An Ultimate Guide to Concealing a Hickey
Most of us have been there - waking up after a passionate night to find a hickey boldly imprinted on the neck. It's quite common and yet, it can cause havoc when it comes to navigating our professional and personal lives, especially when the mark is situated in a visible region. So, how do you go about hiding this bruise? This guide offers insights into tricks and tactics to conceal your hickey, with a special emphasis on individuals with fair skin who may find it particularly challenging to hide it with makeup.
Understanding the Art of Hickey Concealment
A hickey, also known as a love bite, is a bruise that results from biting or sucking the skin hard enough that blood vessels burst. These can be concealable, depending on the intensity of the bruise and where it is located. Hiding a hickey may involve wearing certain clothing like turtlenecks, scarves, or collared shirts, or perhaps leaving your hair down to cover your neck. However, in instances where these are not viable, makeup comes in handy.
Choosing the Correct Makeup Products
Makeup indeed works wonders when concealing imperfections. Specific makeup products that are highly effective in camouflaging hickeys include color correctors, concealers, and foundations. Use a primer that suits your skin type to create an even base for applying these products. For the color corrector, consider the hickey's color. Use a green corrector for red-purple ones, while for black-blue or green-yellow, go for products with red/orange or purple undertones. These can neutralize the hickey's color, making it less visible and ready for the next step – applying a concealer and foundation.
Mastering the Skill of Concealer Application
For concealing hickeys, a light cognac shade is recommended, especially for fair skin tones. However, there are three various shades of concealers available depending on your skin tone. Note that the art is not just about applying the concealer, but ensuring it blends perfectly into your skin for a natural look, so you may need to apply multiple layers of concealer.
Remember that the neck area may require a lighter concealer than your face to avoid a noticeable makeup line. Once the concealer is in place, proceed with a foundation that matches your skin texture and tone. It’s fundamental that the chosen products are opaque and dry to blend the hickey with the surrounding skin effectively. Add powder to thicken up runnier products for better coverage. The final look should be seamless, with no trace of a hickey or makeup.
Additional Considerations and Remedies
While makeup is the quickest fix, some remedies can be adopted to aid the healing process. Speed up the hickey's disappearance by using cold and warm compresses, aloe vera, Vitamin K, cocoa butter, or peppermint essential oil topicals. You can also use aspirin and arnica cream. Although it's crucial to note that there's no foolproof way to eliminate a hickey instantly. The ultimate healer is time.
It can be useful to carry your concealer in a purse, car, jacket, or briefcase for any need to touch-up. If you're uncertain about the application process, going through tutorials or FAQs about the product can be of great help.
Concluding Thoughts
Hickeys are a by-product of passionate moments with a partner, and they shouldn't stop you from enjoying these moments. By using the right mixture of clothing, makeup techniques, and home remedies, you can face the world confidently, freed from any hickey-induced stress.
