The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (2024)

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (1)

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We all remember our very first tattoo—or at least the one that fills us with regret to this day. Tattoos, like, say, jewelry or perfume, are sometimes sentimental relics, etched with fond memories that transport us back to a spontaneous night out with friends or serve as a symbol of reverence for a loved one. Other times, they can remind us of a past life or person we wish to forget. While tattoos are permanent and removal can be costly, there is a workaround: makeup.

Makeup, specifically foundation and concealer, come in a slew of formulas, but for tattoo cover-ups, the heavier the better. Similar to the way we apply makeup to our faces, there are factors that you must consider to ensure longevity and smooth application for a tattoo cover-up. Skin type, daily routines, skincare practices, and the tattoo ink color all play important roles in an effective cover-up. “Everyone’s skin tones are so different, and it’s important to understand undertones and freckling,” says Rebecca Wachtel, TV and film makeup designer and the artist behind the beauty looks on hit shows such as Daisy Jones and the Six.

Maybe you have an important new job interview, your tattoo doesn’t exactly match your outfit that day, or you got up from the tattoo chair, and the final look is just not what you expected. No matter what situation you may find yourself in, we consulted expert makeup artists and looked to customer reviews to compile a list of products—10 to be exact—that will help you cover up any tattoo.

1

Best for Combination Skin

FACE atelier Ultra Foundation

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (2)

Pros
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (3)Natural, radiant finish
Cons
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (4)Doesn’t irritate acne-prone skin

If you’re chronically online, and by online, I mean an avid TikTok scroller, you’ve likely come across Face Atelier’s Ultra Foundation. This formula is as thick as it gets, designed to offer full coverage and build a defense against any external threats, like oil or heat.

Coverage: Medium to full

Finish: Radiant

Formula

: Liquid

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “It covers very well. I have uneven pigmentation and acne-prone skin. This is great; I've been using it for years.”

2

Best Matte Formula

Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Luminous Matte Foundation

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (5)

Pros
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (6)Conceals blemishes and scarring
Cons
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (7)Some users dislike the thick texture

Regardless of what outside looks like, this foundation can last through anything. Just one post dispenses a matte, full-coverage formula that covers any scarring or anything you want concealed, and can be built up to your desired finish without feeling weighty.

Coverage: Full

Finish: Matte

Formula: Liquid

Sephora rating: 3.5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I don’t think I’ve experienced a foundation as full coverage and smooth as Huda Beauty’s Faux Filter, which has quickly become my go-to formula when I want to look completely airbrushed and flawless—on and off the screen. It covers every mark on my face, and I have a lot.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

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3

Best Versatile Palette

MAC Cosmetics Conceal & Correct Palette

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (8)

Pros
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (9)Easy to blend
Cons
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (10)Some users note the coverage could be better

Color correcting is extremely important when covering up tattoos. It cancels out the color of the ink and ensures that the foundation or concealer matches specific undertones. The corrector can be mixed with foundation or applied on its own before adding makeup.

Coverage: Medium to full coverage

Finish: Natural

Formula: Cream

Nordstrom star rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “As the saying goes, ‘If it’s not broke, don’t fix it—and that’s the case with this OG palette. The creamy, full-coverage formula is so versatile! This palette allows you to color correct, make dark spots disappear, and even contour. This is a longtime favorite.”—Danielle James, ELLE.com digital beauty director

4

Best for Easy Application

Dermablend Quick-Fix Body Makeup Stick

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (11)

Pros
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (12)Convenient and easy to use
Cons
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (13)Difficult to shade match

Celebrity makeup artist Ana Marie Rizzieri is used to covering up tattoos for Victoria’s Secret models. She suggests using makeup sticks, which allow for easy application in traditionally hard-to-reach places. (This is a common problem for lingerie models with ink.)

Coverage: Full coverage

Finish

: Natural

Formula

: Cream

Amazon star rating: 3.9/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “It covers all scars, blemishes, imperfections and stays on until you wash it off. Even if I sweat from working out, the cover stick foundation stays on.”

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5

Best for a Natural Finish

Makeup Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation

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Pros
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (15)Lightweight
Cons
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (16)Some don't like the smell

If you’re looking for a product that will make you forget that you even had a tattoo, this is the one. The smooth, full-coverage formula allows for comfortable all-day wear with a natural skin-like finish that is great for all skin types.

Coverage: Full coverage

Finish

: Natural

Formula

: Cream

Sephora start rating: 4/5 stars

A Sephora reviewer says: “This foundation stick blew me away. It’s so creamy and buttery on the skin. Super easy to blend, and it looks like second skin!”

6

Best for Smudge-Proof Makeup

Jordane Total Tattoo Coverage Palette

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (17)

Pros
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (18)Long lasting
Cons
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (19)Dries down quickly

Erin Guth, an LA-based celebrity makeup artist, pulls her experience from covering up actors’ tattoos on set. Her go-to product is Jordane’s Total Tattoo Coverage. The long-wear formula is highly pigmented and does not smudge or transfer once it sets.

