How To Cover A Tattoo With Makeup: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

Skip to ContentQuizzes

• PRO Courses Hot Guides Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade
• QUIZZES All Quizzes Hot Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Trivia Quizzes Taylor Swift Quizzes
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help ProAbout UsRandom ArticleQuizzes Request a New ArticleCommunity DashboardTrendingForums Arts and EntertainmentArtworkBooksMoviesComputers and ElectronicsComputersPhone SkillsTechnology HacksHealthMen's HealthMental HealthWomen's HealthRelationshipsDatingLoveRelationship Issues Hobbies and CraftsCraftsDrawingGamesEducation & CommunicationCommunication SkillsPersonal DevelopmentStudyingPersonal Care and StyleFashionHair CarePersonal Hygiene Quizzes Love Quizzes Personality Quizzes Fun Games ForumsArts and EntertainmentFinance and BusinessHome and Garden Relationship QuizzesCars & Other VehiclesFood and EntertainingPersonal Care and Style Sports and FitnessComputers and ElectronicsHealthPets and Animals TravelEducation & CommunicationHobbies and CraftsPhilosophy and Religion Work WorldFamily LifeHolidays and TraditionsRelationships Youth
• LOG IN

  Log in

  Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. Facebook Google wikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account
• RANDOM

• Home
• Random
• Browse Articles
• TrendingNew
• Quizzes & Games
• All QuizzesHot
• Love Quizzes
• Personality Quizzes
• Fun Games
• Dating Simulator
• Learn Something New
• Forums
• Courses
• Happiness Hub
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow

• Log in / Sign up

Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow

• Categories
• Personal Care and Style
• Tattoos and Piercing
• Hiding Tattoos and Piercing

How to Cover a Tattoo with Makeup Download Article Co-authored by Grant Lubbock

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Approved

Download Article

• Using Regular Makeup
|
• Trying Specialized Products
|
• Expert Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings

|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Grant Lubbock. Grant Lubbock is a Tattoo Artist and Co-Owner of Red Baron Ink, a tattoo salon based in New York City. Grant has over 10 years of tattooing experience and he specializes in neo-traditional, black/grey, and color tattoos. Red Baron Ink's main goal is for each tattoo coming out of their studio to be one of a kind custom pieces that will look good throughout a lifetime. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 11 testimonials and 80% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 839,287 times.

Sure, you love showing off your awesome tattoo to your friends and peers, but you know that if your great-grandmother ever saw it, she'd go into cardiac arrest faster than you can say, "It's only temporary!" Whether you want to hide your tattoo from conservative relatives, cover it up for a wedding or special event, or look more professional in your next job interview, you can quickly and easily cover a tattoo with makeup if you know what approach to take.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Using Regular Makeup

Download Article

1. 1 Cleanse your skin. Before you begin, it's a good idea to cleanse your tattooed skin with a wipe or a little facial wash. If you have a large tattoo, take a shower or bath. This prepares the skin to receive the makeup.
   • Keep in mind that you shouldn't attempt to cover a tattoo with makeup unless it's fully healed, otherwise you could ruin the ink or develop an infection.
   • Tattoos can take as long as 45 days to heal completely. Don't attempt to cover a tattoo that is fresh and hasn't peeled yet.
2. 2 Apply a light concealer. Take a heavy coverage liquid or cream concealer that's several shades lighter than your natural skin tone. Alternatively, use a color-correcting concealer.
   • Use a makeup sponge or stippling brush to apply the concealer to the tattoo. Try to dab or blot the concealer onto the skin instead of rubbing it. Rubbing simply pushes the product around rather than adding coverage.
   • As a result, blotting will also help you to avoid wasting too much of your concealer. Once you've coated the tattoo in an even layer, wait a minute or two for it to dry. Don't worry if the tattoo is still visible.
   Advertisement
3. 3 Add foundation. Choose a foundation that matches your skin tone perfectly. Spray foundations are the easiest to work with and provide the most even coverage, but liquid or cream foundations will also work.
   • If you're using a spray foundation, give the can a good shake then hold it approximately 6 to 8 inches (15.2 to 20.3 cm) away from the tattoo. Spray the foundation in spurts, rather than spraying in a continuous stream. This will prevent you from being too heavy-handed with it. Spray until you have evenly covered the tattoo, then give it 60 seconds to set.[1]
   • If you're using a liquid or cream foundation, use a makeup sponge or stippling brush to apply the product, using the same blotting technique you used with the concealer. If necessary, use your fingers to smooth out the top layer and blend around the edges.
4. 4 Cover it with translucent powder. Use a large powder brush to apply a layer of translucent powder over the foundation. This provides a matte finish. [2]
5. 5 Spitz the makeup with setting spray. When you are done layering the foundation, concealer, and powder, finish with a light spritz of makeup setting spray. This sets the coverage and will prevent the makeup from rubbing off onto any clothes or furniture. Allow the area to dry before touching it or attempting to cover it with clothing.[3]
6. 6 Do a trial run before the event, if desired. If you plan on covering up your tattoo for a specific event such as a job interview or wedding, it's a good idea to do a trial run beforehand. This will give you a chance to practice your technique and ensure that your makeup is the right color for your skin tone.
Advertisement

Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Trying Specialized Products

Download Article

1. 1 Use tattoo cover-up. There are many products on the market designed specifically for covering up tattoos. These products are highly effective, due to their heavy coverage and broad selection of colors, which can match nearly any skin tone. The only downside to these products is their cost. Some of the best products include:
   • Tattoo Camo: This tattoo camouflage brand provides a complete kit for covering your tattoo. The product comes in a tube which can be rubbed directly over the tattooed skin with no need for brushes or sponges. The kit also provides a special cleanser for removing the product. The kit is available from their website.
   • Dermablend: Dermablend is a fantastic product which was originally designed by dermatologists to cover up scars and skin conditions. It is hypoallergenic, making it an excellent option for people with sensitive skin. It can last for up to 16 hours. It is also available online.
   • Covermark: Covermark Tattoo Removal is another tattoo removal kit, which is available in variety of shades. The kit includes a skin primer, a liquid foundation, a matte powder, and a special applicator.
2. 2 Try stage makeup. Stage makeup provides extremely heavy and long-lasting coverage and is good for tattoos covering large areas of skin. You can use a color-correcting concealer underneath the stage makeup to hide the tattoo.
   • It's possible to buy stage makeup in a variety of skin colors, but you can also use plain white makeup to cover up the tattoo, then use your regular foundation on top to match your skin tone.
   • Some of the most popular and widely available stage makeup brands include Killer Cover, Ben Nye, and Mehron.
3. 3 Get an airbrush tan. If your tattoo is quite small or light in color, it may be possible to cover it up with an airbrush spray tan. These spray tans not only darken the skin but also even out skin tone and cover imperfections.
   • Call into your local tanning salon to see if they offer airbrushing services. Show them your tattoo and ask them if they think the treatment would effectively cover it up.
   • At-home spray tan products such as Sally Hansen airbrush legs can also be used to try to cover up small, light-colored tattoos.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search Add New Question

• Question How long does it take for a tattoo to be permanently removed? Grant Lubbock Tattoo Artist & Co-Owner, Red Baron Ink Grant Lubbock is a Tattoo Artist and Co-Owner of Red Baron Ink, a tattoo salon based in New York City. Grant has over 10 years of tattooing experience and he specializes in neo-traditional, black/grey, and color tattoos. Red Baron Ink's main goal is for each tattoo coming out of their studio to be one of a kind custom pieces that will look good throughout a lifetime. Grant Lubbock Tattoo Artist & Co-Owner, Red Baron Ink Expert Answer If you're going to a laser removal clinic, which is the best way to remove a tattoo permanently, the answer depends on the size of the tattoo, the amount of pigmentation, and how many colors are present in the tattoo. On average, it probably takes 4-6 treatment sessions at the laser removal clinic to remove a tattoo, although larger pieces may take up to 10 sessions. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 6
• Question Where can I find Tattoo Camo around Pretoria and for how much? Kiara Hamed Tattoo Artist Kiara Hamed is a Tattoo Artist based in Dallas, Texas. She has over nine years of tattoo designing experience. She received her Tattoo Artist Certification in 2010 and a BS in Computer Information Systems from Clark University Atlanta in 2013. Kiara Hamed Tattoo Artist Expert Answer Try buying these products online if you can't find any in makeup stores or costume stores. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 6
• Question What herbal ingredients can be used effectively to remove tattoos or break down ink pigments? Kiara Hamed Tattoo Artist Kiara Hamed is a Tattoo Artist based in Dallas, Texas. She has over nine years of tattoo designing experience. She received her Tattoo Artist Certification in 2010 and a BS in Computer Information Systems from Clark University Atlanta in 2013. Kiara Hamed Tattoo Artist Expert Answer Ingredients like lemon, honey, salt, and aloe vera can be used to lighten tattoos and dark marks or scars. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 9

Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Tips

• Tattoo artist Kat Von D has a great line of hihg-pigment coverup designed especially for concealing tattoos. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

• Don't get a tattoo of a boy/girlfriend's name because if you break up, you're stuck with it. Thanks Helpful 22 Not Helpful 4
• Do not attempt to cover a tattoo with makeup unless the tattoo is fully healed. A fresh tattoo, or one that is just a week or 2 old, demands great care and good hygiene. Introducing makeup or excessively touching a new tattoo can irritate the area enough to harm your hard-earned artwork and cause infection. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 1

Advertisement

You Might Also Like

How toHide a Tattoo How toCover a Mole How toCover a Tattoo for Work How toGet a Tattoo Without Your Parents Knowing How toGet Rid of Tattoo Scarring and Blowouts How to Hide Cuts On Your Arms, Wrists & Other Areas How to Conceal Scars How toCover Moles with Makeup How toMake a Temporary Tattoo Last Longer How toMake a Temporary Tattoo With Eyeliner How toHide Scars on Legs How toRemove Temporary Tattoos How toHide Scars on Your Arms How toCover Legs with Makeup Advertisement

