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

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.”

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

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

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.”

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!”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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

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.”