Conceal Breakouts

Step 1
Use a concealer specifically formulated both to cover and to treat blemishes. "You want something drier than an undereye concealer, which is usually quite creamy," says Jose Parron, director of the Image Studio at Barneys New York. A treatment concealer or an oil-free stick foundation will stay on the trouble spot without migrating.

Step 2
Whether you use your finger or a concealer brush, the key is concentrating the pigment right on the pimple. "Gently tap the product onto the blemish," says Raychel Wade, owner of Cheek to Chic, a New York City–based makeup consulting service. "If you wipe or rub it on, you won't get the concealer where it needs to be."

Step 3
Use a sponge to dab a tiny bit of powder (in a moisture-rich formula) onto the spot you're trying to hide. Follow this with a light dusting of powder over the entire face to set your makeup. Be careful not to apply too much to already dried-out skin. "Drier skin plus breakouts may mean you're being too aggressive with your skin," says Nika Vaughn, a makeup artist at the Red Door Spa, in Chicago.

RS Picks
First: Maybelline New York Pure Concealer, $6 at drugstores; or Bobbi Brown Blemish Cover Stick, $20, www.bobbibrown.com.
Then: Neutrogena Healthy Defense Protective Powder SPF 30, $12 at drugstores; or Lancôme Dual Finish Versatile Powder Makeup, $33, www.lancome.com.