We are very excited to welcome beauty expert Melissa Wilson of MAWBeauty Hair & Makeup Studio to share her insider expertise with us on how to address this common annoyance that happens to even the best of us.
Let’s face it - not everyone has perfect, flawless skin. There are many of us out there who suffer from acne, seasonal or hormonal breakouts. 
And when our face isn’t looking its best, we definitely don’t feel our best. Having pimples can definitely be a confidence breaker, but knowing how to conceal your blemishes in a natural looking way can give you the boost of confidence that you need to face the world head on! As a professional makeup artist, here are some tips for concealing your pimples.
1) Start with a clean, well hydrated face. Odds are that if you are experiencing breakouts, you probably have some excess oil in your skin. Be sure to wash your face with an oil-free cleanser, and hydrate with an oil-free moisturizer.
2) Using a flat concealer brush, apply stick or cream concealer to the blemish. Stick and cream concealers give better coverage than liquid concealers. Using a concealer that is too light or too dark will make your pimple stand out even more, so your concealer should match your skin tone exactly. I personally like concealers from Arbonne International. They give great coverage, are very blendable, and are free of ingredients that will clog your skin even more, or cause more breakouts.
3) Gently press the concealer brush on top of your pimple, giving the brush a little twist. This will help to work the product into the blemish so that all the nooks, crannies, and crevices are filled in. This step can be repeated until the pimple is totally hidden. I really like the Sonia Kashuk concealer brush. The bristles are firm, yet very pliable, which will reduce any pulling or tugging on the area.
4) Using your finger, gently tap the area around the pimple, smoothing out and blending into the skin any lines created by the concealer
5) Next, apply foundation to the rest of your face. Your foundation can be applied using a sponge, brush, or your fingers. Try not to apply foundation to the pimple, however, if you apply your foundation over the pimple, I suggest using your finger to lightly tap the product on. This way, the coverage that you created with the concealer will not be disturbed.
6) Apply a skin-matching or translucent powder directly to the pimple using your finger, Q-tip, or a small fluffy brush. Avoid putting too much pressure on the pimple, as this could lead to scarring or more irritations.
There you have it! You have successfully covered your pimple! Keep in mind, though, that while makeup is great for covering things up, the key to having a flawless complexion is having a great skin care regimen and a healthy diet. For oily, acne-prone skin, products containing low amounts of salicylic acid or glycolic acid will help to treat breakouts. They will also chemically exfoliate the skin, getting rid of dead skin cells and creating a smooth, polished complexion. Also, be sure to keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water! By following these 6 simple steps to cover up any unwanted blemishes along with proper diet and skin care, you will be sure to stay flawless all the time!