As a teenager, psoriasis covered 90 percent of Sabrina Skiles' skin surface. Skiles, now 29 and a volunteer mentor for the National Psoriasis Foundation, says all she wanted to do was hide under a rock. "I wore long sleeves and jeans to cover up - it didn't make me feel like myself at all," she recalls.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that comes in several different shapes and sizes and to varying degrees of severity. While it's not contagious, it can be uncomfortable and painful, both physically and emotionally. Alisha Bridges, who has had psoriasis since age 7, says that when she's not covered up, she feels as though everyone is staring at her skin. But when she covers her psoriasis, she feels as though it's much less noticeable.

Though it might be tempting to always wear clothes that hide any signs of psoriasis you may have, there will always be days when wearing a dress or bathing suit sounds like a better option. For these days, makeup artist Tara Shakespeare shows us how to use body makeup to ensure that people see you, and not your psoriasis.

Keep in mind that psoriasis is just one small part of what makes you who you are. Though some people may not understand it, it is nothing to be ashamed of. For information on mentoring or other types of support, visit the National Psoriasis Foundation website.

Before you begin applying any makeup, use any moisturizers or topical treatments per your doctor's instructions. Wait a bit to let the lotions or creams set.

Squeeze a quarter-sized dollop of Dermablend Leg & Body Cover into the palm of your hand. Apply the cream over the entire affected area with your hands, just as you would apply lotion. Rub the makeup in especially well over any joints, like ankles, knees or elbows so that it blends in and doesn't create harsh lines or creases. Pro tip: Keep makeup remover wipes nearby and be careful of your surroundings. This product provides such great coverage that it will also cover anything it touches, like towels and chairs.

Dab the Dermablend Quick-Fix Concealer onto any darker or raised spots and blend the lines with a blending sponge.

Depending on your skin and circumstances (like the weather!), you may want to apply a setting powder. Use a large powder brush to dust the setting powder lightly over the area. In some cases, you may want to skip the setting powder to ensure your skin has a natural, luminescent look.

Do you or does someone you know suffer from psoriasis? Tell us what you do about it in the comments!

Photography: Joshua M. Shelton

Makeup: Tara Shakespeare