How to hide scars with make-up?

Acne, burns, surgery... life can sometimes leave scars. Marks that can alter one's self-image, as the gaze of others is sometimes difficult to bear. However, make-up can help you hide these marks. How can they be reduced and made more discreet? Here is our advice.

Correcting small flaws with make-up
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Medical make-up to help cover up scars

For a long time, make-up was not recommended to conceal certain skin problems. However, medical make-up products are safe and effective in camouflaging various skin conditions. High tolerance, non-comedogenic, fragrance and preservative free, offering sun protection... they will help you avoid the risk of irritation or allergic reactions. The principle? Use opposite shades to neutralise scars. All this for a natural and lasting result. We’re here to explain everything to you.

For years I wore only long sleeves, even in the middle of summer, to hide the scars on my arms. My life changed when I learned how to cover them with make-up: no more long sleeves and no more embarrassing questions.

First step: the make-up base

Before talking about make-up, let's lay the foundations. After carefully cleansing your skin, choosing the right moisturising base is essential to make application easier and to improve the wear of the concealer. For your face, turn to Avène Tolerance Control cream. It prepares your skin by rehydrating and soothing it, while restoring and respecting the epidermis. For your body, prep your skin with TriXera Nutri-Fluid Balm, which also nourishes, protects and repairs the skin barrier of dry sensitive skin.

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TO HIDE YOUR SCARS, CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHADE

To hide your scars, take the time to observe them. Depending on their colour, you will need to use the right shade.

Which colour should you choose? 

By using the right colour, you'll neutralise imperfections and use less foundation, thus avoiding that cakey effect. 

  • Is your scar red (burn, post-surgery scar, post-laser redness, etc.)? It will be neutralised by a green corrector.
  • Is it blue/purple (post-surgery scar, bruise, etc.)? Use a yellow corrector.
  • If it’s brown (hyperpigmented scar, etc.), a coral corrector stick will reduce it. 

How do I apply my corrector stick? 

To apply your corrector stick, pick it up with your fingertip or a fine brush, then place it on your scar and pat it on until you get a slightly grey or beige shade. Then, even out your skin tone or the desired part of your body by layering your foundation (Compact Foundation Cream), always by patting. Why pat? So you don’t move the corrector underneath? And if your scar is located on the face, finish by smoothing the Compact Foundation Cream over the rest of the face from the centre to the edges.

How to choose the right foundation

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Set your make-up on your scars

To complete the correction of your scar, apply a powder with a brush. The reason for this is twofold: it will set the make-up and thus help it to last longer, while mattifying the skin for a natural effect.

You have two choices: 

  • Couvrance Translucent Mosaic Powder for long-lasting make-up hold. 
  • Couvrance Brightening Mosaic Powder to refine the skin texture and set your make-up.

How to choose your powder

Covering scars on the lips and eyebrows

It’s sometimes forgotten that scars can also affect certain parts of the face, such as the lips or eyebrows. Again, you can do something about this.

How to make your lips look good? 

A graft, a burn, a lip crack... If your lips are marked, start by applying a little foundation and powder around them. Then line them with a lip liner. Finish by applying your lipstick (Beautifying Lip Balm) from the centre outwards. A little tip: after choosing the shade you want, apply the product only once to enhance the natural texture of your lips, or apply several times for a more intense and sophisticated finish. 

Make up your lips

What about the eyebrows? 

If your eyebrows are sparse or have a scar, you can also reshape them naturally with an eyebrow pencil. Apply small strokes from the inside to the outside and blend with a brush for a natural result. Tip: this technique can also be used in the case of hair loss, for example in the beard. 

Reshape your eyebrows

 

The right way to remove your make-up

To remove your make-up, choose products with mild surfactants. Then turn to gel lotions that you can apply with your fingers. Remember that if your skin is sensitive and reactive, removing make-up with a cotton pad can be irritating. To be gentle, apply your make-up remover with your fingertips in circular motions and wipe with a tissue. Finally, soothe your skin by rinsing with Avène thermal spring water.

The right way to remove your make-up

Our solutions to correct and neutralise small blemishes

Couvrance products designed to reduce scars