Best Tattoo Cover Up for Dancers — The Sideline Secrets (2024)

Many professional dancers and professional cheerleaders have tattoos, with some being in the most prominent places on their body. Having tattoos does not stop pro dancers from being successful and in 2023 it is more accepted in the dance space than ever. It is important to note that although prominent tattoos are more widely accepted on professional dance teams, you need to spend time researching to understand your specific team’s tattoo criteria.

Generally, NBA dancers have more lenience with prominent tattoos than NFL cheerleaders. But put the time into researching if the team you are auditioning for allows you to showcase your tattoos or if you should cover them.

Overall, covering your tattoos for dance auditions is a personal choice. Though, it is important to keep in mind that the judging criteria is not always clear and the smallest details can be a make or break. So when it comes to making the decision in covering your tattoos or letting it shine, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Unless the team you are auditioning for makes it clear that tattoos are in no way a deal breaker in making the team or not, it is better to cover your tattoos for dance auditions.

Here are the best tattoo cover up makeup products and tattoo cover up ideas that will leave your tattoo practically invisible for all pro dance auditions, dance prep classes, public appearances, and game days.

Dermablend is the best tattoo cover up makeup, so all recommended products will be from the Dermablend line. It is long-lasting, reliable, and worth every cent when it comes to a tattoo cover up product.

SHOP - DermaBlend Leg and Body Makeup

How to cover up a tattoo for professional dancers:

First and Foremost - Brush Set:

Before you start dirtying your everyday makeup brushes, be prepared with designated brushes for your tattoo/birthmark cover-up makeup process.

Hop on Amazon.com and find a couple of affordable makeup brushes specifically for your tattoo cover-up process.

1. Clean the Tattoo Area

Take a cleansing wipe and remove any excess oil by cleansing your skin appropriately. This will maximize the adherence of your tattoo makeup cover up and create a clean surface for applying your primer.

2. Apply a Skin Primer

Although you can use any brand of makeup primer, as dancers it is important that we are using long-lasting and reliable products. Our primer needs to keep the tattoo cover up makeup adhered to the skin through long auditions, dance classes, and game days.

We recommend a high-end primer by DermaBlend. Here are a couple of recommendations:

3. Apply a Color Corrector (optional)

Applying a color corrector is optional in your tattoo cover up process, but may enhance your results depending on the ink pigment and shade.

4. Apply DermaBlend Concealer

Apply a layer of Dermablend Quick-Fix® Concealer, Full Coverage Stick concealer to start the tattoo cover up process.

5. Apply the First Layer of DermaBlend Leg and Body Makeup

Dab a small amount of Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup directly to your tattoo. Gently massage this first layer of Dermablend foundation into your tattoo and blend it out. After blending the body makeup with your finger, you can take a makeup sponge or makeup brush to lightly blend it into the outer area.

*Scroll to the end of this article for a “How-to” on the DermaBlend Leg and Body Makeup.

6. Spray a Layer of Tecni Art Hairspray

Tecni Art - L'Oreal Professionnel Extreme Lacquer is magical when it comes to locking in the body foundation. Spray the Tecni Art Hairspray about a foot away from your covered tattoo. This will seal in the first layer of tattoo cover up.

9. Apply DermaBlend Setting Spray

Sprits your covered tattoo with some Dermablend Setting Spray to lock everything in for long lasting wear. The DermaBlend Setting Spray works optimally over your DermaBlend Loose Setting Powder.

10. Apply a Second Layer of Tecni Art Hairspray

To lock your tattoo cover up in place, lightly spray your covered tattoo to set everything in place and allow it to dry. The Tecni Art Hairspray is what will ensure long-lasting wear.

DermaBlend Leg and Body Foundation - How to Use

Step-by-step application:

1. Apply: Use long strokes to apply over large areas.

2. Build: For more coverage, allow makeup to dry before adding additional layers.

3. Set: For up to 16 hours of smudge and transfer-resistant wear, apply a generous amount of setting powder and leave on for 5-10 minutes; buff off.

4. Pro Tip: Only apply to clean and dry skin. Do not apply moisturizer, sunscreen, or other products to skin before makeup application.

Leg and body makeup gives you the choice to conceal veins, stretch marks, tattoos, and more with SPF 25 to protect skin while exposed to the sun.

Overall, Dermablend is the best makeup to cover up tattoos, especially when it comes to requiring long-lasting results.

If you try our tattoo cover up process with these DermaBlend products, let us know how your results came out!

XO,

The Sideline Secrets