How to Apply Blush 101 – Guide & Hacks

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Hand’s up if you’ve ever gone over the top with your blush? Maybe made it a little too red or pink, perhaps? Well, here are some tips to get your blush application down pat, most importantly, to make sure you look blushed and not flushed.

Powder Blush Application:

– Powder blush should be applied with a natural/animal hairbrush. An angled blush brush will work best for the most precise application. It should be applied to the apples of the cheeks, so smile when applying to make them more pronounced very quickly after blending upwards and downwards for a more natural-looking application of color.

– The best way to find your correct blush tone is by pinching your cheeks. Whatever color they turn is the color your blush should be, or what color they are after a workout.

– Before applying blush, apply a translucent powder on the cheek area. This will give a smoother application.

– Apply translucent powder to the cheek area before applying blush for a smoother surface.

– Blush tends to fade within a couple of minutes, so apply a bright pink color over the top for the best-looking application.

– Even though it’s not bronzer for a sun-kissed glow, you can apply a little to the forehead, the nose, and the tip of the chin.

– If you’ve got a very round face, apply blush in two horizontal lines on your cheeks. This will make your face appear slimmer.

– Always use less blush than you think you will need.

– If you’ve applied too much blush, use a duo fiber stippling brush to take off some of the colors as it absorbs the product well.

Cream Blush Application:

– Cream blush should be applied with your fingers and then pressed into the cheeks, then blended with your fingers. The warmth of your fingers will help to move around the product and make sure that it ‘melts into the skin. However, you can also use a synthetic powder brush, stippling brush, or foundation brush for a more precise application.

– The best way to find your correct blush tone is by pinching your cheeks. Whatever color they turn is the color your blush should be, or what color they are after a workout.

– Set cream blush with a light-colored blush or a translucent powder for longer staying power.

– Apply cream blush can also be applied with a synthetic powder brush for a more intense application.

– Apply cream blush very lightly; otherwise, it can look heavy.

– If you’ve applied too much blush, use a duo fiber stippling brush to take off some of the colors as it absorbs the product well.

Our Favourite Blushes:

These blushes are absolutely lovely. They are extremely pigmented and blendable and give a gorgeous natural flush of color to the cheeks. They suit just about all skin tones, easily melt into the skin, can be a little tricky to get the hang of applying at first if you don’t know what you’re doing, but practice really does make perfect.

Many people talk about this product and how good it is. Therefore you certainly should give it a try. After moisturizing and letting it sink in for a while, apply this product.  It will leave your skin with a gorgeous velvety feel and won’t make your skin shiny.

This product is amazing for all skin types. It will seriously make your makeup last from 9-5 and even longer. So if you’ve had a long day and plan on going out in the evening, you don’t have to worry that your makeup’s not up to scratch.

We honestly cannot rate this product enough, and it is now one of our favorites without a doubt. The other great thing? The product is completely paraben-free.

A few other favorites of ours include

Revlon PhotoReady Prime Plus Primer, Napoleon Perdis’s Auto Pilot Pre-Skin foundation primer/Face Of Australia’s Face Base, Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer)

How to Make Your Makeup Last

How do I make my makeup last? This a question that you may ask yourself almost morning. Getting your makeup to last from 9 to 5, if not longer, can be a hard task. With so many things promising to give you long-lasting results, how do you really know they are going to work?

Not many of us can necessarily afford to go out and spend $40 on a new primer each time a product we’ve tried before hasn’t worked. So here’s a couple of hints, tricks, and products that we have found to really make your makeup last.

– Start by moisturizing your skin after cleansing, and ensure you leave it to sink in for a good 5 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, you can lightly absorb some of it with a single ply of tissue.

