After much research on this subject, here are 8 ways I've found to minimize the damage (it is impossible to completely get rid of it, whatever the myths say.) Warning: Some of these will hurt. But if you have another date the next day, it's worth it.

8 Ways to Minimize Hickeys

1. Before you use concealer, cover the hickey with green eyeshadow. This won't make it disappear, but it offsets the red and makes it look less scary.

2. Put a hot tea bag on your neck. This really hurts if the tea bags are hot enough, but it does reduce the swelling.

3. Use concealer that's a shade lighter than what you normally use.

4. Use ice to reduce the swelling.

5. Leave roll-on deodorant on the hickey overnight.

6. Leave toothpaste on overnight.

7. Rub a brush hard over the area to work the blood back into the skin. Again, incredibly painful, and a few days later the skin will die and flake off, but this is the most effective way.

8. If all else fails, a trusty turtleneck or creatively arranged scarf will do. Or, what the heck, wear it proudly.