How to Cover Up a Hickey Fast & Effectively

Okay, so. You woke up, looked in the mirror, and there it is. A beautiful, purple souvenir from last night that you definitely can’t bring to your family brunch or that big meeting. Don’t panic.

A hickey is just a bruise, plain and simple. It’s caused by broken blood vessels under the skin. We’re going to tackle this with a two-part plan: first, we’ll speed up the healing, and second, we’ll cover it up like a secret agent.

 

 

Step 1: The First 48 Hours – Go Cold

For the first day or two, your mission is to reduce swelling and slow down the blood that’s leaking under your skin. Cold is your best friend here. This is the key to stopping it from getting darker.

 

 

The Famous Spoon Trick

Yes, this old-school trick actually works. Pop a metal spoon in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes. Once it’s nice and chilly, press the back of the spoon firmly against the hickey.

Hold it there for about 10 minutes. You can repeat this a few times throughout the day. Just be sure to give your skin a break in between so you don’t get an ice burn!

 

 

Or Just a Cold Compress

If you don’t have a spoon handy, a bag of frozen peas or a cloth soaked in cold water will do the job. The goal is to constrict those blood vessels and keep the bruise from spreading. Don’t put ice directly on your skin — always wrap it in a towel.

 

 

Step 2: After 48 Hours – Bring the Heat

Alright, it’s been a couple of days. The cold has done its job. Now it’s time to switch tactics and encourage blood flow to the area to help clear away the pooled blood. It’s time for warmth.

Soak a washcloth in warm water (not scalding hot!) and hold it against the hickey for about 5-10 minutes. Doing this a few times a day will help break down the old blood and speed up the final stages of healing.

 

 

Step 3: The Gentle Massage

This can help break up the blood clot and improve circulation. After you’ve applied a warm compress is the perfect time to do this. Your skin will be more receptive.

Using two fingers, gently rub the hickey in a circular motion. Start from the center and work your way out. Don’t press too hard! You’re trying to help your body, not make another bruise on top of the first one.

 

 

Step 4: The Ultimate Cover Up Hickey Guide

Sometimes, you just need to hide the hickey and get out the door. This is where a little makeup artistry comes in. It’s way easier than it sounds, I promise.

 

 

First, Color Correct

Look at your hickey. Is it reddish or purple? You need a green color corrector. Green cancels out red. If it’s starting to turn yellowish or green as it heals, a peach or lavender corrector works best.

Just dab a tiny amount of the corrector directly onto the spot. Think of it like a primer for your concealer. This step is the secret nobody tells you, and it makes all the difference.

 

 

Next, Conceal and Blend

Choose a thick, creamy concealer that matches your skin tone perfectly. Using your ring finger or a small makeup sponge, gently pat the concealer over the color-corrected area. Don’t rub or swipe! Patting builds coverage without smearing everything around.

Make sure to blend the edges into your surrounding skin so there are no obvious lines. You want it to look seamless.

 

 

Finally, Set It With Powder

This is the step that locks your work in place. Lightly dust a translucent setting powder over the concealer with a fluffy brush. This prevents the makeup from sliding off during the day and keeps your secret safe.

 

 

More Hickey Removal Tips

Looking for a few extra tricks? I got you. These can help speed things along while you’re doing the hot/cold treatments.

Arnica Gel: You can find this stuff at most drugstores. It’s famous for reducing bruising and swelling. Just follow the directions on the tube.

Aloe Vera: It’s not just for sunburns! Aloe has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that can help your skin heal. A thin layer a couple of times a day can’t hurt.

What NOT to Do: Please, I’m begging you, don’t try those weird “hacks” like scraping the hickey with a coin or using an eraser. You will only damage your skin, create a scrape, and make the whole situation much, much worse.

 

 

It’ll Be Gone Soon

Listen, a hickey feels like a huge deal right now, but it’s temporary. In a week or so, it’ll be a distant memory. No one is looking as closely as you think they are.

So, use these hickey removal tips, master your cover up skills, and try to laugh it off. You’ve totally got this under control.