How to Hide Stubble

Co-authored by Timmy Yanchun and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: July 15, 2022 References

If you have facial hair, you probably know how difficult it is to hide the stubble that grows back almost daily. This can be an annoyance, especially if you’re trying to present as feminine in your daily life. Thankfully, if you have the right makeup and a few techniques under your belt, you can disguise your stubble and cover it up in no time.

Question 1 of 3:

How do you cover stubble with makeup?

1
Moisturize and prime your beard area. Use a facial moisturizer and a foundation primer to hydrate and smooth your skin. If you skip this step, your makeup may not lay as flat on your skin, which can draw attention to your beard area.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Exfoliate and moisturize your face to keep the skin under your stubble healthy. Wear facial sunscreen daily, as well.
2
Dab color corrector onto your stubble. Use a domed makeup brush to gently pat color corrector over the entire lower half of your face in a stippling motion. The right color corrector for you depends on your skin tone: if you have brown skin, go for a pink or red color corrector; if you have greenish-blue undertones, try a peachy color corrector; if you have blueish-gray undertones, go for a pure orange color corrector.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Cover your beard area with concealer and powder. Grab a clean domed brush and gently pat a liquid concealer in your color all over your beard area, dragging it down your neck to blend it in. When you’re done, gently pat loose powder all over the lower half of your face to set your makeup and keep it in place all day.^{[3]
X
Research source}

Question 2 of 3:

How do you keep stubble away?

1
Wet your skin with warm water before you shave. This will soften your beard hairs and open up your pores for a closer shave. Pat your face with warm water and let it soak for about 2 minutes before you start shaving for a cleaner, smoother shave.^{[4]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
2
Use a hydrating shaving cream. Soaps can really dry your face out, leading to harsher stubble and flaky skin. Instead, rub a generous layer of hydrating shaving cream all over your beard area, and let it sit for a few minutes to soften your beard hair even more.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
3
Shave in the direction that your hair grows. Although it might seem counterintuitive, shaving with the grain of your hair will give you a closer shave. Make gentle swipes with your razor, and rinse it off after each pass through for a clean, even shave.^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}

Question 3 of 3:

How do you get rid of a mustache shadow?

Put on sunscreen every time you go out. If you already have a dark patch of skin, UV rays will only deepen it in color. Apply an SPF 30 or higher every time you go outside to protect your skin and fade the shadow over time.^{[7]
X
Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source}
- Melasma, or the darkening of the skin, is very common during pregnancy. If you’re concerned about your dark skin, talk to a dermatologist.