Covering Up Uneven Skin Tone & Pregnancy Mask with Makeup

This pregnancy has been night and day from my first. Where I had boundless energy, minimal nausea and glowing skin while pregnant with Maisy, this time around I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus 24 hours a day, I’m sick all the time and my skin is COVERED in splotchy brown patches on my skin–this joyful symptom of pregnancy is called melasma or “Mask of Pregnancy”.

It’s taken me 9 months, but I think I finally perfected the method of covering up my pregnancy mask. Today, I’m sharing some tips with you. Get ready for loads of uncomfortably close selfies. 

Load up on SPF protection.

As someone who feels REALLY exposed without my makeup on, here’s what my melasma looks like. I have patches on my cheeks, my nose and my upper lip. The darkest of my skin pigment is on my upper lip and in the right light, I feel like I look like someone with 5 o’clock shadow.

I was told that melasma worsens in the sun so before I put any makeup on I slather on some sunscreen.

Get yourself a CC Cream.

If you remember the popularity of the BB Cream, you’ll be so excited to meet it’s sexier older sister. The CC Stands for Color-Corrector. I use this CC Cream from Clinique just after priming my face. I find it helps even out those dark patches, making them a bit easier to cover.

Invest in a great full coverage concealer

Look for one that specifically corrects hyperpigmentation and discoloration. I love this concealer Full Coverage Concealer from Make Up For Ever. I apply it to the areas of my skin with the most discoloration: my cheeks, my nose and my lip.

Blend the areas with a long-wear foundation.

The concealer works to lighten your dark skin, the foundation will help these patches blend into the rest of your face. This will truly give you a blank canvas to apply the rest of your makeup on. Long-wear foundation requires fewer touchups. I use the SMASHBOX Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Foundation.

I always blend with a sponge–I find my complexion looks airbrushed and not cakey.

Set your liquid makeup with a brightening powder. 

I adore the Contour Kit from Anastasia Beverly Hills and I use the shimmery iridescent powder on my cheeks and the plain powder to set my lips. Throw on some eye makeup and my look is complete.

Let’s take a look at the before and after.

And the full progression again:

Here’s a close up of the products I use to treat my face.

So there you have it, some tips to cover up your uneven skin tone. Have a great product that I didn’t mention here? PLEASE tell me about it in the comments! I’m always willing to try new things!