How to apply blush
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 8:58AM Wearing blush can be tricky business. However, as long as you have the right shades and the right tools with you, your blush should make you look naturally healthy and glowing with little to no effort at all!
Choosing the right shade
Most women can get away with experimenting with different blush shades - that's what makes it so fun. However, if you're looking for the ultimate blush that's like a great pair jeans you can wear anytime and look good in, you need to be aware of what works best for your skin. Here's a short guide of what shades to use for your skin tone.
Light to medium beige skin tone: Barbie pinks, blue-toned pinks, peach pinks
Majolica Majorca Puff de Cheek in Peach Macaron
Light to medium yellow skin tone: Coral pink, berry, tangerine, apricot
Revlon Matte Powder Blush in Blushing Berry
Dark skin tones: Reddish pink, brick, plum, mauve
MAC Mineralize Blush in Love Joy
Choose your weapon
I have bad news. Most cheap blush brushes are crap, so don't bother. There's only one blush brush I would recommend, and it's the Marionnaud Premium Blush Brush. It's perfect.
If you have a super pigmented blush or you simply want a softer effect, you can also use a stippling brush like this one from Charm.
Application techniques
The good ol' pat and swirl method works, but I find that one can get uneven results while messing up the foundation you already have on. You can also swipe the blush across your cheeks, but then again, it messes up the makeup. This is how I do it:
1. Smile to see the contours of your cheeks. You want to do a soft, round shape on the apples of your cheeks, tapering to your hairline.
2. Load your brush with a small amount of product, tap. It's easier to add than to take away! Then, quickly swipe the brush in short downward strokes, going outwards, starting from the apples of your cheeks to your hairline.
3. To blend, do the same downward strokes again. Short and sweet, alright?
4. If you find you applied too much, get a big powder brush and sort of buff the blush in the same downward motion. Don't attempt to cover the blush with powder because it will look weird and caky. If buffing can't soften the blush, get a facial tissue, then gently pat and wipe the top layer.
And that's it. :) Hope this helps, and let me know if you have any questions.
Reader Comments (21)
so easy! love the blushes you featured Ms. Liz :)
Thanks for this post Liz. I'm a total idiot when applying blush so I stick to cream blushes or Body Shop's ever dependable Lip and Cheek Tint and Benefit's Cha Cha Tint. I usually go with either pink or peach because the former is the safe color and then the latter gives me a rather different look. Though I really really want to learn how to apply blush using a brush and finally create that natural looking effect. Practice! Practice! Practice!
PS
Thanks for noting that blush should not be covered by powder because I do it all the time ;p *lesson learned*
Thanks for this post. I remember asking you how to apply the Nars glittery blush I have nga e. Now, I do the technique you do. Works perfect everytime. How about cheek tints? Cheek tints are such a hassle to apply, they are too pigmented. I always apply cheek tint before I apply foundation/powder kasi mukha akong sinampal.
Nice Tutoria! like how you included various brands for different skin tones.
I love blush!
Mary
Hi Ms. Liz, you made me think otherwise about Marionnaud brushes, thought that they initially weren't any good. I'll try to incorporate that into my makeup routine. Thanks for the tips!
I use the Shiseido Perfect Foundation Brush for this. It works wonders, and never looks OA.
I love the the funny (but helpful!) squiggles on your cheeks, Ms Liz! I love your tips, very helpful!
Thank you for your tips. Its is very helpful. I always go for the mauve and reddish pink color blushes but you stated that for my skintype I should be using coral pink, tangerine, apricot. I will try it out. Thank you very much.
This is one thing I'm never good at. I always fail in applying my blush-on, and most of the time, I end up going over board. I'll keep this technique in mind. Thanks, Liz! =)
Great post as usual! Applying blush has always been a dilemna for me. My concealer (although already set with powder) also comes off after I swipe my blush. I tried the MM puff de cheek but I looked like a clown. What do you think I should do?
Hi Ms. Liz!
What brand of Barbie pink blush would you recommend? :-)
Thanks!
The MAC blush in Love Joy looks scary but interesting! I always love a good blush - might take a look at this one! :) Thanks for recommending the Marionnaud brush (affordable but quality!)
Hi Miss Liz! Would you recommend cheek tints as blushes? Have you tried the Herbench Just Pinched Lip and Cheek Tint? I heard it's a cheaper alternative to Benefit's Benetint :D
Hi guys! Thanks for the lovely comments. :D
Re cheek tints, not a big fan because I find them more difficult to use. Haha. But I do like the Benefit Cha Cha Tint, only when I'm not wearing foundation.
http://www.projectvanity.com/projectvanity/2011/12/7/benefit-cha-cha-tint-a-flush-to-die-for.html
@Soleil That's weird! What concealer is it? If it's the emollient but not so opaque kind, it will really rub off - they don't stick well. Perhaps try a more adherent concealer?
If you find your blush is too pigmented, remove some of it off the back of your hand. Just buff a little of it there, then proceed to your cheeks. If the color is too light, then add another layer lang.
@KC MAC Dollymix! It's a famous blush. :D
http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp?ItemID=47182
Thanks Liz!
Oh blushes! I have two faves: Benefit's dandelion and MAC's peachykeen! They both look so lovely on me so I always stack up on them, especially when Benefit wasn't here yet, I made it a point to always ask my mom to buy it for me from the US. Blushes are my fave compared to all other types of cosmetics, it brightens up my face and makes me look so alive and bubbly =D
Recently just started exploring makeup, thank you for this! I usually just pat on my blush with a brush, I'll try your technique and also try Marionnaud's brush soon! :)
For years I apply my blush this way until I read somewhere that it should really depend on the shape of your face and since I have an annoyingly roundish face, it was advised to put blush in the hollow of my cheeks where contour is usually applied and to avoid the apples of my cheeks. At first I thought it would look weird but surprisingly it made my face look thinner! (Yay!) But I have to say that the way you apply your blush is perfect for you as it makes your blush look natural and it really brightens up your face! =D
Thanks for this post! I still haven't learned how to put on blush properly. Very very helpful. :)
I also do that-applying powder when the blush seems too much! How about this, I learned this from my former office mate and I'm still doing it right now. Applying a little blush on my forehead (just in line with my eyebrows) and on my chin. Just to achieve some sort of balance. It may sound out of this world, but have you ever tried this? Or at least, have you ever heard of this? Thanks Liz!:)
Nice post! I am guilty of applying powder over blush...glad that you cleared that up!
Speaking of Marionnaud brushes...have you tried their powder brushes? I am looking for a retractable one for travel. Any suggestions? Thanks!