I love my ink. But some days, I need it covered. A job interview. My sister’s wedding. Grandma’s church brunch. You get it. It’s not about hiding who I am. It’s about reading the room and feeling calm in my skin.
If you want even more product inspiration, Elle put together a guide to the best makeup to cover tattoos that’s packed with editor-tested favorites.
For the mega-in-depth version of this story (complete with side-by-side swatches), check out the best tattoo cover-up makeup I’ve actually used and trusted roundup.
So I tested a bunch of tattoo cover-up makeup on real days, with hugs, sweat, and one wild dance floor. Here’s what held up, what smudged, and what I’d buy again. I put my whole vanity through similar trials in I tried every type of makeup I own—here’s what actually works if you’re curious about formulas beyond cover-ups.
My “real life” test rules
I kept it simple and tough:
- Hug test with a white shirt
- Hot day sweat test
- Transfer test on seat belts and straps
- Pool splash or rain test (when I could)
- Easy or hard to remove
You know what? Some products shocked me. Some let me down. Here’s the tea. Spoiler: it reminded me of that time I tried a bunch of makeup so you don’t have to—same level of surprises.
Before I dive into the winners and losers, a quick science detour: the nerdy breakdown of how cosmetic pigments bond to skin in long-wear formulas is well explained over at Girindus.
The heavy hitter: Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup + Loose Setting Powder
Story: My sister’s August barn wedding. I covered a black floral tattoo on my forearm. It was 92 degrees. No shade. I used a thin layer of peach corrector first on the blue-black lines. Then two thin coats of Dermablend, dabbed on with a damp sponge. I set it with Dermablend Loose Setting Powder, then a light mist of setting spray.
Result: It lasted all day and night. Hugs on white dresses were safe. The bend of my elbow got a tiny rub spot after hours of dancing, but I could tap it back in.
Pros:
- Super high coverage with thin layers
- Looks like skin when you take your time
- Powder locks it in for long wear
Cons:
- Feels tacky without powder
- Can look thick if you slap on too much
- Shade match can be tricky for olive skin
Little tip: Pat powder with a puff. Don’t rub. Let it sit a minute. Then dust off.
If breakouts are on your mind, I keep a running list of what’s truly acne-safe (and what wasn’t) in this guide.
Small but strong: KVD Beauty Lock-It + Good Apple Concealer
Story: Quick cover for a wrist tattoo before a hospital interview. I dotted on a tiny bit of orange corrector (LA Girl works fine). Then a thin layer of Good Apple Concealer. Tapped it with my ring finger, set with powder, done in under five minutes.
Result: Blended right into my skin tone. My watch strap left a faint ring after 3 hours, but I pressed in a little more powder in the restroom and it was fine.
Pros:
- High pigment, fast
- Great for small pieces or line work
- Plays nice with powder
Cons:
- Can look dry on knuckles or hands
- Will stamp if a tight strap rubs hard
- Oxidizes a drop on very fair skin
Pro move: Use a tiny brush to trace the edges of the tattoo. Then blur out with a sponge so it fades into real skin.
Bulletproof for big pieces: Kryolan Dermacolor Camouflage Creme + Fixing Powder + Fixing Spray
Story: I covered most of my half sleeve for an outdoor photo day. I mixed two shades on the back of my hand. I used a flat brush to lay it down, then a sponge to press it in. I set with Kryolan powder. Then I used their Fixing Spray. I stood still like a statue for a minute. (I’ve also gone full aerosol and tested spray foundation for a week—here’s what actually happened.)
Result: This stuff is ironclad. It handled sun, sweat, and even a light sprinkle of rain. It only broke when I scrubbed it with a rough towel. It is heavier makeup, so I kept layers thin.
Pros:
- Serious coverage with less product
- Heat and humidity friendly
- Works on bold, black ink
Cons:
- Heavier feel on skin
- Needs mixing to get the shade right
- Removal takes oil… and patience
Heads up: Remove with a cleansing balm or baby oil. Wipes alone won’t cut it.
Pro kit on a budget: Ben Nye Tattoo Cover Wheel + Neutral Set Powder
Story: Sunday brunch with Grandma. I covered a faded ankle tattoo. I used the peach shade first, then a skin tone from the wheel. I set it with Ben Nye Neutral Set. I topped the area with a thin mist of body makeup so it matched my leg tone.
Result: Looked smooth in daylight and under indoor lights. No transfer on my sheer stockings. It ran a bit warm on my cool skin, but the body makeup on top fixed the tone.
Pros:
- A lot of control with the color wheel
- Good grip with powder
- Great for small to mid-size tattoos
Cons:
- Can look a little peachy if you pick the wrong mix
- Needs a light hand or it cakes
- Packaging isn’t fancy, but who cares
Note: I like a tiny bit of lotion under it, but let the lotion sink in first.
Quick fix that surprised me: e.l.f. Camo Concealer + NYX Color Correcting Palette
Story: Day baseball game, hot sun, little cross on the back of my shoulder. I used the orange from the NYX palette, then e.l.f. Camo Concealer, set with any translucent powder I had on hand.
Result: Good for 4–5 hours. It faded a little with sunscreen on top, so I switched to a stick sunscreen and tapped, not rubbed.
Pros:
- Cheap and cheerful
- Good for small tattoos
- Easy to find at drugstores
Cons:
- Not sweat-proof for long days
- Needs powder and a gentle touch with SPF
- Can crease on neck folds
How I cover a tattoo fast (my 5-step method)
- Color correct first: Peach or orange for blue/black ink. Green for red ink or redness.
- Thin layers: Dab, don’t smear. Let each layer sit for 30 seconds.
- Set with powder: Press, wait a beat, then dust off.
- Seal it: A light mist of setting spray helps body movement.
- Don’t rub: Pat dry after washing hands. Tap sunscreen on top.
Hot day trick: A quick, cool shot from a hair dryer helps set it between steps. Not hot. Cool.
By the way, I first learned that trick while skimming Byrdie’s practical rundown of tattoo cover-up makeup and picked up a few extra hacks there too.
Transfer, water, and sweat: real talk
- Hugs and white shirts: Dermablend with powder passed. KVD did too, unless a strap pressed hard.
- Pool splash: Kryolan survived splashes and a calm swim. It didn’t love a rough towel rub.
- All-day sweat: Dermablend held up. Kryolan did best. Drugstore stuff needed touch-ups.
Shade match and finish
Here’s the thing. Body skin isn’t always the same tone as your face. For legs or arms, I sometimes tap on a thin layer of body makeup (like a sheer body foundation) over the covered area so it blends with the rest of my skin. Looks more natural, less patchy.
Also, matte is safe for texture, but too matte can look flat. I tap a tiny bit of cream highlighter around (not on) the area to bring back life.
Removal without tears
- Cleansing balm or baby oil first
- Let it sit 30 seconds
- Wipe gently with a soft cloth
- Follow with a mild body wash
Do not scrub like you’re washing a pan. Your skin will fight back.
My quick picks
- Best for big tattoos and long wear: Kryolan Dermacolor system
- Best for weddings and fancy events: Dermablend Leg and Body + Loose Powder
- Best for small, quick cover: KVD Good Apple Concealer or Lock-It
- Best budget combo: NYX Color Correcting Palette + e.l.f. Camo Concealer
- Best for stockings