Woke up with a corker of a pimple? We've got you covered.

Image: Mean Girls.

We’ve all been there – you wake up on an important day, or with an important day looming, look in the mirror and see a whopping great pimple on your face.

Fantastic.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s the day of your wedding, a big presentation at work, or that all important first date, it just plain sucks.

So what do you do?

"You don't pop it!" says makeup artist and founder of Klara Cosmetics, Klara Sabotkoski.

"Resist the temptation to squeeze it. It will only aggravate the pimple, rupture the skin and cause further scarring, infection and redness," she says.

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Consultant dermatologist at Camberwell Dermatology Centre Dr Eric Poon also advises against squeezing pimples.

"It actually slows down the healing process," he says.

"If you insist on popping it, make sure you use clean fingers or better yet, see a beautician who can do it much more hygienically."

What to use

Resist the urge to blindly smother it with concealer too.

"While putting makeup over a pimple doesn't make it worse, it does close the pores which could make you prone to getting even more pimples," Dr Poon says.

Sabotkoski recommends avoiding concealers or foundations that contain oil or SPF.

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"Oily products can aggravate the pimple and also might not adhere properly to the skin when trying to conceal the breakout," she says.

"Products with salicylic acid will assist with speeding up the healing process as the acid is anti-bacterial and exfoliating."

The first step to actually hiding your pimple is working out what type it is.

There are two main categories; inflammatory which include those red, angry and often pus-filled pimples and non-inflammatory, which are under the surface pimples like blackheads and whiteheads.

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"Use a concealer with green pigment to hide redness of really angry spots," Sabotkoski says.

"Using a primer under foundation will even out pores and help hide blackheads and whiteheads. For scabs or flakey skin, avoid using powders or drying products as they will collect and draw attention to the breakout, rather than hiding it."

Essential tools

For best results avoid using your fingers and use sterilised makeup brushes.

"Make sure you are washing your makeup brushes with anti-bacterial soap after every use so you are not transferring the bacteria," Sabotkoski says.

"A double-ended makeup brush like the Klara Cosmetics Cover Me is great because the sponge tip end allows for precise application of concealer to the breakout, then you can blend with the foundation brush on the opposite end."

 Long term results

In the long-term, both Dr Poon and Sabotkoski say prevention is better than cure.

"You should be using a gentle cleanser that doesn't dry out the skin in the morning and at night," says Dr Poon.

Sabotkoski says it's all about keeping up with a regular skincare routine, which will minimise breakouts and keep the skin clean and oil free.

"Exfoliate twice weekly and use a clay-based, deep cleansing mask weekly to prevent breakouts and blackheads," she says.

Try these pimple fighting products.