Master these makeup tricks of the trade for super smooth and soft-looking skin

Is that a cover-up job we're seeing?

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Pimples are a pain in the face, no question. Even crummier: The post-breakout blemishes besmirching your complexion – arguably tougher to tuck out of sight than spots proper.

Happily, there’s hope yet. If you’re an apprentice in the art of subterfuge, click through for a bad-ass four-step beauty strategy to aid you in your blemish-busting battle. Ready? Go!

Image: Pexels

Prime away your pimple

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Spend some quality prime time and that extra step will stand you in good stead. An acne-alleviating and pore-perfecting primer like Laura Mercier’s nifty new Foundation Primer Blemish-less, $69, will provide “grab” and glide for the flesh-toned pigments to come. Cycle through your usual unguents, then go over the particularly pitted areas with a generous patting of your go-to primer.

Stay matte, not flat

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Okay, step one down. Onwards and upwards. Next, foundation. Formula-wise, you should be gunning for glimmer and gleam. I know a dewy-finish fluid foundation may seem counterintuitive when it comes to screening out scars – shouldn’t we be cutting down on spot-causing gunk and grease instead? – but it’s the intricate interplay of light that deflects attention away from the discolouration of acne scars.

Think of it this way: Luminous liquids like Stila’s sensational Aqua Glow Serum Foundation, $77 from Sephora, will furnish your face with a ravishing radiance that’s quite similar to that afforded by selfie filter apps. More light, less visible scars. Oh, and choose a blendable and buildable product that boasts decent sun protective powers – pivotal for preventing further skin damage – and a plethora of plush moisture magnets for cushiony all-day comfort.

Got something to hide?

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Bring out the big guns because it’s time to get serious on any spots, scars and such that are still visible after applying your base. A creamy concealer like fan favourite Cle de Peau Beaute Concealer, $116, is best for our purposes because you want to amplify the light-reflecting loveliness of your foundation.

Go right ahead and use clean fingers if you must, but I’m partial to using a stiff angled brush for precision coverage; simply stipple onto the scar itself and blend outwards to blur the boundary between blemish and the surrounding skin. Or stash a pen-type product in your purse for fuss-free touch-ups on the go.

Lighten up, ladies

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Got your concealer of choice on standby? Now for the brilliant bit. If your acne scar has resulted in a shallow depression (I hesitate to use the word “pockmark”, which sounds so very harsh), the trick is to switch to a concealer that’s a shade lighter than your true match. My suggestion: Try playing around with Nars' nifty Soft Matte Complete Concealer, $45 each in 16 Asian-friendly hues – this baby boasts budge-proof coverage and one of the most fantastically flawless finishes on the market, IMHO. 

Again, it comes down to smoke, sheen and mirrors: The paler concealer “lifts” your sunken scar to bring it near-level to the rest of your skin. The result? A smooth mirror-like mirage that doesn’t dissipate until your admirer is an inch or two away from your face!

Perfection comes with practice (and powders!)

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This last step is optional, but if you time to spare while waiting for your date to come knocking on your door, do as I do and finish off your face with a gilding of Guerlain's gorgeous Meteorites Happy Glow Pearls, $115, a covetable collectible composed of carefully curated colours that simultaneously sets and “freezes” pigments, lends a hint of a tint and prevents slipping and sliding.

Right, then. Quick recap: Primer, luminous foundation, a lighter shade of concealer, setting powder, done. This ought to take the edge off the sting of your spots. Congrats, you’re now a cherished member of a covert community of “undercover” agents.