How to Cover a Bruise on Your Face

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

If you bruise easily, learning to cover up or hide a bruise is crucial information. Having a large bruise on your face can be distracting and even damage your self esteem. Covering up bruises with makeup and clothing, or drawing attention away from them, can make the healing process a breeze without decreasing your confidence.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Covering a Bruise With Makeup

PDF download Download Article
  1. Cleanse your face with a cleanser appropriate for your skin type. Using circular motions, gently work the cleanser into your skin, making sure not to skip your hairline, eye area, or neck. Then, rinse your face until it's clean and pat it dry with a clean towel. [1]
    • Work the cleanser into your skin for at least 20-30 seconds, making sure to get every crease and corner of your face. [2]
  2. To prevent wrinkling, sunburn, or any other form of sun damage, select a moisturizer for your skin type with an SPF of 30 or more. Be sure to apply sunscreen liberally to your face and neck at least 15-30 minutes before you go outside. [3]
    • You can also use two separate products by applying a simple moisturizer and following it with a sunscreen of 30 SPF or greater.
    • You should wear sunscreen every day, even when it's not sunny outside. [4]
    Advertisement
  3. Color correction works by canceling out unwanted coloring with colors opposite them on the color wheel. Use a color correcting primer on your bruise before applying any other makeup. [5]
    • Since bruises change color as they heal, you'll want a different color primer for each stage of your bruise. Purchase a color correcting palette with a wide variety of colors.
    • To figure out which color to use take a quick look at the color wheel. Orange cancels out blue, green cancels out red, purple cancels out yellow, and yellow cancels out purple. [6]
  4. Use a concealer 1-2 shades lighter than your skin tone. Pat, don't rub, the concealer into your skin. Start with a small amount of concealer, layering it until you get the desired coverage level. [7]
    • If you’d like to cut down a step, color correcting concealers are also available.
  5. Select a foundation that matches your skin tone and shade. Work the foundation into your skin, making sure to blend it into your hairline and along your chin and neck. Start with a small amount of foundation, building its coverage as needed. [8]
    • You may also switch this order by starting with a foundation and following with a concealer. This is a personal preference; do whatever works best for you. [9]
  6. Use a fine dusting of powder along the areas where you’ve applied the most makeup. Use more powder along any areas where you’ve applied concealer, or any areas of your skin where shine and oil is a concern. [10]
    • You can also use a tinted powder if you want even more coverage, but for just setting your makeup a simple translucent powder will do the trick. [11]
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Concealing the Bruise with Hair and Clothing

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you have bangs, style them so that they fall in front of the bruise. Style them to the side if your bruise in on one side of your forehead, or style them straight down if your bruise is in the middle of your forehead.
    • Blow dry your bangs while they're wet, brushing them in the direction of the bruise so that they dry in that direction. [12] Finish with a light spritz of hairspray.
  2. A hat is an easy way to hide a bruise on your forehead. Hats that sit lower down on your forehead can completely cover up bruises, while brimmed hats and caps can provide shadow to hide a bruise.
    • Pull a beanie or beret low on your head to cover up any bruises on your forehead.
    • Wear a wide brimmed hat to hide any bruises higher up on your forehead, or to make it harder to see other bruises.
  3. If you'll be outside a lot, opt for a dark pair of sunglasses. However, if you'll be spending most of your time indoors, or will be outside at night, select a pair of eyeglasses with thick, large frames.
    • Your eyeglasses don't necessarily have to be prescription. Pick up a pair of glasses with clear lenses, or even a pair of blue-light canceling glasses. Blue-light canceling lenses will also protect your eyes from harmful blue-lights that are emitted from your computer and phone screens. [13]
  4. Depending on the weather, pick either a thin or thick scarf. Keep your scarf up near your chin either by tying it in a thick knot around your neck, or by wrapping it around your neck multiple times.
    • A circle scarf would be a great option, as it loops around your neck multiple times and typically bunches up under your chin.
  5. Pull attention away from your face by wearing an attention-grabbing color. Choose either a bright pair of pants or a shirt, or go for an entire outfit made of bright colors.
    • Use the color wheel to your advantage. Wear a color opposite to that of your bruise, to tone down the bruise's vividness. For example, if your bruise is purple wear a yellow shirt. [14]
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Pulling the Eye Away From Your Bruise

