Fact: There’s nothing more annoying than waking up with a massive pimple—especially around that time of the month. And for anyone who’s attempted to cover up a breakout during the summer, you already know all too well about the struggle that comes with applying concealer to oily, sweaty skin. A small dab of makeup on top of that zit just slides right off it, awkwardly gathering around the base for a halo-like ring that just draws more attention to the wickedly red spot.

However, before you toss your concealer aside and decide to call off all pending social plans indefinitely, take a minute to read our foolproof concealment plan courtesy of celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin, whose clients include Meghan Markle and Jessica Alba. How do we know it works? We made our editor, Lindsay—who, lucky her, was having a struggle-is-real moment at the office—try it out. All it takes is a few easy steps to guarantee your makeup won’t budge, even in sweltering 90-degree heat.

The Essentials

Here’s what you’ll need to start: hand sanitizer, concealer, foundation, a mini makeup sponge, and eyeshadow primer (this is major key!).

Step 1: Sanitize the Pimple

For some serious pimple-pulverizing action that works long-term, the best thing to start with is a tool like the Positively Clear 3-Step Acne Skincare Solution by Tria ($149), which uses non-UV light therapy to kill acne-causing bacteria within the pimple. However, if you’re at work or don’t have a blue light tool with you, Martin has an easy alternative: “I like to use hand sanitizer,” he says.

Not only will that small dollop of hand sanitizer disinfect the area (no need to spread more bacteria than what’s already there), but it will also dry the surface of the skin so that it won’t be overly oily for the next step. If you want to be extra precise so as to not dry out the skin around the pimple, Martin suggests using a pointed cotton swab to dab the disinfectant on.

Step 2: Apply Eyeshadow Primer

You know how eyeshadow primer helps to prevent eye makeup from migrating to other parts of your face? Well, the same can be said for when you apply it to a pimple before concealer. According to Martin, laying a light coating of eyeshadow primer (his favorite is by NYX) onto the surface of the pimple will not only seal off the surface of your skin for protection, it’ll also allow your concealer and foundation to adhere to the area. So dab a bit of primer (not tinted, though) onto the pimple and the area surrounding it. Then blend with your ring finger—it has the lightest touch.

Step 3: Layer on Concealer and Foundation

When it comes to the final makeup application for hiding that unwelcome mega-zit, remember that layering is your new best friend. Start by layering concealer (we like Honest Beauty’s Concealing Duo) on top of the eye shadow primer, then apply foundation as usual (try Dior Diorskin Forever Perfect). Once your face is set, you can go back and forth between adding concealer and dabbing on foundation until you get your desired coverage (don’t worry, it won’t take 100 layers). You can also set the look with translucent powder or setting spray if prefer extra coverage.

Step Five: Blend

Finally, grab a mini makeup sponge made for smaller areas and blend away until you can’t see anymore redness.

After that, you’re free to go about your day without wondering if anyone is staring at your zit. Even though they’re probably not. Really.

Looking for more concealer tricks? Start by checking out our guide to the most common application mistakes.

Watch Beyoncé’s Makeup Artist Show the Difference Between Contouring and Strobing:

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