How To Apply Blush

Apply blush to your face to resemble the natural glow of your cheeks and watch the compliments flow in! A hint of blush.. and you can look fresher and prettier. The trick lies in choosing the right blush color and learning how to apply blush correctly. However, blush often remains the most misused makeup cosmetic. When it comes to applying your blush, remember that less is best.

Determine your face shape before applying blush. Do you have high cheekbones? Concentrate blush on the center of the face. Do you have a rounder, more full face? You would look good with dusty pink or rose blush at the outside of the face near the hairline.

Blush warms with the heat of the body to a more intense hue, which is one reason to apply it very sparingly.

1. Throw away the brush that comes in the compact -- it’s too stiff, too small, and the bristles are not shaped correctly to create a natural look. Use a good brush for your blush. Find a quality blush brush that is the size of the apple of your cheek for perfect application. A full round 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. Also remember that you should not use the same brush to apply powder that you use to apply your blush.
2. Grin like a happy fool into the mirror. This will allow you to see where the apple of your cheek appears.
3. Dip your blush brush into the powder and always shake off the excess before applying it to your face. Brush it lightly over the apply of the cheek, moving toward the ear with short, up-and-down vertical movements.
4. Blend the blush in with one soft horizontal stroke on top of the vertical strokes, and blot a tissue on top to remove the excess, or lightly cover with powder. There shouldn’t be an obvious patch or line of color on the cheeks. Sweep powder blushes in one direction only.
   If you are feel particularly washed out, you can brush a light stroke of blush across your forehead up by your hairline or just above the brows where the sun would hit your face…. But be careful not to overdo it!
5. Be sure to do the ‘blush test’. When you are done with applying your makeup, stand back, look in the mirror. Check to see if your face is ‘balanced’. You should have on just enough blush to make you look as though you are blushing… hence the term ‘blush’. If you have on any more than that you need to tone it down.
6. To soften blush, apply some powder over your blush. In the evening, you have a little more liberty… so you can go a bit heavier according to the look you wish to achieve.

Blushers are available in powder, cream or liquid and in a wide variety of tones. Liquid and cream blush should be applied before powder. Powder blushes are easier to apply than cream blushes. Cream blushes must be dabbed on each cheek and gently blended with the fingers. You can use a sponge to smooth it out.

Dry Skin: Cream blushes work best
Oily Skin: Consider using a powder blush; however, liquid and gel are also great.
Rosier Cheeks: Consider gel or liquid tints

Remember to blend quickly!