– A primer is absolutely essential for making your makeup last. It gives the makeup something to stick to and absorb into other than your skin. The amount of primers out there is crazy. There are so many, but really, which one’s actually do make your makeup last? Not only is your skin type a contributing factor, but your preference, age, and finish are too. Our pick of the bunch for all skin types is:

Smashbox’s Photo Finish Oil-free primer

– Don’t wet your skin before applying makeup. This is a common practice that many people do, but applying makeup to wet skin causes products like primers and moisturizers to wash off lightly, so they are not as effective and can’t do their job properly.

– Use long-wearing makeup. So many companies carry their own long-wearing makeup range, which includes products like foundation, concealer, blush, bronzer, powder, lip colors, eyeshadows, eyeliners, and more.

– Powder set’s cream products. Setting your makeup with a translucent powder that is yellow toned (white toned if you are extremely pale) will make your makeup last much longer, whether it be your foundation, your lipstick, concealer, or that cream eyeshadow you love powder will ensure it lasts longer. When setting your foundation, use a brush if you have dry/combination/normal skin and a powder puff if you have oily skin.

– Never apply too much makeup. Applying too much makeup can cause your makeup to ‘slide off’ your skin. This is because it turns into something that is almost ‘bound together’, which makes it easier to move.

– Control oil. Ensure you try to control your oil well. Too much oil can cause makeup to ‘disappear’ or slide off. Oil blotting papers can help with this. I recommend using natural ones that are free of chemicals like parabens, titanium dioxide, etc. Boscia and Sephora collections are great ones to look out for.

How to deal with redness

Some days some of us are just a little angry (well, our skin is, anyway!), so how do we actually correct this redness? Well, it’s not by caking on concealer or makeup, that’s for sure. Blushing is cute, but not when it’s all over your face! Often green is always used to counteract redness, so here are a couple of tips to get you out of the ` I’m Miss angry look `.

  – Allergic Reactions.

Many people have reactions to the skin due to ingredients in cosmetics and skincare. Redness is one of the big giveaways, so if you think a product you are using irritates, you stop using it. Generally, harsh chemicals like SLS/SLES, parabens, petrochemicals, and sodium hydroxide cause the most irritation, so opt for natural products that are free of these chemicals. Also, opt for soothing gels and skincare.

  – Start with a green primer.

Many makeup brands carry color-correcting primers. They are possibly the best option as they reduce the look of redness without looking cakey and make your makeup last long, just be sure not to use too much, or people might think your, Little Miss sick!

TRY: NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Studio Perfect Primer – Green (Color-Correcting), Vegan Formula, Smashbox Photo Finish Reduce Redness Primer.

  – Anti Redness concealer.

Concealer is the best product to cover redness if it is only in a small area or you need a little touch-up. Generally, green concealers work best at reducing the appearance of redness, although they do need a concealer that’s the same color as their skin placed on top; otherwise, you can look green. However, there are also many brands out there that carry a concealer that matches your skin tone while hiding redness.

TRY: Clinique Redness Solutions Targeted Corrector, Maybelline New York Cover Stick Concealer in green.

Anti Redness makeup.

If you’re still a little red, you may like to opt for some makeup designed to hide redness. Brand’s like clinique carry these and are fragrance-free for those with sensitive skin types. They generally offer concealers, powders, foundations. Mineral makeup is great for those with red skin too.

Go to a dermatologist.

If your constantly red all the time, you may have a skin condition called rosacea. If you do have a tendency to go red, it’s recommended that you try to take some preventative measures now, like avoiding things that trigger off the skin like intensive exercise, coffee, tea, and spicy foods. Try to use calming gels and mineral makeup

Dark circles.

Put your hand up if you’ve ever had dark circles? That’s what I thought just about all of you, yes? Whether they be slightly faint or really dark, we must all admit we sit there trying to cover them up with way too much concealer. So here’s a couple of tips to well.. at least hide them.

– Use a light eye cream the second you wake up. This will help to fade dark circles but make sure you wait at least 15 minutes before applying any makeup to the eye area. For best results, use a brightening eye cream like Origins Gin Zing Refreshing Eye Cream.

