Winter is such a great time to get into using blush. Blush can give you that “just flushed after exercise look”. I must stress this is not the beetroot look I get after running rather a dash of colour on your cheeks that makes you look healthy and full of life. I adore wearing blush but hold back a little as I also like strong lipstick colours. The combination can be a bit 80’s so I avoid really bright lipstick when applying blush. Now don’t be put off, this is a peculiar quirk of mine based on the colours I like, not a hard and fast rule. A little blush with bold lipstick is fine; just don’t go over the top.

Applying blush can bit a bit tricky but there are some failsafe guidelines that can make your technique foolproof.

Blush Colour

Firstly you need to choose a blush colour that suits your skin tone, either from a warm or a cool colour palette. Basically if you have a cool undertone, choose pink or mauve tones. If you have a warm undertone, choose apricot or sienna tones. Some examples are:

Cool Undertones – pinks, mauves and plums

Ere Perez Lip Balm - Harmless

Minerelle Rose Blush

Warm Undertones – apricot, earthy tones and even yellow based reds particularly for mediterranean skin tones

Lavera Natural Apricot Powder Rouge

Ere Perez Cream Balm - Happy

For more about how to work out your skin undertone read “How to choos the right coloured makeup”

Face Shape

Next work out the shape of your face and decide where to contour the blush. Some key tips on this:

  • For rounder faces (like my own) contour the side of your face along the cheekbone (not under them)
  • For longer, thinner faces, try applying the blush to the apples of your cheeks, as it may help to fill your face out

Use a good blush brush. The effect you achieve when applying any makeup is based on the quality of your materials, both cosmetics and good brushes. A blush brush with a full head is ideal.

Eco Tools Bamboo Blush Brush

Blush Types

Choose the type of blush that will suit your skin. There are few different types of blush formulation that you can choose from:

  1. Powder Blush – generally good for all skin types, but best for normal, oily and combination skin and those wanting long lasting colour.
  2. Cream Blush – these are great for anyone with normal, dry or dehydrated skin as it is generally quite moisturising. It gives a glow to the cheeks, making the area look slightly luminous. It is best to apply cream blush with your fingers.
  3. Tints & Gel Blushes – these are lovely for a touch of colour but they do dry fast and can look streaky if applied over foundation. The trick is to apply it to your fingertips rather than directly onto your cheek and blend it in quickly.
  4. Shimmers – give your cheekbones luminosity and a light gleam, they are great for night-time. You don’t have to restrict the use of a shimmer to your face. Dab them on your forehead or even the inner corners of your eye. Avoid any dry or areas with laugh lines as the shimmer will just accentuate them.

Blush Application

Firstly, prep your face by applying your moisturizer and foundation. Blush needs to be applied over both of these. Then:

  • For powder blush, tap into your blush compact and tap again to remove any excess (usually only an issue for loose powdered blush). For cream, gel or tint pick up a little colour on your middle finger.
  • Smile! This makes the apples of your cheeks pop out and either gently apply the blush to the area. Sweep backwards to the temple and blend the colour – try to sweep in one direction. Buffing or going around and around in circles can damage your brush and cause streaks. If you want to increase the intensity repeat the process.
  • If you are using a cream blush, blend into your cheeks using your middle and ring finger starting at the roundest portion and moving lightly up your cheekbone towards your temple.
  • If you think you have applied a bit too much colour, apply a little translucent powder will calm it down. With cream blush, blot back the colour with a tissue. With liquid tints the only way to take back the colour is to wipe back with a moist cloth or baby wipe and start again…so best to start light and build up rather than apply to heavily at first.

If you have any application tips you can recommend, let us know. We would love you to share the blush love!

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