Makeup
Tattoo Cover Up Makeup

The Best Makeup for a Tattoo Cover Up

By Hannah Liddle - 3 years ago | Updated 1 year ago

woman with tattoos applying makeup for vlog

We love tattoos at Cosmetify - but we’re aware that there are times you may want to cover up. Whether it’s for an important job interview or a meet-up with family who highly disapprove, a quick fix concealer solution is all you need to hide any ink that may be adorning your body and save you from that dreaded lecture from your granny.

We’ve rounded up the very best makeup products that’ll keep your tattoos, both big and small, a secret, should you so wish. We’ve even included a primer and setting spray to make sure they stayed covered for as long as you need.

PREP

Milk Makeup Blur Stick

$18.00

Before you begin you want to make sure the concealers and foundations stay put – otherwise your tattoo could start poking out at a critical time! The Milk Makeup Blur Stick will give your skin a soft, matte finish and prep it for the products that are going to do the real cover-up work.

Stila Correct & Perfect All-in-One Correcting Palette

$45.00

You can jump straight to foundation after primer, or try more more comprehensive color correcting with the Correct & Perfect All-in-One Correcting Palette. Carefully apply the creams and powders accordingly to neutralize the colors of your tattoo. This will keep your skin tone looking even and balanced when the makeup is applied.

BEST FOUNDATIONS FOR TATTOO COVER-UP

When it comes to the actual cover-up process, you'll definitely want to choose a full coverage foundation to hide that ink. Here are a few of our top picks:

Inglot Cosmetics HD Perfect Cover Up Foundation

$38.88

Designed with special pigments to look good eve in high-def on the big screens, this is the long-lasting, full-coverage and shine-free foundation you want for all your cover-up needs. The white truffle extract and vitamin E added in make sure your skin doesn't dry out too.

L.A. Girl Pro.Coverage HD Long Wear Illuminating Liquid Foundation

Your skin will love how lightweight this foundation is, and your wallet will love the price tag! This long-lasting formula illuminates your skin while still giving you full coverage. Hiding your tatts doesn't mean you don't still get to glow.

L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24hr Freshwear Liquid Foundation

$15.20 $16.00 (5% off)

We also recommend looking for waterproof, transfer-resistant formulas like this one from L'Oreal in order to keep your clothes clean and makeup intact. The full-coverage also looks totally natural and feels comfortable - exactly what you want out of a foundation you'll be wearing all over your body.

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation

While you probably won't be wearing your foundation for a full 25 hours, you know this baby's going to last all day. It's resistant to sweat, heat and humidity and won't transfer onto clothes (it was designed to be mask resistant during lockdowns). Plus, with nourishing hyaluronic acid and vitamin E included in the formula, what's not to love?

Maybelline Superstay Active Wear Full Coverage 30 Hour Long-Lasting Liquid Foundation

$15.50 $17.22 (10% off)

Another great water-, sweat- and transfer-resistant choice is this matte-finish foundation from Maybelline, which is weightless, comfortable and oil-free.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Hydrating Foundation

$18.00

This foundation has a huge diverse shade range, so you can easily find the perfect match for your skin tone. It also has a super blendable formula that provides a medium to full coverage finish. And again, it’s sweat and humidity resistant so you can rest assured your tattoo will be covered all day long.

TOOLS

Just like some people prefer to apply foundation to their face with their fingers, it's definitely an option to go straight in with your hands when applying foundation to the body. It'll certainly make the process faster! But if you've got a smaller area to cover or just prefer using brushes, here are a few of our favorite tools for covering up tattoos.

Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Deluxe Vegan Kabuki Brush

$22.25

Designed for applying self-tanner from head to toe, including difficult areas, this kabuki brush from Coco & Eve is perfect for applying foundation to all areas of the body. Plus, the fibers are vegan rather than the commonly used boar bristles!

Fenty Beauty Face & Body Kabuki Brush

$34.00

We also love the kabuki brush from Fenty, also designed for face and body with ultra-soft synthetic bristles and an angled brush head to get into all curves and contours.

beautyblender Original

$17.67 $20.79 (16% off)

For covering large areas, the beautyblender makeup sponge is another great option. Bounce and blend color correctors and foundations across the skin until you achieve a natural-looking finish. It provides a streak-free look which means even, all-over coverage.

Huda Beauty N.Y.M.P.H Body Blur & Glow Brush

$33.00

On the other hand, the Huda Beauty body brush is ideal for covering larger tattoos on the body. It works with cream, liquid and powder products. Simply apply your foundation to the area you want to cover and use the brush to buff the product into the skin. The easy-to-grip handle means it’s a stress-free process that takes no time at all.

BEST SETTING POWDERS AND SPRAYS FOR TATTOO COVER-UP

Now that you've got your base down, you'll just want to lock it place with a finishing powder or setting spray. Even if your products are transfer-proof, this step provides that extra security so you can relax a little throughout the day. When choosing a powder, we love a natural-looking powder that promises a skin-like finish, as you probably don't want it to be too obvious you're covered in makeup, and for sprays, you'll want to make sure there's no sticky residue for the most comfortable and natural-looking result.

Here are a few of our top sprays and powders to keep your cover-up in place.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Loose Setting Powder Banana

Check out this tutorial for a step by step guide on how to conceal your tattoos:

As these makeup products are great for covering up tattoos, you know they’ll be just as good at covering up any scars, marks, blemishes or dark spots. In fact, we have a whole article dedicated to the very The Best Foundations for Acne-Prone Skin, as well as The Best Drugstore Foundations.