How to hide acne scars with makeup

Acne scars can be difficult to hide. No matter how much foundation and concealer you use, sometimes nothing seems to cover those pesky marks. So, what can you do to make your scars disappear? We asked Creative Brands makeup trainer, Andrew Christie, to tell us exactly how to hide acne scars with makeup.

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Use a primer

“Acne scars can be difficult to conceal, however, with the right products, your skin can be smooth, even and undetectably flawless,” says Andrew. But where do we start? The answer is with your makeup primer. According to Andrew, your primer is designed to act as a “cushioning layer” between moisturiser and foundation. A primer is the first, crucial step to creating even skin texture and tone. “A primer not only softens the skin’s surface, it literally fills in areas of pitted, scarred or bumpy skin, evening out scar tissue and smoothing indentations,” he explains. “It also helps makeup last longer while retaining a just-applied finish.”

bh loves: Australis GRLBOSS Oil-Free Primer, Ulta3 COOL, CALM & CORRECTED PRIMER

Neutralise discolouration

If your scarring has a coloured aspect, Andrew recommends muting it with a colour corrector. “These work to counterbalance imperfections rather than cover them up,” he explains. “Think of blondes who wash their hair with a purple shampoo to counterbalance brassiness. The same premise works for skin – a green colour corrector counters red scars and a yellow colour corrector counteracts blue or purple-toned scars. “The beauty of this is you’re relying on the colour to do the correction, not on cakey concealing. After priming the skin, apply a liquid colour corrector to the areas affected for an instant neutralising effect. Foundation then goes over the top of the corrector.”

bh loves: Designer Brands Colour Corrector Palette, Stila Correct And Perfect Palette ($69, mecca.com.au)

Look for matte formulas

Andrew says the biggest mistake when it comes to covering acne scars is to use a dewy, light-reflecting foundation. “The radiant finish can often draw attention to acne scars, making them shiny and more obvious,” he says. Instead, opt for a foundation with a matte finish.  “The key to effective scar camouflage is to apply matte formulas that provide hydrating coverage without highlighting imperfections. A matte liquid foundation provides the most natural finish, avoiding making the skin feel dry or look chalky.”

bh loves: Barry M Flawless Matte Foundation, Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear

Concealer after foundation

“When it comes to precision concealment, applying foundation over concealer will only wipe away any targeted work, so always apply concealer after foundation,” Andrew emphasises. A concealer brush or cotton tip delivers a soft-focus, natural finish, but it’s always vital to apply concealer sparingly. “Remember to only conceal where necessary – a heavy hand results in an unnatural, cakey effect,” he says.

bh loves: IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Breakout Full Treatment Concealer ($42, sephora.com.au), M.A.C Studio Fix 24-Hour Concealer

Press your powder

Now to seal the smoothness with a light layer of powder. “Literally press your powder puff, or stipple your powder brush in a pressing motion, over your face,” directs Andrew. “Simply brushing or wiping on powder can make pores and scarring appear deeper. “Finally, a quick finish dusting of powder bronzer on the contours of your face will ensure an even, three-dimensional finish that is flawless in tone and smoothness.”

bh loves: Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish ($70, charlottetilbury.com), CANMAKE Marshmallow Finish Powder

Did you find the tips in this article helpful? What are your best tips for covering acne scarring?