If you have extremely dark circles, use a corrector before concealer in a peach or pink tone and follow a yellow-toned concealer.

– Make sure you are using a peach, yellow, or orange-toned concealer.

– Orange is the best way to correct grey and blue, so mix a tiny amount of orange in with your concealer, and apply. For best results, use lipstick as they have creamy hydrating properties.

– Your concealer for dark circles should only be 1-2 shades lighter than your foundation, and if it makes them look grey, it’s too light.

– Use a good high-quality concealer. Brands like Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier carry little sets that contain a powder and a concealer to help hide your dark circles.

– Apply your concealer over the top of your foundation. Generally, your foundation hides imperfections a bit, and if the concealer is put underneath, it can rub off.

– Make sure you use a concealer that’s the same shade as your foundation over the top.

– Apply your concealer with a brush but blend it in with your ring finger, preferably in a patting motion, as the warmth of your fingers will help to smooth it onto the delicate skin and look more natural.

– Set your concealer with a blending eye brush and a yellow-toned (White toned if you are extremely pale) translucent powder. This will help it to stay in place.

– Also, ensure you get a good night’s sleep, so avoid eating hot and spicy foods and instead opt for things that contain ammonia acids, like milk, cottage cheese, and chocolate.

Our Favourite Blushes:

How To Apply Blush – Frequently Asked Questions

What should I apply before blushing?

Applying your makeup after you shower for the day is always best. Otherwise, make sure that your skin is clean and dry before you begin. Blushing the last thing at night helps avoid smudging or streaking on your sheets which can ruin the look of fresh makeup in the morning.

What color should I apply?

Any color that complements your natural coloring. If you are using a cream blush, the color of the blush will be affected by the foundation tone you select.

How do I apply it?

Tap brush onto powder and lightly tap on cheekbones, temple, forehead, and chin for instant beauty boosts! For more defined contouring, use a shade lighter than your skin tone to highlight areas of your face where you want to bring forward features such as cheekbones or downplay areas like round cheeks. Use a darker shade where you want to create shadowed effects such as under brows, around the jawline, and sides of the nose. Start with less rather than more product – it’s easy to build up the color if needed.

To contour, apply a deeper shade on temples and cheekbones where you want to make it more prominent. The color should fade out under your jawline. For highlight, apply the product in the areas you’d like to appear brighter such as the bridge of the nose, cupid’s bow, and top of cheekbones.

You can use colors that are close in the shade within your skin tone or for contrast contours using colors across the spectrum. At night when blush is applied less pronounced than in daytime look, choose neutral shades with just enough color to enhance your natural coloring.

What if I don’t have makeup brushes?

There’s no need to worry! You can easily use clean fingers or cosmetic wedges to pick up powder blushes or cream blushes. Just rub the brush across the top surface of the blush and tap off excess before applying it to the cheeks.

Should I use a brush or my fingers?

Either way works, but many people find that using their fingers gives them more control and results in an even application. Many also like the warmth of their fingers against their skin and how it helps the blusher to blend into the skin seamlessly. For some cheeks, no warming is needed; simply dab on lightly with your fingertips for great results! If you are unsure, try applying both ways and see which method feels more natural for you!

How much should I apply?

Begin by taking a small amount of product on your brush or fingertips, then gently tap off any excess before applying to cheekbones in gentle upward strokes from the apples of your cheeks towards your ears. Use a light hand and build up the color gradually if needed, but remember, less is more when it comes to blush application!

What should I wear after blushing?

When you’re wearing blush, it’s best to keep the rest of your makeup natural. If you want to line your eyes or apply eyeliner, use a lighter color than usual – remember, your cheeks are now the focus! You can also add some lip gloss or lip balm with a hint of color for extra definition.

Why should I blusher?

It enhances the shape of your face and creates softness by bringing forward features that naturally become less defined when you flush with blood under your skin. When worn appropriately, blush is one of the most flattering makeup products available for all different types of people.