Coverage: Medium to full coverage

Finish

: Natural matte

Formula

: Cream

Alcone rating: 5/5 stars

An Alcone reviewer said: “This palette is wonderful! Not only can you cover tattoos, but also beard stubble and blemishes, too. The colors are highly pigmented and durable after a light coating of Blue Marble or Green Marble sealers.”

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7

Best for Darker Skin Tones

Skin Illustrator PPI Skin Illustrator On Set Dark Flesh Tone Makeup Palette

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (20)

Pros
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (21)Flexible shades for different undertones
Cons
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (22)Learning curve

Having done the makeup for one of 2023’s hottest shows, Daisy Jones and the Six, makeup artist Rebecca Wachtel often reaches for Skin Illustrator palettes for tattoo cover-ups. This palette is formulated specifically for melanin-rich skin tones with colors that can be mixed together to get the perfect shade. For the best results, activate this product using alcohol.

Coverage: Full coverage

Finish: Natural

Formula: Cream

Amazon rating: 3.7/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “Although the product was incredibly small for such a large price, it has great coverage.”

8

Best Waterproof Option

Dermacol Make-Up Cover Foundation

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (23)

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (24)

Pros
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (25)A little goes a long way
Cons
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (26)Takes a long time to dry completely

Dermacol’s Makeup Cover Foundation is a waterproof, long-wear, full-coverage product. Formulated without any preservatives or harmful chemicals, the foundation leaves your skin looking and feeling healthy. And for an added bonus, its compact packaging makes it easy to take it with you wherever you go.

Coverage: Full coverage

Finish

: Natural

Formula

: Liquid

Amazon star rating: 4/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Your one-stop shop for the best foundation that covers you perfectly and is just right for your skin type. I absolutely love this product! It covers everything I don’t want shown, and stays put till I want it off.”

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9

Best for Hydration

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (27)

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (28)

Pros
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (29)Blends easily
Cons
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (30)Some users experience creasing

A cult favorite concealer, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer goes on smooth for a highly pigmented, breathable finish. Its hydrating formula leaves skin with a luminous non-cakey look. For the best result for tattoo cover-up, try using an extra coat or two and setting with a powder and setting spray.

Coverage: Medium to full coverage

Finish: Natural

Formula:

Liquid

Sephora star rating: 4.3/5

An ELLE editor says: “I’ve been using Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer for a while now, and no matter how many times I try to switch it up, I always come back to it. I love that I can build the coverage to what my heart desires and it never feels drying which is great for my dry skin.” Tasha Nicole Smith, beauty assistant

10

Best Value

Mehron Makeup Tattoo Cover

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (31)

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (32)

Pros
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (33)Affordable
Cons
  • The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (34)Can transfer easily

You don’t have to spend a fortune to get great coverage. This product allows for quick and easy application, with extreme pigment and a lightweight finish.

Coverage: Full coverage

Finish

: Natural

Formula

: Cream

Amazon star rating: 3.8/5 stars

An Amazon Reviewer says: “The Mehron is hands down the best! I covered only half of my very dark tattoo and with just two layers, it’s nearly invisible.”

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Meet the Experts

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (35)

Rebecca Wachtel is a television and film makeup designer and the makeup artist behind the 2023 hit show Daisy Jones and the Six

Erin Guth is an LA-based celebrity makeup artist

Ana Marie Rizzieri is a celebrity makeup artist

Why Trust ELLE Beauty?

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (36)

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this story, ELLE beauty assistant and fellow tattoo lover Tasha Nicole Smith consulted makeup experts to provide insight on the best products to cover tattoos. She and ELLE.com beauty commerce editor Nerisha Penrose sourced the best makeup product to cover tattoos effectively.

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The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (37)

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The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (38)

Tasha Nicole Smith

Beauty Assistant

Tasha Nicole Smith is ELLE Magazine's beauty assistant. She loves all things hair, makeup, and skincare so you’ll find her talking about it here. She enjoys Marvel movies, a good pair of vintage heels, and lemon drop martinis and also shares a birthday with Beyoncé, which is her go to fun fact.

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (39)

Nerisha Penrose

Beauty Commerce Editor

Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Prior to joining the team, she was an Editorial Fellow at ELLE.com. In her current role, she helps lead coverage on makeup, skin care, hair, and fragrances. With over six years of experience in the world of beauty editorial, Nerisha enjoys delving deep into the complexities of fragrance notes, hunting for the best fixes for acne-prone skin, and advocating for daily sunscreen use. She regularly researches and tests the latest products, consults beauty professionals (including our Beauty Advisory Board) to determine the best expert-approved formulas to recommend, and conducts interviews with luminaries across the industry. Nerisha received her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from Temple University before joining the editorial teams at Nylon and Billboard. In 2020, she co-launched our popular franchise The State of Black Beauty, an ongoing exploration of—and destination for—beauty at the intersection of Black culture.

The Best Makeup to Cover Up Tattoos, From People Who Cover Tattoos for a Living (2024)
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