About This Article

Co-authored by: Grant Lubbock Tattoo Artist & Co-Owner, Red Baron Ink This article was co-authored by Grant Lubbock. Grant Lubbock is a Tattoo Artist and Co-Owner of Red Baron Ink, a tattoo salon based in New York City. Grant has over 10 years of tattooing experience and he specializes in neo-traditional, black/grey, and color tattoos. Red Baron Ink's main goal is for each tattoo coming out of their studio to be one of a kind custom pieces that will look good throughout a lifetime. This article has been viewed 839,287 times. 3 votes - 80% Co-authors: 35 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 839,287 Categories: Hiding Tattoos and Piercing Article SummaryX

To cover a tattoo with makeup, start by cleansing your tattooed skin and applying a heavy coverage liquid or cream concealer that’s several shades lighter than your natural skin tone. Once your skin dries, add a layer of foundation that matches your skin tone, then use a large powder brush to apply translucent powder over the foundation. Finally, spritz the makeup with setting spray to prevent it from rubbing off onto your clothing or furniture. For more tips, like how to use commercial products specially designed to cover tattoos, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

In other languages Portuguese Spanish Italian Russian German Chinese French Arabic Indonesian Thai Dutch Hindi Japanese Czech

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 839,287 times.

Reader Success Stories

• 

  Sara Lewis

  Sep 17, 2016

  "I am interviewing for a flight attendant position and have been worried about two conditions - a minimum height..." more

More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Grant Lubbock Tattoo Artist & Co-Owner, Red Baron Ink Co-authors: 35 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 839,287 80% of readers found this article helpful. 3 votes - 80% Click a star to add your vote

Sara Lewis

Sep 17, 2016

"I am interviewing for a flight attendant position and have been worried about two conditions - a minimum height..." more

Nina Williams

Jan 4, 2017

"Step-by-step instructions with photos helped me know exactly how to cover up my tattoos I wanted to and how to..." more

Anonymous

Jun 13, 2016

"This article was just for fun, but it described things very thoroughly which I really liked."

Anonymous

Jul 30, 2017

"It was nice to know about setting powder and hairspray to cover henna tattoos. Thanks!"

Tiff Patton

Apr 27, 2016

"Good article. It's just what I needed to know about covering up my tattoo at home." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

Quizzes & Games

What Makeup Should I Wear QuizTake QuizMakeup Quiz: Discover The Perfect Stye For YouTake QuizWhat Tattoo Matches My Personality QuizTake QuizWhat Is My Makeup Type QuizTake QuizMy Lookalike GeneratorGenerateWhat Piercing Should I Get QuizTake Quiz

You Might Also Like

How toHide a TattooHow toCover a MoleHow toCover a Tattoo for WorkHow toGet a Tattoo Without Your Parents Knowing

Featured Articles

How toRemove Shorts from Search Results on YouTubeWhat Are the Korean Animal Face Types? (And Which Type Do You Have?)Being the Little Spoon While Cuddling: Is It Better Than the Big Spoon?115+ Funny “Get Well Soon” Messages to Make Someone Laugh110+ “Fun Facts” for Interviews, Introductions, & IcebreakersHow Long Would You Survive In A Zombie Apocalypse?

Trending Articles

Purity TestCrush Calculator: Does Your Crush Like You Back?Rate My Personality QuizWhich Fictional Character Would Crush On You?What's My Personality Based on My Song Choices QuizIf I Had A Baby, What Would It Look Like?

Featured Articles

How to Roast Someone in a Rap Battle (Plus the Best Bars of All Time)What Turns a Girl On? 31 Things to Try on Your PartnerLove AnalyzerSending Your Sweetie a Love Note? Here are 200+ Romantic IdeasHow toExercise Your BrainHow toBe a Fun Person to Hang out With

Featured Articles

What Does Your Morning Routine Say About You?How toDevelop Productive HabitsHow toPractice Self CareWhat Song Matches Your Life Right Now?Will 2026 Be Your Year? Reveal Your FutureUnderstanding the Most Attractive Face Shapes (& Determining Your Own)

Watch Articles

How toTie a Loop KnotHow toMake Body OilHow toMake Almond MilkHow toWash White Clothes by HandHow toSkin a ChickenHow toClean Tile Floors with Vinegar

Trending Articles

What Are My Soulmate's Initials QuizMusic Taste Analyzer: What Do Your Favorite Artists Say About You?My Lookalike GeneratorHow to Tell if a Guy Likes YouHow Tall Will I Be QuizHow toLose Weight Fast

Quizzes & Games

How Old Do People Think I Look QuizTake QuizWhat Color Should I Dye My Hair QuizTake QuizWhat Skin Type Do I Have QuizTake QuizWhat Is My Skin Undertone QuizTake QuizWhat's Your Red Flag QuizTake QuizWhat Skincare Products Should I Use QuizTake Quiz

• Categories
• Personal Care and Style
• Tattoos and Piercing
• Hiding Tattoos and Piercing

wikiHow Newsletter You're all set! Helpful how-tos delivered toyour inbox every week! Sign me up! By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy.

• Home
• About wikiHow
• Experts
• Jobs
• Contact Us
• Site Map
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info
• Contribute

Follow Us

×

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Let's do this! X --611