Blemishes and Beauty Routines

Have you ever experienced complications when it came to concealing your acne with makeup? For some, makeup is a means of expression as well as artistry. Some people utilize makeup to cover up blemishes. Blemishes are a natural phenomenon and many teenagers experience breakouts throughout their adolescence.

However, superficial blemishes can impede an individual’s seemingly flawless makeup. Attempting to conceal redness and or acne is a daunting task, but it is not impossible. Simple foundation and concealer shall not hide the bumps on your face. For acne prone skin, you are required to use alternative tactics or products for a natural full coverage look. Acne prone skin can be hard to manage and can deeply affect an individual. Acne can have an immense effect on an individual’s self esteem. Acne affects a person's capability to show their bare face in public. Also, it leads them to using makeup as a “crutch” to essentially feel more beautiful. This may lead to covering up the flaws with makeup; I was one of those people because I strived to use any tip or product to cover up my acne.

When attending my educational institution, my makeup concealed all aspects of my face except for my blemishes. I was not able to achieve a natural looking makeup routine due to the amount of products I wore. Some people may contemplate whether adding more products to your face helps to improve the overall coverage. 

In theory, this would aid in covering one's blemishes. However, more products on a person's face would forge a “caked” appearance. I began to experience hardship when I came to my acne at the age of 11 then, I started applying makeup to my face around the age of 12. In my earlier years, my face appeared “caked”; when sweating, my appearance replicated melting wax. As I grew older, I have encountered numerous  modern ways to manoeuvre  around my acne.

However, with the adequate techniques and products, anyone can conceal those pesky bumps. I personally have incorporated many new tactics and products into my everyday makeup routine. Doing so, I have accomplished a full coverage look with a minimal amount of makeup. I have learned to follow makeup routines that work best for my skin. Everyone has a different skin type and texture; what works for some might not work for you. I encountered some degree of difficulty attempting to conceal my bumps, which made me less confident in myself. Before applying anything to your face, you must first understand your skin and body.

 During winter months, my skin is dry, which gives the acne a more scab-like appearance. In turn, I would intensify my moisturizing and priming routine prior to applying foundation. This is just one example of the many discoveries I have assembled over the years. Just below are steps that aided me in achieving a full coverage look with a minimal amount of makeup on my acne prone skin. Also, product suggestions are incorporated in the steps for a more descriptive step by step process.

1. First, start by moisturizing the skin. Moisturizing prior to priming can contribute to nourishing the skin. A superb moisturizer I use is the Tatcha Water Cream Moisturizer. Even though this product is fairly expensive, it provides a poreless appearance and is absolutely oil-free. Minimizing pores can contribute to reducing acne in the sense that the makeup should not clog one's pores.
2. After that, set your face with a setting powder to lock in the moisture. An excellent setting power that I utilize is the KVD Vegan Beauty Lock-it setting powder. This setting powder provides light coverage on the skin as well as accomplishes a matte finish. This light coverage powder helps to limit the amount of makeup on one's face. Also, this somewhat conceals the redness of the blemishes.
3. Then, utilize your setting spray and distribute this across your face. Hold the spray bottle a couple inches away from the face. Then, move the bottle above your head with the tip of the bottle facing at a lateral angle. This is so you do not soak your face in product. Instead, you are lightly spritzing it. My personal favorite is the Urban Decay All-Nighter  setting spray. This particular setting spray is weightless and absorbs any oil that could potentially cause pimples. Next, wait for the setting spray to dry.
4. After, apply a primer to your skin. The Smash Box Photo Finish primer is exceptional in reducing the redness of the face. This will help to conceal the acne on your face.
5. This next step is more of a freestyle. Now you may continue your regular foundation and concealer routine. Apply whichever foundation or concealer that works best with your skin type. Personally I use the Fenty Beauty Soft Matte Long Wear foundation. This provides full coverage and displays a matte finish. The full coverage of the foundation completely conceals the blemishes. For concealer, the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer provides a more natural finish. This particular concealer possesses a medium coverage and will further conceal your acne.
6. Once everything is complete, you may set your foundation with a setting power and incorporate any additional steps into your facial makeup routine. This may include highlighter or bronzer. Lastly, use the spray setting once more. Then, you are finished!

These are just a few tips and products that I have incorporated into my makeup routine. Compared to my previous years, my makeup is now flawless and natural. Due to these techniques and products I was able to conceal my blemishes yet still be able to have a natural appearance. As I stated before, utilize the tips that work best for you and your skin. Everyone’s skin and even acne behaves in a different manner. Find what works best for you. What worked for me might not work for you. However, life is all about trial and error. If I never tried new products and tricks, my makeup would still visually appear as a melting candle. Remember that experiencing acne breakouts is completely normal and you do not have to use makeup in order to feel beautiful. However, if you merely enjoy the artistry of makeup then, these steps will guide you. This is certainly a makeup routine that will last. You will just have to bake and wait.

Stay patient and see everything through till the end! xoxo
 - Gabby