ ready by making sure your skin is prepped and primed. Eliminate any dead or dry skin from face and body by exfoliating with a scrub, exfoliating wash or (for sensitive skin) a cotton washcloth. Then moisturise your skin and give it some time to sink in – don’t apply makeup over skin that feels oily or greasy.
Moisturising and exfoliating means any dead, rough or dry skin is out of the way and you have a smooth, soft surface for the camouflage makeup to adhere to, giving you the best chance of a long-lasting and even finish.
4. Add the first layer of colour
Using a brush or your fingertips, apply the product to your face or body. You don’t need a large amount – Dermablend products are highly concentrated, so start small and add more if you need to. For liquid products, start with a pea-sized amount. Apply first in the middle and blend outwards towards the edges of your face or the body area you are working on. (If you start at the edge you will have nowhere to blend to.)
Don’t worry too much about coverage at the moment – if the mark or blemish is still visible you can build further until it’s hidden.
5. Top up your coverage
If necessary, you can add extra layers of foundation or corrector stick until the mark or blemish is no longer visible. With each layer, apply it first in the middle and blend outwards.
6. Set with powder for a smudge-proof finish
When you’re satisfied with the level of coverage, it’s time to lock in the look with setting powder. Dermablend Setting Powder comes in a screw-top tub with a sifter lid. Open carefully and tap some of the powder into the lid. Then use the puff to pick up the powder and apply it to your face or body using a light pressing motion. Don’t worry about applying too much – you can sweep away any excess powder with a brush later.
Allow the powder to set for 2-3 minutes, and your camouflage makeup is complete.