How can I make my blush last all day?

Apply a good-quality moisturizer before using your blush. This step will prevent the powder from sitting on dry patches of skin and absorb excess oil that can make it appear blotchy. For cream blushes, use fixing spray to ensure your color stays put all day!

What about winter?

Winter can be challenging for some areas of your face – especially if you wear glasses or sunglasses. If your eyes are hidden behind these items, more of the color goes near the outer perimeter of your face, so applying blush may not give you as much impact as it would during warmer months. However, do not go without cheeks just because it’s cold outside. Many different shades look beautiful year-round. You can also experiment with lighter shades that can enhance your natural coloring and look gorgeous in the cold weather!

Can I apply blush to other parts of my face?

Blush isn’t only for the apples of your cheeks! Apply to areas you want to define or enhance, such as the bridge of the nose, cupid’s bow, and top of cheekbones. When applying color along your hairline, make sure it matches the rest of your face; if not, it can look unnatural.

Where should I place my blush?

Blusher placement can seem a little confusing when you’re just starting out! Remember, the lightest part of your face is in the middle, so applying color on or below this point will leave you looking tired. You want to add warmth and definition to your skin by applying blush to the areas that naturally get more sun, such as cheekbones and along the hairline.

Does the application differ depending on whether it’s cream or powder?

The basic rules are the same for both types of blush. However, the powder is generally more suited to all-over colors, and cream is great for defining areas. Some products combine both, which gives you a choice to apply in different ways!

Do you have any tips for applying blush around the nose area?

The two most common mistakes to avoid when applying blush on the nose are:

1. Applying too much – try using a lighter hand.

2. Using orangey shades that only enhance the skin’s natural redness instead of minimizing it. Instead, opt for pink and peach-based colors as they’ll work with your skin tone and create a lovely glow rather than drawing attention to any uneven areas!

Do you have any tips for applying blusher to darker skin tones?

To create a beautiful natural look, use a color that has a hint of rose and peach. If you want more impact, you can go for darker colors but make sure they’re matte! Choose an apricot blush with warm undertones instead of pink as they will be truer to your skin tone and highlight your features beautifully.

What is the best blusher for my skin type?

Warm golden-based shades are flattering on almost all skin types. However, if you have dry skin, opt for powder. It tends to sit better on flaky areas than cream formulations that accentuate any dry patches! Some people find that cream blushes tend to drag on their skin, so a powder version may work out better for them. People with oily skin can opt for cream products as they will diminish shine throughout the day. However, be careful not to over-apply in this area as it can emphasize pores and highlight spots!

How do I prevent my blush from blending into my foundation?

Blending is key when applying your makeup, but no one wants a muddy look! I would recommend going with a cream blusher if you have oily skin, especially in the summertime. For a powder, blush, go for one that has fine shimmer particles to ensure it doesn’t blend into your foundation and add brightness to your complexion!

How can pale, pale people get away with wearing blush?

To avoid being overwhelmed by color, use a tiny amount of product and apply it on the highest part of your cheekbones. If you have fair skin opt for a lighter shade so it is not too overpowering while still adding definition to your face.

Can men wear blush?

They sure can! A natural-looking flush is great for creating definition while contouring the face so anyone can pull this off! Blush is often associated with femininity, but it is a great way to make your face look brighter and stand out from the crowd.

I’m pregnant/ my skin is really dry. Can I still use blush?

Of course! If you’re pregnant or have sensitive skin, then go for a cream blusher as they tend to be more gentle on the skin. No matter your complexion, I recommend adding color somewhere on your face as it will instantly lift and brighten up your skin! Plus, who doesn’t want rosy cheeks? ;)

Conclusion

Cheek color is a lovely way to add definition and fullness while shaping your face. Make sure you’re aware of how to apply blush properly, so you look glowing while adding life to your complexion!

Last update on 2024-04-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API