When you apply blush, it’s essential to do it correctly, pick the right products, and know where to apply it. These blush application tips will make your makeup look like it was professionally done. We’ll go over everything from when to apply blush in your makeup routine to the best blush products and more to ensure you know what you’re doing the next time you sit at your vanity.
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Blush After Bronzer
In most cases, you want to apply your bronzer first. The only exception to this rule is using a cream blush with a powder bronzer. If that’s the case, apply your blush first for a flawless look. This is one of the essential blush application tips to remember.
Always Prep Your Skin
Preparing your skin before applying makeup is the secret to getting smooth, amazing-looking makeup. Choose a primer that coordinates with the rest of your makeup, such as a silicone or water-based primer. If you need your makeup to last for hours, choose a gripping primer for long-lasting looks.
Primers create a smooth canvas for your makeup. Imagine that your face is a canvas to paint on. If the canvas is bumpy, the painting won’t have a smooth finish. You’ll need to put in a little work to make a smooth canvas to get the perfect painting. In the makeup world, that means applying primer for that flawless look.
How To Pick Blush For Your Skin Tone
Choosing the right blush for your skin will ensure you look more natural and beautiful, unlike a kid playing with makeup. Having the perfect blush shade is a game-changer, but finding it can be challenging. There are certain things to remember depending on your skin tone.
Fair Skin
If you have fair skin, it’s easy to go overboard with blush accidentally. A tiny dab of color can look horrible. Remember to start small and slowly build up the color until you have the look you want. Start with neutral and light pink shades.
Medium Skin Tones
Medium skin tones are generally more tanned and look amazing with rosier pinks and peaches. Your skin isn’t a shade that will look as good with bright colors like coral, but you don’t want to use neutral colors that won’t appear.
Olive Skin Tones
If you have olive-toned skin, you likely have undertones that are a bit yellowish or green. Blushes with a golden tone or a cross between orange and peach are ideal. Peach is often too light, while orange is too dark, making orangey-peach your perfect blush shade.
Dark Skin Tones
If you have a darker skin tone, you probably have warm undertones and need a warmer blush shade. More pigmented shades tend to show up better, making coral, deep berry colors, purples, reds, and brick reds perfect for you!
Make Sure The Formula Is For Your Skin Type
Next, it’s essential to know what formula to use. An easy way to determine what blush to pick up is to look at the rest of your makeup products. Is everything you own in liquid form? Or do you prefer powders? Pick a blusher that coordinates well with your other makeup products to make shopping easier.
Pick Up A Good Fluffy Brush
A fluffy brush with a rounded tip is ideal for applying blush. These don’t pick up too much powder and aren’t dense. Using a too-dense brush will put too much powder in certain places and not look natural.
Our Picks
Laura Geller Angled Blush Brush
EcoTools Precision Blush Brush
Use Your Face Shape As A Guide
The outdated method of smiling and putting a blush on the most significant part of your cheeks is over. Now, we determine where to apply blush based on your face shape. This video offers an incredible visual to help you discover the perfect blush placement.
How To Determine Your Face Shape
Using a soap bar and a bathroom mirror is an easy way to determine your face shape. Stand in front of the mirror and trace the outline of your face with the bar of soap. Then, stand back and look at the shape. This easy trick will tell you if your face is oval, heart-shaped, square, diamond, oblong, or pear-shaped.
Know Where To Apply Blush
Taking the time to learn your face shape and determine the proper blush placement can seem tedious, but it’s well worth the result. Your face will look balanced, and your makeup will be flawless.
Keep A Straight Face During Application
Traditional methods encouraged people to smile when applying blush because it was easier to determine where the apples of their cheeks were. However, that doesn’t work for everyone and can sometimes lead to a blush application that is too low. Instead, keep a straight face when applying your blush to ensure your application is accurate.
Make Sure You Have Good Lighting When Applying Blush
Ensuring you have good lighting when applying blush is critical to not overdoing it. If you have poor lighting, you’ll use too much blush, thinking it’s the perfect color, only to step outside and realize it’s far too dark.
Blend
After applying blush, you need to blend it well. Then, blend it some more. You want to ensure that there are no harsh lines on your face. Instead, it should have a natural pop of color. If you don’t blend it well, you can look like you’re wearing clown makeup.
Blot Away Excess
You may wear too much if you can’t blend the blush properly. Blotting paper or toilet paper can remove excess product, and then you can try blending it again.
Sometimes, You Need To Skip The Shimmers
Shimmer blush formulas are lovely. They give you the perfect amount of color with a luminous glow. However, there are certain times when you’ll need a matte formula instead.