PDF download Download Article
  1. Rather than covering up the bruise with makeup, try using a bold lip or eye. This technique isn't meant to hide the bruise, but instead direct attention away from it.
    • Wear a red or hot pink lipstick, or experiment with other colors like black or blue. This will draw attention to your lips instead of your bruise.
    • Do a smoky eye, or a winged liner to draw attention to your eyes. Put on fake eyelashes for an even better effect.
  2. Using a piece of statement jewelry or loud accessories can be an easy way to distract attention away from a bruise. This won't hide any bruising, but will provide something else for people to focus on.
    • Wear large earrings or a statement necklace that grabs people's attention.
    • Put on a large belt with an interesting buckle to draw attention away from your face.
  3. Have you ever heard someone tell you to use clothes to highlight what body parts make you feel confident? Doing this can draw attention to preferred areas while also working to distract from other areas. To really distract attention away from your face, draw attention to your feet by wearing interesting shoes.
    • Wear a pair of bright colored shoes, a high heel, or even just shoes you get a lot of compliments on.
    4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    When should you get a bruise checked out?
    Alicia Ramos
    Skincare Professional
    Alicia Ramos is a Licensed Esthetician and the owner of Smoothe Denver in Denver, Colorado. She received her license at the School of Botanical & Medical Aesthetics, with training in lashes, dermaplaning, waxing, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels, and now provides skin care solutions to hundreds of clients.
    Alicia Ramos
    Skincare Professional
    Expert Answer
    Always check with a doctor (if available) to make sure your bruise isn't more than it appears to be.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 6
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Cleanser suitable for your skin type.
      • Moisturizer with an SPF of 30 or greater.
      • Color-correcting primer or concealer.
      • Concealer 1-2 shades lighter than your skin tone.
      • Foundation that matches your skin tone.
      • Translucent or tinted powder.

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • If you or anyone you know is experiencing any form of abuse, contact the police immediately.
        Thanks
        Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Determine Skin Tone
      6 Easy Ways to Get Rid of a Cleft Chin
      How to
      Easily Harvest and Prepare DIY Aloe Vera Gel at Home
      How to
      Use a Loofah
      A Complete Guide to Skin Icing: Is It Good for Your Face?
      How to
      Exfoliate, Steam and Use Face Masks
      How to
      Get Rid of Milia Under Your Eyes
      How to
      Use Vaseline
      How to
      Exfoliate for Radiant, Smooth Skin (Plus Product Recommendations)
      How to
      Make Fenugreek Oil
      How to
      Cover Lines Above Lips
      Building a Skincare Routine with the Ordinary: How to Choose & Layer Products
      How to
      Get Hair Dye Off Skin Quickly at Home
      How to
      Get Rid of Forehead Veins: Home Remedies & Medical Treatments
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/basic-skin-care-tips/how-to-wash-your-face.html
      2. ↑ https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/basic-skin-care-tips/how-to-wash-your-face.html
      3. ↑ https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/anti-aging-wrinkles/how-to-get-perfect-skin-with-fewer-products.html
      4. ↑ https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/sun-care/how-to-apply-sunscreen.html?fdid=sun-care
      5. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a56511/how-to-color-correct/
      6. ↑ https://www.colormatters.com/color-and-design/basic-color-theory
      7. ↑ https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/makeup-tips/eyes/how-to-choose-and-use-concealer.html
      8. ↑ https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/makeup-tips/face/how-to-make-foundation-and-concealer-last-all-day.html?fdid=face
      9. ↑ https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/makeup-tips/face/how-to-make-foundation-and-concealer-last-all-day.html?fdid=face
      1. ↑ https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/makeup-tips/face/how-choose-apply-face-powder.html?fdid=face
      2. ↑ https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/makeup-tips/face/how-choose-apply-face-powder.html?fdid=face
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKPhviTU6vs&feature=youtu.be&t=1m26s
      4. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/a20707076/blue-light-glasses/
      5. ↑ https://www.colormatters.com/color-and-design/basic-color-theory

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 35,588 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement