Determine your face shape before applying blush. Concentrate blush on the center of the face for high cheekbones. A rounder fuller face looks good with dusty pink or rose blush at the outside of the face near the hairline. Smile into the mirror to find out the ‘apple spot’ on your cheek. Apply blush from this spot to your hairline, taking care to blend well. There shouldn’t be an obvious patch or line of color on the cheeks.
Sweep powder blushes in one direction always. Always tap off excess powder blush before applying it on the cheeks. A dot of cream blush applied on the apples of the cheeks must be worked upon to blend with the hairline. A hint of shimmering blush on the highest point of your cheeks can add a hint of drama. Choosing a quality blush brush is the first step towards the right application.
Find a blush brush that is the size of the apple of your cheek for a perfect application. A full round blush brush can give a professional look to your blush makeup. A bigger brush gives better results – one with a dome-shaped head and generous fibers. For perfect blending or precise outlines, use a good set of makeup brushes for applying blush. Compact size blush brushes are too small and the bristles are not shaped properly. Do not use the same brush that is used for applying loose powder.
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Here are some steps to choosing blush & applying it.
- First choose the color using nature as your guide. According to InStyle, the trick is to find a color that matches your cheeks when they’re flushed after exercise or being out in the cold. For a quick test, ’spank’ your cheeks & use the resulting color as a guide. (We suggest doing this in the comfrot of your home away from other people, wink). Another trick is to match your lip color. Fair skin looks great in rose, olive in peach & dark skin in apricot or even red.
- Now that you have the color, choose the right formula for your skin type. Powder is typically best for oily & combo skin. Cream is great for dry skin. Liquid and gel are great for oily skin. For even better results, combine cream & powder together. “It helps my blush stay on longer & looks more luminous,” said makeup artist Laura Mercier in O Magazine . Keep in mind stains — great for well-moisturized skin, not dry skin — tend to dry very fast so blend well & fast.
- Apply foundation, eye color & lipstick. While blush is usually your 2nd-to-last makeup step (before powder), you should experiment with what works best for you. Some makeup artists like to apply blush BEFORE foundation for a more ‘natural’ look.
- Throw out the freebie ‘Barbie-size’ blush brush that comes with the blush. Use a professional full brush instead (I like MAC’s blush brush No. 116), but don’t use the same brush you use for your powder.
- Put the blush on your brush, tapping off any excess or put a dab of gel on your fingers.
- Look into the mirror and smile. This helps you figure out where the ‘apple’ of your cheek is.
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Blush Application Tip One: Oval Face
This face type typically does not need any contouring at all since the natural slope of the face already provides a perfect plane to apply blush. For a natural look, apply blush onto the apples of your cheeks for a flushed, healthy glow. If you are going out for a night on the town, add slightly more blush to the bridge of your nose for extra color.
Blush Application Tip One: Square Face
For this face shape, soften the angles of cheeks by concentrating the brighter color of the blush on the apples of the cheeks, then sweep the color straight out towards your temples. This will give your face a natural lift. If you want to round the corners of your jawline, lightly dust some blush from your chin to just below your ears.
Blush Application Tip One: Round Face
Start applying blush to the area just above the apples of your cheeks and slightly blend forward to thin the face. Make sure not to get blush too close to your nose; otherwise, the extra color will highlight the rounded area of the cheeks. Next, dust the contour shade just below the cheekbone down to the jawline and blend the color so it looks natural.
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Enhance your beauty by finding the perfect blush color to complement your skin tone. With so many gorgeous blush color shades to choose from, finding the right blush color perfect for you may seem daunting – but it doesn’t have to be! Just follow these simple tips to find the best blush color for your skin tone:
Match Blush Color to Skin Tone
The best blush color for your cheeks is usually the one closest to your skin tone. Think of the flushed tone your cheeks take on after exercising or emerging from a hot shower; that is the natural color you want to aim for when choosing your blush color. Following this guideline will also help you avoid choosing a blush color that seems artificial. The perfect blush color is one that looks as natural as possible.
Typically, darker skin tones benefit from burgundy or wine colored blush colors, such as Aloette’s Boysenberry blush color. Pink hues like Aloette’s Rosedust blush color will enhance lighter skin tones.
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