Shimmer blush products can highlight that aspect of your face if you have dry or textured skin. You’ll notice that your skin looks more textured than it did before. Opt for matte products if you’re prone to dry skin in the winter.
Layer Blush Formulas
Layering blush formulas can give you a custom look that you’ll love! Try putting a matte blush on and layering a shimmer blush on top of that for a gorgeous glow. You can also layer blush over top of a cheek tint to enjoy the skincare benefits of cheek tints and a pop of pigment.
Don’t Forget Setting Spray Or Powder
Recommended Setting Sprays And Powders
POREfessional Super Setter Setting Spray
The POREfessional Super Setter setting spray instantly helps minimize the appearance of pores while giving you long-lasting makeup you’ll be in love with.
Why You’ll Love It
- Dries quickly
- It helps makeup melt together for a natural look
- Lightweight
NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray
It’s affordable, effective, and can help your makeup last up to 16 hours! The NYX setting spray is available in matte and dewy finishes. It’s also available in a travel, average, or jumbo size!
Why You’ll Love It
- Lightweight
- Absorbs quickly
- Delivers a matte finish
- Vegan
MILK Makeup Hydro Grip
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip is a dewy setting spray that locks in makeup, delivers a gorgeous finish, and helps your makeup look last all day. It grips makeup to keep it in place for up to 12 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
- Alcohol-free
- Hydrating
- Aloe soothes skin
- Infused with cannabis seed extract from hemp
Try A Cheek Tint For A Natural Flush
Cheek tints are similar to cream blushes but are absorbed well into the skin for a natural flush. These mini marvels are great for anyone who wants a natural look. You can easily apply them with your fingers, blend them, and enjoy naturally flushed cheeks all day.
Dim Down Color By Applying Blush Before Foundation
It’s easy to wind up with the wrong shade of blush, but that doesn’t mean you have to toss it in the trash. Instead, put on your blush as one of the first steps in your makeup routine. Losing foundation and other products on top will dim the pigment to give you the desired color.
Use Blush For Sunkissed Cheeks
Liquid blush is perfect for sunkissed cheeks that look like you’ve spent plenty of time in the sun. Grab your favorite liquid blush and sweep it over your cheekbones and the bridge of your nose. Then, carefully blend it into the skin. Add a few fake freckles along your cheeks for the ultimate summer look.
How To Make Fake Freckles
There are several different techniques to create fake freckles. An easy way to make them is to use a fine eyeliner pen with a felt tip and gently dab on little dots across your cheeks and the bridge of your nose. Any makeup pen, including both eyeliner and brow pens, will work. This video highlights other methods you can use to create freckles at home.
Make It A Monochromatic Makeup Look
Recommended Monochromatic Makeup Products
Monochromatic Multi-Stick By e.l.f. Cosmetics
This monochromatic makeup stick is all you need to create a dreamy look. It’s suitable for use on the eyes, cheeks, and lips. It delivers the perfect flush of color, but it’s buildable in case you want serious pigment.
Why You’ll Love It
- Available in seven gorgeous shades
- The trendy stick makes it travel-friendly
- Lightweight
- Even application
Use A Light Hand
Using a light hand is critical when applying blush products. Blush is seriously pigmented, so it’s too easy to look like a clown. Instead of applying all your blush immediately, use a light hand and apply a small amount. If you want more pigment, you can always add a few more layers of blush.
Recommended Blush Products
Loose Powder Blush By Bare Minerals
This loose powder blush is an excellent mineral makeup product if you love loose powders. It’s easy to apply, gentle on your skin, and delivers perfect pigment.
Why You’ll Love It
- A little goes a long way
- Spreads evenly on the skin
- Two gorgeous shades are available
- Cruelty-free, gluten-free, and free from tree nuts
Putty Blush By e.l.f. Cosmetics
The putty collection by e.l.f. Cosmetics continues to go viral. It started with their now legendary putty primer and extends to this gorgeous putty blush. It delivers the same high quality you love from putty products with the perfect pigmentation. It’s almost like a cheek tint, but not quite.
Why You’ll Love It
- Eight pigmented shades
- Virtual try-ons are available on the website
- Cream to semi-powder finish
- Hydrates skin
Other Awesome Blushes
While those are some of our favorites, they are far from the only fantastic blushes on the market. Check out these fan favorites if you’re still searching for the perfect blush products!
Physician’s Formula Mood Boosting Blush
Final Thoughts
Applying blush can seem daunting because applying too much color to your cheeks is easy, but don’t fret! Just use these tips to find your perfect blush shade. Then, take your time applying it and use bright lighting to ensure there isn’t too much color on your cheeks. Check out the rest of the blog for more need-to-know beauty advice!
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