How to properly cover a pimple...

We've all been there... we wake up in the morning to find a massive red zit on our faces! And of course, as luck has it, it's usually on a very important day.
Wedding, a party, a date, picture day!
         
With something so common (everyone breaks out!) it's important to know how to properly take care of covering this issue. Many try to overcompensate by using LOTS of product. This is only going to attract more attention to the blemish.
More Makeup = More Staring
That's no good!     

So here are some tips for covering that baby the RIGHT way.

1. Treat it don't Pop it!

If you can, do your best to keep your paws off! The less you touch it, the better off you'll be. So if you're waking up to this, and you're on the way out, be sure to start by cleaning your hands and your skin. Then if you have a leave on treatment, apply it before makeup and after your moisturizer.
YES.
You will need to moisturize. Your skin needs to be hydrated regardless of your skin type.

2. Use as little product as possible!

One of the tricks of makeup is, Less is More.
And it's so true.
If you plan to wear a full face of makeup, start with your foundation to cover what you can. Then go in with your lightweight concealer. Take a very thin, flat concealer brush and gently dip into your concealer. I highly suggest a creamy concealer-- nothing too chalky or hard or cakey. I love Nars Radiant Creamy Concealers!

Gently, using the tip of your brush, create little X's over the pimple. Do this several times in different directions (so the X's overlap), until covered.

3. Set it!

With a very lightweight powder, take a little on a fluffy brush (an eyeshadow brush works well) and gently tap some powder on top to set the makeup. If you've done it right, it should be covered without calling attention, and if you need a little extra concealer, it shouldn't be a problem to gently tap a little extra on after powder. 

So easy! Just remember to not get frustrated, and as always, it's usually never as noticeable to others as you may think! These things are always bigger in our own eyes ;)

Another tip to help, depending on where your blemish is, try to accentuate the feature that is not close by.
For example:
 Say you have a zit on your chin. You probably don't want to wear bright red lips that day as it will...
A) accentuate any redness you may have in that area
and
B) attract others eyes to that part of your face.
So it'd be best to play up your eyes that day. Go for a winged liner or some shadows. You want to make sure your focal point is directed away from the blemish :)

Hope this helps! Be sure to keep this in mind the next time you're mid freak out when you find that annoying pimple :) You can cover it!

How to deal with break outs

Let's talk about something not so glamorous. 

Pimples. 

I don't know about you, but recently I have been struggling with struggling weather in the midwest (40 degrees to 80 the next day!), and it's being taken out on my skin! I have also not been drinking enough water--- yes, I'm guilty! 

So here are some products and tips for dealing with those pesky pimples.

Step 1

DON'T TOUCH IT!

This can be tough. Once this guy starts to rear his ugly little white head, all you want to do is pop him! Try not to :) 

I'm so guilty of this, and the end result? Scarring! I have little acne scars on my face from when I would fuss with my face. Not something you want. The best thing to do is to try to treat it and leave it alone! 

You have to wait it out. 

Step 2

Treatment

I recently stumbled upon a treatment that WORKS! 

DDF Acne Control Treatment with Salicylic Acid Acne Medication. 

photo c/o birchbox. 

I received a sample of this little guy, and I love it! It's great for quick spot treatments. I'll apply a little dab onto the pimple right after washing my face, in the morning and at night. Within a day or two- the area is clear! 

You can buy it off their website HERE! 

Step 3

Take care of yourself

I'm a firm believer that everything that goes into your body has a direct effect on the outside. I try to eat as clean as I can (for the most part :)), and drink tons of water! (again, for the most part :))

I know it can be tough to always make the right decisions- I can say that because I recently bought tiny ice cream sandwiches from Trader Joes and I CANNOT stop eating them this week. Hence my little pimple friend under my nose. 

You just have to try to be conscious of where you're sourcing your food, try to eat as many vegetables as you can, and really drink that water! Water helps to cleanse your system. It's necessary. 

Good for the body, good for the skin. 

Some other things to try... 

If you can see a pimple starting, try one of these home remedies!

Baking soda

The miracle worker! Make a paste out of baking soda and warm water and hold it onto the affected area with a warm washcloth over it. The warm cloth will help to open up the pores and allow the baking soda to help kill bacteria. 

This trick is also good for bug bites and rashes! 

Icing

Continually placing ice on your pimple will help to reduce swelling and redness. Place an ice cube in a clean towel and hold against the affected area. Repeat several times. 

Give these things a try and let me know what you think! Have some other remedies you like? Or treatments you love?! Leave them in the comments section!