How to apply blush
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.
