How To Get Rid Of A Hickey That's Cramping Your Style

How To Get Rid Of A Hickey

A good, sexy romp can mean not just an orgasm, but a hickey or love bite along the way. Nothing wrong with that, but you might not want to broadcast your hookup to the world (or, um, at work).

We have to be honest: just like any other bruise, a hickey will not go away overnight.

Depending on the intensity, it can take a few days to a week to disappear completely (trust us — we've been there). It's a waiting game — just ask Kim Kardashian — but there are some ways to reduce its appearance and cover up the damage.

Check out our tips for treating and hiding that hickey below, and feel free to share your own tips in the comments.

1. Go Under Cover
Of course, there's always the tried-and-true turtleneck for a quick cover-up. But in warmer seasons, have a spare sleeveless shell version on hand or put on a light floral scarf to hide a love bite when the temperature rises.

2. Massage It Out
Gently massage the spot with your thumb or the end of a spoon to break up the blood clot and get circulation flowing to the area.

3. Ice, Ice Baby
Treat a hickey like you would a normal bruise and apply ice or a cold compress to the spot. This will reduce swelling and constrict the blood vessels to make it look a bit less noticeable.

4. Color Correct
The first step to covering a hickey up with makeup is to apply a color-correcting green concealer stick to the spot (the tint will counteract the redness of the mark). Pat the product on the affected area and gently blur the lines with your middle finger.

5. Get Heavy Duty Help
After applying green concealer, the next layer should be a heavier foundation or thick cream concealer (tattoo camouflage or body makeup could also be used for more opaque coverage and more intense hickeys). Dot the makeup on the mark and extend it about an inch past the edges. Use a makeup sponge and gently blend the color into your surrounding skin for even application. Layer as needed until you get the coverage you want, then dust a light layer of translucent, non-shimmery powder over the area to set everything in place.

What works for you? Share your best tips below.

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