You know how some celebrities are just studded with tattoos on the red carpet...then when you see them on-screen, the tats have vanished?  Um, how?

Celeb makeup artist Nathan Johnson (he makes up the models on Project Runway) knows a thing or two about covering tattoos - and the good news is, it's not as tricky as you'd think.  Got your own secret ink spot you'd like to keep hidden from Grandma this holiday? 

The secret to perfect coverage is sheer layers. His pick: CoverFx Total Coverage Cream Foundation. But be warned: The cream is so thick, that if you lay down heavy coverage right away, it will never look like skin. There are three steps to perfect (and long lasting) coverage.

1. Prep the area with Cover FX Skin Prep. The silicone in this product will allow the cream to glide easily over the skin.

2. Apply one sheer layer of the Cover FX foundation in your perfect shade.

3. Set the sheer layer with Cover FX Setting FX. The powder is mica-based, so you will be able to go in with a second layer (or third) without it streaking or grabbing.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the tattoo has vanished into your skin.
 

 Now, when I say flesh-colored, it is a relative term. Choose a pencil that is one or two shades lighter than your own skin tone. If you are fair-skinned, I advise you to think more peachy and less pinky (the pink ones look too much like the irritation we are trying to cover). If you have deeper skin, choose a medium tone champagne color (go with a dark peach or champagne color; they're better at hiding the red we want to brighten).
 

There! Who knew eight hours of sleep were hiding in a pencil?   If you want to read more about what a bona fide makeup artist predicts will be the next big trends, or how Nathan says (no, swears) you can get a sultry smoky eye in less than 10 minutes, or even if you want to know the one thing he absolutely insists every girl do, read a dishy interview with him here.