How to Hide Zits with Makeup

As featured on the Pageant Planet!

How to Hide Zits with Makeup


Posted by Steven Roddy on July 5th, 2010

Interview with Meredith Boyd

I am so thankful to Meredith Boyd for taking the time to answer some of the questions that a lot of you girls have been asking me about pimples, acne, zits and blackheads. I mean its not necessarily dinner conversation but this is a serious matter in pageantry. No one wants to walk into interview with a spotlight on their forehead. Well, Meredith Boyd, founder of Mere Cosmetics, clears up the subject on pimples…literally.

Q. Is there a way to conceal that unwanted pimple?

Meredith: Absolutely! Here is the process on how to hide the zits with makeup:


1.First and foremost, don’t mess with it! You will only make it worse by spreading the bacteria and cause more breakouts.

2.Wash your hands.

3.Wash the face with a mild non-irritating face cleanser like Cetaphil and use an oil-free moisturizer.

4.Use Visine to literally “take the red out” and calm the area of redness, wait 5 minutes.

5.Apply foundation of your choice to entire face. I prefer a cream based foundation in the Mere Cosmetics line which glides on the skin and helps to easily hide imperfections.

6.Using a concealer brush apply a cream based foundation two shades lighter than your face foundation color to the pimple and lightly brush outwards around the area. I use cream based foundations instead of concealers (concealers tend to be a little too thick in consistency and difficult to use when covering acne) and it’s easier to use a cream-based foundation to build upon as it’s a medium coverage product rather than a light liquid, ultimately resulting in a natural, finished look. I’ve surprised many of my clients with this technique and they are amazed that I use no concealers to cover their imperfections. Think outside the box and try it!

7.Apply a very light shade of loose translucent powder (again counteracting any redness), my go-to product is Mere Cosmetics translucent powder as it’s been milled three times giving a feathery light appearance to the face. Never use compact powders as this adds wax to the face and ultimately more shine. Loose powder will SET the foundation and concealer in place.

8.Avoid pressing too hard on the blemish with the brush as you will only wipe the product away. Use a light hand and set with powder.

9.Finish entire face with a loose powder in a natural shade matching your skin tone, this will set your entire face and add the last layer of protection to your problem area.

Q. Do the methods for hiding blemishes vary in a photo shoot versus a public appearance?

Meredith: Makeup varies just slightly from eye color shades to false eyelashes. I highly recommend doing your “full stage face” for appearances with the exception of three important areas: do not use large lashes, dark eye shadows or dark/bright lipstick. Also, tone down the lips to a more natural earthy tone. Remember, if you don’t use enough makeup, you will look washed out and tired in your photos. And nothing speaks the truth more than a candid snapshot!

The key to making your face pop in appearance photos is a medium based foundation (cream, not liquid), medium tone eye shadows (colors that enhance your eye color – earth tones like browns and grays), lightly line your eyes with eyeliner (not jet black, something soft like chestnut brown or navy) and use small eyelashes to pop the eyes. I suggest #53 from Ardell or Andrea and then use mascara to blend lashes together. This brand is the easiest to apply and looks polished for appearances.

Lastly use a neutral spice colored lipstick with a clear gloss to add some luster to your finished look. My favorite lipstick is a creamy spice tone in the Mere Cosmetics line, pops the lips perfectly for interview and appearances…goes with any colored outfit, even pinks and reds! This takes all the guesswork out of lip color!

Q. How can the girls do a little preemptive strike against unwanted blemishes?

Meredith: Believe it or not, our skin is our biggest organ. Therefore, we must:

•Hydrate and drink 8-10 glasses of water a day

•Eat a “clean” diet plenty of fruits, veggies and lean proteins to help aid the body in producing new cells and keep the skin glowing and revitalized

•Never sleep with our makeup on. Wash and moisturize the face every day with mild products. Don’t try to self medicate with over the counter products, that may make the situation worse. Seek advice from a dermatologist for acne skin regimen/medication treatments.

•Keep your hands off your face and cell phones off your chin area

•Stay out of the sun

•Wash your makeup brushes every week with shampoo…this is a main culprit to growing bacteria and never share makeup or tools with others.